Help dating ampeg V4

[DerekP]

I have a chance to buy one for $500 and the only info i
Have is a 6 digit code which is 111 885.
Thanks in advance!

[coreyfyfe]

Try flowers and candy

All jokes aside, serial numbers for 70s ampegs are meaningless. Easiest way to get a round-about date is by cosmetics.

This would be a 72-75 amp:


This would be a 75-80 amp:


More than that you'd need some date codes from transformers, pots, etc.

[DerekP]

Thanks, i'm no expert... Ill post pics asap

[DerekP]

so i got some crappy phone pics hope someone can help!

[JMac4strngr]

Looks late 70's, and pretty clean at that. Just for entertainment purposes You could ask when it was last serviced by a tech, and take that into carefull consideration on how much You wanna pay. $500.00 site-unplayed is hard to call, I'd give it a test drive for sure.
IME- I'd plan on taking it to a tech for a check-up, even if it sounded fine (no pop-crackles, hums). It may sound fine today, but there could be some old caps in there ready to go at any given moment.

[DerekP]

i bought it for $450, i tested it out and it works well and sounds great, there is a slight hum though. i'm taking it to a tech tomorrow and seeing if its normal or maybe the bias needs to be adjusted? possible bad tube?

[JMac4strngr]

Originally Posted by DerekP

i bought it for $450, i tested it out and it works well and sounds great, there is a slight hum though. i'm taking it to a tech tomorrow and seeing if its normal or maybe the bias needs to be adjusted? possible bad tube?

Good move on take'n it to the tech, it'll pay off in the long run. If very little is wrong, it shouldn't cost much more than the bench fee plus some parts and a bit of labor. Better to start'er off working right, than to limp it along.

(IMO)When V4's are pur'n right, they are tonal bliss.

[DerekP]

Thanks a lot! Is a slight hum normal?

[JMac4strngr]

With or without an instrument plugged in Mine is quiet, no noticeable hums either way(well shielded bass helps with instrument plugged in). However, I did have a cap go out once and it was doing some humming, and had lower volume than normal.
IMO- when buying any old amp it's always a good idea to take it in for a checkup regardless. The tech can sort out any issues (get the "rats" out if there are any) and have it running right. A few bucks now, can save a lot of bucks down the road.

[Randall]

Note what kind of tubes are in it. Old tubes are worth money
7027a?

[Televator]

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

Try flowers and candy

Beat me to it!

[chadds]

Originally Posted by DerekP

Thanks a lot! Is a slight hum normal?

If she's bored with you.

[johnk_10]

for the hum, i'd check the hum balance first and if that doesn't quiet it down, it may have mis-matched output tubes or need new filter caps.

[DerekP]

Tried the hum balance and it got worse, see what the tech says tomorrow. Thanks so much for all the input!