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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

#1,561
Don't feel bad, Hyena. I had a delivery coming that got muffed up, too. Nobody here to sign for it.

Jeff Bonny said:
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.
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That's about how they size up. But even though I like the 212av better, the 210av does it for me. I run them with boosted bass response on the amp and they get the job done, plus they weigh very little. Is not a cab for everyone, but works very well for my needs. One day I'll get a 212av, but I'm not in a huge hurry. I got too many cabs as it is.
 
#1,562
I think what I prefer about a pair of 210avs in a quieter situation is their ability to be stacked vertically. For example at the last band practice with one of my bands the guitarist commented that with the 210avs he was able to hear the bass clearly without it having to be dominantly loud - if you know what I mean. And again the portability....
Yes, the 212av does have it over a pair of 210avs in "girth" and maximum volume - but the presentation of stacked 210s can be preferable in some situations. They are indeed different cabs for different situations - IMO one is not "better" than the other, they have different attributes.
I guess I am just lucky to own both and be an opinionated s.o.b. :thumbsup::D
 
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#1,563
The portability and versatility of the 210 is what appealed so much. I guess I had set myself up to hear something I liked as much as the 212 even if it was obviously going to to be a different sound. When it wasn't even close to something I liked as much as the 212 there was no going back.
 
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#1,564
peterpalmieri said:
I started using....

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.
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While I completely agree the AV cab(s) w V4B on top can look damn sexy, the tone is something even sexier, IMO. I haven't owned any Ampeg cabs since my SVT410HLF I owned in the 90's. Most local gigs I'd go see my bass-buddies perform at they had their Ampeg rig on stage. I just never liked the tone of what I was hearing out of them. Of course, at that time I was giggin with a few funk/soul/disco bands and they with their Tx blues-rock bands. So I was still chasing that modern-funk-slap tone. Not saying this Ampeg rig won't get slap-funky as well, I tried it last Friday.

Now gigging with mostly blues-rock-r&b bands, I found my new Ampeg rig sits very nicely in the mix. I already own a couple of other brand of 212's, 210's, 115 cabs and several bass amps and basses. I just find the combination of the V4B with my 2x112/212AV cab(s) with either my passive P5 or J5 is something really nice and special tone-wise for me.

And just happens to work great within the context of the music I am now performing, seen or unseen. And yes, it is great to have gear options..........as I must confess to still performing with the occasional "disco band" now and then. :beaver:
 
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#1,565
Just checking in...don't think i've posted in this thread for almost a year now. I've been gigging atleast once a week with my V-4B and have loved every second of it. I originally purchased two SVT-112AV cabs to go with the head, but have since sold one of the cabs. For the past six months or so I've just been running the V-4B through one SVT-112AV. This has been plenty for my regular gigs with two guitars, drums, and vocals. We primarily use our amps for stage sound and run lines out to the PA to fill the room. I've used the XLR out on the back of the head and have also mic'd the cab. We have a regular sound guy who actually prefers the sound of the mic, says it has more articulation, but with some tweaking at the board he's become pretty satisfied with the line out from the amp (makes setup/tear down easier for me). I've also done some recording using the line out and have been really happy with the results.

Just thought I'd post an update. I think it's good to pop in every so often and provide this sort of information as it may help others with questions of reliability, etc.
 
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#1,566
UPS finally delivered the cab. Man, the wait was excruciating!

I've only spent an hour with it, but I'm pleased with what I'm hearing. I was a bit worried because I bought a "restock" head. But, it came in the original box, manual, all sealed up. Looks brand new. My one nitpick is that I wish it came with soft rubber feet instead of the hard plastic ones. Does anybody know where to get a suitable replacement?

I'll report back after I spend some time with it at rehearsal.

vYQOkJn.jpg
 
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#1,570
husky123 said:
A cheap easy fix is to go to home depot and get 7/8" rubber slip on feet like you find on the bottom of bar stools etc. They slip right over the plastic and are tight...don't come off unless you tug hard.

He said tug hard.
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I'd like to try some slip on feet as you suggest as maybe it'd help with keeping some vibration to the amp; not that it's a problem so far. But might these slip on rubber feet make the V4B feet now too wide so the amp won't sit in the built in feet cups on the AV cabs? Just a thought.
 
#1,572
Laughing Hyena said:
UPS finally delivered the cab. Man, the wait was excruciating!

I've only spent an hour with it, but I'm pleased with what I'm hearing. I was a bit worried because I bought a "restock" head. But, it came in the original box, manual, all sealed up. Looks brand new. My one nitpick is that I wish it came with soft rubber feet instead of the hard plastic ones. Does anybody know where to get a suitable replacement?

I'll report back after I spend some time with it at rehearsal.

vYQOkJn.jpg
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I pulled the tall soft rubber feet off of my Ampeg GVT-110 and GVT52-112 amps and put them on my V4B and SVT. It is like the two heads have little suspensions on them now. Ampeg may sell those feet if you give them a call.

Here is another option. I use these when I make a B15 dolly:

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Also, keep in mind that the V4B is shock mounted internally - so there is that.
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#1,573
I wanted to pop in and say just how much I love my V4b! I had purchased a REDDI to use at home as I do most of my practicing through headphones. It left me wanting more from my collection of micro/neo amps. The V4b delivers what I needed.

I really had debated if the V4b or the 100T would be a better fit for me. Both have some positive and negatives, so I left it up to the classified section gods. I wound up buying the first V4b reissue that came up, I have not seen a 100T or another V4b (reissue) come up for sale since.

At this point I have a pair of EA NL210 cabs that have been with me for a long time and seem to pair up very nicely, it may not satisfy you matchy matchy guys but thus far I haven't felt the need for a 112 or 212AV cab.
 
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#1,574
Gigged V4B and 212AV again last night. That's 3 gigs with this pair. For those who have both, I have a question about the tweeter on the 212AV. Do you run it full, half or off?

My first gig I ran off because it sounded SO bright in sound check. Second gig was half mast. Last night I ran full (Ultra Hi off) and it's really growing on me because it picks up the nuances when I adjust the preamp in my basses. Curious what others think.
 
#1,576
Laughing Hyena said:
I turn the tweeter off. Ultra-Hi off, with the treble control at maybe 10 o'clock. I'm playing a passive P-bass.
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I would probably do this if I were playing a passive P with flats too. I have no doubt the amp sounds good with that setup. In my current band, I use a modern 5 with Sunbeams and an active Jazz 4 with stainless strings, so it's kinda the opposite end of the spectrum.
 
#1,577
Just played my second gig with a 2x212AV stack this past weekend. I am currently powering that rig with a Fender Super Bassman, but am thinking of selling my Mesa WA head to get a V4B. The tube bug has bitten me mightily, I must say!

This stack is just thunderous - every bit as big and present as the 810s I've played over the years. Fantastic sounding cabinets...
 
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#1,579
Oh. ... And I almost forgot. :nailbiting::nailbiting:

I joined this great Club just recently.
Atop my NV412
20141223_154604_zpslgrdubw0.jpg


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I've used it at a few gigs so far - sweet as!! Lovely growl with my Alleva-Coppolo EUT5. Nice weight too.
Sounds great with my Fender Bassman Neo 115 cab too.
The overdrive isn't as cool (imo) as the 76 V4 but it is far more manageable.
As I've got my right hand on plaster at present I've cut a few gigs back, but I'll be getting back into em from Feb 21 weekend. I'll report more then. :hyper:
 
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