model t reliability?

[colinofsmoke]

how's the reliability on the first gen Model T?  i'm asking because I used to have a late 60's Ampeg VT-22 and the damn thing was in the shop like once a week.  after playing a first gen Model T with JJ 6550's and an early 70's Ampeg V4 with JJ el34's, I have to say I unquestionably prefer the tone of the Ampeg. this is a huge surprise to me, as so many bands I like (Indian, Sunn, Weekend Nachos) use Model T's.  The Ampeg was just warmer and had earlier tube breakup with a better midrange sound, imo.  The Model T was surprisingly bright and fizzy, at least with the master at 3. 

cheers

[stanner]

>b l a s p h e m y<

[EdBass]

how's the reliability on the first gen Model T?  i'm asking because I used to have a late 60's Ampeg VT-22 and the damn thing was in the shop like once a week.  after playing a first gen Model T with JJ 6550's and an early 70's Ampeg V4 with JJ el34's, I have to say I unquestionably prefer the tone of the Ampeg. this is a huge surprise to me, as so many bands I like (Indian, Sunn, Weekend Nachos) use Model T's.  The Ampeg was just warmer and had earlier tube breakup with a better midrange sound, imo.  The Model T was surprisingly bright and fizzy, at least with the master at 3. 

cheers

Not suprising, Sunn circuits are more hi-fi than Ampegs overall. They should stay cleaner at higher levels, you need to wind up a Sunn more to get the hair on it that an Ampeg gets at lower levels.

What mods did you do to your V4 to run EL34's in it?

[colinofsmoke]

>b l a s p h e m y<

apologies, figured I would get that.  I've been fiending for a Model T for years, but didn't want to buy until I could hear one.  Local shop has one with JJ 6550's.  I could only get it so loud so maybe I was mostly hearing preamp gain and not the tube crunch I was after. 

[colinofsmoke]

how's the reliability on the first gen Model T?  i'm asking because I used to have a late 60's Ampeg VT-22 and the damn thing was in the shop like once a week.  after playing a first gen Model T with JJ 6550's and an early 70's Ampeg V4 with JJ el34's, I have to say I unquestionably prefer the tone of the Ampeg. this is a huge surprise to me, as so many bands I like (Indian, Sunn, Weekend Nachos) use Model T's.  The Ampeg was just warmer and had earlier tube breakup with a better midrange sound, imo.  The Model T was surprisingly bright and fizzy, at least with the master at 3. 

cheers

Not suprising, Sunn circuits are more hi-fi than Ampegs overall. They should stay cleaner at higher levels, you need to wind up a Sunn more to get the hair on it that an Ampeg gets at lower levels.

What mods did you do to your V4 to run EL34's in it?

sorry, my mistake.  it has JJ 7027a's.  it's not mine...yet.  I had a vt-22 that was seriously in the shop after every show I played.  I'm currently looking at a 71 v4 two-input with reverb and a master volume mod.  there's also a first gen model T with JJ 6550's that looks very clean.  I'm trying to decide between the two.  Ampeg is half the cost of the Sunn (thanks, Sunn O)))) ), both look very clean.  like I said, at the volume levels I could test at, the Ampeg sounded more like what I'm looking for at the moment.  but I'm very concerned about reliability and having to pump a bunch more money into the amp after I buy it.  so, my blasphemy notwithstanding, how's the reliability on first gen model t's? 

[Isaac]

I can't speak to the 1G T specifically, as mine is 2G, but Sunn tube amps in general and Sunn amps even more generally have been very reliable, in my experience. My 2G T has been in the shop exactly once in nearly 40 years. My Sentura II has never been in the shop since I've owned it, ten or fifteen years.

[buzzsunn]

I cannot see why you are wondering... As long as the V4 sounds better to your ears (and what YOU want from a tube amp) then you should buy the Ampeg and save a lot of money!
As for reliability... Can't say about the V4. But a nice set up (re-tube re-cap etc) is needed in every vintage amp.

[colinofsmoke]

I'm mostly wondering because my previous Magnavox era V-series Ampeg had a lot of issues and was constantly in the shop, and I'd like to avoid that if possible. 

[EdBass]

I'm mostly wondering because my previous Magnavox era V-series Ampeg had a lot of issues and was constantly in the shop, and I'd like to avoid that if possible. 

That's unusual, Magnavox era Ampegs are generally very reliable amps. Of course, along the lines of buzzsunn's post, vintage amps are very similar to vintage sports cars; staying on top of required maintenance is just part of the experience.

Another issue might be the tech you are using, and what you are actually asking that tech to do, e. g.; if you are just asking (and willing to pay for) to have the amp "fixed", or if you are having a qualified tech "make it right".
The "band-aid, only fix what breaks" concept can certainly cause the issues you are complaining about with your V22.

Like the old sports car example, sometimes "fixing" an amp can actually cause other components to fail in short order. Replacing a water pump in an old car can cause a "solid" heater hose or heater coil to fail shortly afterwards because of increased pressure, and a power supply restoration/upgrade on an amp can have a similar effect on components down the signal path.

These are just two examples; there are myriad situations like this that can crop up with both old cars and old amps.
Regardless, and in spite of the fact that many players indeed own untouched, "bulletproof" vintage amps, if you don't want to recognise and deal with the ongoing maintenance associated with old amps, you are probably better off $tepping up for a boutique piece, or just buying dirt cheap disposable Asian import amps every few years.

BTW; that's not a slam on Asian amps. IMO cheap, "throwaway" gear is a viable option, and likely makes the most sense for the majority of casual players; just like a brand new Hyundai makes much more sense than a vintage 911 for the majority of casual drivers.

[colinofsmoke]

^ this is the basic response I've gotten from a couple forums. 

first off, to clarify, I don't have the VT22 anymore.  it was several years ago.  also, to clarify further and respond to what you said above, I was not shy about trying to keep my amp in good working order.  I had it worked on probably 10 times, everything from replacing tubes and speakers to replacing caps and resistors.  I was very clear with the tech that I wanted him to do what it took to make it actually work consistently.  perhaps you are correct, perhaps it was a bad tech. 

[xsolarusx]

I have two first gen Model Ts, and aside from routine checkups, there haven't been any issues. I loaned one of them to my friend who plays guitar in Burning Love, and it was solid for the entire N. American tour. I'm likely to get it retubed in the near future, but that's only because I was thinking of experimenting with some new tubes.

But like most others have said, solid and simple build. You could also consider a Traynor YBA-1A MKII, if you want something reliable and budget-minded.