AMPEG SVT-CL User Guide

Owner ’s Guide

for the

SVT CLASSIC

Bass Amplifier

Made in the U.S.A. by

SVT CLASSIC

2

Table of Contents

Important Safeguards and Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

The Front Panel Controls and Their Use . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

The Rear Panel Controls and Their Use . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Some Suggested Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Changing the Tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover

Important Safeguards and Precautions

All Ampeg products are designed for continuous safe operation, as long as common sense is used and steps are taken to help avoid certain prob­lems. Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage to your amplifier, yourself and others.

• The amplifier is equipped with a three-prong AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, NEVER remove or otherwise attempt to
defeat the ground pin of the power cord.

• Connect the amplifier ONLY to a properly grounded AC outlet of the proper voltage for your amp. If no grounded outlet is available, use only
an approved method of adapting to a two-prong AC source.

• Avoid sudden temperature extremes, rain and moisture. Also, avoid sudden and intense impact. (If the unit has been subjected to any of the
preceding abuses, have it looked at by an authorized service center.)

• NEVER set the amplifier on a support that might give out under its weight.

• Always keep the total impedance at or above the rated load.

• Unplug the amplifier before cleaning it. NEVER spray liquid cleaners onto the unit. Wipe the unit with a slightly dampened, lint-free cloth to

remove dirt and film.

• Don’t use the amplifier if it has sustained damage to the chassis, controls, or power cord. Refer the unit to an authorized service center for
inspection.

• Amplifiers capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inflicting permanent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure to such
levels is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and irreversible! Caution is advised and ear protection recommended when playing at

extremely loud levels.

The chart below shows the U.S. Government Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations which were in effect at the time of
this publication for permissible noise exposure, per 29CRF1910, Table G-16.

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of those listed above could result in some hearing loss.

SOUND LEVEL dBA DURATION PER DAY

SLOW RESPONSE IN HOURS

90 8
92 6
95 4
97 3

100 2

SOUND LEVEL dBA DURATION PER DAY

SLOW RESPONSE IN HOURS

102 1-1/2
105 1
110 1/2
115 1/4 or less

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,

DO NOT REMOVE COVER.

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

ATTENTION

RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION

NE PAS OUVRIR

ATTENTION: POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS

ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE

PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN

TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.

VORSICHT

ELEKTRISCHE SCHLAGGEFAHR

NICHT OFFENEN

VORSICHT: ZUR MINIMIERUNG ELEKTRISCHER SCHLAGGEFAHR NICHT

DEN DECKEL ABENHMEN. INTERNE TEILE KONNEN NICHT VOM

BENUTZER GEWARTET WERDEN. DIE WARTUNG IS QUALIFIZIERTEM

WARTUNGSPERSONAL ZU UBERLASSEN.

THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND RELIABLE OPERATION. IN ORDER TO PROLONG THE
LIFE OF THE UNIT AND PREVENT ACCIDENTALDAMAGES OR INJURY, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES:

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN CHASSIS; DO NOT DEFEAT OR REMOVE THE GROUND PIN OF THE
POWER CORD; CONNECT ONLYTO A PROPERLY GROUNDED AC POWER OUTLET.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION: NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION: OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND

PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING IMPAIRMENTOR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS REC­OMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME.

"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"
"UNBEDINGT IN DER BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG NACHSCHLAGEN"

EXPLANATION OF
GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:

"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"
"GEFAHLICHE SPANNUNG"

=

=

SVT CLASSIC

3

An Introduction to your new Ampeg SVT CLASSIC Bass Amplifier

The harmonically rich sound and legendary performance of the classic AMPEG SVT are redefined in the SVT
CLASSIC. This dynamically powerful bass amp delivers a thunderous 300 watts of unsurpassed quality, reliability
and tonal flexibility. It also provides the classic vibrance of tubes as well as contemporary features. The features
and controls of your SVT CLASSIC are covered in detail within the pages of this owner’s guide. We recommend
going over them before you use the amplifier.

Features

In the world of high performance bass amps, SVT amplifiers stand alone. In true Ampeg tradition, the SVT CLASSIC

offers you more power, performance and flexibility than any other amplifier in its class. Listed below are some of the
outstanding features of your new amp: features which set it apart from the competition! Additional information on
these features can be found on the pages indicated.

• -15dB INPUT: This feature is perfect for “active” basses (page 4)

• ULTRA LO AND ULTRA HI SWITCHES: These enable you to tailor your sound in many different ways at

the touch of a button (page 4)

• 5-POSITION FREQUENCY SELECTOR: Take your pick from the five center frequency points to get just
the right midrange voice (page 4)

• BIAS ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS: These controls allow you to adjust the tube bias for proper operation
(pages 5 & 7)

• SLAVE OUT: Use for powering another amp from the SVT CLASSIC’s preamp (page 5)

System Block Diagram

BIAS

ADJUST

SPEAKER

OUTS

0dB INPUT

GAIN

ULTRA

LO

MID

FREQUENCY

MASTER

BUFFER

PREAMP

OUT

PWR AMP

INPUT

SLAVE

OUT

BAL
OUT

1/4" JACK

1/4" JACK

POWER

AMP

STANDBY/

POWER/

FAULT

BIAS

INDICATORS

ULTRA

HI

-15dB INPUT

BASS TREBLE

4 OHMS
2 OHMS

IMPEDANCE

POWER AMP

PROTECTION

SPEAKON

®

JACK

1+
2+

1- 2-