11 Nov Spot the SVDS! Update: SVDS found in LTBR movie!
Begin Update
Our member Dries found the Schaffer-Vega Diversity System in the “Let there be Rock” movie, filmed in Paris 9th December 1979.
It has been always told that Angus was cabled during this legendary show, but thanks to Dries now we actually see a Schaffer-Vega Diversity System there:
And a modified version of this image, brighten up, gamma correction and another gamma correction run on the SVDS area:
This opens a whole new field of questions for us. The unit is definitely switched on. Why leave a device running when its not in use?
Did it break right before the show and went left running but unused?
Or did the transmitter had a problem and they placed it right next to the receiver and plugged a guitar cable into the transmitter?
What do you think?
Fil and I decided to reward member Dries for this spectacular finding with two solodallas.com T-Shirts. Many thanks, mate!
End Update
As promised, here we go: You found an original Schaffer-Vega Diversity System in a video or picture?
Like this one below?
Just post the link here in the comments, so we have them all together in one place.
I’ll start with a finding from member Emplexador, Jeff Lynne and ELO. Gibson LP through Marshalls
ELO, June 1978 Wembley – SVDS @ 0:41 and 2:13:
ELO, 1978 Osaka, Japan – SVDS @ 1:48:
And some more great findings from member Emplexador:
Bob Seger, San Diego, CA 1978 – SVDS RECEIVER @ 2:18
Bob Seger, Largo, Maryland 1980 – SVDS @ 1:00 and 2:03
(Very close caption of the transmitter! Uploader disabled embedding, please click on link to play)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOYppTlU42U
Good one where you can appreciate the newfound freedom of movement from SVDS. Heart at Ontario Motor Speedway, California, March 1978.
SVDS transmitters throughout and receivers 0:42, 0:47, 1:10+
And finally, Angus was found too, again by Member Emplexador:
Angus Young, Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland. April 30, 1978. SVDS x10 transmitter located at bottom of strap. 720p HD
Angus Young, ”Veronika – Countdown”, Rijnhal, Arnhem, Holland. July 13, 1979. SVDS x10 transmitter located top of strap (above shoulder). 720p HD
Angus Young, Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland. April 30, 1978. 720p HD, clear views of encased x10 transmitter starting @ 1:35
And more findings by Member Emplexador:
Nile Rodgers playing his lucite strat. Pouch mounted SVDS x10 TX @ 2:05
Rolling Stones, Movie “Let’s spend the night together”, SVDS x10 transmitters used by Keith, Ronnie and Mick (18:41)
(Screenshot/Movie not included due to copyright, but I saw it)
Found by Member rugster:
Piece of Angus’ cream colored X10 transmitter visible taped to Guitar strap near guitar from “Let there be Rock” movie, the scene where each band member comes out of the caravan:
(Though Angus did NOT use the SVDS in the gig they filmed due it needed repair)
Dries
Posted at 01:06h, 25 MayHmm. Noticed another little, yet important thing. If you use a 10-20m cable and plug a fairly low output T-top humbucker straight in the marshall, the guitar gets really really muddy when the volume is rolled off. The long cables do suck a fair bit of high tones when the volume is below 8-9, and high tones are needed to cut in the mix. Now when a wireless device is used, this problem is solved. Cable is short, and the transmitter has a high input impedance.
But on LTBR the movie, as everybody noticed, Ang uses a very long cable. Now I can tell, with this lenght there is really a buffer needed to support the pickup signal over the long distance, otherwise the sound would be really dull sounding when he goes into rhythm mode. I have a strong suspicion that the guitar did had a built in buffer, because the buffer needs to be as close as possible to the guitar in the chain.
What do you guys think of it?
Ant
Posted at 01:22h, 25 Maywhat buffer could he use though in the guitar?
dont think the TX cus its to big and on the last performance it was taped to his strap
drucker
Posted at 00:26h, 20 NovemberThere is an svds in the pic in fact its just about the only item that isnt pointed out
SoloDallas
Posted at 08:17h, 20 NovemberYes that is a known picture.
The SVDS had been thought of being neutral to the sound of VH, mostly because no one knew what a SVDS sounded like! If it was for me, that picture would have only one big, fat finger pointing to the godly SVDS!!!
drucker
Posted at 10:06h, 20 Novemberits weird because sooo many people also chase eddie van halens guitar tone like it is a crack addiction and yet the SVDS is clearly overlooked as part of his signal chain , there are also pics of the band in the studio recording Van halen 1 and the SVDS is right clearly behind eddie in the pics.
I couldnt get my pic to to show for some reason it only showed as text ?
