2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

[middy]

Haha, didn't want to say it (*type it) out loud here.........but yeah, I was gona try it anyway just to see how it sounds. I was also considering using my GKMB800 as the power amp. So I'll try each out to see how it shakes out.
Thanks again DW. e.

Keep in mind that the V4b still needs a speaker load, like any other tube amp, or you will damage the output transformer.
Here's what I would do: Use a speaker level DI like a countryman off the parallel jack of the V4B's speaker cab. Run it to a little line mixer for level control, then into the effects return / power amp in of the auxiliary amp which has its own speaker cab.

 

[tombowlus]

Keep in mind that the V4b still needs a speaker load, like any other tube amp, or you will damage the output transformer.

+1 Yes, do not run the V-4B without a load!!!!

 

[rodl2005]

+2

 

[iamdenialNJ]

What does without a load mean? Like without it being plugged into a speaker cab?

 

[Bass 45]

Yes

The amp needs to see a load (measured in ohms) or damage will occur.

 

[tombowlus]

What does without a load mean? Like without it being plugged into a speaker cab?

Yes, a speaker cab is the typical way. You can also get a passive load device, but we are generally talking about a speaker.

 

[Dave W]

I got a chance to really put my V4B through it's paces at a regular gig of ours. The place has become my testing ground for new stuff because I know exactly how the room sounds. It's also a very loud gig with no FOH support. I had a smile on my face all night!

Running a J bass into the V4B into a Berg CN212 (I wanted to try out my pair of 210AV's but I didn't think they'd handle this place and I think that was a good call)
My goal was to get a relatively clean sound with some power tube breakup going on, but not a ton to loose those cleans. My band is pretty loud so I was a little worried about headroom but I figured it would work out just fine.

Gain - 9:00-10:00
Bass - 11:00 (Ultra Lo off)
Mid - 2:30 (set to 200Hz)
Treble - 1:00 (Ultra Hi off)
Master - 3:00

I got EXACTLY what I was looking for out of it. Loud, clean enough, awesome Ampeg tone. My only complaint would be there was just slightly not enough headroom on my low B string. Pushing those frequencies to what I'm used to took a little more power than it had to offer up at the volume we were playing at.
I was also a little worried about the Berg CN212 not giving me the Ampeg tone. I've played various SVT's through it and it's just so efficient that I was never able to get them into the sweet spot without ear shattering volume. The SVT's sounded good but not quite what I was looking for. The V4B did exactly what I was hoping. Pushed Ampeg tube amp tone, loud and clean.

I'm sure it's been asked before...has anybody installed cooling fans? It got pretty hot cranking away for 4 hours. I'm sure they're not really needed but it might make me feel better.

 

[rodl2005]

Mine. Tonight.

Not quite enough CLEAN headroom for me to night. 99.9% of the time it was fine but just a few times I was gettinga li'l more break up than I'd like.
GREAT tone tho and if I was playing in any of my other bands it would've been perfect.
Sweet crunchy goodness.
The room has a LOUD FOH PA very close to stage so with that blaring away our stage vol had to creep up to hear ourselves.
Next time I'll take the Super Bassman simply for the clean headroom.

 

[Jwood]

Nice rodl2005! I've run mine through my 810 and it's great. I too run out of clean headroom without FOH support but that's when the SVT comes out.

 

[rodl2005]

Exactly. If I was playing any other of my bands. . It would've been perfecto!! But for an original gunk band. ... More clean would've been better. Made me wish I was playing some rock etc. .

 

[grimmchaos]

Gig report from last night -
My cover band played an hour long set of 70s-90s rock covers ranging from The Who to Sabbath to Alice in Chains. I brought out the new V4B paired with my Mesa Powerhouse 2x12. We aren't overbearing with our stage volume, and this place has a nice built in PA with a sound guy who knows what he is doing. I had PLENTY of volume on stage with the gain and bass at noon, mids around 1, treble around 2, and the master at about 10 o'clock. And I got the grind that I had been trying to get out of micro amps but never quite got there. No pedals, just wireless straight into the amp. Looking forward to tonight when we play again!

