Ampeg Turns It Up to 11 for SVT’s 50th Anniversary

Ampeg SVT Bass Amp

Ampeg is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the SVT bass amp, and they’re doing it by turning it up to 11. The company will be displaying a custom-built, one-of-a-kind 11-foot tall SVT bass amp at the Winter NAMM Show. The behemoth was originally created in the late 1980s for the music trade show but has been out of commission for some years.

“The 600-watt amp head sits on a 3-by-10-foot speaker cabinet, measuring 11 feet tall and weighing more than 800 pounds in total,” Ampeg writes. “The Beast, as it has come to be known, has been completely restored for the event.”

Ampeg SVG 50th Anniversary“We are extremely excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the SVT with a once-in-a-lifetime event using The Beast ­– an amp that truly goes to 11,” said Dominic Liberati, Ampeg Product Manager. “We’re honored to be the first choice for bassists who value great tone, and are looking forward to 50 more years of making exceptional products for bassists around the world.”

The company will also have a special appearance by Derek Smalls, who many know as the former bassist of the band formerly known as Spinal Tap. Smalls will be playing through The Beast and taking questions from the audience.

Ampeg adds that the event will mark the beginning of a yearlong celebration of the SVT’s 50th anniversary.

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Leave a Reply to Dag Cancel reply

  1. Lorenz

    What’s the speaker configuration?

  2. Rob

    This is beyond ridiculous.

  3. Paul Steezo

    Sad when ampeg started making amps in Vietnam….total mistake cheap labor lousy products

    • Chip Friddle

      They have gone through several different management companies/owners….the worst was “LOUD inc.” They moved production to Asia….Yamaha procured Ampeg in 2018 and are in the process of moving production back, setting up Yamaha guitars USA, and are planning big things for the historic brand….it will be a healthy time for ampeg!

  4. David Desmond

    If any bassist is the perfect guy to play out of the beast, it is Derek Smalls!