Dang, not the kind of punch line that should be punctuated with a rimshot, but it should be acknowledged somehow...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K9PN4xJEN4
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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K9PN4xJEN4
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I'm a left hander who was taught to play right handed. I had to overcome my left handedness and learn something that I wasn't conditioned to do. Like in the joke, players are often conditioned to play finger style or with a pick (or thumb) based on what comes naturally to them.
There's no question that I have always found playing with my thumb and nail or a pick easiest. Everything else is a learned technique. Travis picking is a good example. Alternate thumb and finger picking, each doing different things. It's pretty hard and then one day, with practice, it clicks. You lean it, it's a technique. But it doesn't come as naturally or as easily as using my thumb or a pick.
Do you think some bass players find it easier to play finger style vs picking? Or is finger style something players learn and then prefer so that is how they play.
Same with tube bass amps. I gravitate to the tone of tube amps. Maybe I'm conditioned to like those tones. Can I learn to like a solid state amp? They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. I know what I like and I like what I know. And I know that I like the V4B.
There's no question that I have always found playing with my thumb and nail or a pick easiest. Everything else is a learned technique. Travis picking is a good example. Alternate thumb and finger picking, each doing different things. It's pretty hard and then one day, with practice, it clicks. You lean it, it's a technique. But it doesn't come as naturally or as easily as using my thumb or a pick.
Do you think some bass players find it easier to play finger style vs picking? Or is finger style something players learn and then prefer so that is how they play.
Same with tube bass amps. I gravitate to the tone of tube amps. Maybe I'm conditioned to like those tones. Can I learn to like a solid state amp? They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. I know what I like and I like what I know. And I know that I like the V4B.
True, a rim shot is too abrupt. It should slowly reach a crescendo.
Followed by a relaxing cigarette. 😆
This was part of a post in the Jess Oliver forum but I figured I would put it here. It is just a tidbit of info I got during a telephone conversation with the Ampeg boys this morning while researching something else. I asked how they managed to get the V4BR so damn good compared to other reissue models like the SVT-VR that were good but no substitute for the real deal and was told....
The V4BR was modeled after an employees 1972 V4B and tweaked until the tone was the same but the overall performance was better.
When asked if they would do a Heritage model, I was told...
Don't hold your breath.
The V4BR was modeled after an employees 1972 V4B and tweaked until the tone was the same but the overall performance was better.
When asked if they would do a Heritage model, I was told...
Don't hold your breath.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
This was part of a post in the Jess Oliver forum but I figured I would put it here. It is just a tidbit of info I got during a telephone conversation with the Ampeg boys this morning while researching something else. I asked how they managed to get the V4BR so damn good compared to other reissue models like the SVT-VR that were good but no substitute for the real deal and was told....
The V4BR was modeled after an employees 1972 V4B and tweaked until the tone was the same but the overall performance was better.
When asked if they would do a Heritage model, I was told...
Don't hold your breath.
Wow this is some cool info I always wondered how they determined what sound they were going after I can tell you first hand this thing is killer I'm glad I listened to TB'er Laurent and chose the V4-B over the Fender 100T and Jimmy also helped me narrow down a cabinet choice I went with the SVT212AV instead of the Heritage 4x10. I have to say this amp is just simple beautiful tone no bells and whistles and I'm a pedal freak but I have yet to hook a single pedal up to it.
Honestly, I've always liked the newer SVT heads just as much as the old ones. However, after talking to some folks who work(ed) at Ampeg, they tell me that the newer SVT's sound a little different when you're pushing them into the red, which I don't do, and that the difference lies in the output transformer. So I ordered my Heritage SVT-CL with a Heyboer OT built to be a clone of the original SVT output transformer, and I'll tell you...to me it's a subtle difference, but I do notice it does sound a little stronger when you start pushing power tubes. That said, I'm always happy to play through a stock new SVT, despite owning this Heritage and a 69 SVT from the very first run, but the price on the Heyboer was right around half of what Mercury, Fliptops or Mojotone wants for one and the quality is right there, so I'm glad I went for it. Don't know that the new V4B needs such a mod, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't considering trying a Heyboer out in it.
