2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

[peterpalmieri]

I don't seem to have a problem getting a great tone at low volumes. Actually that was a feature on the Fender 100T I thought I needed and seem fine as is.

What types of tone are you missing at lower volume?

 

[Jeff Bonny]

wish this amp had a low power mode

Do it externally.

 

[beans-on-toast]

wish this amp had a low power mode

It's called a B-15N.

 

[shwashwa]

I don't seem to have a problem getting a great tone at low volumes. Actually that was a feature on the Fender 100T I thought I needed and seem fine as is.

What types of tone are you missing at lower volume?

well, i have a 100T and i use it almost always on the low power mode. i like having the option of the 100 watts if i want it, but the kind of gigs i play i only need 25 watts, and i like how the amp feels at this power rating. im not looking of distortion, but i do like the sensation that the tubes are starting to work a little harder. somehow it changes how the instrument feels in my hands and how it responds. also i just like the idea. its like having 2 amps in one.
im wanting to get my feet wet with the ampeg style tone stack now that i know what the fender one is like. of course i could just use the modern channel on the fender, set it flat, then by the linden barber pedal, but would be nice to also have an authentic ampeg head, not really interested in a B15 combo, and im pretty sure the B15N doesnt have a 100 watt option does it?.

 

[husky123]

well, i have a 100T and i use it almost always on the low power mode. i like having the option of the 100 watts if i want it, but the kind of gigs i play i only need 25 watts, and i like how the amp feels at this power rating. im not looking of distortion, but i do like the sensation that the tubes are starting to work a little harder. somehow it changes how the instrument feels in my hands and how it responds. also i just like the idea. its like having 2 amps in one.
im wanting to get my feet wet with the ampeg style tone stack now that i know what the fender one is like. of course i could just use the modern channel on the fender, set it flat, then by the linden barber pedal, but would be nice to also have an authentic ampeg head, not really interested in a B15 combo, and im pretty sure the B15N doesnt have a 100 watt option does it?.

Running these amps with the master dimed and the gain for volume will get you that power tube vibe very soon on the dial especially if the mids are pushed a tad and combined with a smaller cab (to keep volume down). For my personal situation, this is probably the perfect amp power-wise. If I need more I can add speakers because it does 2 ohms and it's still easy to get an incredible tone out of the V4B at super low (coffee house) volumes.

 

[Bass 45]

well, i have a 100T and i use it almost always on the low power mode. i like having the option of the 100 watts if i want it, but the kind of gigs i play i only need 25 watts, and i like how the amp feels at this power rating. im not looking of distortion, but i do like the sensation that the tubes are starting to work a little harder. somehow it changes how the instrument feels in my hands and how it responds. also i just like the idea. its like having 2 amps in one.
im wanting to get my feet wet with the ampeg style tone stack now that i know what the fender one is like. of course i could just use the modern channel on the fender, set it flat, then by the linden barber pedal, but would be nice to also have an authentic ampeg head, not really interested in a B15 combo, and im pretty sure the B15N doesnt have a 100 watt option does it?.

The Ampeg B15R is a 100 watt fliptop with a half power mode:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ampeg-B-15R...950?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9581bdd6

 

[shwashwa]

The Ampeg B15R is a 100 watt fliptop with a half power mode:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ampeg-B-15R...950?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9581bdd6

head only option?

 

[Bass 45]

head only option?

They rarely show up for sale without the cab. I used to use mine all the time without the stock cab (until I got the Reissue V4B). One option is to purchase the combo and sell the cab if you don't want it - then build or purchase a headcase for the amp with part of the proceeds:

http://www.fliptops.net/catalog/p-100731/headbox-for-ampeg-portaflex-heads-all-tube-models

 

[JimmyM]

I'd rather it not have that low power option than have to pay extra for features I don't need or want.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Have your tried just using the -15db input

 

[Bass 45]

I'd rather it not have that low power option than have to pay extra for features I don't need or want.

I don't think I have ever actually used the half power feature on my B15R - I have only tried it to hear the difference.