SoloDallas
Posted at 10:33h, 20 NovemberFixed the image for ya 🙂 img tags seem to be lower case(?). I know. I think the SVDS will be a great thing for the world to uncover (further). And of course, the replica 😀 At least, we do hope so and we believe in it!
drucker
Posted at 11:24h, 20 NovemberThanks for fixing the pic Fil
I would bet that if all the eddie van halen nuts catch wind of the fact that eddie was using an SVDS then sooner or later you will get a a LOT of orders for the SVDS replica from them as well
I dont know for a fact that the SVDS was part of eddies tone but sooner or later an EVH fan will try it out and it will be discovered one way or the other
ebonysg
Posted at 22:38h, 08 JanuaryLook at 38:13 at live at Paris for the Marshall amps malcom used at the concert. It looks like a jmp. It’s the bassists amp heads on the other side of the drums. Sorry it’s late but only trying to help (lol) 😉
Ant
Posted at 00:18h, 27 Decemberso just to get this straight lol
Angus used the Red SG in the first performance with the vega and then on cord on the second performance with the custom (black) SG
correct me if you think im wrong 😉
Dries
Posted at 00:44h, 27 DecemberAngus used the red sg in both shows, but in the dvd show, he used the red one until whole lotta rosie. When you see the backstage, you can spot the vega receiver. In this part of the video angus is also using the red sg, what means that this whole part is beiing recorder from the first show.
Question is now; Was the vega being used in the first show, and is the audio on the dvd from the first show?
tjtristan
Posted at 01:05h, 27 DecemberWell Probably not (entirely) because the sound from whole lotta rosie is the same as what you see on the video (when his string breaks he stops playing and you also hear that) so it’s impossible that part is from the other show. I do believe however that other parts (certainly video and maybe audio) were from the other concert. But it’s pretty hard to tell which parts are from what show ;).
Dries
Posted at 01:08h, 27 DecemberYou’re right. Maybe the vega was indeed used on both shows in combination with the long lead. This would make more sense, because his tone is really “muffled” on this one. ( long lead damps highs )
Ant
Posted at 01:20h, 27 Decemberthe whole thing is just one big patch up mixed video
yeah the audio matches the video, best of both performances put togeather 😛
Ant
Posted at 01:22h, 27 December*yeah the audio matches the video* i meant for the whole lotta rosie part of the comment 🙂
Dries
Posted at 00:43h, 30 NovemberOh damn… Watch closely again to the image where you can see the schaffer vega.
What guitar is Angus wearing? Right.. the cherry red SG, with trapezoid inlays, and NOT the custom! if he walks away from taking oxygen, there IS something you can see hanging on his strap, looks to be its surrounded with foam.
So this part of the movie is from the previous concert..
Dries
Posted at 00:45h, 30 NovemberWhat means that the SV is certainly used on the afternoon show
powersurge
Posted at 03:13h, 30 Novemberthe power of editing 😉
Ant
Posted at 23:45h, 26 DecemberJust catching up on this!
Yep its true, my gf (Beth) got me the DVD for christmas 😀 and i skip to this part
i suspect then the audio recordings was taken from first performance when they had the vega working, this would make sense to me
KyleSG
Posted at 00:04h, 30 NovemberAlthough if you noticed in the song LRBR….watch from 3:13 on where it shows a far shot of the stage and you see him from far away now using his red guitar for the song and it also looks like he has no chord attached. So he might have used is wireless for the first show if that is footage from it.
rugster
Posted at 23:46h, 29 NovemberThe more you watch the movie, the more indescrepancies you find, they’re everywhere. On the one hand you just want to watch & enjoy but on the other you can’t help but want to know what was filmed where and why 🙂 Still just about the best live show(s) ever caught on film. Thank god somebody took the decision to record it when they did.
powersurge
Posted at 23:02h, 29 Novemberabout my post. look here
http://acdc-bootlegs.com/forum/?messageid=31272&searchphrase=the%20movie&searchforumid=all
SoloDallas
Posted at 23:06h, 29 NovemberPretty cool theory indeed – Im buying it
powersurge
Posted at 22:59h, 29 Novemberi hope every one know that “let the be rock the movie” was filmed in more than one place. about 90% of it was recorded December 9, 1979 Pavilion de Paris, Paris, France (both shows that day) as well as another show (dont know). watch the movie and keep your eye on the stage. it differs (there are two different stages) maybe they recorded the show they did in the intro part of the movie.
rock on!
