V4B - wouldja?

[DanNowhere]

A local CL ad has a rough-looking but working V4B for $ 400.00. The ampeg logo plate is missing, a lot of the markings on the front plate has disappeared or faded, the tolex is apparently rough, but according to the ads, it still works and was just retubed. I've played all solid-state since I started, but have been considering trying a tube amp but haven't had the cash. Think this is a good place to start?

[KramerBassFan]

Can't hurt to give it a try?

And, the logo may not be missing. The Very Earliest V4's did not have AMPEG logos on the front of them. Mine never did.

[Bigjohn]

Use caution, I used to own one. Old V4B's are underpowered for what i do. So make sure it can deliver what you need through your cabinet.

Originally Posted by DanNowhere

A local CL ad has a rough-looking but working V4B for $ 400.00. The ampeg logo plate is missing, a lot of the markings on the front plate has disappeared or faded, the tolex is apparently rough, but according to the ads, it still works and was just retubed. I've played all solid-state since I started, but have been considering trying a tube amp but haven't had the cash. Think this is a good place to start?

[JimmyM]

could be a good place to start, sure. used to have one and loved loved loved it.

[I<34080]

I would in a heartbeat

[coreyfyfe]

That's a pretty good price. I paid $450 for mine, but it needed a cap job and tubes.

[NKBassman]

I would without even thinking about it. I wouldn't be able to gig with it but I'm sure it would be fantastic for recording.

[dubstylee]

+1 Absolutely awesome amp.

[Mooblar]

FWIW, I have a V4 and V4B.

Paid $160 over ten years ago for the V4, needed fresh caps and some new tubes.

Paid $400 for the V4B, needed fresh caps, some new tubes and unmodification.

They both sound awesome with enough output to play in reasonable sound levels.

The V4 sounds exceptionally good through the Acoustic 406 2x15 cab (to my ears)

[craig.p]

Listen to what Bigjohn said. The music you play, the volume you play at, the room sizes you play in, whether or not you have mains support, the cab you'll be feeding that head with and how efficient it is, the tone you prefer -- all of it will determine how much you'd like a V4B in perfect working order, let alone one that might need some minor tuning up because of age.

Be clear about your requirements beforehand. And forget the mystique. The V4B is a highly competent but middle-range bass amp, no more and no less. If that's what you want, then go for it, but also be prepared to sink some nominal $$$ into it from time to time as part of the routine maintenance required by ANY tube amp. (That is, if you plan on holding onto it for years.)

[B-string]

Had a V4-B for LOOOOONG time, with a 215 there wasn't a gig it could not handle. But we were not trying to cause ear bleeds.

[NineSpine]

The V4 and V4B are my favorite amps in the world. There are only two issues (in my experience):

1. They are exceptionally heavy and have a terrible handle.
2. They are ridiculously unreliable. I've had three different V4s go out on me. These amps were maintained very well by Peter Frampton's old guitar tech, Chris Davis. Not only have I had three go on me, but I don't know a single person with a V4 that hasn't encountered numerous issues no matter how well they take care of it.

I know people will probably post saying they never had a problem. That's why I said "in my experience".

[eyeballkid]

YEAH!! if its mechanically solid and sounds as it should!!!

if youre worried about cosmetics, a new front panel can be ordered from fliptops.net for $49.00... and a whole new head box with new tolex for $195... so for $250 you could make it look brand spanking new!!!...

V4B's are tonal BLISS!!!...

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by NineSpine

The V4 and V4B are my favorite amps in the world. There are only two issues (in my experience):

1. They are exceptionally heavy and have a terrible handle.
2. They are ridiculously unreliable. I've had three different V4s go out on me. These amps were maintained very well by Peter Frampton's old guitar tech, Chris Davis. Not only have I had three go on me, but I don't know a single person with a V4 that hasn't encountered numerous issues no matter how well they take care of it.

I know people will probably post saying they never had a problem. That's why I said "in my experience".

lol! reading my mind! my v4b lasted for years from 1979 till about 1988 doing 4-6 nights a week of rock and roll without so much as a tube change. the only thing that stopped it was a fire in the club i was playing (it was unplugged so it didn't start the fire ).

[Mooblar]

Wow Jimmy!

You rock so hard that you don't even need to plug in yer amp!?

[johnk_10]

i was just comparing my '71 V4B to my SVT thru my 4x12 V4 cab this afternoon. i was surprised at how loud it can be running thru a 4x14 cab, and it seems to me that it could handle most gigs.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Mooblar

Wow Jimmy!

You rock so hard that you don't even need to plug in yer amp!?

not on my day off, no

[bassvi]

I abused the crap out of my V4B and it never let me down, for years.

That being said, you should consider your volume needs, as it's not an SVT or even a VB2 power wise. It's not loud enough on it's own for loud, heavy rock IMO. It is an exceptionally sweet amp though. That's a good price. It is what it is, take it for that.

[Alex1984]

Do it! Though the faceplate does look like it's been to hell and back...twice...You can always order a replacement...http://www.fliptops.net/catalog/prod...roducts_id=265

Good luck!

[Mooblar]

I agree John, for most gigs the V4B does the job.

Sorry to poke fun Jimmy...... club burnt overnight right? I used to leave my equipment overnight at one of our regular Friday and Saturday night gigs. Scary to think what could happen.