70's V4B Modded from 7027 to El34's tubes?

[rnilson]

I have a chance to buy a V4B. Here is what the guy selling it posted:

Great all tube bass amp. 100W of ampeg brilliance, with 2 12ax7s, 1 12dw7, 1 6k11, and a 12at7 (preamp). The power section are four el34's, modded from its original 7027.

I attached a pic too.

What do you think would it be worth?

[coreyfyfe]

Not a difficult mod to undo, probably worth the same (slightly less if you wanted to argue the point or slightly more if you're someone who really likes EL34s and wants that sound) as one running the 7027s.

"Fear not, gentle reader, for the kind folks at Ampeg not onlyforesaw the problem and provided a simple solution, they made your Ampeg one of the most versatile amplifiers on Earth in regards to adapting to different output tubes! Years before Mesa & Crate even thought about it. You can pop in *any* good matched pair of 6L6-GC, (except skinny Chinese & Russian ones), 7581, 5881, 6L6-WGB, or KT66 without any modifications,
because the socket is actually wired for 6L6's.
6550, KT88, or KT90 may be used without modification, in most cases...(biggest problem is that the base clips usually won't fit KT88 or 6550) and by installing a simple jumper, both 6CA7 (fat bulb ) & EL34 (skinny bulb) tubes, too!


From here: http://www.triodeel.com/7027.htm

[JimmyM]

v4b's have been going for $500-600 lately.

[koobie]

If it sounds good & you can get it for $400 or less, snag it.

[BassmanPaul]

I'd change the amp back to 7027As. The heater draw for an EL34 depending of manufacturer is 1.5-1.6A. The 7027A is 0.9A. Multiplied by the four tubes that's an increase of 2.4-2.7A. That's a significant amount over what the power transformer was rated for. 7027As are readily available so there is no real reason not to return the amp to stock.

Paul

[Floridabwoy]

I got a V-4 w/0 mods for $300. He wanted $400, I offered $300, and he took it.... so they are out there.

[rnilson]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I'd change the amp back to 7027As. The heater draw for an EL34 depending of manufacturer is 1.5-1.6A. The 7027A is 0.9A. Multiplied by the four tubes that's an increase of 2.4-2.7A. That's a significant amount over what the power transformer was rated for. 7027As are readily available so there is no real reason not to return the amp to stock.

Paul

I was kind of thinking I would want it modded back to original specs, but that means around another $250-$300 including parts and labor and that makes it not really a good deal.

I guess I will wait for 70s V4 to come my way.....Hopefully for $300 like Flordiabwoy

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by rnilson

I was kind of thinking I would want it modded back to original specs, but that means around another $250-$300 including parts and labor and that makes it not really a good deal.

Should only be about $100 tops for the repair but if you add in the cost of tubes you might be in that ball park.

[KramerBassFan]

A brand new matched JJ 7027 quartet is $87 from tubesandmore.com