Members misterhinkydink Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 320829-18930073C.I.A. 682 79 04 I don't know what the first number is, probably the manufacturers part number. The second number is the Ampeg part number. That last numbers, '682' are the manufacturer, Electrical Windings, '79' is the year and 04 is the week. So it was made sometime in 1979. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members abstract Posted January 21, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 Cool! Thanks for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jpark Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 I have an early 70's (not sure on exact year, need to get some pics of it) with the original magnavox power tubes in it. Sounds killer ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members abstract Posted January 21, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 I have an early 70's (not sure on exact year, need to get some pics of it) with the original magnavox power tubes in it. Sounds killer ! Homeboy above can help you with year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scary Bill Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 Looks like a sweet amp. Now go play " shake the neighborhood" for while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rikshaw Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 are you selling it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cl0r0x70 Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 I have an early 70's (not sure on exact year, need to get some pics of it) with the original magnavox power tubes in it. Sounds killer ! An honest question; I sincerely want to know. My understanding of tubes is that they wear out, like strings. I know different tube manufacturers have different sounds, specs, etc. But I'm puzzled about how 30 year old tubes can "sound killer." Was the amp not played that much? Were the tubes made back then built to last a lifetime? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jackcheez Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 I see many old SVTs that are so visibly worn. Some are beat beyond recognition, and they still work. Let that be the answer to people who question their dependability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bnyswonger Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 An honest question; I sincerely want to know. My understanding of tubes is that they wear out, like strings. I know different tube manufacturers have different sounds, specs, etc. But I'm puzzled about how 30 year old tubes can "sound killer." Was the amp not played that much? Were the tubes made back then built to last a lifetime? Tubes DO eventually wear out...but the life expectancy is much longer than a set of strings. I've got a set of power tubes in mine that is well over 12 years old, and the performance is fine...there are amps with 30 year old tubes in them that still work well. (They may not perform up to full rated spec, but they sound good and work). And yes, the older ones tended to be made a little better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members countrybass Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 Bro!! I feel totally bad for you. First, that thing looks a mess. Second, it's way too heavy. Here's what I'll do for ya. I will sacrafice my brand new, made in Vietnam, Ampeg SVT 4PRO and swap it out even for your's. You can thank me later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 Tubes DO eventually wear out...but the life expectancy is much longer than a set of strings. I've got a set of power tubes in mine that is well over 12 years old, and the performance is fine...there are amps with 30 year old tubes in them that still work well. (They may not perform up to full rated spec, but they sound good and work). Yep, as long as they're not biased too hot they should easily last for many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted January 21, 2008 Moderators Share Posted January 21, 2008 But I'm puzzled about how 30 year old tubes can "sound killer." If they still work, they still work. I have tubes that are over 30 years old in my V-4B that are 100% up to spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cl0r0x70 Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 I'm skeptical. I know some Ampeg amp techs who tell me that I should be looking to retube my head after several years of hard use. I'm told that often tubes don't fail dramatically, but the amp starts to sound "soft" and starts to lose its edge. Depending on their style, I wonder if some players would mind or even notice that occurring. I also wonder if part of the "original tube" thing doesn't reflect a touch of "vintage mania" . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 I'm skeptical. I know some Ampeg amp techs who tell me that I should be looking to retube my head after several years of hard use. I'm told that often tubes don't fail dramatically, but the amp starts to sound "soft" and starts to lose its edge. Depending on their style, I wonder if some players would mind or even notice that occurring. I also wonder if part of the "original tube" thing doesn't reflect a touch of "vintage mania" . . . . If you notice a change in tone or output the amp should be serviced. It may or may not be tubes. For myself, having the original tubes in good condition is a big plus, especially in a vintage amplifier. Just because they're old doesn't mean they need to be replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cl0r0x70 Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 Well, I've experienced firsthand an improvement in tone when changing out a set of tubes in guitar amp heads. The old tubes didn't sound bad. . . nothing was technically "wrong" with the amp's tone, but I guess a little of the "shine" just slips away day-by-day. It was so gradual, that it was imperceptible until a tube change makes you realize just how far things had progressed. Then you plug it in and you're like "HOLY CRAP! How did I not notice that?!?" I guess the only way to know for sure would be to take the old tubes out (saving them in a glass case to be admired and reinstalled into the amp for resale,) slap in some new ones, and see if the sound changes. Undoubtedly, it will. For better or worse, that's the question! Impossible to know how it sounded in 79 when those "vintage" tubes were just getting broken in tho. I'd kill to be able to do a blind taste test with both sets of tubes. I'd also love to see which sound some of the "vintage" guys preferred from a recording of the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted January 22, 2008 Moderators Share Posted January 22, 2008 Well, I've experienced firsthand an improvement in tone when changing out a set of tubes in guitar amp heads. The old tubes didn't sound bad. . . nothing was technically "wrong" with the amp's tone, but I guess a little of the "shine" just slips away day-by-day. It was so gradual, that it was imperceptible until a tube change makes you realize just how far things had progressed. Then you plug it in and you're like "HOLY CRAP! How did I not notice that?!?" I guess the only way to know for sure would be to take the old tubes out (saving them in a glass case to be admired and reinstalled into the amp for resale,) slap in some new ones, and see if the sound changes. Undoubtedly, it will. For better or worse, that's the question! Impossible to know how it sounded in 79 when those "vintage" tubes were just getting broken in tho. I'd kill to be able to do a blind taste test with both sets of tubes. I'd also love to see