2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

[husky123]

^^^yep^^^

 

[JimmyM]

I use a Southampton All Things Equal clean boost because it's dead transparent, save for a tiny little bit of treble that gets added due to it being a buffering pedal.

www.southamptonpedals.com

 

[Alexander]

A clean boost will probably solve your problem. Has the new bass been set up properly in terms of pickup and string height? This will help a bit with the signal level.

Raising the pickup was my first thought and I asked about that in the Basses forum a while back. Folks advised there was an optimal height and raising beyond that would negatively impact the tone. I suspect it's set up right, but certainly should verify that. If so, sounds like the clean boost will help. Just need to think whether or not that would be worth the hassle. I love the simplicity of this setup...

 

[peterpalmieri]

Can anyone comment between using 2 x 210AVs vs a single 212AV vs 2 x 112AVs vs 210AV + 112AV?

I have a EA NM410 that I occasionally use for larger gigs actually love the pairing but the opportunity has arisen that would require fairly regular use of a larger cab, the EA. While I do pair the V4b with a single 210AV for smaller gigs and home use. I would like a larger matching rig (don't hate on my vanity) if I do accept this new gig. From a cost standpoint adding the second 210AV is cheap and easy. Also makes for simple transport, gear stored in the basement, getting my EA or any 60lb cab up and down the stairs is no joy (my 90 year old house has a rather vertical and awkward set of steps), not a deal breaker but worth considering.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Raising the pickup was my first thought and I asked about that in the Basses forum a while back. Folks advised there was an optimal height and raising beyond that would negatively impact the tone. I suspect it's set up right, but certainly should verify that. If so, sounds like the clean boost will help. Just need to think whether or not that would be worth the hassle. I love the simplicity of this setup...

Yes if the pickups are too high, the magnets will interact with the strings to make the tone muddy. The setup can change with the string diameter as well. Fatter strings are closer to the pickups. So if a lighter gauge string is installed, sometimes the pickups need to be adjusted.

But don't go by what they did in the factory and assume that it is correct. Fender has a pickup height guide here. Invalid Link Removed. All you need is a good ruler. I find that a small metal one works well.

EDIT opps fixed the link.

 

[Alexander]

I use a Southampton All Things Equal clean boost because it's dead transparent, save for a tiny little bit of treble that gets added due to it being a buffering pedal.

www.southamptonpedals.com

Thanks Jimmy - will take a look

 

[Burwabit]

Can anyone comment between using 2 x 210AVs vs a single 212AV vs 2 x 112AVs vs 210AV + 112AV?

I'm interested to hear thoughts on 2 x 210AVs too, for curiosity sake. I'm sure comments are buried in this thread somewhere, but it's always nice to hear new. I like how they look and am a fan of a vertical stack.

 

[Alexander]

I like vertically stacked cabs too. As long as they're 212s...

 

[Tim1]

I'm interested to hear thoughts on 2 x 210AVs too, for curiosity sake. I'm sure comments are buried in this thread somewhere, but it's always nice to hear new. I like how they look and am a fan of a vertical stack.

The 2x210avs vs 212av comparison has been addressed earlier in this thread in some detail. Briefly Tom Bowlus thought the 2x210s was a tad louder than the 212, others thought the other way round but there is not much in it. The 212 has a little more weight(tonally ) to it and will get you closer to the sound of an Ampeg 810. Both options are superb in their own right, IMO, I own both but I would have to say the a pair of 210avs with their added versatility is something very special and mine are definitely keepers.

 

[soxhats]

Had to make an audition tape for a startup reggae band today. (They picked the song.) Never ceases to amaze me how massive the V4B's tone is. Maybe I should have turned down my volume -- how can an iPod speaker compete? -- but oh well. I. LOVE. THIS. AMP.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[eyoyo]

Yesterday I reached my tone Nirvana with this setup. I love that amp so much!! With a maple Pbass it's just amazing

 

[Alexander]

Yesterday I reached my tone Nivana with this setup. I love that amp so much!! With a maple Pbass it's just amazing

View attachment 800743

Agree - that rig with an ash/maple P is the tone

 

[soxhats]

Is anyone using the V4B with a cabinet not wide enough for the amp's feet (which need about 20 inches across)? And, if so, what are you using for shock absorption? I've become obsessed with a cab that's 19" wide -- *just* short of what's needed for the V4B's feet.

Thanks.

 

[beans-on-toast]

You can cut a piece of ¾" plywood to size and use it as a base. It can be painted, covered with tolex, or fabric. I have one covered in demin.

I also have an auralex gramma pad that I sometimes use.

 

[High Camp]

The 2x210avs vs 212av comparison has been addressed earlier in this thread in some detail. Briefly Tom Bowlus thought the 2x210s was a tad louder than the 212, others thought the other way round but there is not much in it. The 212 has a little more weight(tonally ) to it and will get you closer to the sound of an Ampeg 810. Both options are superb in their own right, IMO, I own both but I would have to say the a pair of 210avs with their added versatility is something very special and mine are definitely keepers.

I find the SVT112AV to be a bit louder than the SVT210AV.
Also, the 112 sounds better at its loudest compared to the 210 at its loudest (the latter a bit tight)
Having said that, both cabs sound great, for me, the 112 sounding just a little bit better, IMHO, IME, YMMV.

 

[Dave W]

Is anyone using the V4B with a cabinet not wide enough for the amp's feet (which need about 20 inches across)? And, if so, what are you using for shock absorption? I've become obsessed with a cab that's 19" wide -- *just* short of what's needed for the V4B's feet.

Thanks.

I use a Gramma Pad on top of my cabs with mine.