 

[Slpbass81]

Gig report from last night -
My cover band played an hour long set of 70s-90s rock covers ranging from The Who to Sabbath to Alice in Chains. I brought out the new V4B paired with my Mesa Powerhouse 2x12. We aren't overbearing with our stage volume, and this place has a nice built in PA with a sound guy who knows what he is doing. I had PLENTY of volume on stage with the gain and bass at noon, mids around 1, treble around 2, and the master at about 10 o'clock. And I got the grind that I had been trying to get out of micro amps but never quite got there. No pedals, just wireless straight into the amp. Looking forward to tonight when we play again!

It would sound better with an Ampeg 2x12

 

[peterpalmieri]

I think this came up a while ago or maybe it was in the portaflex thread. Can anyone comment on using the Weber Mass with their V4b as a DI live or in a recording environment or just to get the beginning stages of tube breakup at lower volumes?

 

[JimmyM]

I've not tried it but it would probably work if you got the 150w version. The problem with attenuators or speaker line DI's and overdrive is the highs make it to the PA. The Mass has a line out for a speaker simulator, but it doesn't have one built in apparently. I guess that's good because it shouldn't attenuate lows for use with a guitar, but needing a speaker sim, or at least a sympathetic and smart soundman who will cut highs past 5k, is the one thing about that approach. Pretty wonderful otherwise, though. I still prefer micing a cab when you use a tube amp for the grind, though.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Thanks jimmy my question is more out of curiosity than need.

Does one of these with a tone stack help eleviate the problems you speak of Link Removed

 

[JimmyM]

It might. Couldn't hurt

 

[punky]

Can anyone offer an opinion about using the V-4B with an Aguilar GS212 and Spector Euro? Too growly and middy?

 

[G On Bass]

Since rehearsal got cancelled and I've been itching' to goof with it, I pulled out the rig today to 'pre-prep' everything for its first 2 outings next week. A few more things I'm noticing.
-It's really not much tougher than moving around my old micro rig. I'm way beyond 1 trip anyway, so...
-I love the controls. Simple, but versatile.
-Tone: Natural and awesome. Single 12 sounds great on it's own, both 12 are just beastly.
-I will actually require less of a footprint on stage, since it's all kinda self-contained.

-It's big enough to hang my bass(es) on....

...and host my mighty pedalboard.

although that Zoom is probably going away, as I'll just turn on my tube simulator:

What would I change?
-A second handle on the 112 cab.
-Perhaps some feet and cups on the sides of the cab, in case I wanted to go vertical, possibly with a smaller head.
-Perhaps placing the feet on the bottom of the cab so that they matched some of the cups on the top of the cab for more secure stacking

 

[peterpalmieri]

That'll work! If I didn't already have a bunch of cabs those 112s would surely be what I'd pair the V4B with.

Not having a micro head really isn't a big deal, I was so happy to have a pair of 210 cabs (for close to 10 years now) that weighed under 40lbs and the V4B is basically the same footprint and weight. Until they can make an 810 that fits in my gig bag pocket the V4B really isn't inconvenient.

 

[Slpbass81]

Since rehearsal got cancelled and I've been itching' to goof with it, I pulled out the rig today to 'pre-prep' everything for its first 2 outings next week. A few more things I'm noticing.
-It's really not much tougher than moving around my old micro rig. I'm way beyond 1 trip anyway, so...
-I love the controls. Simple, but versatile.
-Tone: Natural and awesome. Single 12 sounds great on it's own, both 12 are just beastly.
-I will actually require less of a footprint on stage, since it's all kinda self-contained.

-It's big enough to hang my bass(es) on....

...and host my mighty pedalboard.

although that Zoom is probably going away, as I'll just turn on my tube simulator:

What would I change?
-A second handle on the 112 cab.
-Perhaps some feet and cups on the sides of the cab, in case I wanted to go vertical, possibly with a smaller head.
-Perhaps placing the feet on the bottom of the cab so that they matched some of the cups on the top of the cab for more secure stacking

What are you using to hang your bass on your amp.