Heritage V4B? Yeah, I doubt it'll happen, either. I don't think they ever sold as many V4B's as SVT's, so they'd probably end up having to make more than they could sell to make it profitable. So I think this request will probably go right where my request for a proper Ampeg Scrambler pedal went...in the circular file cabinet.
Heritage V4B? Yeah, I doubt it'll happen, either. I don't think they ever sold as many V4B's as SVT's, so they'd probably end up having to make more than they could sell to make it profitable. So I think this request will probably go right where my request for a proper Ampeg Scrambler pedal went...in the circular file cabinet.
I doubt that there is a need for a Heritage V4BR. It is well designed as it is. I don't think that it needs even beefier transformers.
It would be interesting to know where the V4BR transformers come from. More than likely, the same manufacturer that makes the CL and VR transformer sets.
It would be interesting to know where the V4BR transformers come from. More than likely, the same manufacturer that makes the CL and VR transformer sets.
I'm sure they're Chinese, and they do look pretty similar on the outside to the ones in the current SVT's. Definitely not unhappy with the sound of that amp in any way, BTW. Dawn Pfund is my hero 
All that there's left to do is a Heritage SVT like they did with the B-15. Not a Heritage VR but duplicate an early 70's blue line and offer a straight back cab with the H810 speakers.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I almost pulled the trigger on the Heritage B-15 I think had it been around $600.00 to $800.00 cheaper I may have and I've gotten some reports it doesn't sound anything special especially since you can get a vintage one a tad cheaper the only plus is it has newer components which is why I went with the reissue V4 and not a vintage one my lucks bad and there aren't any decent amp techs within a short driving distance.
Unless you want to play metal, I don't see how you can go wrong with this amp. At 100W, it's a great all round amp. It can be pushed to bring out it's character at reasonable volume levels. It's relatively light and has enough power for most venues. If more power is needed, there's always an SVT.
Yeah, can't wait to see the return of the 12BH7 in all its microphonic glory
Don't think you'll be seeing that, bro. Half the tubes it used are no longer available new (if you want it made with 6146b's, that is), and new 12DW7's sound sort of OK but are built like crap. And I really don't think there's any way they can improve on the Heritage 810e, so a flatback cab would look cool but I can't see folks choosing a flatback over a towel bar cab when the towel bar is a million times easier to move.
What I would like to see, however, is them get this idea of a Heritage custom shop of sorts off the ground, so you could get the Heyboer OT, upgraded tubes and caps packages, things like that, and not kill your warranty.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
Yeah, can't wait to see the return of the 12BH7 in all its microphonic glory
Don't think you'll be seeing that, bro. Half the tubes it used are no longer available new (if you want it made with 6146b's, that is), and new 12DW7's sound sort of OK but are built like crap. And I really don't think there's any way they can improve on the Heritage 810e, so a flatback cab would look cool but I can't see folks choosing a flatback over a towel bar cab when the towel bar is a million times easier to move.
What I would like to see, however, is them get this idea of a Heritage custom shop of sorts off the ground, so you could get the Heyboer OT, upgraded tubes and caps packages, things like that, and not kill your warranty.
I agree that would be cool and what's up with that Heyboer OT I'm trying hard to resist tweaking an amp I've only had a few days so please tell me it doesn't make the tone that much better so I can go night,night I'm already a tube rolling freak I do not want to move to OT's
Well changing out an OT is a lot more of a PITA than tubes, so no, don't get hooked on that. But Heyboer makes an OT that's spec'd from a Blue Line SVT OT that George Metropoulous from Metro Amps in Michigan analyzed. A lot of folks say that it sounds better when you start to push it into the red. Now I haven't had the benefit of a direct AB with a stock SVT, but in rentals I've tried recently, there's not much difference in clean sounds to my ears, but I do think mine sounds a little better when you hit that verge of going from clean into dirty and beyond. That said, I still think the stockers sound great when you do it.
