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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
Somehow I've been getting the impression that you really like your V4B!
Always nice when after years of searching, you find a piece of gear and you realize, this is it. I'm the same way with my B-15, V4B, and SVT. They all fill a niche, they're all better than sliced bread.
Sound man told me yesterday that this was the best sounding rig he'd ever heard on this stage. I'll take it.
It's because of the Darth Vader and stormtrooper decals!
Absolutely!
And since I'm here, more V-4B porn for tonight...
Man, that head looks really cool with the old school knobs. Thought about stacking it with the cabs and head on the floor like your first pic, but I always seem to get squeezed out of room and I have to stack the cabs on the head. Small price to pay for that sound, though.
Roscoe SKB-3005 - cocobolo top, ash body and sapwood wenge fretboard. Aguilar 3-band pre and Nordstrand Big Singles.
Yeah, ran out of room myself tonight as I've grown to prefer the amp on the floor and the cabs beside it. Either way, I've never had so many compliments regarding my tone. And, I agree it's a great sounding little rig.
Players have waited years for a proper reissue of the V4B. At a 100W, it's the perfect size for a lot of gigs. No wonder that it's being readily embraced by the bass community. I love my 1973 original.
I had been curious about the V4B for a while but couldn't make myself buy an original cause all I ever found on youtube was people playing them in full on power tube overdrive. I had also heard that they went from clean to distortion very quickly. I like how the transition from clean to dirty on the reissue is very gradual and very usable. I'm glad I waited cause I almost jumped on the Bassman 100t which does sound good but doesn't touch the V4B IMO.
Used mine at a pretty big venue last night. Had the gain around 35 to 40 percent, master dimed. Gritty and delicious!
@TC65
True that, as a former 100T owner I am living proof. Sometimes I wish I could learn patience when purchasing gear....
True that, as a former 100T owner I am living proof. Sometimes I wish I could learn patience when purchasing gear....
The V4BR has some interesting design differences from the original.
A DC heater is used for all the tubes except the four power tubes. This makes the amp quieter. The reissue has a different power supply design. It's a modern update of the original.
A DC heater is used for all the tubes except the four power tubes. This makes the amp quieter. The reissue has a different power supply design. It's a modern update of the original.
Well, I have taken on board everyone's advice and just ordered two 210AV cabs at a knockdown price . Unfortunately due to freight issues they won't be here till next week but I am confident based on all the comments that they will make me very happy. I am really looking forward to using these with the V4b in situations where I don't have to be stupidly loud.On the other hand, I have also ignored everyone's advice and bought a used but mint 410hlf very cheap
. I know it is heavy and boomy but I just needed a cab to leave in the rehearsal space and that should do it. I won't be gigging it so no transport issues, plus it is made in China so I am hoping the tone may be a bit drier/less dark sounding than the early ones. Our rehearsal space soaks up bass so I rather think it should sound okay for practice. If not, I will have no trouble moving it on. I will use it preferably with the V4B although I have the Orange AD200 as an alternative if it needs a bit more grunt to control it.I have now spent my tax refund and am back in the familiar territory of being a broke muso who will need to hide gear from his wife
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On the other hand, I have also ignored everyone's advice and bought a used but mint 410hlf very cheap
I have now spent my tax refund and am back in the familiar territory of being a broke muso will need to hide gear from his wife
I think you'll really like the 210 cabs. I used to get compliments on my little Aguilar rig (TH500/two SL112s) but not near like I have received with the V-4B/two 210AV setup.
I'm not sure that it really matters what cabs you use with the V4B Reissue. I bought the 212AV to pair with it and it sounds awesome. When I first got the amp I paired it with my GB NeoX 212T. It is just 2 different flavors of awesome with the GB cab going a bit lower with a more open tone.
As long as you know what you're getting, and you do, I think you will love them, especially at loadout.
I've one more semi-major purchase to make, then I'm off major gear purchases for 3 years. But that's cool...I've got some broken stuff I keep putting off getting fixedOn the other hand, I have also ignored everyone's advice and bought a used but mint 410hlf very cheap
I have now spent my tax refund and am back in the familiar territory of being a broke muso who will need to hide gear from his wife
The Chinese 410hlf's still go crazy deep, but they are less dark sounding than the earlier ones.
Just picked up the 410HLF and it was indeed just as predicted - very boomy and lacking in definition. But.........easily fixed with the V4B eq, dropped bass back to about nine o'clock and boosted mids at 800hz to about 3 o'clock. Bingo - a great practice cab that didn't cost much and can just stay in the rehearsal room. A simple eq setup used sensibly is all you need, and the V4B delivers.
The pair of 210avs should be here next week.
.....easily fixed with the V4B eq, dropped bass back to about nine o'clock and boosted mids at 800hz to about 3 o'clock. Bingo - a great practice cab that didn't cost much and can just stay in the rehearsal room. A simple eq setup used sensibly is all you need, and the V4B delivers.The pair of 210avs should be here next week.
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Just picked up the 410HLF and it was indeed just as predicted - very boomy and lacking in definition. But....
The pair of 210avs should be here next week.
I have the Heritage SVT410HLF and I like it very much with the V4B. I usually leave the horn on just a tiny bit for clarity. I played an outdoor gig with no pa support a few weeks ago and I had the amp pushed into the dirty range and had to turn the horn off completely. This was the only situation that I wished the amp had a bit more power - but it was not a typical gig.
You can try running all three of those cabs together with the 2 ohm capable V4B. That might be awesome!
father of fires
Commercial User
I'm often being told to turn down at practice so I know 100W would be plenty for me. I have a few heads that suit my needs but I'm GASing for something new. I'm sure that 100W is fine for practice but I'm worried that it won't cut it live with my band. My questions is this...my 70's V4 had very little usable low end but got a nice grindy tone when pushed which helped me cut (I don't remember the tubes - may have been modded for KT88's). My 90's V4BH was as smooth as butter but did not overdrive well when pushed (6L6's I believe). Where does the new V4's stand when getting pushed to cut through live (if even possible with a metal drummer and 2 full stacks).
