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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

#2,801
I have the fan Beans mentioned but haven't used it for the amp. It moves a lot of air and makes more noise than I would want. But in a noisy environment (bar) it's irrelevant, and that little fan will stir up some serious breeze.

I have one something like this but with a base and it's more quite than the fan like the above I have, if that matters for some folks.
Mast 6" Desk/Clip Fan, Silver - Walmart.com

I even wondered about taking the back guard off, just to allow more air in. I move the amp and the way I set up there's nothing behind it to cause a problem. But that may make for little more airflow.

Maybe it's been mentioned and I missed it, but don't know why it gets so hot (other than it's the design). My B-4BH doesn't get anywhere near that hot. You can feel the heat coming out the back but I've never noticed the front panel more than a slight bit warm.
 
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#2,802
On a 2 or 3 set gig my V4B gets pretty hot. My thinking is if it needed a fan Ampeg would have designed it with one. I haven't had any problems and don't anticipate it. Personally I wouldn't bother with a fan but for me a piece of gear proves itself over years of use which I don't have under my belt just yet.
 
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#2,803
High Camp said:
View attachment 892782
For those who like details: I have added feet on the side of the SVT112AV cabs, so the tolex is protected against scuffs.
(and not a day too soon, since there are already some scratches...)
Click to expand...

When I do this, I withdraw the screws and use the holes for the metal corner protectors - just so I am not adding any new holes - making the mod reversible.
 
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#2,804
Well I just ran across a really good deal on a demo 212AV cab and can't wait for it to get here--from across the country. It looked more to the used side with a couple very slight tolex nicks on one side and some dust. The nicks don't bother me and the dust can be cleaned.

I have yet to play one as no one has them around here recently, but that's another story. If I recall correctly I was able to play one when I was in Nashville and thought it sounded good. I'm sure hoping this sounds as good as the reviews and I can sing it's praises as well. I sure can't wait to give it a whirl!:bassist:
 
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#2,805
It's sounds good, real good.
 

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#2,807
Hi all. Thanks largely to this thread, I pulled the trigger on a new V-4b reissue. Got it out of its box yesterday, warmed it up on standby for a while, then played and was really enjoying the tone...for 20 mins.

Middle-left power tube goes pop, bright flash, small puff of smoke. And that's the end for that particular tube. Turned it off for a while then ventured to turn it on. It played, with a moderate hum and the "getter" (?) of that tube is white and obviously no glow. Played it for 30 seconds like that then switched it off for good.

I guess it's just poopie luck, and while the shop is talking to the distributor on Monday to sort out a warranty repairer on this side of Oz, it's damned frustrating, to say the least.

Is this a common occurrence ? I assume it is an easy fix and generally doesn't cause any other damage ?

I've had a Fender rumble 200w head for the last 6 months since coming back to playing - bass this time. (Played a lot of guitar 25 years ago) So at least I have a back up. But I really wasn't expecting to use it after the first 20 minutes.

I had a Mesa/Boogie Mk3 Combo for a while in the 90's and that's my only experience with valve amps - that thing ran flawlessly for 4 years. The valves glowed away happily and never needed to be replaced or sorted. I guess this is the temperamental side of all-tube life. :bored:

2C074A2A-F000-4795-B47F-45E8EAA69736_zpseyk8xl6e.jpg
 
#2,812
@Crusty
Unfortunately that's just an unexpected bummer (technical term).

I've had that type of scenario happen on a brand new pair of power tubes in my Orange AD200. I did a swap shortly after I purchased it used, as the old ones were seeming problematic - after 15 minutes on the new set (even being bench tested by the tech) - one fried and (unfortunately because there was a wrong value fuse in it) took another out with it. Nothing I did, just the (un)luck of the draw, I suppose. That replaced set lasted a year and then crapped out one night at a show. No rhyme or reason. But bear in mind, these issues are mostly anomalies and not at all what to expect from a tube amp.

FWIW, I've been playing my reissue V-4B (also bought used - still with the original set of tubes) for a few months now and it's held up incredibly. Including last Friday night, where we had such drastic power fluctuations that it actually shut down my amp and my guitarists amp (bad circuit most likely) multiple times. I thought for sure something was going to fry with the fluctuations in voltage, but Saturday night we played and the amp was its normal incredible self. I have a feeling that the Orange wouldn't have been as tolerant.
 
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#2,813
Loki182 said:
sorry, what i meant was there is tons of material regarding the 70's generation and also the new reissue. Do these 90's models have the same tech specs as the late 70s? This one is a '96 i believe.
Click to expand...
If you mean tech specs as in 100w, yes. Everything else is up for grabs. Not really familiar with them so I can't tell you what's what, but the only thing I know is people have told me that they sound closer to a 100w SVT than an old V4B.
 
#2,814
Yeah the V4BH is pretty different to the V4/V4B & V4B reissue. I had one a few years ago. And. ..again. .. nice amp. And as @JimmyM states- more like a 100w SVT than a V4
All good and all slightly different.
I sure liked my V4BH while I had it. And if my situation would've been different I'd probly still have it today. At the time I couldn't afford 2 all tube amps and so, needing clean tube tone at volume, I sold mine and grabbed a 300w all tube amp ( an SVTII IIRC)
Now I've gotta a bit of $$ room, I've gotta V4B reissue and a 300w Fender Super Bassman
For me. .these 2 amps cover my all tube needs beautifully.
 
#2,820
Loki182 said:
thank you gents!
Click to expand...

I have one and love it. Can't imagine getting rid of it and if it died or was stolen I'd look for another. It's a very sweet sounding head. I really do like the two extra mid-range options it has vs only three on the V-4B RI. It's the one thing about the 4B RI I wish it had. The BH is darker/deeper and more polite (in a very good sense) due to the voicing. You might say than my V-4B which is more upper mid present and brighter. But both amps can be made to sound like each other pretty well. The RI seems a little more loud but it also breaks up a little sooner, but nicely. Hope that helps a little.
 

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