Here's the rig and stage shot plus a preview of what is going to the next gig on Oct 25!
Oh Yes!
Oh Yes!
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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
It seems like people are starting to realize the capabilities of this head. It packs a big punch for 100 watts. I think it has a lot to do with the EQ. A little goes a long way and this head is no one trick pony.
Ok, for some small type of modularity option, I ordered a SVT112AV cab. Gona use the 112AV with a 212AV + V-4B amp at a gig this Sun, instead of two 212AV's. I know all the threads that exist about mixing cabs. But I've done the 3x12's before with my GB Neox cabs with good results. I imagine the Ampeg SVT-AV cabs would have very similar drivers in their cabs. Que no?
Now, with the 8ohm/4ohm cabs, will the V-4B always put out 100 watts even at about 2.6 ohms? And an option I know I will use is the V-4B with the single 8ohm, 112AV cab. What kinda watts will the V-4B be putting out into a single 8ohm cab? I'm used to my solid state amps doing less watts at 8ohms vs 4ohms. Not clear on what tube amps do in these cases. Pls no flaming if this is obvious, tube amp re-novice here.
Now, with the 8ohm/4ohm cabs, will the V-4B always put out 100 watts even at about 2.6 ohms? And an option I know I will use is the V-4B with the single 8ohm, 112AV cab. What kinda watts will the V-4B be putting out into a single 8ohm cab? I'm used to my solid state amps doing less watts at 8ohms vs 4ohms. Not clear on what tube amps do in these cases. Pls no flaming if this is obvious, tube amp re-novice here.
Burwabit
Likes guitars that tune good and firm feelin women
Used my V-4B in a LOUD rehearsal last night and I gotta say it I loved it!!! It has a great bottom end with just the right amount of grit... I played it through an old Schroeder 410 (the speakers are a little blown). Been thinking of getting the 212AV cab soon. Can't wait to try it in a live setting.
I played my first gig with my V-4B this last Friday night. Used it in place of my SVT with my Highway one P and Avatar B212-NEO. It sounded amazing. Plenty of volume, and tone-wise it had a little extra something my SVT doesn't. I can't describe it. I was lucky enough to pick this amp used for great price and is not going anywhere!
God....i'm so on the fence between a CL and the V4B. My cab is an Avatar DeltaLF 412. Currently playing a GK 1001RBII thru it and love it BUT...want tubes. I briefly went thru two Peavey V2s (one defective and one....just no where near loud/clean enough for 225watts). Because of my bad experience with the Peavey V2, I'm thinking 100tube watts won't be loud/clean enough for me, but the V4Bs price is right and WEIGHT is definitely right!
It's a tough decision. You know that you really need both.
If it helps, both amps have the same preamp. The V4B is designed to be quieter and costs less to re-tube. It comes down to how loud you play.
I can't imagine most any amp you use with that 412 cab won't be super loud. Not sure how much volume you need but I usually use 800-900 watt SS amps with 212's or two 210 cabs. That's been loud enough for my 2-3 bands that don't offer me PA support.
I did one gig with the V-4B and two 212AV cabs, no PA support and it was darn loud and sounded great. I sent back one of the 212AV's yesterday as I don't think I'll need the second 212 cab often. Now in turn, I did buy a 112AV for when I want to use more than the 212AV cab with this V-4B.
I just did a outdoor gig this past Sunday, patio of the Central Mkt in Houston with a 5pc blues-rock band, so wide open area. No walls nearby, major thoroughfare, sidewalk, auto traffic just feet behind us. Again, no PA support, I used the V-4B+212AV and a 5 string jazz bass. It was plenty of volume, lowend and clean clear tone with some grit when I dialed it in. I am still surprised that this 100 watt amp is easily covering my gigs, didn't think it would. I am convinced now. I think you just gotta try one bazzand... to know. Good luck.
Used my V-4B in a LOUD rehearsal last night and I gotta say it I loved it!!! It has a great bottom end with just the right amount of grit... I played it through an old Schroeder 410 (the speakers are a little blown). Been thinking of getting the 212AV cab soon. Can't wait to try it in a live setting.
Well, I just sent back that 2 week old, SVT 212AV to Sweetwater yesterday, should arrive there by Sat or Mon. I'd keep an eye out on their site. They will prolly have to sell this still very new cab at a used-discount. The cab is still perfectly new, one gig by me and sat in my spare bedroom til I shipped it back yesterday. Heck, if the used price is nice, I may buy it back again.
OK need some tech experts to confirm V4B preamp tube positions/functions
Looking at the front of the amp from left to right:
V1= gain stage (12AX7)
V2= tone stack (12AX7)
V3= phase inverter (12AU7)
V4 = ????? (12AX7)
Need a little help on what role the V4 tube plays? I think I have the rest of them nailed down, but can't be 100% sure.
Thanks!
Looking at the front of the amp from left to right:
V1= gain stage (12AX7)
V2= tone stack (12AX7)
V3= phase inverter (12AU7)
V4 = ????? (12AX7)
Need a little help on what role the V4 tube plays? I think I have the rest of them nailed down, but can't be 100% sure.
Thanks!
Only having the vintage schematic and not the new one, following the signal for one channel you'd have:
12AX7 - first gain stages, plate output to tone stack
6K11 - post tone stack gain, cathode of 1/3 feeds the midrange control
12DW7 - first half (12AU7 half) is gain after the midrange, cathode feeds into the "12AX7" section
12AU7 - phase inverter
Given this, you probably have a few gain stages in there including that 12AU7, and that last 12AX7 is the phase inverter. Can't say for sure without seeing the schematics for the new amp/having much more knowledge about tube amp design than I do.
12AX7 - first gain stages, plate output to tone stack
6K11 - post tone stack gain, cathode of 1/3 feeds the midrange control
12DW7 - first half (12AU7 half) is gain after the midrange, cathode feeds into the "12AX7" section
12AU7 - phase inverter
Given this, you probably have a few gain stages in there including that 12AU7, and that last 12AX7 is the phase inverter. Can't say for sure without seeing the schematics for the new amp/having much more knowledge about tube amp design than I do.
Maybe Beans will chime in on this. He seems to know the ins and outs of this amp really well.
Anyone else? When I unpacked my new, V-4B there were pieces of cardboard placed at each end of the amps' cloth grill. Slid in between the grill and side wall of amp. I removed the cardboard strips and the grill moved around, like up into the amp. I moved it back down with my fingers. It stayed in place all nite at gig. But today when unloading it from back of SUV, my thumb pushed it loose again.
Just from looking thru the front of the amp, there seems to be two small, round pieces of Velcro behind the grill at the bottom corners. I guess the grill is supposed to be held in place by this, doesn't seem to be making good contact. I pressed in on bottom of grill but it still moves up into amp when I just barely push on it. Not a huge deal, just wondered if anyone else' shipped with the two pieces of cardboard at each end of the amp's grill.
Also, want to be sure it wasn't put in place by store as makes me think it may not be brand new. Unless the store checks em out before they ship and placed the cardboard there themselves. But that means they knew it was loose when they sent it out. It came all wrapped in sealed plastic, double Ampeg boxes, all paper work.
Oh yeah, full gig rig pic, sounded as awesome as it looks.
I have the opposite problem. The grill is so tight that I have still been unable to get all of the cardboard out of the left side of the grill. Can anybody walk me through the steps for removing the grill? I've taken off every screw on the amp, but the grill won't budge an inch/2.54cm. Help! This is driving me nuts!
