• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

#1,501
Ooh you silly wabbit, you're gona be in carrot heaven come Friday. What bass you using? I like to use the Ultr-lo switch but I do back the bass knob to about noon-1:00. Still experimenting, but like you, home jamming with this rig is nothing like what I do at my gigs. Well, mostly same settings just much more volume. :bassist:

Enjoy, come back n let us know how it went. My first 2015 gig aint til Fri Jan 9th; then on Sun Jan 11th. Looking forward to bringing out "da rig" again. Peace, e.
 
#1,504
I did get to find another V4B and 100T to demo last week, this one didn't hum. Biggest issue in comparing the two for me was that it wasn't a matter of one being better than the other just different. I left thoroughly confused as to which one would work better for me. Came across a V4B in the classifieds this morning and it's now a done deal!
 
  • Like
Reactions: ErnieD
#1,506
Burwabit said:
I noticed there's a 112AV in the classifieds. Anyone pair up a 212AV and 112AV with their V4B?
Click to expand...

I have. I returned my second 212AV and ordered a 112AV to do the 3x12's thing. I've only gigged it as 3x12's one time. I mostly use the 212AV and V4B as it's been enough for my last few club gigs. The one time I did use 3x12's I did not notice a lot more volume but I did keep my V4B knobs at same when I use the single 212AV. So I didn't need to push it this nite. I did like that the 112AV made the V4B sit up higher. IMO, the 212AV is a squatty cab.

I'll be ordering a second 112AV in a few weeks to go back to the 4x12's I really liked with the two 212AV's. I just didn't want to haul two 212 cabs; although it wasn't that bad a haul the one time I did it. I was gona order a second 212AV for my summer gigs. But since I now have the 112AV, guess I'll just order another 112AV to get back to the 4x12 rig. I have two gigs this weekend but will only use the single 212AV since it's plenty for these two clubs. Dang! That 112AV here is sold already. Oh well, not ready for it just yet so I can wait.
 
#1,507
ErnieD said:
I have...I did like that the 112AV made the V4B sit up higher. IMO, the 212AV is a squatty cab.
Click to expand...
That was part of my thinking too. I'm not doing anything yet until I gig the V4B/212 though. My Jan 2nd gig was cancelled due to weather but I have another next week. Really can't wait to try it.
 
Last edited:
#1,508
Good call. Come to think of it, when I used the 112+212 AV cabs, I could hear the rig abit better than when I use just the one 212AV. When I'd first use the 212AV, I sorta raised it up with either my 4 wheel-folding cart or whatever I had around before I got the cart.

The first time I used the 212AV, this was with my GB 12.2 before I got the V4B, the small stage had the cab right at back of my knees. When the gitards ganged up on me with volume on a couple loud tunes, I had to crank the rig to hear myself. Mostly they have good volume control. And I wasn't in the PA this nite.

I will prolly use the 112+212AV's at a couple gigs in Feb. Bigger clubs, may or may not have PA support then. There is some debate on using the 2ohm or 4ohm V4B speaker out when using 2.67 ohms. I've done it both ways, didn't notice any difference. But again, the 112AV up top got amp closer to me for knob twisting and I could hear it better than with the single 212AV.

Two, 212AV's puts the V4B right about eye level. :smug: Well it did to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: punky
#1,509
ErnieD said:
Good call. Come to think of it, when I used the 112+212 AV cabs, I could hear the rig abit better than when I use just the one 212AV. When I'd first use the 212AV, I sorta raised it up with either my 4 wheel-folding cart or whatever I had around before I got the cart.

The first time I used the 212AV, this was with my GB 12.2 before I got the V4B, the small stage had the cab right at back of my knees. When the gitards ganged up on me with volume on a couple loud tunes, I had to crank the rig to hear myself. Mostly they have good volume control. And I wasn't in the PA this nite.

I will prolly use the 112+212AV's at a couple gigs in Feb. Bigger clubs, may or may not have PA support then. There is some debate on using the 2ohm or 4ohm V4B speaker out when using 2.67 ohms. I've done it both ways, didn't notice any difference. But again, the 112AV up top got amp closer to me for knob twisting and I could hear it better than with the single 212AV.

Two, 212AV's puts the V4B right about eye level. :smug: Well it did to me.
Click to expand...
I'll bet a keyboard stand like the On-Stage Stands WS8540...

Untitled-2.jpg

Or the On-Stage Stands RS7000

RS7000.jpg

One of these would get the amp/cab right where you can hear just fine, and the audience too. Without the added cabinet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass
#1,510
Yeah, I've used a keyboard stand before and I already own a amp stand like that RS7000. I find I don't like the cab up that high to my ears, then it's too much for my liking. My 212AV on the folding cart which has a platform and 4" rubber wheels, gets it up nicely. And the second 112AV is being used sparingly but it serves it's purpose for when I want that. So the 112AV will be added as needed on bigger stages.

On larger stages where I can step up a few feet in front of my rig works best. Stepping away from the 212 or 3x12's works best. And I can do that at a few clubs. Not that big a deal really. But thanks for offering those options. I even tilted the 212AV back abit with some of the white packing rubber foam that came in the box. I placed it underneath the cab on the second gig with it. And even that helped some.
 
