2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

[beans-on-toast]

What you are saying is very true. There will be subtle differences because of tolerances and different tubes.

I compared the schematics and the V4BR preamp is the same as the SVT CL preamp with a few minor differences. A couple of test point resistors were added to the V4B, not anything that would affect the sound. The V4B uses 1W resistors.

There is one difference in the tone stage though. There is a cathode bypass cap added to the cathode follower stage after the treble and bass (james) tone circuit, before the midrange circuit. This isn't something that is common but I understand that it will increase the input impedance of the stage that the tone circuit sees. This wasn't done in the original V4B as far as I know but they used a different tube in this position. The SVT CL uses the same 12AX7 and doesn't have the cap. The designer must of had a reason for doing this. It would be interesting to know what was behind it.

 

[JimmyM]

I've done it. The pres themselves are quite close in tones, pretty much dead flat with knobs at noon and ultra switches off. What happens, though, is when it gets to the output stage, the SVT pre goes through an output transformer that gives the SVT its unique EQ curve, while the V4B's OT allows it to remain flatter.

 

[Bass 45]

It would be interesting to A/B the V4B preamp with the SVT CL pre. Run the preamp out from the V4B into the SVT power amp and compare that to the SVT pre.

I should get a chance to do that tomorrow David.

I will say - my V4B reissue is proving to be a workhorse already. I used it for 3 different three hour gigs between 9:00 Friday night and 1:00 Saturday night - and amp just sung sweetly - and with authority, without any complaints (I probably will be leaving the backup amp at home next time).

The reissue works better for me then the '72. The old guy did not play as well with small cabs - it would clip unpleasantly when pushed - so I would only use it out with my 412 or 810 cab (both of which it excels with). The reissue sounded great with my little B115E cab (w/Eminence Beta replacement speaker).

I have no regrets buying the reissue V4B - in fact, I am glad I did.

 

[TC.65]

I'm really liking this amp more and more every time I play through it. It also sounds very good through the Genz Benz NeoX 212T. If it was a better fit I wouldn't worry about getting the 212 AV. The feet of the V4B barely fit on the GB cab. one slight bump and it would be on the floor. I won't be playing out with it till I get the 212 AV cab.

 

[Bass 45]

I'm really liking this amp more and more every time I play through it. It also sounds very good through the Genz Benz NeoX 212T. If it was a better fit I wouldn't worry about getting the 212 AV. The feet of the V4B barely fit on the GB cab. one slight bump and it would be on the floor. I won't be playing out with it till I get the 212 AV cab.

I did trade the hard plastic feet on mine for some similarly shaped soft rubber ones. My B115E cab does not have the counterpart foot cups that Ampeg usually uses. I may end up installing some foot cups at some point so I can tilt the cab on tight stages.

 

[TC.65]

I did trade the hard plastic feet on mine for some similarly shaped soft rubber ones. My B115E cab does not have the counterpart foot cups that Ampeg usually uses. I may end up installing some foot cups at some point so I can tilt the cab on tight stages.

Where did you find them? Are they the same height?

 

[beans-on-toast]

I should get a chance to do that tomorrow David.

I will say - my V4B reissue is proving to be a workhorse already. I used it for 3 different three hour gigs between 9:00 Friday night and 1:00 Saturday night - and amp just sung sweetly - and with authority, without any complaints (I probably will be leaving the backup amp at home next time).

The reissue works better for me then the '72. The old guy did not play as well with small cabs - it would clip unpleasantly when pushed - so I would only use it out with my 412 or 810 cab (both of which it excels with). The reissue sounded great with my little B115E cab (w/Eminence Beta replacement speaker).

I have no regrets buying the reissue V4B - in fact, I am glad I did.

It's funny, people were asking for a V4B reissue for a long time. A lot of people are saying that it has become their go-to amp and it has been proving to be quite versatile.

Let us know what you find when you do the tests. The SVT/V4B preamp field comparisons from you, Jimmy, and Laurent will be great to have and it will be interesting to compare the notes. So to speak.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Rich, nice to look at a scene without snow. Is your Ampeg bass really on the grass up against the cement wall? Oy!

