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ELECTRIC TUBE AMPS: SVT SERIES

Ampeg's flagship model, the SVT (Super Vacuum Tube), was introduced in 1969 and has been produced in one form or another by Ampeg ever since. At 300 watts powered by a 14-tube chassis, it was easily the most powerful production amplifier at the time when the "power race" was in full force. At first, the SVT was described as an all-purpose amp like most Ampegs, but by the mid-1970s it was clear that it was best suited for bass guitars and Ampeg began considering it a bass amp. When St. Louis Music pruchased Ampeg, they began developing several other amplifiers called the SVT including tube amps, solid-state amps, hybrid amps, preamps, and power amps. Please refer to other SVT categories for non-tube SVT amps.

Models (7)

SVT (1969-1985 MFG.)

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- 300W, 16-10 in. speakers (two 8-10 in. speaker cabinets with four separate compartments for each pair of speakers), bass piggyback configuration, 14 tube chassis: preamp: 4 X 12DW7, 1 X 12AX7, 2 X 12BH7, 1 X 6C4, power: 6 X 6550 (early models featured 6146), solid-state rectifier, two channels, front silver (1969-1980) or black (1981-85) control panel, four inputs (two per channel with one each for normal and bright), seven knobs (Ch.1: v, t, m, b, Ch. 2: v, t, b), ultra-high and ultra low switches for each channel, three-way mid-range selector switch on Channel 1, black covering, blue/gray grille (1969-1980) or black grille (1981-85), mfg. 1969-1985.
Early models were equipped with 6 X 6146 power tubes, but were discontinued shortly after the SVT was introduced because they ran too hot. There was a recall issued in 1972 to update all of the amps with the more reliable 6550 tubes and other modifications. It should be noted that any model still equipped with 6146 tubes are worth significantly less because the amp does not run properly. When MTI took over in the early 1980s they produced the SVTs in Japan with Japanese parts and the 12DW7 preamp tubes were replaced with 12AX7s.
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SVT-HD (1986-89 MFG.)

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- 300W, bass head unit, 14 tube chassis: preamp: 5 X 12AX7, 2 X 12BH7, 1 X 6C4WA, power: 6 X 6550, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, four inputs (two per channel with one each for normal and bright), seven knobs (Ch.1: v, t, m, b, Ch. 2: v, t, b), ultra-high and ultra low switches for each channel, three-way mid-range selector switch on Channel 1, black covering, black grille, limited edition run of 500 instruments, mfg. 1986-89.

When St. Louis Music took over in 1986, the production of the SVT moved back to the U.S and only 500 were made over a five year period in the "Skunkworks" department. The amp became known as the SVT-HD, although only SVT appeared on the control panel. The SVT-HD was sold separately from any speaker cabinets.
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SVT CLASSIC (1994-PRESENT)

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- 300W, bass head-unit, 11-tube chassis: preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 2 X AU7, power: 6 X 6550, solid-state rectifier, two channels, two inputs, six black knobs (g, b, m, five-position mid-range freq, t, MV), standby switch, power switch, transformer balanced line out, recessed side handles, black covering, black grille, 80 lbs., mfg. 1994-present.
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SVT-AV (1999-2005 MFG.)

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- 300W, bass head unit, 11 tube chassis: preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AU7, power: 6 X 6550, solid-state rectifier, single channel, front silver control panel, two inputs, six knobs (g, b, m, five-position mid-range freq., t, MV), ultra-high and ultra low switches, power switch, standby switch, recessed side handles, black covering, blue/gray grille, mfg. 1999-2005.
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SVT-VR (VINTAGE REISSUE, 2006-PRESENT MFG.)

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- 300W, bass head-unit only, 12-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 3 X 12AU7, power: 6 X 6550, two channels, front silver control panel with blue lines, four inputs (two per channel with one each for normal and bright), seven knobs (Ch. 1: v, t, m, b, Ch. 2: v, t, b), ultra hi and ultra lo switches for each channel, three-way mid-range selector switch, polarity switch, power switch, rear panel: preamp out, power amp in, recessed side handles, black covering, silver grille, 85 lbs., mfg. 2006-present.
This is a reissue of the original SVT head from the 1970s.
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SVT-II

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- 300W, bass three-space rack-mount head, 12-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AU7, power: 6 X 6550, solid-state rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, two inputs (normal, bright), five knobs (v, t, m, five-position mid-range freq. selector, b), six-band graphic EQ with level adjustment and footswitch jack, balanced out pre/post switch, ultra hi switch, graphic EQ switch, ultra lo switch, standby switch, power switch, rear panel: convenience outlet, polarity switch, line out, line in, XLR balanced line out, two speaker jacks, hum balance control, impedance switch, 80 lbs., mfg. 1989-1994.
The SVT-II is similar to the SVT, except it has only a single channel and a six-band graphic EQ.
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SVT-100

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- 100W, bass head unit, seven-tube chassis: preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 4 X 6550, solid-state rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, two inputs, six black knobs (pre v, MV, b, m, t, p), ultra hi switch, ultra lo switch, power switch, standby switch, black covering, black grille, mfg. 1986-1992.
The SVT-100 was a modified V5 amp that St. Louis Music received through the MTI purchase and made into a new bass amp.
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