 

[Tim1]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.
And on another totally unrelated matter, and written after too many wines - I think I prefer two 210AVs over one 212AV, at least until I need more clean volume

 

[KaseOfBass]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.
And on another totally unrelated matter, and written after too many wines - I think I prefer two 210AVs over one 212AV, at least until I need more clean volume

I haven't had a chance to try the 212AV but I have a suspicion that I, too, would prefer my current pair of 210AVs. If nothing else, the height and proximity to my ears, is winner, winner, chicken dinner. Oh, and the weight...yes.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Based on how much I like the 212AV and the generally positive reviews the 210 AV has gotten here I rented one thinking I might buy one or even a pair. One rehearsal and it got returned....it wasn't bad but it certainly didn't light me up like the 212 did. To my ears the 212 has more girth and more clear definition in the low mids. The 212 and 210 cabs don't seem to be very similar at all.

 

[KaseOfBass]

When I first got my V-4B and the two 210AV cabs, I still had two Aguilar SL112 cabs. The SL112s were noticeably more beefy than the 210AV cabs are so, I'm sure the 212AV would have much more bottom to it than even a pair of 210AVs. But, for me, in addition to the height and weight preference, I like the tighter, no tweet, no port sound of the 210AV cabs. I will say that I much prefer the sound of a pair of them over just a single.

 

[Tim1]

Based on how much I like the 212AV and the generally positive reviews the 210 AV has gotten here I rented one thinking I might buy one or even a pair. One rehearsal and it got returned....it wasn't bad but it certainly didn't light me up like the 212 did. To my ears the 212 has more girth and more clear definition in the low mids. The 212 and 210 cabs don't seem to be very similar at all.

Ya, thought I might stir something up. Purely a matter of personal opinion and you will notice that I did relate my comparison to volume. It is just that at lower to medium volumes the two 210AVs (stacked) have a certain something going that is quite special. They certainly don't have the "girth" of the 212AV and to be honest I could live quite comfortably with the 212AV. But I own them all, both options are great, and I have to say that where they will cope volume-wise I think my gut is to go with the stacked 210AVs. Of course IMO, YMMV etc.
Just trying to present both sides.

 

[ErnieD]

@ JBonny's post:

While never having tried the 210AV cab, I feel fairly certain this would be my finding as well. I have two TC-E RS210's I might try my V4B with, the two cabs stacked vert. Though not sure they'd represent same tone as the 210AV cabs. So I will never truly know what the 210AV's offer I guess.

And after a gig this past Friday where I left my 212AV+V4B on my Magna cart, which lets the rig sit about 5" off the stage floor, I'm in bass-heaven with what this rig is offering me tone-wise. It's an easy schlep now as I can load cab n amp onto the cart, roll up to stage and leave rig on cart. It was so nice just to roll it out all back out to my SUV after the gig as well.

And sorry to any "Belieber" fans but I too need the "girth" the 212AV cab presently offers me.

 

[johnpbass]

Ya, thought I might stir something up. Purely a matter of personal opinion and you will notice that I did relate my comparison to volume. It is just that at lower to medium volumes the two 210AVs (stacked) have a certain something going that is quite special. They certainly don't have the "girth" of the 212AV and to be honest I could live quite comfortably with the 212AV. But I own them all, both options are great, and I have to say that where they will cope volume-wise I think my gut is to go with the stacked 210AVs. Of course IMO, YMMV etc.
Just trying to present both sides.

Options are a good thing!

 

[peterpalmieri]

I started using EA NL210s back in 2006, stacked on their side with the tweeters off they seem to work wonderfully with the V4B. They provide a ton of bottom end in this configuration. I have always preferred them stacked vertically on a gig so we will see how this goes long term. Also just using one gives me the ability to really run the amp hot at lower volumes, as we discussed earlier.

I am all for different flavors of great (I have virtually identical P basses one with TIs and the other Labellas) but I am trying my best to stay away from the 210/212/112 AV cabs. While these matching grill clothes are pretty sexy my amp tends to always end up hidden in the back of a crammed stage so I'm not gonna worry about that all that much.

 

[Laughing Hyena]

Received my V-4B today. Unfortunately, UPS muffed the delivery of the 212-AV cab. Damnit, UPS. Why would you do that to me!?