2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

[coreyfyfe]

If I run a 3rd 210AV and the rig is 2.6 ohms do I tap off the 4 ohm or 2 ohm?

Someone was running a 2.6 ohm load with a new V4B using a 212AV and 112AV - I think it was @ErnieD and it came up earlier in this thread? I think ampeg's tech supoort official line was don't. It's a tube amp, it should be stable with a little mismatch either way. You're either 33% over or 33% under. Going with 2.6 off the 4 is theoretically less likely to cause damage but depends on the design and loading of the amp.

If you hadn't considered the 212AV as a 4 ohm replacement with a little more oomph I would. The 99db rating is only 1db lower than the 810E. I don't think the 210AV cabs give a sensitivity rating. I've love my 112AV pair with my V4 and other amps.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Someone was running a 2.6 ohm load with a new V4B using a 212AV and 112AV - I think it was @ErnieD and it came up earlier in this thread? I think ampeg's tech supoort official line was don't. It's a tube amp, it should be stable with a little mismatch either way. You're either 33% over or 33% under. Going with 2.6 off the 4 is theoretically less likely to cause damage but depends on the design and loading of the amp.

If you hadn't considered the 212AV as a 4 ohm replacement with a little more oomph I would. The 99db rating is only 1db lower than the 810E. I don't think the 210AV cabs give a sensitivity rating. I've love my 112AV pair with my V4 and other amps.

Thanks I am a bit concerned about the mismatch. I do remember @tombowlus review and also @JimmyM mentioning that max volume between a pair of 210AVs and the 212 were not significant. Maybe I am not remembering that correctly.

 

[Michael Schreiber]

I don't think the 210AV cabs give a sensitivity rating.

Correct. I wonder, if this is a marketing issue. The cabs, to my ears, are not inefficient. Maybe they don't want to publish the sensitivity to not have too many customers having 4x210AV instead of an 810

The 112AV / 212AVs both also sound great. Maybe (with the horn rolled off) the closest to the 210AV and 810AV, soundwise. I could only test them at reasonable volume, though. Still, the 112AV does sound different, and depending on the budget, going for another pair of 210AVs might be a more suitable option.

Thanks I am a bit concerned about the mismatch. I do remember @tombowlus review and also @JimmyM mentioning that max volume between a pair of 210AVs and the 212 were not significant. Maybe I am not remembering that correctly.

EDIT: I strongly doubt, replacing 2x210AV with a 212AV would result in more volume, if that was meant. But I did not measure it, so I refer to Bass Gear:
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"Comparing the double 210AV rig to the 212AV, the two 2x10's are a good bit louder, and definitely more full/warm/round."
Complete online issue with pictures:
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Adding a 212AV or another 2x210AV to your 2x210AV, I doubt, you'd ever have to worry about volume
Since they're in a similar price range, I did try both setups, and went for the sound, not volume. The 212AV may have one advantage and disadvantage, at the same time, in your setup; it sounds different, and can be tweaked with the horn. Since you have but one EQ on the amp for all cabs, this may be cool for getting a new sound - and terrible when trying to keep the previous sound, you liked. That's why I'd try it in the final setup, at the very volume you want to play. Maybe you can borrow a 212AV, and 2x210AV, from your guitar center, to give both a try.

P.S.: Advantage for the 2x210AV: If needed, you can place them apart, or crossfiring or whatever, to overcome room issues.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Tonally compared what do you guys think of a pair of Barefaced 210s or the 410? Or a pair Bergantino NV15s or the new sealed 212?

 

[Tim1]

I have a Bergantino NV215, used to own a NV115 and also currently own a Barefaced 410 (as well as 2x 210avs and a 212av). The Berg 215 with its 6" midrange driver is as naturally open and transparent a cab as I have ever played and can cover just about any room without foh support IMO. The Barefaced 410 I am still getting used to, I keep on pushing it harder and harder yet it never complains and just gets louder - definitely nails the sealed cab tone and responds splendidly to eq, plenty of top if you crank the trebles a bit (I don't). Small footprint and easily equal to the few 610s I have played in terms of volume. The Barefaced Ten tone is, as Tom Bowlus stated, like the Ampeg 210av only more......much, much, more.
So, to me the Berg 215 (or 2 x NV115s) is more transparent while the Barefaced Four Ten is, as they state, intentionally colored to sound like a sealed cab. Both were designed with tube heads in mind.

