Ampeg V-4 for Bass

Diegol · #1 07-06-2011, 10:00 AM

Hello

Just wanted to know some opinions on this set up. I've read it's ok to use a V-4 With a bass. Others say you should modify it.

I want to meake a decision on a V-4 or a SVT

THX

wcriley · #2 07-06-2011, 10:03 AM

Try sending a PM to member robb. He has a V4 that hasn't been modified to V4B specs.

zachoff · #3 07-06-2011, 10:09 AM

If the decision is between a V4 and an SVT I'd figure that's pretty well a no-brainer. SVT has three times the power & is made for bass. My guitar player uses a V4 and I've played it through my 810. It's good. I'd figure a V4B would make it better, but the SVT is great.

The only reason I'd get a V4 or V4B over an SVT is if I couldn't lift an SVT onto an 810 & even then I'd put it on the ground next to it.

Floridabwoy · #4 07-06-2011, 10:11 AM

Search.

joshwilkesbooth · #5 07-06-2011, 10:12 AM

v4 and v4b are the same amp (pretty much) I have used both for bass, and guitar and never been anything less than "super stoked" about it.

Floridabwoy · #6 07-06-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachoff

If the decision is between a V4 and an SVT I'd figure that's pretty well a no-brainer. SVT has three times the power & is made for bass. My guitar player uses a V4 and I've played it through my 810. It's good. I'd figure a V4B would make it better, but the SVT is great.

The only reason I'd get a V4 or V4B over an SVT is if I couldn't lift an SVT onto an 810 & even then I'd put it on the ground next to it.

Disagreed. I have a V4 and I prefer it to an SVT because it breaks up earlier than an SVT. Still p l e n t y of headroom too.

I would take my v4 over a SVT anyday for bass. That being said. I gig with a Shuttle 6. : ) The v4 is for the studio only.

moebass · #7 07-06-2011, 10:19 AM

I have a friend who uses a v4 and a friend who uses a v4-b. They each use an ampeg 8x10,and they sound killer.
I think the v4 sounds slightly better.It sounds more open.However its picking nits.
The great thing with these amps is that they overdrive alot quicker than the svt, due to the difference in power.If overdrive is your bag then the v4 or the "bass version" v4-b are great amps for the bass guitar.

zachoff · #8 07-06-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floridabwoy

Disagreed. I have a V4 and I prefer it to an SVT because it breaks up earlier than an SVT. Still p l e n t y of headroom too.

I would take my v4 over a SVT anyday for bass. That being said. I gig with a Shuttle 6. : ) The v4 is for the studio only.

Yeah, that's the problem w/ the V4 for me... Breaks up too early. My band plays loud & by the time I'm at volume it's pretty muddy. I could see them being super useful in the studio though, for sure.

Farfetched · #9 07-06-2011, 11:33 AM

I run a V4>8x10. It gets plenty loud. Not as clean as an SVT but if you like a little grit and that warm creamy tone a V4 works perfectly well. No need for mods.

derridiandrift · #10 07-06-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshwilkesbooth

v4 and v4b are the same amp (pretty much) I have used both for bass, and guitar and never been anything less than "super stoked" about it.

truth ^^^^^^

username1 · #11 07-06-2011, 12:31 PM

Ive owned a V4b and Svt at the same time and tried them both through the same cabs. There was no comparison, the svt blows it away. The Svt just has so much more muscle in the low end, for the price difference i would look for a used SVT.

robb. · #12 07-06-2011, 12:50 PM

i don't have a lot of experience with the SVT, and i have no experience with the V4B. but i do own a V4 that i love. and the reason i bought it (besides that it was free, and all i had to do was fix and retube it) is because i used one in rehearsal.

the thing i like about it is the thick, dynamic sound it gets. it's a little volume limited through the 80s carvin 115 cab i bought for it, but it gets really loud through my bergantino chrome HT/EX stack. my whole house shake with minimal effort from from volume or master volume. for me the sound stays clean a long time, despite its thickness. it's not a clinical clean, it's a not overdriven clean. and it does sound good when it starts to break up. i have no idea if it breaks up the same as an SVT but earlier, but i can't imagine needing any more volume than this.

maybe i don't play with a lot of low end, but it has never felt deficient to me. i don't think i get any more low end from my warwick quadruplet and crest pro 7200 pre/pwr rack. if i need more, though, i tend to turn it up on my bass rather than on the head. but that's a matter of voicing more than amount.

robb.

coreyfyfe · #13 07-06-2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farfetched

I run a V4>8x10. It gets plenty loud. Not as clean as an SVT but if you like a little grit and that warm creamy tone a V4 works perfectly well. No need for mods.

+1. I had a V4 and used it with a 610, 410, and 810 in various combinations. It was never not enough for my needs, but I was playing loud rock music so a little distortion was fine. I have an SVT now and they're definitely different. The V4 was much more out front and aggressive than the SVT at similar volumes. Though the SVT can do loud and clean longer, if you're looking for a driven tube amp sound you'll need a smaller cab or some serious heading protection with an SVT. As far as V4 vs V4B there is very little difference that wouldn't be handled by a little twist of a knob.

JMac4strngr · #14 07-06-2011, 01:13 PM

The V-4 is a winner. Nice tone and plenty loud for Me. My experience with the SVT is very limited, but it has more sweet tube volume if You need it.

jumbodbassman · #15 07-06-2011, 01:15 PM

i always preferred my V4B to my SVT head. always used an svt 810 cab though....

wcriley · #16 07-06-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robb.

ithe reason i bought it (besides that it was free, and all i had to do was fix and retube it) is because i used one in rehearsal.

C'mon, robb. Be honest. I think you paid a few dollars for it.

SwansonEricJohn · #17 07-06-2011, 01:23 PM

We've discussed this subject before:
Ampeg V4 -vs- V4b

I love the way it sounds on bass (with or without the mod). I think the mod gave my amp a bit more "oomph" for bass. A tiny bit more gain and more lo end, but I haven't been able to gig with it yet so I'm only basing it on living room acoustics!

Goodlawdy · #18 07-06-2011, 01:35 PM

While there are a lot of v4 folks looking, does the v4 have the same amount of tubes as the vt-22, newer model with master volume?

coreyfyfe · #19 07-06-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodlawdy

While there are a lot of v4 folks looking, does the v4 have the same amount of tubes as the vt-22, newer model with master volume?

VT-22 was the V4 in a combo. So yes.

Goodlawdy · #20 07-06-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

VT-22 was the V4 in a combo. So yes.

Cool thanks. Wasn't sure if there are extra tubes for the vt-22 that has the reverb & master volume. End of derail.