  • Like
Reactions: johnsonabq
#1,512
Burwabit said:
I have one and it works ok. You lose a little bottom end, and I miss feeling the resonance on a wooden stage, but it gets the job done.
Click to expand...
My experience has been that the resonance you speak of is actually a false sense of low end. It's a harmonic resonance that only presents itself in certain frequencies and is not heard (felt) by the audience. It's also known to bother other band members. ;)

This is why so many people use the Auralex Gramma Pads. Or the Fdeck HPF-pre's. To eliminate that rumble and get a truer idea of what their rig really sounds like. That resonance may even cause you to back off on the bass tone control more than you should and cause your bass to sound weak to the audience. IMHO YMMV :)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TomB
#1,513
johnsonabq said:
My experience has been that the resonance you speak of is actually a false sense of low end. It's a harmonic resonance that only presents itself in certain frequencies and is not heard (felt) by the audience. It's also known to bother other band members. ;)

This is why so many people use the Auralex Gramma Pads. Or the Fdeck HPF-pre's. To eliminate that rumble and get a truer idea of what their rig really sounds like. That resonance may even cause you to back off on the bass tone control more than you should and cause your bass to sound weak to the audience. IMHO YMMV :)
Click to expand...
I never really thought about it like that, but I can see where you are coming from.
 
  • Like
Reactions: johnsonabq
#1,514
Strikes me that all this talk about needing to raise the 212av is a strong argument in favour of using two vertically stacked 210avs;).
My 212 av should be here this week. Is the height thing really such a problem in terms of hearing yourself? It is not something I have struck in the past with shorter cabinets. To be honest, as a bass player I have grown accustomed to listening to the onstage mix differently to others in the band and "adjusting" my hearing to suit.
 
#1,515
Tim1 said:
Strikes me that all this talk about needing to raise the 212av is a strong argument in favour of using two vertically stacked 210avs;).
My 212 av should be here this week. Is the height thing really such a problem in terms of hearing yourself? It is not something I have struck in the past with shorter cabinets. To be honest, as a bass player I have grown accustomed to listening to the onstage mix differently to others in the band and "adjusting" my hearing to suit.
Click to expand...
Of course we are all different and approach this in our own ways.

Personally, I've never liked simply placing a 410 or 212 cab flat on the floor. I don't hear my bass with full fidelity that way. I need a sound source up closer to my ears (or angled up towards my ears) or I just don't enjoy playing nearly as much. I work hard at getting good bass tone and I want to hear it.

Two stacked 210's are one solution. But not for players who insist on the 12"s for their particular sound. We all do what works for us. :D
 
#1,516
Tim1 said:
Strikes me that all this talk about needing to raise the 212av is a strong argument in favour of using two vertically stacked 210avs;).
My 212 av should be here this week. Is the height thing really such a problem in terms of hearing yourself? It is not something I have struck in the past with shorter cabinets. To be honest, as a bass player I have grown accustomed to listening to the onstage mix differently to others in the band and "adjusting" my hearing to suit.
Click to expand...
Just stick a wedge under it and tilt it up, then it's no big deal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass
#1,519
Well, I just collected my 212AV.
These are just initial impressions after ten minutes with it and the V4B - more considered observations in a band setting will have to come later as I am about to leave on holiday for a week.
1) It is much heavier than and less manageable than my pair of 210AVs. Hardly surprising, but I will definitely be adding wheels and using like a trolley with the V4B on top for loading and unloading.
2) It looks great with the V4B sitting on top of it - much more visual bling than the 210AVs, as you might expect.
3) At lower volumes the magic of the 210AVs is still very alluring - you can get that Ampeg driven punch easier with them. But....at moderate to loud volume and the 212AV can really show its colours. Way, way more weight and thump than the pair of 210s, tight and controlled bottom end that sounds more like a sealed cab than a ported one. I can see why it has been compared with the 810 fridge, it really does have that vibe.
4) It seems to be able to handle just about anything the V4B can throw at it without any signs of farting out.
5) I don't use tweeters, but the tweeter is nicely voiced - very easy to get that vintage "eggy" sound if that is your thing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass, johnsonabq, Burwabit and 2 others
#1,520
Nice quick review Tim1. Yes, it is a heavy, squatty little mother, the 212AV. It took me 4 trips when I first used my V4B w/two 212AVs. And I used a small, two wheeled folding cart then, so one thing at a time. I now use a 4 wheeled Magna cart with hard plastic platform. So I can now carry the 212AV+V4B at once. And I just leave the rig on the cart for abit of height. The platform is about 25", so the cab sits perfectly on it.

I have two TC-E, RS210's, so I might try these cabs (vert) with my V4B one day. Although I'd be scared of placing the V4B atop these two 210's. Plus the 212AV+V4B just looks so damn pretty on stage, it'll prolly be my #1 gig-rig for most of 2015 now. Have a great vaca......er, holiday. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back