Ampeg V4BH or Ampeg SVT4 Pro?

[THE HIPPIE]

I have always wanted to own an Ampeg, but i would like to know w/c one is better between Ampeg V4BH or Ampeg SVT4-Pro? I would like to lean towards the Ampeg V4BH since it's all tube & the SVT is just hybrid. But before i chose i would like to get your opinions.

I play indie/shoegaze.

[THE HIPPIE]

Thanks for any advice.

[Gearhead17]

V4BH is 100 watt of all tube. It will growl and be decently loud with the right cabinet. The 4 PRO is a clean/high headroom bass head and will be plenty loud through many cabinets if you do not boost the bass heavily.

Hoenstly, it's not a fair comparison. You should really look at the SVT CL versus the 4 PRO.

[THE HIPPIE]

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

V4BH is 100 watt of all tube. It will growl and be decently loud with the right cabinet. The 4 PRO is a clean/high headroom bass head and will be plenty loud through many cabinets if you do not boost the bass heavily.

Hoenstly, it's not a fair comparison. You should really look at the SVT CL versus the 4 PRO.

I want the heavier & edgy sound. Will it be the svt 4?

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by THE HIPPIE

I want the heavier & edgy sound. Will it be the svt 4?

4 PRO is doing clean mostly. Add a distortion pedal to the 4 PRO and you have a wild and mean tone with a LOT of headroom.

The V4BH is going to run out of steam quite quickly - it can work well if you need a decently loud and dirty tone, but that is about it.

The 4 PRO can stay clean at all volumes and will give you more low end.

It all depends on the cabs though, in terms of volume.

[THE HIPPIE]

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

4 PRO is doing clean mostly. Add a distortion pedal to the 4 PRO and you have a wild and mean tone with a LOT of headroom.

The V4BH is going to run out of steam quite quickly - it can work well if you need a decently loud and dirty tone, but that is about it.

The 4 PRO can stay clean at all volumes and will give you more low end.

It all depends on the cabs though, in terms of volume.

Thanks for your advice.

[Sartori]

That's kind of an odd comparison... they're both Ampegs, yeah, but they sorta do the opposite sort of thing.

The V4BH you can get into some good overdrive, but how loud you can get will be very dependent upon how big a cab you're willing to haul. Get an 810 and you should be fine.

The SVT-4pro has a ton of headroom, as it has a lot of power and is quite clean (hence why I'm not a big fan). You pretty much won't get overdrive on it without using a pedal.

[MoWBass]

I am currently using a svt III pro with a svt 410he + svt 15e adding drive with a mxr m-80.
i am considering moving to a Ampeg v4bh with the same cabs or maybe do the big jump to a 810.
I use the gain\volume at 1 or 2.
I play in a band like high on fire with two guitarists, one with an 5150 and the other a jcm 800 and a animal drummer

Is the v4bh load enough?
What do you recommend?

[Gearhead17]

The V4B can be loud enough, but you will be overdriving the head pretty hard through an 810 at that point. If you like that tone, there you go.

I suggest ditching the 410 and 15 and grabbing an 810 and use the 3 PRO with it. M-80 into that 3 PRO and you should get a darn good tone right away. That 15 is not adding more low end. The 410 is louder than that particular 15 anyway.

You could go for the V4B, but if you want anything resembling a clean tone, you will not be able to get it at higher volumes.

[charlie monroe]

I have a 4PRO, but I only use the power section of it. I pull both the clean and dirty outs from an RBI.
I have an old Bassman 100 for the tube adventures. Needs some love right now, but I digress.

Sartori was right, different tools for different jobs. I would keep my Ampeg hybrid over my Fender tube. I can do way more with it.

[seventhframe]

My vote would always be for the 4-Pro. Tons of tone, tube pre-amp and is an absolute monster!