ampeg v4b

mescalito · #1 09-30-2011, 03:54 AM

i've always been an ampeg guy and i've had plenty of svt's.

i've also got a trace elliot V6 which is great but i've seen a lot of ampeg v4b's for sale.

they're quite cheap and i was just wondering if anyone had used one and what they sounded like.

i know they're not going to be as loud as the amps i just mentioned, i'd probably need two to be heard over our guitar player.

any thoughts or insights appreciated.....

nysbob · #2 09-30-2011, 07:15 AM

I use one frequently. It's a great thing to have in my situation because I play through two single 15" 8 ohm boxes that are pretty efficient. I have an SVT head available, but there are lot of gigs where that kind of power isn't necessary (or even desirable) and the V4B cops a similar vibe while working up a little more sweat. It's also nice have the 8-4-2 impedance selector which allows me to use just one box for lower volume gigs.

JMac4strngr · #3 09-30-2011, 07:28 AM

I have an SVT Classic and an early 70's V4. Both amps are are awesome in their own respect. (IMO) The V4 has the best tone of the two, and the 8-4-2 ohm thing makes them very flexable with pairing cabs with'em.
Oh yea, dont be fooled by their wattage rating, as I think Ampeg under-rated them a bit. I had a Traynor YBA-200 breifly, and the V4 would beat its arse and take its lunch money any day of the week.

coreyfyfe · #4 09-30-2011, 08:24 AM

I've always characterized the V4 as a more aggressive SVT. It can cop similar tones, but it's definitely not just a smaller SVT. I had an SVT-CL when I got my V4 and was blown away by the V4. So much that I ended up selling the SVT. It just couldn't get that tone and the V4 was more than enough amp for me at the time. I've moved onto a vintage SVT which, while more to my liking than the SVT-CL, still doesn't really capture the grunt of the V4 - mostly because I'd be deaf by the time I got that loud with my 8x10

jumbodbassman · #5 09-30-2011, 08:31 AM

had a SVT and a V4B a long while back. Always preferred the V4 unless i needed the extra power and then it would usually be the svt with a 8 10 and a 2-15 cab. IIRC the V4B was under-rated and was more in the 140-160 watt range. Just a great head...these were both mid early 70's versions. can't speak about the newer ones..

mescalito · #6 09-30-2011, 08:59 AM

thanks for the reply's guys.

it's hard to know what to do as i'm in the market for both amps.

i had to sell all my gear about three years ago due to losing my job and have only been playing with my old band again for about a year.

i've got a 4x10, 1x15 both ampeg and a classic head. my V6 sounds amazing through the cabs but is a very different sound to a good svt, very bass heavy and not much punch.

the classic head is made in vietnam and is total garbage! sounds cheap, feels cheap, looks cheap. luckily i didn't pay much for it. my old usa made ampeg was way better built.

i'm getting rid of that over here and looking for a vintage svt in the states.

am i right i saying that the V4B has more of a punky sound than the monstrous raw you get from the SVT?
and is it easier to drive the V4B?

i've actually got two 1x15's at 8 ohms each, would that be a better set up with a V4B?

NKBassman · #7 09-30-2011, 09:13 AM

Anybody have any comments on how the newer looking V4-Bs (the ones that look sort of like a SVT-CL) stack up against the vintage ones?

Mike in Chicago · #8 09-30-2011, 09:31 AM

I'm thinking of selling my '74 V4b...head and 'fridge bottom.

nysbob · #9 09-30-2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mescalito

am i right i saying that the V4B has more of a punky sound than the monstrous raw you get from the SVT?
and is it easier to drive the V4B?

i've actually got two 1x15's at 8 ohms each, would that be a better set up with a V4B?

Unless you really need a ton of headroom, I'd say the V4B will do fine with your 15"s at less cost than the big guy.

johnk_10 · #10 09-30-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumbodbassman

..................... IIRC the V4B was under-rated and was more in the 140-160 watt range.

just an FYI. i measured all three of my vintage V4's after recapping, retubing and getting them back to 100% factory spec.
they all measured from 108-112w RMS before distortion on the scope.

Demon_Hunter · #11 09-30-2011, 09:47 AM

I had a V4B back in the early '90's and it was awesome. Wish I still had it.

jumbodbassman · #12 09-30-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

just an FYI. i measured all three of my vintage V4's after recapping, retubing and getting them back to 100% factory spec.
they all measured from 108-112w RMS before distortion on the scope.

that's what I get for believing stuff is see on TB....

They are 260 peak however....Correct?

johnk_10 · #13 09-30-2011, 10:07 AM

more like 220 peak at full clipping.

hublocker · #14 09-30-2011, 10:17 AM

I bought a used V4B in 1977 and used it for about five years in a R&R cover band with two guitarists using Fender twins in country community halls and bars with no issues. Yeah, it kind of didn't sound so round and bassy at "6" as it did at "3" but what the hell, we were playing "Saturday night is alright for fighting," "Sweet home Alabama," "Already gone" etc.

Still have that amp.

Alex1984 · #15 09-30-2011, 10:18 AM

Nonetheless, excellent amps! They allow you to push them harder before getting insanely loud. When pair with the right cabs, I have no problem with headroom, and the 8/4/2 ohm selector is icing on top of a fine cake.

JMac4strngr · #16 09-30-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKBassman

Anybody have any comments on how the newer looking V4-Bs (the ones that look sort of like a SVT-CL) stack up against the vintage ones?

I've heard that they are quite different sounding. The power tube complement is different, and I think the preamp is different as well.

johnk_10 · #17 09-30-2011, 11:53 AM

yep, IMO they really bear no resemblance to the original V4B's. it's a completely different animal. they have different preamp and different power amp circuits.

NKBassman · #18 09-30-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

yep, IMO they really bear no resemblance to the original V4B's. it's a completely different animal. they have different preamp and different power amp circuits.

Different = Worse, or just different?

Demon_Hunter · #19 09-30-2011, 12:10 PM

I do remember blowing a 100 watt 15" speaker with it

johnk_10 · #20 09-30-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKBassman

Different = Worse, or just different?

while the newer ones are very good amps, personally, i like the original ones alot better. their built bit better (more rugged), have a better cicuit design, sound better, and are ALOT louder.