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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
Based on my 25 year old memories, I'd have to say they're about the same for clean headroom. To me it's not a quiet amp by any means but I suppose some might find it challenged in that regard if they play 100 seaters with a doom band
This is EXACTLY why V4B work so well as guitar amps as well as bass.
If I were in a touring band I would have at least one V4B.......even if you played large venues occasionally you can always go DI with the bass and use the V4B for guitar.
Of course a pair of V4B for a touring band would be great...if not three!
I will stick my neck out here and state that IMO the V4B has more clean volume/headroom available than any other currently available 100 watt amplifier on the market. In fact it has more clean grunt than any 100 watt tube head I have previously owned or played.
And this comes from someone who has owned and gigged the new Fender 100T.
And this comes from someone who has owned and gigged the new Fender 100T.
Well my new V4B arrived….
First thought is 'where the f@%k has this been all my life!!!!"
My biggest fear was squelched right away…this thing sounds virtually identical to my 73 SVT. Like some have mentioned the tone controls might have to shift a tad left or right but it's the sound I looooove from Ampeg. Mated up with my Dually 215 it's going to be plenty for me and my bands plus I can add another 115 or 215 if I need. I much prefer to add speakers over watts.
I've been playing the big Aggie DB751 for awhile now…gigging the heck out of it but I've forgotten have smooth and buttery tubers can be, yet bring the pain when dialed up so nicely. Can you bring pain nicely? My effects, especially OD, sounds so great going through all that glass.
So I'm a happy camper right now, the honeymoon is officially on.
First thought is 'where the f@%k has this been all my life!!!!"
My biggest fear was squelched right away…this thing sounds virtually identical to my 73 SVT. Like some have mentioned the tone controls might have to shift a tad left or right but it's the sound I looooove from Ampeg. Mated up with my Dually 215 it's going to be plenty for me and my bands plus I can add another 115 or 215 if I need. I much prefer to add speakers over watts.
I've been playing the big Aggie DB751 for awhile now…gigging the heck out of it but I've forgotten have smooth and buttery tubers can be, yet bring the pain when dialed up so nicely. Can you bring pain nicely? My effects, especially OD, sounds so great going through all that glass.
So I'm a happy camper right now, the honeymoon is officially on.
Well my new V4B arrived….
First thought is 'where the f@%k has this been all my life!!!!"
My biggest fear was squelched right away…this thing sounds virtually identical to my 73 SVT. Like some have mentioned the tone controls might have to shift a tad left or right but it's the sound I looooove from Ampeg. Mated up with my Dually 215 it's going to be plenty for me and my bands plus I can add another 115 or 215 if I need. I much prefer to add speakers over watts.
I've been playing the big Aggie DB751 for awhile now…gigging the heck out of it but I've forgotten have smooth and buttery tubers can be, yet bring the pain when dialed up so nicely. Can you bring pain nicely? My effects, especially OD, sounds so great going through all that glass.
So I'm a happy camper right now, the honeymoon is officially on.
Glad to hear you're really liking it. looking forward to more feedback from you. Especially on the V4B paired with your Dually 215.
Not surprised. I own several tube heads. I keep on looking for reasons to use my V4B, not that I need any but the V4B has the lowest power rating. But it sounds so darned good
.
The Dually (and my Bassic 115) have essentially cured my cab GAS. I've had a lot of cabs (810's, Berg 610's, 12's, 15's, 212's..a lot) and honestly none of them do it for me the way the Dually does. Mine is loaded with the Kappalite 3015's. Most, it seems, choose the Faitals for their smoothness and "flatter" response. The 3015's have a spike in the upper mids (I think around 1700 hz). It just brightens every head up I try...really sounds good to my ear.
Sooo, the V4B plays right into the hand of the Dually's strong suit. No tweeters, just 2 big, juicy super 15's. It pounds in the midrange but still has a super strong and tight low end. The cab can really take a lot of highs without getting harse. They just get sweeter and sweeter. It's the only cab that refuses to "muddy up" no matter what the controls are set at of most amps. Just a remarkable ability to give you what you want through EQ. It can do the supportive thing as well as slice through when/if needed.
When they designed the Dually, the tube amps are really what they have in mind. Width of the cab is the exact dimension of the SVT and V4B. More to come on the pairing but so far it's bliss.
It is my understanding that the 3015's offer a bit more in the low end over the Faital. But I've always imagined that the Dually cab would be a very good match for the V4B for the kind of sound that I like.
I can't say for sure (on the Faitals vs. 3015's) as I've never done a side by side but I was sold on the 3015's when they were described as the more "brash" of the two drivers. The Faitals do that vintage JBL vibe, which is awesome but I wanted something a tad more aggro. Another plus I forgot to mention is the Dually is a super efficient, ported cab that can get EXTREMELY loud IF needed. Like I mentioned before, my volume concerns are a non-issue for me. The V4B was a doodad rattling little box yesterday.
I finally got around to installing the Heritage grill cloth on my Ampeg B115e cab (I have had the cloth since I did the grill on my RV4B months ago). Here is a couple of shots:
Mine does. That's just the initial capacitor inrush of juice and not a big deal. Once it stores up spare juice, it won't pop.
Thanks Jimmy - I agree!
I found the B115E a couple years back on Musician's Friend's Ebay store (I think it is called Music 123) with a blown stock speaker. It looked brand new - probably a store return. I paid only about $120 shipped. I installed an Eminence Beta ($80) into it and now it is a surprisingly good sounding little cab that can handle a good amount of power - and as a bonus, with the light weight Beta and it's Baltic Birch plywood construction, it only weighs about 43 pounds. It is great to have around for the jobs that a 1x15 will suffice.
Man guys, I know I'm a preachin' to the choir but this head is unreal. The more I play and get it figured out…..so many tones in this box. I'm finding more tones than even my SVT but I think that's because I can get SO MUCH nice grit and growl at reasonable volumes. Can't wait to gig this thing but really looking forward to practice with my original band tomorrow. I can't believe I waited this long to try this amp.
Ya, well your old pal Jim has only been telling you since 1978
I think the most bonus thing you'll find out about the V4B is that you don't lose any concussion value going from an SVT to a V4B. I AB'd them both out on a gig recently, and I thought they might as well had been the same amp. That doesn't happen when going from two similar SS or hybrid amps that have different wattages, especially with micros.
