Modern thoughts on the Ampeg V4B Reissue, Classic, or V4BH?

JoshuaTSP · #1 12-29-2010, 12:53 PM

I've done some searching....most threads are older.

I'm wondering if anyone is still playing or newly playing the Ampeg V4BH (or V4B Reissue or V4B Classic Series) amps?

What I got from the older threads was 50/50 on the following:

- the V4BH vs the old V4Bs
- volume
- quality
- whether or not he V4BH is basically a 100w SVT

Can anyone shed any light on those topics or general info about these amps?

RickenBoogie · #2 12-29-2010, 05:09 PM

I can help some. The older, vintage v4B's are generally more desired, and have a different circuit than the re-issues. They are ALL 100 watt amps, and are NOT like mini SVT's. I actually prefer the V4BH, for it's smooth, deep, warm, and quite fat tone. But, I've never directly compared the 2 side by side. In a rock band, it would be crucial to have a very large speaker cab, for volume, and you'd still wind up with alot of grind. If you like "clean" tube bass sounds, it's great, at low volume. Some of the best bass tones I've ever heard came out of a V4BH and SVT 15e rig. Perfect for the studio, not for a rock gig. Hope that helps some.

coreyfyfe · #3 12-29-2010, 05:34 PM

Volume should be close, the vintage may be a little louder because the inherent tone (IMO) is more mid-focused and aggressive, but they'd be very close. Quality wise they should be on par, the V4BH was made in SLM's good years prior to the Loud transition so you shouldn't have many stability issues. A vintage amp, if it was treated well and not heavily modified or abused should be pretty darn good too. The V4/B and V4BH definitely have their own tone, not really a mini-SVT.

JoshuaTSP · #4 12-29-2010, 05:51 PM

It does, thank you! Mr. Boogie

Right now I'm running an 800RB into a 4 ohm 2x15 with Emi Kappalites.
I NEVER have an issue with being too quiet. I'm normally way too loud!!
I play in a stoner rock/metal band....we're loud, but not crazy loud.
The guitar play runs a 50w SUNN 200S into dual 4x12 cabs.

I'm looking for a little grit to my tone, but not completely broken up and loose.

father of fires · #5 12-29-2010, 07:21 PM

I got a V4BH for sale in the classifieds. If you live near Baltimore you can try it out first hand.

The vintage ones get a more "grindy" tone. The newer ones sound fuller but not as loud.

YMMV.

Turock · #6 12-29-2010, 07:26 PM

I own two of these V4BH. One with the red and blue script from the mid nineties, and one from 2006. I also own a SVT 2Pro. In 40 years I've also played my share of SVTs and many other amps (I also own a Demeter/QSC rig). I prefer the V4BH over any amp I've ever played. It's loud enough and ballsy enough for me. Here's a clip from an outside show through MM EB Audiophile 2x10 and 2x12 cabinets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ZRXLAj0a0

JoshuaTSP · #7 12-29-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by father of fires

I got a V4BH for sale in the classifieds. If you live near Baltimore you can try it out first hand.

The vintage ones get a more "grindy" tone. The newer ones sound fuller but not as loud.

YMMV.

Thanks for the offer....but I just bought one this morning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turock

I own two of these V4BH. One with the red and blue script from the mid nineties, and one from 2006. I also own a SVT 2Pro. In 40 years I've also played my share of SVTs and many other amps (I also own a Demeter/QSC rig). I prefer the V4BH over any amp I've ever played. It's loud enough and ballsy enough for me. Here's a clip from an outside show through MM EB Audiophile 2x10 and 2x12 cabinets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ZRXLAj0a0

That sounded really good. Low down.

That's some really smooth tone (prefect for what you're doing!)

but.......can it do more of an aggressive tone?
As in, in your face mids? rock tone?

Jim C · #8 12-29-2010, 08:25 PM

If you just bought one, tell us what you think about the amp.
A 2x15 w/ a V4B worked well for me.

JoshuaTSP · #9 12-29-2010, 08:27 PM

Oh, I bought it today.......it shipped today.

Probably a couple days before I can try it out.

Turock · #10 12-29-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

That's some really smooth tone (prefect for what you're doing!)

but.......can it do more of an aggressive tone?
As in, in your face mids? rock tone?

It can do an aggressive rock tone. It depends on the instrument, cabinets, and amp settings. In the clip, that's a Precision with flatwounds through ported cabinets.