 

[rodl2005]

I didn't know whether I'd posted these pics on here. .. if I already have. .... bad luck

V4B on two Fender Bassman Pro Neo 115 cabs. Corporate function. ...we got loud onstage tho... no bass going thru FOH PA.

 

[rodl2005]

BTW.... that fan got rocked off its rather precarious position after a few rockin songs. Funnily. ...where it fell, it landed in such a position that it was pointing straight at me. .... so. ..there it stayed. It liked it.
And. ..another btw..... ( & an apology for going on n on about a great amp )
Like @Alexander I've got the V4B & a Fender Super Bassman. I LOVE BOTH of these amps more than any amps I've had in my life. ....weight, tone, volume, looks, features. ..etc. .. EVERYTHING is taken into account in my assessment here.
Unlike Alexander. ...I like the Super Bassman just a little more than the V4B but it's SUCH a close finish its almost a draw! !!!!
I LOVE the ability of the V4B to slide smoothly into power tube crunch (obviously at a lower volume than the 300w of the Super Bassman ).
I LOVE that the V4B works so well with my one (or two) Fender Bassman Pro Neo cabs. It's simply BASS HEAVEN for me.
I can run it into just a one Bassman Pro Neo 115 and drive the tubes harder - get some BEAUTIFUL crunch happening at a lower volume than if I use the two 115s.
Then. .... I ALSO love running it into the 2 Bassman 115 Pro Neo cabs .... far more clean headroom on tap, still that "vintage-ey" vibe from the 15" speaker - round n tubby- & with the great eq on the V4B & it's gain/master vol, still able to get terrific grind without going into full on distortion. Using my Jazz 5er with round wounds on. .. it just sings. ..
But is equally as great with my P bass with tapes or flats.
That's the way an amp SHOULD be (imo). Should sound great into damn near any (quality) cab. I know I can grab any of my cabs - Berg NV412 or AE410.....Ampeg SVT810..... Fender Bassman Pro Neo 115s. .... & it'll sound different into each... but great into each too.

There ya go. Rant over. ..for now

 

[Alexander]

BTW.... that fan got rocked off its rather precarious position after a few rockin songs. Funnily. ...where it fell, it landed in such a position that it was pointing straight at me. .... so. ..there it stayed. It liked it.
And. ..another btw..... ( & an apology for going on n on about a great amp )
Like @Alexander I've got the V4B & a Fender Super Bassman. I LOVE BOTH of these amps more than any amps I've had in my life. ....weight, tone, volume, looks, features. ..etc. .. EVERYTHING is taken into account in my assessment here.
Unlike Alexander. ...I like the Super Bassman just a little more than the V4B but it's SUCH a close finish its almost a draw! !!!!
I LOVE the ability of the V4B to slide smoothly into power tube crunch (obviously at a lower volume than the 300w of the Super Bassman ).
I LOVE that the V4B works so well with my one (or two) Fender Bassman Pro Neo cabs. It's simply BASS HEAVEN for me.
I can run it into just a one Bassman Pro Neo 115 and drive the tubes harder - get some BEAUTIFUL crunch happening at a lower volume than if I use the two 115s.
Then. .... I ALSO love running it into the 2 Bassman 115 Pro Neo cabs .... far more clean headroom on tap, still that "vintage-ey" vibe from the 15" speaker - round n tubby- & with the great eq on the V4B & it's gain/master vol, still able to get terrific grind without going into full on distortion. Using my Jazz 5er with round wounds on. .. it just sings. ..
But is equally as great with my P bass with tapes or flats.
That's the way an amp SHOULD be (imo). Should sound great into damn near any (quality) cab. I know I can grab any of my cabs - Berg NV412 or AE410.....Ampeg SVT810..... Fender Bassman Pro Neo 115s. .... & it'll sound different into each... but great into each too.

There ya go. Rant over. ..for now

Agree they're about neck and neck. I bet if I spend more time with the SB300, it might just pull ahead - the best live bass tone I've ever had (or heard anywhere frankly) came from that head. The problem for me is dialing that tone in consistently night after night. I'm good on the vintage channel, but haven't quite figured out that drive channel and I really think that's where the real magic with that head lies. That's where I like the V4B a bit more - super easy to dial in a great tone. I've been jonesing for an SVT-VR too, but really have no reason to get one. I'm pretty set on amps:

Home - V4B into a single AV212
Gig (where a little dirt is ok) - V4B into two 212AVs
Gig (where I need big cleans) - SB300 into one or two 212AVs
Big Gig - SB300 into two 212AVs

Best I've ever sounded - especially now that I've found my "unicorn" bass.

BTW - if you're ever in Seattle, look me up and I'll buy you a beer. I think we may be related somehow, anyway...

 

[Tim1]

Agree they're about neck and neck. I bet if I spend more time with the SB300, it might just pull ahead - the best live bass tone I've ever had (or heard anywhere frankly) came from that head. The problem for me is dialing that tone in consistently night after night. I'm good on the vintage channel, but haven't quite figured out that drive channel and I really think that's where the real magic with that head lies. That's where I like the V4B a bit more - super easy to dial in a great tone. I've been jonesing for an SVT-VR too, but really have no reason to get one. I'm pretty set on amps:

Home - V4B into a single AV212
Gig (where a little dirt is ok) - V4B into two 212AVs
Gig (where I need big cleans) - SB300 into one or two 212AVs
Big Gig - SB300 into two 212AVs

Best I've ever sounded - especially now that I've found my "unicorn" bass.

BTW - if you're ever in Seattle, look me up and I'll buy you a beer. I think we may be related somehow, anyway...

Very similar to the way I select either my V4b or SB300. Not much you cannot do with these two in the arsenal.