which sound some of the "vintage" guys preferred from a recording of the two. Popping new tubes in a head and doing nothing else to ensure proper equilibrium in the circuit is not the wisest choice. Though it is pretty easy to get a dramatic change in tone when bias isn't properly set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cl0r0x70 Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 Popping new tubes in a head and doing nothing else to ensure proper equilibrium in the circuit is not the wisest choice. Though it is pretty easy to get a dramatic change in tone when bias isn't properly set. Ummm. . . really? Thanks, "Captain Obvious!" Seriously, I'm assuming that re-tubing an amp, especially a vintage one, would be something you'd have a pro do, unless you've got at least some decent amount of knowledge and experience. I've got a shop and a tech friend I trust with all my gear. Doesn't change my point, tho. . . I'd be curious to hear how putting fresh tubes in one of these vintage amps effects the sound. Seeing as tubes aren't designed to last forever, isn't it inevitable that it will happen sooner or later, especially under heavy use? Would you let it sound sub-optimal just to keep the original tubes in place? What if the amps sounded great, but you were unaware that it could sound a lot better with a fresh set? Are old ampegs meant to be played or put in museums? From some of the comments I've read here and other places, I wonder. . . . I'm not saying a museum is a bad choice for such an awesome amp, I'm just saying that we should call it what it is then, and be done with it. The reason why I'm wondering is, that my SVT-VR has tons of clarity and responsiveness that I previously only associated with the top modern SS amps. I thought Ampeg tube heads were growly and dark, but lacking a certain "polish" or "edge." That is, until I found my current amp. I'm wondering if my prior experiences (with a few "vintage" heads in particular) weren't colored by the fact that I was maybe playing heads that needed a fresh set of tubes to bring them back to life. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted January 22, 2008 Moderators Share Posted January 22, 2008 The difference between you and misterhinkydink (and to a lesser extent me) is you change tubes because you don't know what's what and it might be what's needed. I have scoped and listened to my V-4B with the old tubes and a set of new tubes. Old doesn't mean broken or sub optimal. Every vintage Ampeg I've played has been clear and responsive. If it weren't, something would be wrong. When you were swapping tubes, did you check your voltages and bias before swapping the tubes and see if that was the issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cl0r0x70 Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 I have scoped and listened to my V-4B with the old tubes and a set of new tubes. Old doesn't mean broken or sub optimal. Never said it was. My original question was in response to the "killer" 30-year-old tubes. A tube amp is like a living animal. . . it sounds different to me depending on how warmed up it is, the temperature and humidity, and sometimes just because it feels like it. . . but always "good." That's part of the art and magic. But parts of this living animal, the tubes, age a little bit every time you turn up that amp and thump those low notes. I'm just saying that I don't see how you could take this animal, play it for 30 years, and have it sound the same as the day you bought it, all the while just "tweaking" the bias. Maybe it still sounds great, but the same as the day you bought it? What if you could get that first-day tone back? What if you didn't even remember what that was?!? No, old doesn't mean "broken" or "sub-optimal", but it also doesn't mean "vintage" and "awesome" either. Sometimes it just means: old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted January 22, 2008 Moderators Share Posted January 22, 2008 No, old doesn't mean "broken" or "sub-optimal", but it also doesn't mean "vintage" and "awesome" either. Sometimes it just means: old. I've been arguing exactly that point for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cl0r0x70 Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 I've changed out all the electrolytics and a few other components that had drifted too far off spec. I occasionally play with swapping components and listening to the amp to see what I like best. I've swapped tubes and put back in the originals because they are still on spec and they sound perfect for me. Sounds like we're of the same mind, then. My point was always that I think people overly respect the "vintage" label, sometimes to the detriment of simple maintenance (like retubing an old amp that has begun to lose its bite.) Reminds me of the postings I've seen of vintage P basses "with original strings." What you did, swapping and comparing, shows that you value tone above labels, and that I respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted January 22, 2008 Moderators Share Posted January 22, 2008 Sounds like we're of the same mind, then. My point was always that I think people overly respect the "vintage" label, sometimes to the detriment of simple maintenance (like retubing an old amp that has begun to lose its bite.) Reminds me of the postings I've seen of vintage P basses "with original strings." What you did, swapping and comparing, shows that you value tone above labels, and that I respect. We're on the same page. Vintage does not mean anything in itself except old. You will also hear me argue that country of origin does not mean anything in itself. People judging based on those concepts are missing the true causation. The reason we have to argue about old tubes is there is too much misinformation about tube life. Often by amp manufacturer's like Mesa that make more money selling tubes than amps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members heartsndspades Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 clorox wtf? if he had the tubes checked and theyre up to spec then that means they have more than enough life in them to not negativly effect his tone, no matter what the age or brand. tubes dont wear out while not being played obviously- yes tubes start to wear out the minute you start playing them and yes theres a chance of loosing some bottom end- thats why "vintage" tubes are selling at such high prices 1. supposably sound 2. they tend to last a long long time. no offense but it seemed to take way to long to settle that.i think what you should of asked was how much play time he'd say he's put on the tubes over the years ect.. anyways awesome amp man- id love me some ampeg tone eventually.. i changed my first set of preamp tubes and 2 power tubes after a year so you've been really lucky with yours. albeit mine were jj and eh.. ill probably be putting in some nos 5751's in preamp position 1+2 for less gain and a mullard 12ax7 as i like a relativly clean tube sound... for power tubes ill prob go for jj kt88's as ive head good things and dont wanna spend hundreds for vintage. id be interested to hear the differnce between the vr and cl side by side, or if its more cosmetics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GreaserMatt Posted January 27, 2008 Members Share Posted January 27, 2008 Old SVT's = best bass amps ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members REMUS Posted January 27, 2008 Members Share Posted January 27, 2008 Old SVT's = best bass amps ever. Old SVTs = mother fuggin expensive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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