NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

[ItsaBass]

Re: NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

Don't fret the tube thing one bit. 6L6's go in with no mods required, and sound exactly the same. Just get the beefiest ones you can get.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

I think I need an Ampeg. V4's have always looked awesome to me.

Which ones are most desirable? Or at least, are there any that you guys recommend avoiding? And what's a good price for a good V4?

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

I think I need an Ampeg. V4's have always looked awesome to me.

Which ones are most desirable? Or at least, are there any that you guys recommend avoiding? And what's a good price for a good V4?

Therein lies the tragedy. 10 – 12 years ago, they were $200 to $400 all day, often mint, and usually loaded with a set of original 7027A tubes that you could sell for over $100 on E-Bay, and reload the amp with new 6L6's and have money left over for a burger. Then ****in' Queens of the Stone Age got big and the rock-n-roll hipsters jumped on the wagon and doubled their value.

Keep your eyes peeled for:

V2
VT40 (4x10 version of V2)
V4
VT22 (2x12 version of V4)
Gemini (1x12 low-wattage combo)

The most desirable ones are the pre-master models (up to about '76, IIRC). Therefore, you can get the master models for cheaper. They're uglier, and have cheaper plastic switches, but the insides are just as good.

Also, look for Olivers. They are just as good, and not as expensive, though the hipsters have unfortunately caught on to them as well, thanks to Nels Cline. (He learned about them from me, BTW.)

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

Therein lies the tragedy. 10 – 12 years ago, they were $200 to $400 all day, often mint, and usually loaded with a set of original 7027A tubes that you could sell for over $100 on E-Bay, and reload the amp with new 6L6's and have money left over for a burger. Then ****in' Queens of the Stone Age got big and the rock-n-roll hipsters jumped on the wagon and doubled their value.

Keep your eyes peeled for:

V2
VT40 (4x10 version of V2)
V4
VT22 (2x12 version of V4)
Gemini (1x12 low-wattage combo)

The most desirable ones are the pre-master models (up to about '76, IIRC). Therefore, you can get the master models for cheaper. They're uglier, and have cheaper plastic switches, but the insides are just as good.

Also, look for Olivers. They are just as good, and not as expensive, though the hipsters have unfortunately caught on to them as well, thanks to Nels Cline. (He learned about them from me, BTW.)

Yepp Queens of the Stone Age really brought the Ampegs to the minds of many players including me and i'm no hipster!

They are good amps and have amazing cleans IMHO.. Plus I agree Agileguy they do look pretty badass. Be careful though they are heavy beasts

I see V4s go for around 700 on Craigslist type sites.

I actually like the look of the later Ampegs with the plastic power and standby switches. Makes them more unique!

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

Where can I get replacment rocker switches for those bitc...things? I've got a same era as yours B15-n "fliptop" thats going in the shop for recap, and needs new switches.

Not sure how hard they are to work on..I had one tech i used to know tell me he sold his Ampeg cause they were a bear to service. By now yours is going to need a complete filter cap recap.

side note- I should be getting my old Ampeg M-12 Mercury littel practice amp amp back form the shop soon if all goes well. I got it from someone here, forgot who, in a trade. I'll need to house it in some replacement cabinet as its just the chassis.

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

Nice fiiiiiiind bro!!!

:fing2:

I haven't seen one of those in a long LONG long long time.

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

Where can I get replacment rocker switches for those bitc...things? I've got a same era as yours B15-n "fliptop" thats going in the shop for recap, and needs new switches.

Not sure how hard they are to work on..I had one tech i used to know tell me he sold his Ampeg cause they were a bear to service. By now yours is going to need a complete filter cap recap.

side note- I should be getting my old Ampeg M-12 Mercury littel practice amp amp back form the shop soon if all goes well. I got it from someone here, forgot who, in a trade. I'll need to house it in some replacement cabinet as its just the chassis.

Yupp my VT-22 has some low hum going on so the filter caps are for sure in need of replacing.. Is it bad to play the amp when it needs new filter caps ? I don't have spare money to spend on service for it till next month at the earliest!

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

Nice fiiiiiiind bro!!!

:fing2:

I haven't seen one of those in a long LONG long long time.

Thanks man!

I passed on a 500 dollar Ampeg VT-40 a while back and kicked myself ever since and this trade came up for my Vox and I just had to do it and man I'm glad I did because this amp is amazing and the clean with reverb is heaven for me.

Only issue is the weight.. 88 pounds ! Staircases at venues will probably kill me with this thing

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

Therein lies the tragedy. 10 – 12 years ago, they were $200 to $400 all day, often mint, and usually loaded with a set of original 7027A tubes that you could sell for over $100 on E-Bay, and reload the amp with new 6L6's and have money left over for a burger. Then ****in' Queens of the Stone Age got big and the rock-n-roll hipsters jumped on the wagon and doubled their value.

Keep your eyes peeled for:

V2
VT40 (4x10 version of V2)
V4
VT22 (2x12 version of V4)
Gemini (1x12 low-wattage combo)

The most desirable ones are the pre-master models (up to about '76, IIRC). Therefore, you can get the master models for cheaper. They're uglier, and have cheaper plastic switches, but the insides are just as good.

Also, look for Olivers. They are just as good, and not as expensive, though the hipsters have unfortunately caught on to them as well, thanks to Nels Cline. (He learned about them from me, BTW.)

I miss my Oliver, it was a very gutty, very smooth amp.

 

[moodyblooz]

Re: NAD/finally aquired my dream map...late 70s Ampeg VT-22

Decades ago I concocted my own, very personal stack: a silverface Twin and a VT-22. It remains the best sound I've ever had. Kind of like "Jeff Beck Goes Surfin'."