I don't know if Heyboer has a similar transformer for the V4B. I imagine they probably have one. But mine sounds so good stock and so much like my SVT when you crank it that I haven't bothered to look into a Heyboer, even if the thought has crossed my mind. When it comes to stuff like this, you can get as anal as you want. But in reality, it's all just trying to squeeze that last 2% out of something that's 98% there already. I only did the Heyboer in the Heritage SVT-CL because of the raves it got from Ampeg employees and because it only added $200 to the price. Glad I did, but I've played a stock HSVT-CL and I would have liked it anyway
I don't know if Heyboer has a similar transformer for the V4B. I imagine they probably have one. But mine sounds so good stock and so much like my SVT when you crank it that I haven't bothered to look into a Heyboer, even if the thought has crossed my mind. When it comes to stuff like this, you can get as anal as you want. But in reality, it's all just trying to squeeze that last 2% out of something that's 98% there already. I only did the Heyboer in the Heritage SVT-CL because of the raves it got from Ampeg employees and because it only added $200 to the price. Glad I did, but I've played a stock HSVT-CL and I would have liked it anyway
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
Well changing out an OT is a lot more of a PITA than tubes, so no, don't get hooked on that. But Heyboer makes an OT that's spec'd from a Blue Line SVT OT that George Metropoulous from Metro Amps in Michigan analyzed. A lot of folks say that it sounds better when you start to push it into the red. Now I haven't had the benefit of a direct AB with a stock SVT, but in rentals I've tried recently, there's not much difference in clean sounds to my ears, but I do think mine sounds a little better when you hit that verge of going from clean into dirty and beyond. That said, I still think the stockers sound great when you do it.
I don't know if Heyboer has a similar transformer for the V4B. I imagine they probably have one. But mine sounds so good stock and so much like my SVT when you crank it that I haven't bothered to look into a Heyboer, even if the thought has crossed my mind. When it comes to stuff like this, you can get as anal as you want. But in reality, it's all just trying to squeeze that last 2% out of something that's 98% there already. I only did the Heyboer in the Heritage SVT-CL because of the raves it got from Ampeg employees and because it only added $200 to the price. Glad I did, but I've played a stock HSVT-CL and I would have liked it anyway
Sweet goodness thank you Jimmy you just got me back to Defcon 5 I was researching all of the OT's out there and people are debating back and forth about the best one it got me dizzy
my amp sounds incredible I'm scared to even change the tubes and it would be pretty foolish to void the warranty it sounds like you had Ampeg's approval.
Yeah, can't wait to see the return of the 12BH7 in all its microphonic glory
Don't think you'll be seeing that, bro. Half the tubes it used are no longer available new (if you want it made with 6146b's, that is), and new 12DW7's sound sort of OK but are built like crap. And I really don't think there's any way they can improve on the Heritage 810e, so a flatback cab would look cool but I can't see folks choosing a flatback over a towel bar cab when the towel bar is a million times easier to move.
What I would like to see, however, is them get this idea of a Heritage custom shop of sorts off the ground, so you could get the Heyboer OT, upgraded tubes and caps packages, things like that, and not kill your warranty.
A custom shop would be great. They have never offered artist models based on a customized spec amp that was endorsed by a player. Neither would hurt sales.
I know what you are saying about the tubes. That's why they went with more common tubes in the VR. I'd be more interested in seeing the original PCB's and hard soldered connections as opposed to what they do now. And if someone wanted it configured with original tubes, the custom shop could offer that.
Yeah, can't wait to see the return of the 12BH7 in all its microphonic glory
You're thinking of the 6C4. A 12AU7 would do just fine as a replacement.
