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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
Thank you Jimmy . I actually didn’t word that very clearly. I’m talking about the actual tube types. There was one tube in the 70s V4B that I don’t recognize, short and stubby. There’s also a couple different tubes that are not in the re-issue from what I could tell. I don’t know what the standard tubes are for the power section or the pre-section. 6L6GC, 6550, 7027?
Ampeg used really weird tubes that hardly anyone used in the 70's. Newer ones use much more common tubes.
12dw7
12ax7x2
12au7
6k11
7027x4 power tubes
Fortunately, they're all available new except 6k11's, which are NOS.
Can they handle kt88 if l wanted to try some in it? With the right tech of course
I wouldn't know, as I'm not into redesigning an amp that sounds perfect as is, but here's an interesting article I found...
7027's :: Ampeg V4.com | All Ampeg All The Time
I agree but at this point I have 2 that are very very similar and I was interest as it maybe nice to have one a little off from the other. The KT88 seemed like it might offer an interesting direction if the 70’s model would be capable.
I was browsing/reading this and other threads here considering purchase of new V4B reissue... but I have to confess - I think I've lost my faith in brand.
After my beloved B-200R and SVT-3PRO I had PF-350, which sounded poor and some had problems with limiters.
I've read tons of complains regarding PF-500 and SVT-7.
After that I decided to go for PF-20T. Unpacked it, plugged in, after 5 minutes it was back in the box. Same PF-350 sound, but with a little hair on top of it.
No matter how I set the gain and master the amp reacted the like a computer plugin. Well, I guess I was expecting too much - tube grit, tube overdrive and rich sound of B-15. Nope.
I know I'm sounding like a total whiner but now I'm having a hard time deciding between getting back to 3PRO, getting V4B Reissue or getting away from Ampeg.
3PRO was always my favorite, since it has a very nice sound, it's light and reliable. But not exciting any more.
V4B seems like instant winner, but I'm not sure I trust new Ampeg designs - I have zero trust towards Portaflex series and SVT-7PRo, which sounds more than good, but it's not serviceable (like every Class-D amp).
Please, excuse my long whining, and help me trust Ampeg again...
After my beloved B-200R and SVT-3PRO I had PF-350, which sounded poor and some had problems with limiters.
I've read tons of complains regarding PF-500 and SVT-7.
After that I decided to go for PF-20T. Unpacked it, plugged in, after 5 minutes it was back in the box. Same PF-350 sound, but with a little hair on top of it.
No matter how I set the gain and master the amp reacted the like a computer plugin. Well, I guess I was expecting too much - tube grit, tube overdrive and rich sound of B-15. Nope.
I know I'm sounding like a total whiner but now I'm having a hard time deciding between getting back to 3PRO, getting V4B Reissue or getting away from Ampeg.
3PRO was always my favorite, since it has a very nice sound, it's light and reliable. But not exciting any more.
V4B seems like instant winner, but I'm not sure I trust new Ampeg designs - I have zero trust towards Portaflex series and SVT-7PRo, which sounds more than good, but it's not serviceable (like every Class-D amp).
Please, excuse my long whining, and help me trust Ampeg again...
I love my V4B RI, I play it all the time. Into my 610 it's glorious! If you've ever played an SVT I'd say it sounds very close at lower volumes. The V4B will run out of headroom long before the SVT does, so it depends on how loud you need to be and how clean you want it to sound. The V4B gets plenty loud, it's just dirty sounding at louder volumes whereas the SVT remains clean.
I've enjoyed the tone of a PF500 that I've used in a rehearsal space but I would buy one. Same with the 7 Pro. No trust in those designs either. I'd lump the PF350 into that camp as well.
Well, I've heard "sounds very close to SVT/all tube" too many times, regarding PF-350 and SVT-7 ;-) ;-) I enjoyed 7PRO tho, but soundwise I prefer 3PRO.
I love SVT-CL, but I can't lift it from the ground and I need to move around by myself with my amps, so SVT is a no go
I don't mind running out of headroom, my main amp was Ashdown LB-30 (30W, all tube) and I never had any problems with headroom and volume
I'm using SVT-410HLF, it's my favorite 4x10 cab.
Well, those aren't tube amps either. Ampeg lineage for sure.
If you like the Ampeg sound the V4B RI is an awesome amp. It's just a matter of volume and headroom.
My PF350 was fine till it got knocked off the speaker onto a hard floor. Finally got it replaced with one of the same year (2011), and it's still fine to this day. Can't argue about the 7 Pro...that was a problem amp for a long time and it took chip makers inventing a new chip for it to work properly. PF500 was fixed within the first year, though.
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Well, I've heard "sounds very close to SVT/all tube" too many times, regarding PF-350 and SVT-7 ;-) ;-) I enjoyed 7PRO tho, but soundwise I prefer 3PRO.
I love SVT-CL, but I can't lift it from the ground and I need to move around by myself with my amps, so SVT is a no go
I don't mind running out of headroom, my main amp was Ashdown LB-30 (30W, all tube) and I never had any problems with headroom and volume
I'm using SVT-410HLF, it's my favorite 4x10 cab.
It definitely has the SVT tone, but not quite the SVT feel. That being said, if you are mostly playing your SVT-CL without pushing it hard (and it sounds like you are not), then I'm guessing that you'd be quite happy with the V-4B RI. It's much more schleppable, and I flat out love the tone/feel of the V-4B (and I am an SVT fan). For my use - which is pretty loud, most of the time - the SVT ends up giving me more massive headroom and attack, and the V-4B ends up being a little more warm/growly, but that is because I end up pushing the V-4B harder.
Hope this helps, Tom.
Hello all,
I'm currently using a v4b reissue with 2x 210AV cabs. It has great tone but Im looking for more attack and bass impact with more headroom and volume. Can anybody recommend a reasonably priced cab to add to this setup that has experience with such? I thought about adding another 210av but I don't think it will get me where I want to be; They just don't put out much bass.
I'm currently using a v4b reissue with 2x 210AV cabs. It has great tone but Im looking for more attack and bass impact with more headroom and volume. Can anybody recommend a reasonably priced cab to add to this setup that has experience with such? I thought about adding another 210av but I don't think it will get me where I want to be; They just don't put out much bass.
Can you let us know what reasonably priced roughly is?
Are you using it at home or gigging?
Heh, I forgot about this pic. I was just goofing around one night. But you'll be happy to know that Buffy never got crushed, and she lived to the ripe old age of 18.
Under $500. Used is fine. I'm using it for gigging; I definitely would not need any more than this for home playing. Sometimes I have PA support and sometimes I don't and am looking for a bigger sound especially when I do not have PA support, But even as a stage monitoring rig, the 2x 210AV don't have a lot of bass impact when there are higher stage volumes.
Honestly, at that price, and if you want to stay in the Ampeg family, a used 810 is your best bet. It gets a lot of speakers moving and some closer to your ears vs your knees. 2nd may be the svt212av, but that breaks the budget, likely even used.
For me, especially for outdoor gigs, with the V4B, only the 810 could hang. 100w tube without a ton of speakers behind it ran out of gas. And, the sound is heavenly.
Thanks man, I appreciate the suggestion. I would love an 810 but it won't fit in the car (I will haul it if I could). Im think if i could find a SVT-210HE and have that on the floor on its side to get some bass reinforcement (I currently stack my 210AV's on top of the amp), plus the 210AV's maybe could do the trick. It sounds like the 210HE is heavier duty and goes a bit deeper. Only problem: finding a 210HE. If anyone is selling, let me know!
