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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

#3,501
RollCats said:
Everyone still loving their V-4B's?! It is the best tone I've ever had hands down.

I'm GASing for another 212av. And maybe an SVT II. And...:laugh:
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I’ve been rocking mine all summer with an 810 so far, killer tone with lots of head room to spare. Might be getting a break this fall though... I’m hoping to start bringing out my SVT II Pro’s a bit more.

294C213B-6E34-4556-8E49-E1364D938A04.jpeg
 
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#3,503
rodl2005 said:
Do you like the V4BH more than the V4B?
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I do. It has a bigger (not louder), warmer tone. It's EQed more, if not exactly like and SVT and has the same pre. The power section makes the SVT different as I recall. I have one of the last BHs and an early blue line V-4b Classic (same as the BH just different lettering), that I took on trade from a 3PRO.

The newer AV is louder. As loud as any reasonable volume band setting would need, but then again so is the BH, while not being as loud. The older version I have is not as loud as the BH. I think the tubes need were not balanced and like the BH. But I use the older V-4B classic as a backup and practice in the basement where volume is irrelevant. The AV does look better! Best looking head and cab anywhere. It tend to be more aggressive. More mids and highs when flat, whereas the BH is sweeter flat and would need to be tweaked to be aggressive.
 
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#3,505
I had a problem with my V-4B Reissue losing volume on a gig the other day. I had to use my backup amp to finish the gig. The ultra lo rocker switch was the culprit and would only function properly when i pushed on it.

Once i got to opening up the amp and troubleshooting, i discovered a design flaw.The rocker switches are soldered onto a pcb board which is mounted to the painted metal amp frame. Other circuit resistors etc are also soldered to this pcb and protrude below the board. The problem is that the component ends rest directly on the painted frame and in time, as mine did, end up making contact with bare metal. For me, this resulted in part of the tone control cct being shorted out, and malfunctioning.

To fix this i (cautiously...high voltage) removed the 2 screws holding down the rocker switches, put a piece of electrical tape under where the pcb rests on the frame, then put the pcb back in place. The amp is now back to its wonderful self. Hope this helps someone down the road.
 
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#3,506
I haven't joined any clubs until yesterday, when I joined the Spector Owners Club. That being said, I thought I would start looking at other clubs for gear name brands I support. Here's my Ampeg V4B reissue with before/after pics of the grill change. The black/white color change (Fliptops) blended in with the church surroundings, better than the blue/silver cloth where I use this rig. :thumbsup:

IMG_4245.1.jpg
IMG_4246.1.JPG
 
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#3,508
MRlowend said:
I haven't joined any clubs until yesterday, when I joined the Spector Owners Club. That being said, I thought I would start looking at other clubs for gear name brands I support. Here's my Ampeg V4B reissue with before/after pics of the grill change. The black/white color change (Fliptops) blended in with the church surroundings, better than the blue/silver cloth where I use this rig. :thumbsup:

View attachment 3531861View attachment 3531864
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I prefer the old school blue/silver.
 
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#3,510
xJasonSmithx said:
I know this has been covered in one of these threads but I can’t seem to find it. Has anyone had luck swapping out a preamp tube for another get increase the gain? If so what tube did you use? Thanks in advance!
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Doubtful you'll increase the gain in any significant fashion with a tube swap. I've done a handful of swaps and never got any significant increase.
 
#3,516
MRlowend said:
I haven't joined any clubs until yesterday, when I joined the Spector Owners Club. That being said, I thought I would start looking at other clubs for gear name brands I support. Here's my Ampeg V4B reissue with before/after pics of the grill change. The black/white color change (Fliptops) blended in with the church surroundings, better than the blue/silver cloth where I use this rig. :thumbsup:

View attachment 3531861View attachment 3531864
Click to expand...
That does look good. But I love the silver. The think the V4B and the 212 cab are the best looking rig I've seen. Maybe I'm gaudy!
 
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#3,520
I have the new V4B And liked it quite a bit but I got curious about tubes. I decided to install Tung-Sol 7591A In the power section it made the amp seem more aggressive at the same time more defined and a perception of it being louder.
Few weeks ago I got a really good deal on a Early 70s V4B with metal knobs. At the owner’s house I thought it actually sounded better than my reissue. After taking it to rehearsal I can barely tell the difference neither can my bandmates. Hats off to Ampeg for the reissue.
I know this blog is focused on the re-issue but I am hoping that somebody here could help me figure out what tubes are in the early 70s V4B. Maybe Jimi or beans and toast?
 
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