 

[One Drop]

I have a Bergantino NV215, used to own a NV115 and also currently own a Barefaced 410 (as well as 2x 210avs and a 212av). The Berg 215 with its 6" midrange driver is as naturally open and transparent a cab as I have ever played and can cover just about any room without foh support IMO. The Barefaced 410 I am still getting used to, I keep on pushing it harder and harder yet it never complains and just gets louder - definitely nails the sealed cab tone and responds splendidly to eq, plenty of top if you crank the trebles a bit (I don't). Small footprint and easily equal to the few 610s I have played in terms of volume. The Barefaced Ten tone is, as Tom Bowlus stated, like the Ampeg 210av only more......much, much, more.
So, to me the Berg 215 (or 2 x NV115s) is more transparent while the Barefaced Four Ten is, as they state, intentionally colored to sound like a sealed cab. Both were designed with tube heads in mind.

I've been going back and forth between my Bergantino NV215 and NV610 for the last ten years, both are magnificent but have different characters.

The 610 really nails the early fridge tone with way better power handling, if you want gut punch and insanely chewy and growly mids it's the bomb, if you want some more supportive bottom and a bit more highs the 215 is splendid.

I do really like the modern Ampeg cab line and I would gladly use the 212 or the AV210s, but the bergies just do it all for me and I've never looked back or GASsed for a cab since I got mine.

 

[Tim1]

I've been going back and forth between my Bergantino NV215 and NV610 for the last ten years, both are magnificent but have different characters.

The 610 really nails the early fridge tone with way better power handling, if you want gut punch and insanely chewy and growly mids it's the bomb, if you want some more supportive bottom and a bit more highs the 215 is splendid.

I do really like the modern Ampeg cab line and I would gladly use the 212 or the AV210s, but the bergies just do it all for me and I've never looked back or GASsed for a cab since I got mine.

Yep, spoilt for choice when you have both an NV610 and an NV215. I ended up selling my 610 as ultimately I seemed to gravitate towards the 215 all the time.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Having owned a NV215,while a great cabinet not the direction I want to head, I somehow thought a pair of NV115s would be abit less low end heavy. I've got a nice little music room in the basement but a really old and steep staircase to get down there. Because of that anything that comes in over 60lbs would likely spend most of it's time in my garage, if it's going to be wheeled out of the garage it might as well be my flatback 810.

With that background either a barefaced Four 10 at 49lbs. or a pair of Two 10s would seem to be my best option as an inbetween of a pair of 210AVs or flatback 810. Probably best to direct my questions to the barefaced thread. My only hesitation is that I am sure most will say the BF is "better" then my 210AVs, but I'm really not looking for better just louder....

 

[Tim1]

Having owned a NV215,while a great cabinet not the direction I want to head, I somehow thought a pair of NV115s would be abit less low end heavy. I've got a nice little music room in the basement but a really old and steep staircase to get down there. Because of that anything that comes in over 60lbs would likely spend most of it's time in my garage, if it's going to be wheeled out of the garage it might as well be my flatback 810.

With that background either a barefaced Four 10 at 49lbs. or a pair of Two 10s would seem to be my best option as an inbetween of a pair of 210AVs or flatback 810. Probably best to direct my questions to the barefaced thread. My only hesitation is that I am sure most will say the BF is "better" then my 210AVs, but I'm really not looking for better just louder....

If you are looking for louder than a pair of 210avs the Four 10 will do it in spades. I am not a fanboy as such and I love my 210avs which I will never sell, but the Four 10 will handle anything I throw at it so far. To be fair there is a significant price difference between them.

 

[bass dan]

Just got a v4 and av212 earlier this week from sweetwater. Hands down the best rig I've ever played thru. Had my first gig with it last night. I've been covering most my gigs with a pf500 and pf 210. I had been pretty happy with that set up. The v4 212 set up is head and shoulders above my old set up. Way more balls and heft to the notes, probably the most fun I've had playing bass.

I haven't been able to get a crappy sound out of it yet. I usually don't use ultra high or low on Ampeg stuff or use a tweeter on cabs but with this set up you can do whatever with the knobs and still have great tone. although I did not use the ulta buttons on the gig last night and had the tweeter in the middle position. I can see in a rock band situation those could be very useful. Currently most my gigs are with a classic country band I also play in a 3 piece blues/rock band this set up is gonna cover that stuff without breaking a sweat. I also play upright in a bluegrass band on occasion. Have not tried my upright thru it yet but I think it will sound fine with it.

For years I've been a sucker for light weight easy to carry class d amps. Forget that. Until I can no longer physically haul this set up around. Got another gig tonight with the country band outdoors on the beach, so looking forward to it.

 

[G On Bass]

Hands down the best rig I've ever played thru.
For years I've been a sucker for light weight easy to carry class d amps. Forget that. Until I can no longer physically haul this set up around. Got another gig tonight with the country band outdoors on the beach, so looking forward to it.

