Ampeg V-2 from ca 1977 for bass?

nealpolitan · #1 11-23-2010, 07:31 AM

I've got a line on a Ampeg V-2 head ca. 1977 and was wondering what everyone thought of it as a bass head. From what I've read it is essentially the same circuit as the V-4 of that period with only minor changes and the fact it only has 2 power tubes vs. 4. I realize that the 50-60 watts is not a lot but I'd be using it for smaller gigs that a 50 watt SF bassman has handled for me in the past with no problems.

I'm also a part time guitar player and I know it's a nice head for guitar, so it'd serve some double duty.

The asking price is $450, which according to recent ebay transactions is a bit high, but I think negotiable.

I also have an eye on a 50 watt '69 SF bassman that's had some mods done (someone added an effects loop at some point), asking price of about $375.

Which would you do if you were sort of looking for a classic sounding 50 watt tube head that could do some double duty as a guitar rig?

coreyfyfe · #2 11-23-2010, 08:11 AM

The V-2 is essentially the B-25 (not B-25B) and would probably work fine for bass (see the V4 vs V4B discussion). I think the $450 price tag is a little high, but if you can talk the seller down then I'd definitely got for that over the bassman. But I've always been partial to the sound of vintage ampegs over vintage fenders.

poor_gear_whore · #3 11-23-2010, 09:01 AM

IMO the ampeg is the better amp. I feel they have more headroom and a better tone.

Destructobot · #4 11-23-2010, 10:20 AM

I've had a '68 Bassman and currently own a V2. The V2 is a far better choice for bass. It has a lot more headroom plus a fantastic active EQ and input pad of -6dB/-9dB or flat. Plus, it can run 8, 4, and 2 ohms. The 2ohm setting is an awesome feature with a relatively low powered amp. The bassman is 4ohm only.

I use mine on bass all the time. Just last night I was jamming with some friends - my buddy was playing my P-bass with the V2 and an old Traynor 8x10 cab. It sounded fantastic and kept up fine with loud drums and a 4x12 50w guitar amp. I think of it as my mini SVT that I can crank at practice and small gig volume without hurting anyone.

BTW, it just might be the BEST sounding guitar amp I've ever heard. It's not just a smaller V4. The V2 has higher plate voltage and gets a different kind of sizzle in the mids when you crank it up. It can get a ton of gain cranked and has a million tones with the active eq. I can cop Paige Hamilton tones plugging a guitar straight into the V2.

nealpolitan · #5 11-28-2010, 12:45 AM

I ended up getting the V-2 for $425. It was in great shape and the guy was very cool.

Haven't gotten to try it out much yet, but what little I did was cool. I was able to get some nice distortion at reasonable levels, which is what I was looking for.

Mark Olson · #6 11-28-2010, 01:22 AM

I sometimes play an Ampeg V2 that belongs to a friend of mine. I think it distorts pretty quick and I play an even lower wattage tube head for gigs. Great distortion sound though! I have a clip of it, not a very good clip, but here it is:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=9519850

Oh I see your last post you got the amp! Congratulations, I think it's a really cool amp!

rok51 · #7 11-28-2010, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

I sometimes play an Ampeg V2 that belongs to a friend of mine. I think it distorts pretty quick and I play an even lower wattage tube head for gigs. Great distortion sound though! I have a clip of it, not a very good clip, but here it is:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=9519850

Oh I see your last post you got the amp! Congratulations, I think it's a really cool amp!

dayum! loved the clip-what a stab from the past!

Kim

Destructobot · #8 12-17-2010, 03:29 AM

Yep, that clip shows it off pretty well. IMO the V2 may be the best sounding tube distortion machine ever built. Anywhere from subtle to total fuzz with no master volume needed.