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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

#3,002
Just got to this thread and working my way through it (all 151 pages!). I'm considering getting either a V4B or an Ashdown CTM100. I've read a few concerns about the V4B that some people have listed, such as:
Reliability - since moving from the US i've heard bad things about QC. How is it?
Buzzing - i watched a youtube video which thought noise/buzz was a design fault in the amp. Anyone else noted an issue with this?
Overheating + fan noise. Is this a problem?

Are these things an issue?

Also how easy is it to re-bias the V4B? (This is where i'm leaning towards the CT100, easily doable at home from the front panel).
 
#3,003
boristhespider7 said:
Just got to this thread and working my way through it (all 151 pages!). I'm considering getting either a V4B or an Ashdown CTM100. I've read a few concerns about the V4B that some people have listed, such as:
Reliability - since moving from the US i've heard bad things about QC. How is it?
Buzzing - i watched a youtube video which thought noise/buzz was a design fault in the amp. Anyone else noted an issue with this?
Overheating + fan noise. Is this a problem?

Are these things an issue?

Also how easy is it to re-bias the V4B? (This is where i'm leaning towards the CT100, easily doable at home from the front panel).
Click to expand...

I read the same info, had the same concerns. Most of it is unfounded and if you watched the video it was a waste of time. I absolutely love my amp, have not had bias issues and most guys like the low tech easy maintenance of this amp. I couldn't live without it.
 
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#3,006
Never had an issue with my V4B. Haven't noticed anyone complaining about the Ashdown either, but on the odd occasion I have heard an Ashdown tube head they did not seem to have the "character" of the V4B, although this of course could have been due to a variety of factors.
 
#3,007
No problems with mine. They do get warm, but it's normal and makes you sound hot.;) There's no fan, thus no noise. Mine is silent in every setting I've had it thus far. If it was stolen I'd buy another one without doubt ASAP. Did I mention it's loud? I've turned it up a couple times and good Lord it puts out some bass! Sounds a lot louder than my other 100w tube head.
 
#3,008
boristhespider7 said:
Are these things an issue? Also how easy is it to re-bias the V4B? (This is where i'm leaning towards the CT100, easily doable at home from the front panel).
Click to expand...


Best to not focus on negative things reported on the internet. If I believed everything that I read on the intenet, I wouldn't buy anything. :laugh:

Biasing the amp involves removing the amp from the case, warming it up with the speaker cab connected, measuring the voltage across some resistors, turning a pot inside the chassis to set the volatages to a spec. I believe that the procedure for setting the bias has been posted in this thread.

Buy the amp, Ampeg or Ashdown, that best suits your needs and enjoy it. If all things are equal, another consideration for any product is how responsive the service groups are in your area.
 
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#3,009
Dear Ampeg V4B reissue users,

I took my devine V4B head to rehearsal on monday. I plugged it into my SVT-212AV then I checked my sound and nothing came out. It took me one or two minutes to figure out that I didn't fully plug the speaker jack.
After that my amp performed very well during 3h. Do you think I could have damaged my beloved V4B ?
Is there anything I could check to make sure it's safe?
Thanks in advance for your help.
 
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#3,010
If it sounds good, you should be fine. There things can happen.

If this should happen again, try not to play too much through the amp. Hit a note, if the volumes are up, shut it down right away. Don't keep playing and playing. It is always best to startt at a low volume, then turn it up. You want to minimize the signal level sent throuh the amp till you know that it it working properly.

When you turn on a tube amp without a speaker cab connected, the power tubes and output transformer can be damaged.
 
#3,015
How loud would you say the V4B can go? Both clean and with dirt?
I have an all valve Ashdown LB30 which is surprisingly loud for 30W, but can't compete with a loud drummer or guitarist with 2x12. Will the V4B get me there for medium sized gigs? (I don't mind a bit of dirt for a nice rock tone, but also interested just how loud clean i can get it).

BTW, i also have a v efficient 2x12 Barefaced cab to pair with it :hyper:
 
#3,016
Loud is subjective, of course, but I never get anywhere near "opening up up." It's noticeably louder than my V-4BH, which is deeper and naturally more mello. I've turned up up a few times just to see what it will do, and good-golly it's loud and things start shaking. Surprisingly loud. My EBS 212 Proline is louder than my Ampeg 212AV, but any good cab like you mentioned should be fine. I can't imagine being in a setting where its not enough, especially with PA support, unless your talking really huge room or outdoors in some situations. Even then it could work if stage volume was crazy. I'm certain I don't want to be in a band where I'd need to be louder than it could go. Getting another cab would spread the sound around more if necessary.

It will breakup but there's enough clean for me. When it does break up it's sweet and doesn't sound like a buzz saw sound you often get out of boxes.

Read through the thread and you'll find people amazed. I don't recall if anyone ever said it just didn't work for them with good cabs. Might be some, but I don't recall any complaints.
 
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#3,017
boristhespider7 said:
How loud would you say the V4B can go? Both clean and with dirt?
I have an all valve Ashdown LB30 which is surprisingly loud for 30W, but can't compete with a loud drummer or guitarist with 2x12. Will the V4B get me there for medium sized gigs? (I don't mind a bit of dirt for a nice rock tone, but also interested just how loud clean i can get it).

BTW, i also have a v efficient 2x12 Barefaced cab to pair with it :hyper:
Click to expand...

Yep. Depends on the cab/s used. If the BF 212 is good n efficient it should get you where you need pretty easily. I rarely would get into serious Power tube OD thru a large or efficient cab/s
Thru my 2 Fender Bassman Pro Neo 115s I'll rarely get it up halfway. Thru one of em, I can drive the tubes harder and probably reach its limits at a high vol gig. These are rare. ...as I go mainly for a clean tube tone so I'm either taking both 115s or my 300w Super Bassman
 
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#3,018
Super tiny stage

IMG_8692.JPG
 
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