• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

#2,201
Hi everybody!

I've been reading through this thread for a while now and I'm almost set on buying a V4B.
But, I'm a bit concerned about the DI on this thing. Here in Finland pretty much every venue puts the bass through the PA, so I'd like to take the signal out of what ever head I'm using. Some pages back there was some discussion about the DI signal not coming out through transformer etc...I have a recording next week and I would really like to use the V4B there, both DI and the cab ( 112 or 212 av ) miced. So how do you guys really like this DI? Both studio and live...

If I have to get a high-end DI anyway ( Reddi, 2DI4 ), I could just aswell use my LMIII/Thunderchild115 rig for monitoring on stage, and I'm a bit tired of using that for anything else than doublebass stuff.

So basically I'm looking for a setup that will keep me happy both in the studio and on gigs for the future. My other locally available options are fender 100t / super bassman and all of those new fender neo series cabs. The 100t seems like a great option for recording...is it really as good as it seems?

Btw, I've played trough my friends vintage V4/810av rig on a few gigs and jams and howly cow...that sound is just perfect with my CS59'P with Jamerson flats!

Cheers!
 
#2,204
As always. ....... It depends on your definition of LOUD.
Others have described it s 'about' equal to a 350w Ampeg PF350 class D amp in its loudness. I've not really compared em.
I do know it's a loud 100w tube amp. .. And it can be dialed in to stay pretty clean in that volume. But if I was after CLEAN tube VOLUME, I'd be using my 300w all tube Super Bassman.
When I'm playing in my soul/funk band, where clean bass tone is desired, I don't usually use the v4b, unless it's either a small room, there's a great FOH PA system - so my rig is essentially a monitor, or I can take a BIG cab- such as my NV412 or 810.
It's a LOVELY amp, but it IS 100w only.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alexander
#2,208
Anyone using the Radial JDI between V4B and your cab? Isn't this the most simple way to get a solid and honest-to-the-amp signal out of the head..? It would even catch the powertubes and all...
Sure it's a few hundred euros more, but if it does the trick...
 
#2,209
Michelsen said:
Hi everybody!

I've been reading through this thread for a while now and I'm almost set on buying a V4B.
But, I'm a bit concerned about the DI on this thing. Here in Finland pretty much every venue puts the bass through the PA, so I'd like to take the signal out of what ever head I'm using. Some pages back there was some discussion about the DI signal not coming out through transformer etc...I have a recording next week and I would really like to use the V4B there, both DI and the cab ( 112 or 212 av ) miced. So how do you guys really like this DI? Both studio and live...
Click to expand...
I think the DI on the V4B is quite excellent, despite being preamp only. Heck of a nice preamp on that thing, you know? But yes, you absolutely can use a DI made to work at speaker level between the V4B's speaker out and your cab as long as you always keep a cab hooked up. Doesn't have to be a JDI...any DI that does speaker level will work. I usually use a Countryman for that type of thing.
 
#2,210
JimmyM said:
I think the DI on the V4B is quite excellent, despite being preamp only. Heck of a nice preamp on that thing, you know? But yes, you absolutely can use a DI made to work at speaker level between the V4B's speaker out and your cab as long as you always keep a cab hooked up. Doesn't have to be a JDI...any DI that does speaker level will work. I usually use a Countryman for that type of thing.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies!

JimmyM; you're using the REDDI, right? Have you done any comparison between that and v4b's DI? Would you feel confident going into a recording session with v4b and a cab?
 
#2,212
Michelsen said:
Thanks for the replies!

JimmyM; you're using the REDDI, right? Have you done any comparison between that and v4b's DI? Would you feel confident going into a recording session with v4b and a cab?
Click to expand...
I have done the comparisons. Personally, I prefer the REDDI and the V4B with a speaker DI over the V4B's preamp-only DI, but between the REDDI and the V4B with a speaker DI, I don't have a clear preference, as I think they both sound awesome.

So for me, it would depend on usage which way I went. If I were doing only clean sounds, I would be fine with just the V4B being speaker DI'd and cab mic'ed. If I were cranking the V4B hard to get power tube distortion, I would want the REDDI and mic the V4B/cab. I don't think a cranked tube amp through a DI sounds nearly as good as cranking one through a cab and micing it. However, in that situation, your character of tone is going to come almost exclusively from the V4B and cab, and the clean sound is just there to ensure that you retain your bottom end. So while in a perfect world I would absolutely use the REDDI as my clean source (easy for me to say since I have one already), you could really use anything for it and still sound nice and tubey because the V4B/cab is carrying that load.

None of this is meant to dissuade anyone from picking up a REDDI, BTW. I love the REDDI and I'm a huge fan of it and A-Designs in general. But I think in your current situation, you would be better served by a V4B.
 
#2,214
rodl2005 said:
As always. ....... It depends on your definition of LOUD.
Others have described it s 'about' equal to a 350w Ampeg PF350 class D amp in its loudness. I've not really compared em.
I do know it's a loud 100w tube amp. .. And it can be dialed in to stay pretty clean in that volume. But if I was after CLEAN tube VOLUME, I'd be using my 300w all tube Super Bassman.
When I'm playing in my soul/funk band, where clean bass tone is desired, I don't usually use the v4b, unless it's either a small room, there's a great FOH PA system - so my rig is essentially a monitor, or I can take a BIG cab- such as my NV412 or 810.
It's a LOVELY amp, but it IS 100w only.
Click to expand...

Is the bolded part true?
 
#2,218
One more update on my new acquisition before I stop posting on this thread about the reissue v4bb as I'm more than a little off topic:
I pulled the chassis and the amp is indeed a 77. Most date codes are between the 30th and 40th weeks of that year. The amp has clearly never seen a smoky bar or household as it is as clean as the day it was built inside. The amp is completely unmolested save the power plug, which is a cheap hardware store replacement.
Can someone measure the height inside the head box on their vintage v4 out v4b? Should I make it just tall enough for the rails the chassis sits on? That would leave an approximately 1/2" gap below the back panel.
Thanks for all the help.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back