DEAV_SG
Posted at 21:39h, 16 NovemberWhy when I search the internet SVDS not find it?
nothing else comes out this website
banane
Posted at 22:21h, 16 NovemberYes, this is practically not documented. Angus mentioned it in a few interviews, that’s all. Was a long way to discover it 🙂
Kinglance
Posted at 14:23h, 14 NovemberHey, I think I found the SVDS on a pic in the book “AC/DC: High voltage rock ‘n roll, Ultimate illustrated history. The pic dates from a concert in ’78. I don’t know if this a new thing and if u are something with this. If u want I can scan the pic and post it.
SoloDallas
Posted at 14:49h, 14 NovemberJL,
is it a black and white pic of Angus with amps on the right and SVDS above it? SHould be already there in the post “Marshall history of amps”
Kinglance
Posted at 15:16h, 14 NovemberIndeed!! I checked and it’s the same pic… The SVDS is visible on the bass amps or cabinets. My fault, srry!!
banane
Posted at 13:08h, 14 NovemberDid another update to the posting, inserted a brightened version of the LTBR movie screenshot. Looks like the front output is NOT plugged. Hm…
SoloDallas
Posted at 13:20h, 14 NovemberWouldn’t be a problem, the rear has two modes, line and mic. Line would still boost some, from the TX. And I think Angus in the early days of SVDS used mainly the rear output, as shown in a B&W pic somewhere here
banane
Posted at 13:25h, 14 NovemberAh yes, understand, if the line mode still boost a bit, then this was surely his choice. Yes, the early pics show always the front out unplugged.
And boy, is he thin… 🙂
KyleSG
Posted at 06:56h, 12 NovemberHere’s some bootleg sound clips from the afternoon show……They don’t sound near as good as the recordings of the night show but maybe we can see if there’s any difference in sound for each one.
http://www.youtube.com/user/acdchighvoltageaudio#p/search/6/2K63cOgdD88 highway to hell
http://www.youtube.com/user/acdchighvoltageaudio#p/search/5/NpFoaIpuclw live wire
http://www.youtube.com/user/acdchighvoltageaudio#p/search/1/e_z_8bXslEA TNT
http://www.youtube.com/user/acdchighvoltageaudio#p/search/2/rK9L6o6f7e0 Rosie
tjtristan
Posted at 11:31h, 12 NovemberYou know that the whole video is a combo of both shows don’t you?
Look closely to the song “rocker” right after whole lotta rosie (where he swapped guitars), you’ll see some shots are not from the same concert!
rjofig
Posted at 15:48h, 12 NovemberI know the part you’re talking about; Is it a combo or perhaps the filmmakers edited in a video piece from an earlier song, before the guitar swap, and kept the audio? cheers
SGACE
Posted at 15:50h, 12 November+1
tjtristan
Posted at 15:57h, 12 NovemberWell that is the thing. The video is from the song rocker so it must be from the other concert that day. The thing you don’t know is that what else did they swap video/audio wise. Nobody knows, so certain songs could be from the other concert that day.
rjofig
Posted at 17:20h, 12 NovemberYeah, my first thought when I saw it was, they stitched in a piece of a song where it happened to look like they were playing rocker; I didn’t know they played two shows in that day.
how Angus managed to play two shows in a row, with that much energy, is unbelievable; that oxygen tank should be in his backpack 🙂
tjtristan
Posted at 17:23h, 12 NovemberIf you look close you can even see he has his Red SG when he’s on the oxygen, so it must be from the other show. Confirms my theory that the recording is just a mix of both concerts that day.
SoloDallas
Posted at 19:20h, 12 NovemberGood call on that theory. I am almost sure it is so. Much of the footage you see on the movie is not only off sync, but literally “different parts”!
rugster
Posted at 11:35h, 13 NovemberThere were bits swapped around for sure. If you look at the end of Bad boy boogie where Angus is on his knees, what he is playing on screen doesn’t match the sound (just for a few seconds, most people wouldn’t notice it i’m sure.
Remember this was a theatrical release made in the late 70’s, never intended to be watched at home. I’m sure the editors didn’t imagine a bunch of geeks would be analysing it 30 years later. 😉
SoloDallas
Posted at 13:18h, 15 NovemberI seem to hear the SVDS here. I think it may be SVDS, Marshall 2203s on G12-65s.
SGACE
Posted at 13:55h, 15 November65’s for sure !!
I am thinking that from this concert (maybe a bit before) and onwards Angus started hidding his amps!!!
Dries
Posted at 17:58h, 15 NovemberBut it sounds really different than any other gig. I’m wondering where all the cabinets were?
