2010’s Ampeg SVT-CL

The famed Ampeg SVT is one of the most well known all-tube bass amps in history. The “CL” or “Classic” model is a very popular re-issue/modern re-make of the circuit. These however are very different from the vintage models containing a completely dissimilar lineup of tubes - Types that are considered more modern and easily accessible with actual new production versions available. Example: Replacing the 12DW7 or 6C4 with 12AX7 or 12AU7 type preamp tubes. The construction is also very different with many layered PCB’s replacing the hand-wired or simple vintage PCB in the older models. This makes them quite difficult to work on - much more so than other modern PCB amps.

This one came in with all the tubes completely worn out and the 6550 power tubes actually showing gas and grid emission. The amp was completely re-tubed: V1-V2 = JJ 12AX7S, V3-V4 = EHX 12AU7, V5 = EHX 12AX7, V6-V9 = JJ KT88 Blue Glass Matched Sextet. These tubes were picked for best tone/reliability keeping in mind the style of music that the customer played is hardcore punk. The amp needed to be completely dis-assembled to tighten and replace screws holding the transformers in - which were barely held in place. Several of which had actually fallen out into the chassis risking shorting out the circuit boards holding many hundreds of volts. Amp is now back to normal.