Good deal on this V4b?

[DiabolusInMusic]

I don't know what more I need to do to get across as sarcastic on this site... every time...

I am aware he doesn't hate SS heads, but anybody who spends a week on this board knows Jimmy LOVES his tubes...

You never re-tube your head? Are you one of those cats who uses 20 year old tubes? I noticed a world of difference when I re-tubed my SVT but I only owned it for a couple years, never had a chance to do it again, it had 5 year old SOVTEK tubes in it when I got it. I realize the SVT has more tubes than most amps but it cost me almost $400 when it was all said and done to re-tube the thing.

I certainly don't mean SS are indestructible, they do break, they just don't have a maintenance/upkeep bill, only a repair bill, while tubes do require upkeep in regards to the tubes, even if you change one/a pair at a time it still costs money.

[bassfootballguy]

Originally Posted by Groovy_Gravy

Why does everyone cry about the weight? Its a Mans amp. If you want the sound then be a man and carry the amp. 70 pounds is nothing.

I am a man. A man with 5 surgically repaired vertebrae and a chronic spinal disease.
Even when I could lift massive weight with no assistance that amp was still heavy. Now I get a hefty sound out of a light amp and don't have to lug 70 pounds and thump my chest like a retarded gorilla and challenge everyone who States the obvious to "be a man," which, incidentally, one can be without simultaneously being a douche.

[baileyboy]

Originally Posted by two fingers

...the Mesa Walkabout is a good lightweight option for getting a really nice warm tubey kind of sound without making your back/neck thing worse.

+1

Lower back pain is why I chose the 13 lb.Mesa Walkabout instead of the much heavier V4B. My health is way more important than any sound difference between the two.

[mjac28]

People re-tube because they usually want to try something different or a tube blows and some repair person tells them they need all new tubes.I had a problem with my Classic and was told by Ampeg I should re-tube every year those 5 year old SOVTEK tubes had plenty of life left it sounds like you just wanted something different and you paid $400.00 for that change. I know plenty of SVT users who are still using original tubes with gigging steady they don't abuse their equipment.

[nysbob]

Originally Posted by silenttodd

Mine went sketchy every few months and did funny things. Lots of hard to diagnose issues. I had it totally retubed and capped and still little things went. Thankfully there's a site dedicated to this beautiful beast to help.
After about 1500$ in upkeep I give up and I owned 2 of these thus far. Didn't learn my lesson the first time.
Don't get me wrong here this is the best tone I ever had!

I would lay blame at your service person, not the amp. Even replacing a tranny would be far less $ than you gave this crook.

[christw]

Tube amps are to SS what internal combustion cars are to electric cars. They all need service eventually and have their own up sides and down sides. A year and change after injuring my shoulder, I'm back to 80lb tube amps.

Originally Posted by nysbob

I would lay blame at your service person, not the amp. Even replacing a tranny would be far less $ than you gave this crook.

+1 That tech is either incompetent or a crook.

[michael_atw]

I've owned one from this period - also a V4. I used the V4B for about 6 months - I owned it at the same time as a '69 Blueline B25. The V4B started to make some nominal funky sounds so I 'offed it when I picked up an SVT. I didn't feel like paying hundreds of dollars to get it cleaned up; figured to bounce it off on someone (to their knowing about the issue) and bump up.

The knobs as someone mentioned are not original - the nameplate is missing as you know. They are big bang for the buck - $500 for a working V4B is a little below the going rate these days. I had mine a few years back for $450 each; I'd say they are up to $600-$700+ these days in clean shape. The prices have gone up on both the B25 and V4 amps. For that price, as long as it works well, it is well-worth it. The back is still with it and the faceplate is quite clean - those are half the battle with these. Usually you can tell how much it was played by the faceplate.

[stiles72]

Tubes only need to be replaced if they go bad. I've been running the factory tubes in my '01 V4BH and it works just fine.

[Turock]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

But seriously, tube amps are not for the cheap. Granted tubes only need to be done once in a while, they can cost as much as another amp.

Then you will have two amps that don't give one the sound one is looking for.
Also, over the last 40 years or so, I've spent more money on servicing/repairing my SS amps than I have spent on my tube amps.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by two fingers

Now, the V4 uses 6L6 (7027) power tubes stock

I'd like to add a point to this post. While the 6L6GC and the 7027 are of the same family they are not interchangeable. If you install the 7027 into an amplifier designed foe the 6L6GC you could well cause some damage to the amp. The Pinouts of the tubes differ. Often if a tube pin is not used, the socket terminal will be used as a tie point for other components. Fender amps are typical in this approach.

[jumblemind]

Turns out he really wants $500 for it. Even if it's a fair price, not sure I can come off that kind of money right now for an amp I don't technically need if it's not a crazy deal.

Thanks for the feedback.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by jumblemind

Turns out he really wants $500 for it. Even if it's a fair price, not sure I can come off that kind of money right now for an amp I don't technically need if it's not a crazy deal.

Thanks for the feedback.

Definitely not a "crazy" deal, their value hasn't shot up yet.

[keith christian]

I've owned a v4b since the mid '70s and she has never let me down.Once a roadie yanked her off the 810 cab and the speaker jack got a little bent in the chassis because it was still plugged in but the amp worked fine. Of course I've replaced the tubes a couple of times but never because she stopped working,but she starts to sound kind of week and dull.Also she got a new three prong power cord and I've given her some new shock-mounts. She has fallen off stage, fallen out of the van more than once,rolled down the street and once I left her over night outside on a street corner. She still sounds wonderful and although I now have other amps for smaller gigs she's the one I call on for any outdoor venues.

[tbird46553]

I bought one just like it off the showroom floor in '77. Just had it's first cap and tube last year. It will be in my will.