Same thing here. I took my V-4B with 2 of the 112's to a rehearsal with a loud guitarist. He thought I would need more. I had a PJ5 with TI Jazz flats on it and it saturated that room with warm, yummy goodness without breaking a sweat. He commented after that he was impressed. I just love this thing.

 

[Tim1]

Just got a v4 and av212 earlier this week from sweetwater. Hands down the best rig I've ever played thru. Had my first gig with it last night. I've been covering most my gigs with a pf500 and pf 210. I had been pretty happy with that set up. The v4 212 set up is head and shoulders above my old set up. Way more balls and heft to the notes, probably the most fun I've had playing bass.

I haven't been able to get a crappy sound out of it yet. I usually don't use ultra high or low on Ampeg stuff or use a tweeter on cabs but with this set up you can do whatever with the knobs and still have great tone. although I did not use the ulta buttons on the gig last night and had the tweeter in the middle position. I can see in a rock band situation those could be very useful. Currently most my gigs are with a classic country band I also play in a 3 piece blues/rock band this set up is gonna cover that stuff without breaking a sweat. I also play upright in a bluegrass band on occasion. Have not tried my upright thru it yet but I think it will sound fine with it.

For years I've been a sucker for light weight easy to carry class d amps. Forget that. Until I can no longer physically haul this set up around. Got another gig tonight with the country band outdoors on the beach, so looking forward to it.

I screwed some castors into the base of my av212. I sit the V4B on top and just roll it in, an easy schlep.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I screwed some castors into the base of my av212. I sit the V4B on top and just roll it in, an easy schlep.

I do something similar but I keep my heads in road cases with wheels and stack the cab/s on top. Has the added benefit of using the road case as a cab stand when using a single cab.

 

[bass dan]

Had a chance to crank it up a bit at my gig tonight. More than I could have ever hoped for out of this amp. Best purchase I have ever made.

 

[husky123]

Had a chance to crank it up a bit at my gig tonight. More than I could have ever hoped for out of this amp. Best purchase I have ever made.

The V4B definitely has a sweet spot that lets you get "that" tone without inducing puke/poop volumes. Damn fine amp.

 

[Dp1363]

Just got a v4 and av212 earlier this week from sweetwater. Hands down the best rig I've ever played thru. Had my first gig with it last night. I've been covering most my gigs with a pf500 and pf 210. I had been pretty happy with that set up. The v4 212 set up is head and shoulders above my old set up. Way more balls and heft to the notes, probably the most fun I've had playing bass.

I haven't been able to get a crappy sound out of it yet. I usually don't use ultra high or low on Ampeg stuff or use a tweeter on cabs but with this set up you can do whatever with the knobs and still have great tone. although I did not use the ulta buttons on the gig last night and had the tweeter in the middle position. I can see in a rock band situation those could be very useful. Currently most my gigs are with a classic country band I also play in a 3 piece blues/rock band this set up is gonna cover that stuff without breaking a sweat. I also play upright in a bluegrass band on occasion. Have not tried my upright thru it yet but I think it will sound fine with it.

For years I've been a sucker for light weight easy to carry class d amps. Forget that. Until I can no longer physically haul this set up around. Got another gig tonight with the country band outdoors on the beach, so looking forward to it.

I just got a V4B this week. Best amp I ever played through. I just wasn't happy with the tone I was getting out of SS head and went the tube route. The range of tones is amazing with this head. For cabs I use two Barefaced BB2's, but I am curious to try the Ampeg 212AV one of these days. The V4B has so much more balls and grind than any SS I played through.

 

[Dp1363]

Can the preamp out on the V4B be used with a tuner?

 

[Sound&Fury]

I'm close to replacing my 410HLF with a Barefaced Four10, which is available in 8ohms or 2ohms.

I know the V-4B puts out the same power regardless of the ohms. And I'm not going to add another cab, given the high sensitivity of the Four10.
Is there something else to take into consideration, deciding between 2 or 8ohms?... Impact on tube life perhaps?...

 

[Dave W]

Can the preamp out on the V4B be used with a tuner?

Kinda.

You wouldn't have any signal coming out of the amp unless you also connect it to the power amp in. At that point you might as well just plug in into the input.

 

[Dp1363]

I'm close to replacing my 410HLF with a Barefaced Four10, which is available in 8ohms or 2ohms.

I know the V-4B puts out the same power regardless of the ohms. And I'm not going to add another cab, given the high sensitivity of the Four10.
Is there something else to take into consideration, deciding between 2 or 8ohms?... Impact on tube life perhaps?...

So to expand on this question........(I haven't used a tube amp in a long time, so I hoping to get something clarified.) If you get the same power from the 8ohm, 4ohm or 2ohm tap, does this mean you will get the same volume from a single 8ohm speaker running out of the 8ohm tap, as you would from two 8ohm speakers running through the 4ohm tap?