2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

[rodl2005]

Nice bass Rod.

Have you ever tried Thomastik-Infeld JF-344's? I love them on my 57 Precision. The problem with flats on a P is that they can last forever. Hard to justify tring different strings if you never have to change them.

Thanks Beans. Here tis.

I've got TI 344s on my 62AVRI Precision but I've not tried em on the single coil 51RI (Which is a Warmoth home build). I sure love em on my 62P ! But I've come to really like the Fender flats lately.
And, yeah. ....I don't change em much now they most wear either tapes or flats!
I thought Labella tapes were my faves too, but after recently buying some I've realized that my old 77 Gibson G3 has Fender tapes on. Slightly ridged surface and sound great! I've gotta get me another set of them. Wait...... does that mean a new bass to put em on? ?

Hang on. .... I just noticed the red silk windings in the above pic! Maybe they are TIs on it. Or are TIs orange? ? I'll have top check tomorrow? ???

 

[beans-on-toast]

Thanks Beans. Here tis.

I've got TI 344s on my 62AVRI Precision but I've not tried em on the single coil 51RI (Which is a Warmoth home build). I sure love em on my 62P ! But I've come to really like the Fender flats lately.
And, yeah. ....I don't change em much now they most wear either tapes or flats!
I thought Labella tapes were my faves too, but after recently buying some I've realized that my old 77 Gibson G3 has Fender tapes on. Slightly ridged surface and sound great! I've gotta get me another set of them. Wait...... does that mean a new bass to put em on? ?

Hang on. .... I just noticed the red silk windings in the above pic! Maybe they are TIs on it. I'll have top check tomorrow? ???

You can't get more basic than a 51P. The simplicity is what makes it look so good. Nice job building it. No better way to get to know your bass.

Getting a new bass to go with strings that you buy sounds like a reasonable justification. But it's true, the only time I tend to change flats is when I buy a new instrument.

 

[rodl2005]

Spot on. Basic and sounds sublime thru the all tube V4B. But so does the other Precision. ..And the G3...And. ....

 

[johnpbass]

Amazing how much that black sparkle cloth makes that V4B pop. You have the prettiest V4B of us all. I've heard a few people say they prefer the silver. OK, so the silver is very cool, but the black is the coolest.

Agreed, that black sparkle looks awesome! I wonder if there will ever be a Heritage V4B?

 

[johnpbass]

Ha! Not really Jimmy - but I'm real glad I did it

Another V4 glamour shot:

View attachment 626001

You guys are killing me with these v4b pics.

 

[JimmyM]

Agreed, that black sparkle looks awesome! I wonder if there will ever be a Heritage V4B?

Doubt it

 

[peterpalmieri]

Agreed, that black sparkle looks awesome! I wonder if there will ever be a Heritage V4B?

I am generally one who prefers a Made in USA label, I'm also not so shy about spending money on gear. But in this case I really think the V4B reissue really doesn't need much improvement.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I am thinking about changing the grill on my EA NM410 to match the V4b. The EA grills are screwed on metal, can anyone recommend someone who would make a frame and use matching cloth?

Thanks for all your thoughtful responses guys I called Bruce at Flip Tops and they are happy to custom fit as long as I provide them dimensions.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Agreed, that black sparkle looks awesome! I wonder if there will ever be a Heritage V4B?

The black sparkle gives it a classy look of yesteryear that I like. Like the black suits that musicians used to wear.

The next logical step is a Heritage SVT-VR or Heritage SB-12. Probably no rush for the VR. I think that a smaller tube bass amp with a quality speaker DI out for recording would sell well. So would a B-15 preamp.

 

[johnpbass]

The black sparkle gives it a classy look of yesteryear that I like. Like the black suits that musicians used to wear.

The next logical step is a Heritage SVT-VR or Heritage SB-12. Probably no rush for the VR. I think that a smaller tube bass amp with a quality speaker DI out for recording would sell well. So would a B-15 preamp.

Do you think a B-15 preamp would get you close to B-15 tone - given no power tubes? If so, I'd definitely be interested.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Do you think a B-15 preamp would get you close to B-15 tone - given no power tubes? If so, I'd definitely be interested.

I use my B-15 pre out to run into other amps and it sounds pretty good. I can see people liking this for recording. No question that the power stage and speaker adds additional tone though.

That's why I was thinking that a smaller tube amp like an SB-12, or one with a single channel B-15 pre circuit, with a DI on the speaker out would go over well. The DI would incorporate a dummy load so that the amp could be used for silent recording or it could be used like a regular amp with a 12" speaker with the DI working in parallel. The amp would be more compact than a B-15 and hopefully cost a bit less. I think that this would sell well.

 

[rodl2005]

Last night at a pub gig, I used the Rig that I had such a terrific sound with the other night at rehearsal.
Ampeg V4B RI into Fender Bassman Pro neo 115. Using my 51 P.
MAN it sounds good!

Tonight I need CLEAN headroom, so it's the Fender Super Bassman into my NV412.

 

[jdubbass38]

Played an outdoor festival yesterday and used the v4b reissue with 610 cab. The tone was amazing as always! Lots of complements after the set on how good the bass sounded. With the gain and master both at 11 the v4b was loud with plenty of headroom to spare.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Played an outdoor festival yesterday and used the v4b reissue with 610 cab. The tone was amazing as always! Lots of complements after the set on how good the bass sounded. With the gain and master both at 11 the v4b was loud with plenty of headroom to spare.

View attachment 629322

What 610 cab is that?

 

[jdubbass38]

It's the ampeg 610hlf.

 

[Jwood]

I actually ran my V4B a bit different than usual at last nights gig. I dimed the master and used the gain for volume control, it sounded freakin awesome! Pbass and 212AV were the other components of the groove.

 

[JimmyM]

I actually ran my V4B a bit different than usual at last nights gig. I dimed the master and used the gain for volume control, it sounded freakin awesome! Pbass and 212AV were the other components of the groove.

That's the way I always run tube amps with separate gain and master. Makes them sound like non-master amps.

 

[jdubbass38]

I will have to try running my amp like that next time.

 

[Dave W]

That's pretty much the way I run mine as well. It stays a little cleaner and I prefer power tube distortion to preamp tube distortion.

 

[Jwood]

Yea I remembered reading somewhere that running the main wide open would eat power tubes faster so I shy'd away, but no more. I'm down with replacing power tubes more often if I get a tone like that.