100 watt tubed bass heads

[montpelliermd]

So, I play bass in a pretty loud band and I really want to get an Amepg V4B from the 70's. The only thing is that its only 100watts. Right now I play a 70's Sunn Concert bass and I was wondering if it would be as or louder than a 200 watt solid state head?

[B-string]

I hear the BS starting now........ The V4B sould be as loud if not a touch louder than the SS.

[redhed]

Originally Posted by B-string

I hear the BS starting now........ The V4B sould be as loud if not a touch louder than the SS.

What ever...

[Turock]

My 100 watt V4BH sure seems louder than either my SWR 350X or my B2RE.

[nashvillebill]

That Sunn Concert Bass did not put 200 watts, despite the manufacturer's claims. Into a 4 ohm load I measured around 120 to 130 watts RMS, if my memory is correct (I no longer have that Sunn rig), it may not have even been that much with only four 2N3055 output transistors. And the Sunn transducers, if that's what your cab has, are not very efficient.

I happened to crank up a bass into my old V4 a few minutes ago, driving a 4x12 cab loaded with Eminence Delta 12's. Definately much louder than the old Sunn ever hoped to be. Tons of growl!

Remember, the efficiency of the cab will play a big role in determining how "loud" the setup will be.

[Rumblefisher]

I think the argument goes something like this:
It's not *really* louder, it's just *perceived* as louder because tube amps emphasize midrange, which the human ear interprets as an "increase" in volume since that's the frequency range it is most sensitive to.

[eyeballkid]

All that aside.. I played a V4B in a loud stoner rock band.. It was plenty loud, but just not clean volume, you will get a good bit of breakup by about 11:30 on the volume dial... but its juicy!

[JimmyM]

I'd go for an SVT in your shoes unless you like distortion, and then I'd go for the V4B. I used a V4B for years and only once ran out of clean headroom, but while the bands I was in back then played loud, most of it was from the PA and not as much from the cab.

[nashvillebill]

Yep, gotta agree with the others that if you REALLY want clean volume, the SVT would be the way to go.

Or...one of the 1990's era Peavey Classic 400, if you can find one. One hundred pounds, eight 6550 tubes, 400 watts. Likely much cheaper than the SVT, again if you can find one. Capable of shaking the paint of the walls. If you can drive to Nashville you could try my Classic 400 out and compare it to my V4.

[nysbob]

Having owned and played through both, the V4B will do everything the Sunn will volume-wise, and sound wayyy better doing it.

[Son of Bovril]

+1 The V4B will do the sunn's job plus a bit more, and the SVT will do it twice