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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

#461
I'm in. Played it last night, slept on it, picked it up today.
I hemmed and hawed because of its MIC status, but I'm actually kind of tired of that game. So far, it's all good.
Cab is the 212. Sorry for the crappy pic, but my camera is on the fritz. Just wanted to supply proof.

IMG_20140412_143609_zps4c9eea2a.jpg
 
#465
beans-on-toast said:
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.
Click to expand...

I finally got around to trying this today.

I am not sure if I did the right thing as far as connections. I was assuming that each amp still needed to be plugged into their own 4 ohm cab. This is because when I plugged into the "preamp out" on each amp - their power amps remained on - so to compare the pre's I guess I had to run two cabs/power sections simultaneously with one chosen preamp.

Anyway, the two preamps sounded as they do with their own power amps. I would say that the HSVT-CL was a bit thicker and richer - while the V4B's pre was a bit more aggressive sounding through the SVT's power section (then it's built in pre).

They did sound very similar though. It would have made for a better comparison if I could do it with the power sections turned off in the amp that I was only using wanting to use the pre. Maybe I could pull the power tubes or something - but that is too much trouble.

I recently got myself a Heritage SVT410HLF - and as you can imagine - there is a tremendous amount of super bone crushing bass coming out when paired when the HSVT810E.:p:hyper::smug::D;)

BTW, Ampeg is selling Heritage grill cloth now. They are selling it in pieces that are "more than big enough to do an 810" according to the sales guy. Mine is on the way. My V4B and B115E cab (not pictured) are awaiting anxiously with their grills removed.
 

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#466
Thanks for running the tests Rich. I expect that there would be some differences due to variation in the tube sets and component tolerances within each amp. But they should sound pretty much the same.

Yes both power amps are active when you are trying this test. As you said, to disable a power amp, you would have to remove the power tubes (aways a chance of mixing them up when putting them back in, don't want to do that) or the phase inverter tube.

Man, it must sound thunderous with both Heritage cabs plugged in. Nice to hear that the Heritage grille cloth is available. This is going to make a lot of people happy. Did you have to tell them which cab you were putting the cloth on or supply a serial number?
 
#467
I was able to run my Meatsmoke tube Pre through the V-4B using the 4B's driver and power tubes and the results were very good it's like having two different amps I was surprised that the Meatsmoke was warmer and the Ampeg was definitely more aggressive.
 
#470
beans-on-toast said:
Thanks for running the tests Rich. I expect that there would be some differences due to variation in the tube sets and component tolerances within each amp. But they should sound pretty much the same.

Yes both power amps are active when you are trying this test. As you said, to disable a power amp, you would have to remove the power tubes (aways a chance of mixing them up when putting them back in, don't want to do that) or the phase inverter tube.

Man, it must sound thunderous with both Heritage cabs plugged in. Nice to hear that the Heritage grille cloth is available. This is going to make a lot of people happy. Did you have to tell them which cab you were putting the cloth on or supply a serial number?
Click to expand...

It's funny David, last time I called trying to get some Heritage grill cloth, the only option was to purchase an assembled 810 grill at about $100.00 (if I remember the $ amount correctly). Since then, I saw an 810 on Ebay that was clearly an older model (with the thicker osb construction) that had Heritage grill cloth installed. I messaged the seller asking him where he got the cloth and he told me Ampeg was selling it now.

I verified with the Loud parts person on the phone - he double checked, it was Heritage grill cloth - the only type they had - one yard. I asked him what is the other dimension was - he said "more then enough to cover an 810". It was only about $40 shipped. No part number required.
 
#471
I do have a rattly tube in mine. Not microphonic, just like shaking a light bulb. If I tap the head, I hear the sound. If I hold onto a tube and tap the head, no sound. Has anyone replaced the tubes in one of these yet?
The sound isn't that bad, and it doesn't come through the speakers.

It only happens on something like a low G or E with my Precision, which has La Bella flats and a Quarter Pounder pickup.
 
#473
Actually, that IS a microphonic tube. Or at least it sounds that way from the description.

Also, re: the single 210av, I've done it and it sounds way good, but I wouldn't be cranking it up into the red with only one.
 
#475
Is it a power tube or preamp tube? Preamp tubes you can change yourself. Power tubes should be matched and biased if you change them out, but there have been times I've had one go out and replaced only the bad one and it's been fine ;)
 
#476
I'm not which it is. I was tapping on the power tubes and some make more noise than others.

Edit: I think it's a power tube, because although the sound does come through the speakers, it doesn't seem to increase too much in volume when I turn it up more. I'll have to fire it up tomorrow afternoon when I get time again. I guess it's just the name of the game, though. It's nothing that can't be remedied. Plus, I like this setup.
 
#477
The JJ 6L6's I have in my V4B are working well, but in the past I have not had good luck with them. Not real up on what's new and hip for 6L6's, though. I've got a set of Rubys in my 73 Super Reverb that my tech really likes, but I haven't used them that often. They sound fine, but unsure of reliability yet.
 
#478
JimmyM said:
The JJ 6L6's I have in my V4B are working well, but in the past I have not had good luck with them. Not real up on what's new and hip for 6L6's, though. I've got a set of Rubys in my 73 Super Reverb that my tech really likes, but I haven't used them that often. They sound fine, but unsure of reliability yet.
Click to expand...

+1 one of the best current 6L6's would be the Winged C's and I like Ruby's as well but like Jimmy said the JJ's are working fine for now so I'm going to leave well enough alone.
 
#480
If you get a Tung Sol, make sure that it is not a 5881, you want a 6L6GC. Some sellers market the Tung Sol as a 5881/6L6 which is like a 6L6GB, a tube that can only handle 450V on the plate as opposed to the 6L6GC which is 500V and rated for 30W.

This one looks interesting. It is a new tube that I haven't tried yet: Invalid Link Removed

These are the cat's meow if you can swing the price: Invalid Link Removed
 

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