KyleSG
Posted at 04:35h, 12 NovemberWell there was a 4pm and 8mp show that day….. Maybe the SVDS broke during the first show which they never recorded and then it was just left on between shows?
Dries
Posted at 22:28h, 03 Novemberhttp://i41.tinypic.com/ou6ole.png
The SV at the ’79 paris concert!!
banane
Posted at 22:37h, 03 NovemberWhoah! THATS a finding! and its even switched on! Thats my personal favourite finding after all. Very great, Dries! But where do you see the transmitter you mention in the other comment?
Dries
Posted at 22:56h, 03 NovemberNot. but it must be close to it. They wouldn’t turn on the SV if they aren’t using it?
wooow. Still can’t believe this
banane
Posted at 23:40h, 03 NovemberYes, I got goosebumps too 🙂 Well, maybe the transmitter broke right before the show? Or it was attached to another Guitar, see one ofthe above pics where Angus leave the caravan and Angus had to change the guitar. If something happened right before the show, nobody would mind turning the receiver off.
On the other side, you can be right. Maybe radio problems forced them to put the tx right to the rx. Or even a mix of both, tx antenna broke or something. But thats VERY interesting, the greatest SVDS finding so far!
Dries
Posted at 00:06h, 04 NovemberHe must used some kind of boost. What a tone 🙁
The tone I’m looking soo long for now.!
The only thing what you’ve get with only a 2203 and a decent guitar is the sound what 100.000’s guitar players are showing of on youtube or some kind of vids.. I’m so hard trying to get a live sound thats unique.
Hopefully the vega replica will change that.
I’m also wondering what Angus’ reaction would be if you show this picture to him in a interview. Must been a great night for the band
SoloDallas
Posted at 10:49h, 11 NovemberI had missed this entirely. This is BIG. I wrote Mr. Schaffer right now. We need more info on this!
SGACE
Posted at 11:36h, 11 NovemberThe SVDS is on that means that it was working.. therefore Franz assumption maybe it is right… after all we know that in this concert Angus had a problem with the wireless…
Dries very good finding indeed…
banane
Posted at 11:40h, 11 NovemberYes, could really be. On the other side, what if something broke 2 minutes before the show and they hastily plugged a guitar cable in the amp and just left the SVDS running?
But then the ears must decide, and as Dries said, there must be some kind of boost, which I agree to.
SGACE
Posted at 11:52h, 11 NovemberNah, whats the point to have it on? The sound is the proof.. 100% boosted just like SVDS..
rugster
Posted at 16:55h, 11 NovemberDo I get a T-shirt for discovering the TX on Angus’s strap before the show 😉 (just kidding)
It does indeed throw up a few questions. It would be great to find the facts behind all this. Hopefully we will get to the bottom of it and find out for sure exactly what was being used that night.
Ant
Posted at 23:05h, 11 Novemberthey had 2 shows that day didnt they?
one at 4pm then again at 8 given its night time when there comin out of the caravan, i suspect it was used just as a boost due to wireless issues!
banane
Posted at 00:26h, 12 NovemberYes, they had 2 shows. Dont know which one was recorded in the movie.
But yes, it was surely used for boosting, but that works only over wireless. so there must be a reason why Angus is cabled.
banane
Posted at 00:32h, 12 NovemberLol 🙂
Yes, I will try to work a bit more on the pic to gain more details. We need to see if a cable goes from the SVDS to the amps.
nitroangus23
Posted at 01:34h, 12 NovemberDoes this help any banane?
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/nitroass23/brighter.png
I brightened it up,and tried to make the SVDS more visible, although given the picture size/resolution, it’s not possible to make it much better.
lol just an attempt,thought I’d give it a shot.
Would be nice to have a larger screen shot from the Bluray version of the show.
SoloDallas
Posted at 19:23h, 12 NovemberI asked Mr. Schaffer about this. But he’s in Mexico right now and has limited connection time on his iPad.
06AngusSG
Posted at 21:35h, 12 NovemberHey this IS really cool. I know I haven’t been actively here but I still have been following.
I just got done going throught this frame by frame on the Blue-Ray and unfortunately….. the picture does not reveal anything else. I would ove to see how why the svds is used here!!!
banane
Posted at 12:44h, 14 NovemberHm, when I compare your brightened up pic with Fil’s SVDS above, it seems like the front output is plugged. Otherwise we would see a reflection from the nut below the “Monitor” level tuner. Or what do you think?
banane
Posted at 00:27h, 12 NovemberDries, please drop me a mail to banane@exception.at for the shirt delievery 🙂
Fenson
Posted at 01:40h, 13 NovemberWe can imagine that the SVDS broked down and that is why he played with a cable but would not it be logical to think they had a second just in case the first gets damaged ?