 

[ahc]

I'm really liking this amp more and more every time I play through it. It also sounds very good through the Genz Benz NeoX 212T. If it was a better fit I wouldn't worry about getting the 212 AV. The feet of the V4B barely fit on the GB cab. one slight bump and it would be on the floor. I won't be playing out with it till I get the 212 AV cab.

Use a shelf? Cut a piece of (ply)wood the size of the amp and "Paint it black, you devil.". Put feet on it for the top of the cab if it needs it.

 

[Bass 45]

Rich, nice to look at a scene without snow. Is your Ampeg bass really on the grass up against the cement wall? Oy!

No no no!

There is one of those little fold up Fender stands (that fit in the guitar case) under there.

 

[TC.65]

Use a shelf? Cut a piece of (ply)wood the size of the amp and "Paint it black, you devil.". Put feet on it for the top of the cab if it needs it.

I may do something like that for a temporary fix but I'm pretty set on having a complete Ampeg rig. I love my GB Streamliner it's a great amp but I'm thinking about going all Ampeg with a pf350 or pf500 also.

 

[Bass 45]

Where did you find them? Are they the same height?

On the bottom of my Ampeg GVT-110.

It is a very small guitar amp. The tall feet looked awkward under there. I put the small ones from my rack mounted SVT-4 in their place.

Everybody is happier now.

 

[TwoRivers]

Update: a few gigs down, and the v4b / 2x 112av rig is going strong! I am really liking the sound I get with the mid selector set to 3k and a slight boost to about 2 o'clock in the mids, leaving bass and treble at noon. My gig volume seems to settle in around noon on the gain and 1 o'clock on the master. Getting some really punchy, articulate clean tones using a MIA Jazz and D'addario Chromes.

 

[TC.65]

Update: a few gigs down, and the v4b / 2x 112av rig is going strong! I am really liking the sound I get with the mid selector set to 3k and a slight boost to about 2 o'clock in the mids, leaving bass and treble at noon. My gig volume seems to settle in around noon on the gain and 1 o'clock on the master. Getting some really punchy, articulate clean tones using a MIA Jazz and D'addario Chromes.

I'm glad to hear that this rig is working so well for you. It makes me want the 212 AV that much more. I'll be hopefully be ordering mine around the end of the month.

 

[Thwack]

Thanks for the advice!
I figured I should check with Sweetwater tech before doing anything to the amp even though your test sounded easy. They requested I just return it and they will send a replacement as soon as the return package shows up in the fedex tracking system, so hopefully I'll have it by early next week.

Well, they did... it did... and all I can say is WOW! This head is really, really... wow. I've been happy with the tone of my PF-350 for the past few years but the V4B is so much more warm, full and expressive. I haven't had a chance to play out with it yet but after hearing this thing roar I have no doubt that it will cover most any gig situation I'll find myself in.
Worth the wait, worth the cost and worth the weight!
V4B are Go!

 

[JimmyM]

Your reaction is typical.



Enjoy it!

 

[TC.65]

Well, they did... it did... and all I can say is WOW! This head is really, really... wow. I've been happy with the tone of my PF-350 for the past few years but the V4B is so much more warm, full and expressive. I haven't had a chance to play out with it yet but after hearing this thing roar I have no doubt that it will cover most any gig situation I'll find myself in.
Worth the wait, worth the cost and worth the weight!
V4B are Go!

I am with you on this. I have found this amp to have so much more presence than any other amp I've owned. I had a Traynor YBA200-2 for a while and to me the V4B Reissue far surpasses it in both tone and volume. I am very happy!!!

 

[Bisounourse]

Another question: has anyone been able to A/B it with an Ashdown CTM 100 (also all tubes and 100 watts)? That would be interesting...

 

[Slpbass81]

I would rather hear an a/b between the v4b and the mesa boogie prodigy. 250 watts of tubes in that light of a package has me interested.

 

[JimmyM]

Mesas have a sound, no doubt. But Mesa substitutes more power tubes and makes smaller transformers in order to hit their wattages and keep weight down, so it's going to be a different vibe than an Ampeg. The Mesa thing is a good way to go and works for a lot of folks, but that's a lot of tubes, and trannies may be heavier but you only need to buy them once. Still, while I prefer Ampegs, I wouldn't kick a Mesa out of bed for eating crackers.