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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

#641
Roadkill said:
IME a 100 watt tube amp isn't going to be clean keeping up with a drummer - you need an SVT for that. I sold my Magnavox V4B back around 1981 because of that :dead: .
Click to expand...
I used a vintage model in a loud stoner rock band for years, and thru an 810 I can get about as much cleanish volume with this version as my fender super bassman thru a NV412.
 
#642
eyeballkid said:
I used a vintage model in a loud stoner rock band for years, and thru an 810 I can get about as much cleanish volume with this version as my fender super bassman thru a NV412.
Click to expand...
Yes, a very efficient cab like an 8x10 can get you to "cleanish" - but not "clean". I used a V9 cab with mine (ported 9x10) but wanted to go cleaner in the 1980's so traded it in for a Roland Pre and used a power amp.
 
#643
eyeballkid said:
Its the svt preamp?? I thought it was supposed to be the same design/signal path as the original based on a 71.
How does one go about finding "late onset" tubes? Is there a rating to ask for?
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The amp is voiced to sound the same as a vintage V4B but the design is different than the 71. The tubes are different, they spent time tweaking the output transformer design to get it to sound right. A number of their past and present amps are SVT pre based. It is a winning design.

A good tube reseller will know what late onset of distortion matched tubes means. It is important to take the time to talk to the seller and explain how you want your amp to perform rather than simply saying that you want a matched set. There are different classes of matched sets based on their required bias level. A good place will want to know what amp the tubes are going into. Knowing the voltages on the power tubes helps refine how to pick the optimal tube set.

Here is an explanation from Tube Depot of early and late onset of distortion and bias: https://www.tubedepot.com/pages/bias-point.

Another good place is http://www.tctubes.com. Look on their site for a description as to how they match tubes.
 
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#644
Roadkill said:
IME a 100 watt tube amp isn't going to be clean keeping up with a drummer - you need an SVT for that. I sold my Magnavox V4B back around 1981 because of that :dead: .
Click to expand...

I've used my 74 Showman a couple times atop 2 single 15's GB Focus and the 15 in my Contour with a guitarist using a 40 Watt Traynor combo and my brother on drums. No issues with not enough power or volume.

That said, these are guys I've played with for many years. Drummer has excellent dynamics and both myself and the guitarist can get our tone at low stage volumes.

I guess what I'm saying is that there are situations where 100 tube watts will work perfectly. On the other hand sometimes I play with guys where I drag the Contour along with the Focus cabinet and the 500 watts is barely enough. Situations will always dictate what works.
 
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#645
I'm not generally a fan of Ampeg tone - but I heard the V4B at GC when I was trying out a Markbass ( I didn't buy either one) and was super impressed. I believe that pairing this amp with the right cab is crucial to how good it can sound and how well it would work for different gigs.I tried it with two of the Ampeg dual 12 cabs and it was a nice combination.
 
#646
Just got a call from my Sweetwater rep. All of their new stock amps are defective. I'd say Ampeg has a problem on their hands. Undoubtedly, it will eventually get worked out, but this doesnt help me right now.
So much for the long odds of getting 3 defective units.
 
#650
My rep also confirmed that I'm not the only one. ALL V4B they have sold in approximately the last month have come back defective. They have pulled them all from stock and their service manager is communicating with Loud.
 
#652
beans-on-toast said:
The amp is voiced to sound the same as a vintage V4B but the design is different than the 71. The tubes are different, they spent time tweaking the output transformer design to get it to sound right. A number of their past and present amps are SVT pre based. It is a winning design.

A good tube reseller will know what late onset of distortion matched tubes means. It is important to take the time to talk to the seller and explain how you want your amp to perform rather than simply saying that you want a matched set. There are different classes of matched sets based on their required bias level. A good place will want to know what amp the tubes are going into. Knowing the voltages on the power tubes helps refine how to pick the optimal tube set.

Here is an explanation from Tube Depot of early and late onset of distortion and bias: https://www.tubedepot.com/pages/bias-point.

Another good place is http://www.tctubes.com. Look on their site for a description as to how they match tubes.
Click to expand...
Very good point and I would avoid factory matched sets because they can be all over the place find a trusted tube reseller and stick with them.
 
#653
cheezewiz said:
My rep also confirmed that I'm not the only one. ALL V4B they have sold in approximately the last month have come back defective. They have pulled them all from stock and their service manager is communicating with Loud.
Click to expand...

They're a step close to resolving the issue. Hopefully it will be an easy fix and the turnaround will be fast.

Kudos to you for helping to bring this to light.
 
#655
cheezewiz said:
My rep also confirmed that I'm not the only one. ALL V4B they have sold in approximately the last month have come back defective. They have pulled them all from stock and their service manager is communicating with Loud.
Click to expand...

My guess would be that Sweetwater isn't going to be the only retailer that's having the problem. If it's a whole production run that's affected, those amps could end up all over the place.

It sucks that you're going through this. I hope Ampeg gets this squared away for you without any further delays. Somewhere they must have a new working unit they can get to you ASAP.
 
#656
cheezewiz said:
My rep also confirmed that I'm not the only one. ALL V4B they have sold in approximately the last month have come back defective. They have pulled them all from stock and their service manager is communicating with Loud.
Click to expand...

I just purchased an SVT-212AV cab from Sweetwater with the intent on adding the V4B in the near future. Looks like I'll wait a while.

But I will definitely buy from Sweetwater when the time comes. They have demonstrated that their CS is second to none.
 
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#657
60bass said:
My guess would be that Sweetwater isn't going to be the only retailer that's having the problem. If it's a whole production run that's affected, those amps could end up all over the place.

It sucks that you're going through this. I hope Ampeg gets this squared away for you without any further delays. Somewhere they must have a new working unit they can get to you ASAP.
Click to expand...

Ampeg hasn't offered to do anything except pick up shipping on returning the heads. Im working with Sweetwater now on picking out another head. It won't be a V4B. After 3 lemons, I'm done.
 
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#658
cheezewiz said:
Just got a call from my Sweetwater rep. All of their new stock amps are defective. I'd say Ampeg has a problem on their hands. Undoubtedly, it will eventually get worked out, but this doesnt help me right now.
So much for the long odds of getting 3 defective units.
Click to expand...
This is unfortunate because when working they are a great amp.
 

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