Several amplifiers, several guitars but one SVDS ??
Knowing how the cable is a “handicap” for Angus …
Ant
Posted at 11:14h, 14 NovemberSVDS were very expensive those days 😛
SoloDallas
Posted at 11:20h, 14 NovemberOriginal SVDSs are just as expensive nowadays 😀
banane
Posted at 11:23h, 14 NovemberBut the costs will come down to earth shortly 😀
SoloDallas
Posted at 11:30h, 14 NovemberOh for that matter, even below earth! (laughs)
Ant
Posted at 12:36h, 14 November……..Hell
/../
Dave4433
Posted at 23:24h, 12 NovemberFor some reason i tend to see the transmitter right next to the reciever :
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc512/dave44331/brighter1.png
right there. But i’m probably wrong, because it would just be to easy and obvious 😀
rugster
Posted at 15:49h, 12 OctoberFranz, is it possible to upload still pictures here?
banane
Posted at 16:06h, 12 OctoberNot really, you can either upload them elsewhere (flickr, imageshack) and link to it in the comment, or, if you want to see it in the posting, mail it to me: banane@exception.at
rugster
Posted at 16:31h, 12 OctoberCheers 🙂
Its just a couple of pictures of Angus. I was watching the let there be rock DVD last night and I noticed as he left the dressing room/ caravan that he had what looked like the transmitter attached to his strap, so it seems he was intending to use the SVDS at the Paris show, even at this late stage. Just thought it was interesting.
If you get a chance have a look yourself & see what you think 🙂
Atomic'76
Posted at 20:58h, 12 OctoberThere is a Let There Be Rock dvd out now? When did they release that? A few years ago I was trying to find it and was told it wasn’t available on dvd. Guess I better add that to my list! 🙂
rugster
Posted at 22:26h, 12 OctoberYes, DVD & Blu-ray. Definately worth getting 🙂
Emplexador
Posted at 00:13h, 13 Octoberthe entire film is on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLpRXleBET8
comments: lots of vintage footage is only now getting put on youtube. You will be surprised at what is available in the past few months. Most videos/movies available on the Web…STAY AWAY from Russian URLs (websites ending in .RU) if you value your computer and its contents.
Ant
Posted at 13:39h, 13 Octoberwow! im surprised its still on there!!
i thought there was a 15min limit on vids this is like 1H 30+ lol
banane
Posted at 07:00h, 13 OctoberPosting updated with one of your photos. Indeed, there is a cream colored little box taped to the guitar strap, thats very likely the X10 transmitter. Nice finding.
Funny though that he didnt use the SVDS during the filmed gig because they had technical problems with it. Probably this scene was filmed filmed earlier.
Or Angus slipped on a banana peel right after this scene and fell on the transmitter 😉
rugster
Posted at 08:56h, 13 OctoberYeah, I thought it was interesting. There was some mystery as to why he didn’t use the SVDS for the Paris show. Must have been technical difficulties as you say. I remember reading there were 2 shows that day, the second one being the one that was filmed. Maybee he used it on the first? Who knows! 🙂
Emplexador
Posted at 22:46h, 15 Octoberfirst thing that comes to mind is interference. There would be at least two TXs. Possible these early units where being used worldwide with american configuration. In a big city like Paris, interference possible. That’s the only last minute unforseen that I can imagine. These units do not fail at the last moment and there’s always a backup.
banane
Posted at 22:57h, 15 OctoberYes, could be. Have some Cetec Vega R66 from the 80s, one of it also receives a tv station, very silent, but you can hear it.
Emplexador
Posted at 04:21h, 12 OctoberSVDS x10 transmitters used by Keith, Ronnie and Mick (18:41)
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY5MTA0MTQw.html
Let’s Spend the Night Together is a live concert film, documenting The Rolling Stones’ 1981 North American Tour. It was directed by Hal Ashby, and released to cinemas in 1983, then subsequently released on VHS. It was released in New Zealand & Australia with the alternative title Time Is On Our Side on VHS and is currently available on DVD in Japan, Australia and New Zealand (as L.S.T.N.T from STUDIO CANAL/UNIVERSAL).
The film was released as Rocks Off in Germany in 1982 with slightly different footage and the additional song “When the Whip Comes Down” (following “Under My Thumb”) from Sun Devil Stadium 13 December 1981.
Lions Gate Entertainment released the film on DVD in the United States on November 2, 2010.
banane
Posted at 09:05h, 12 OctoberNow thats a really cool finding! Thanks!