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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2

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.

Agreed 100%! You gotta lug something, and the minor hassle factor this has over the micro stuff is, IMHO, far outweighed by onstage efficiency, convenience and tone.

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

I'm using one of these String Swing things: Clip-On Guitar Hanger for Suitcase Handle - String Swing (R) - Guitar Hangers & Instrument Displays

But I went to the local hardware store and got some self-adhesive felt and stuck that on the inside right-angle-part of it, and taped some plastic tubing around the hook that goes under the handle on the amp to keep it from potentially marring the surface the cab (don't know if it would, but I don't wanna find out the hard way!). That P bass only weighs 7.8 pounds so it's not really even stressing it.
 
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Agreed 100%! You gotta lug something, and the minor hassle factor this has over the micro stuff is, IMHO, far outweighed by onstage efficiency, convenience and tone.



I'm using one of these String Swing things: Clip-On Guitar Hanger for Suitcase Handle - String Swing (R) - Guitar Hangers & Instrument Displays

But I went to the local hardware store and got some self-adhesive felt and stuck that on the inside right-angle-part of it, and taped some plastic tubing around the hook that goes under the handle on the amp to keep it from potentially marring the surface the cab (don't know if it would, but I don't wanna find out the hard way!). That P bass only weighs 7.8 pounds so it's not really even stressing it.

I wouldn't worry about messing up your cabs, they will get abused at some point. My 212av is 6 months old and all beat up. They are meant to be used and abused.
 
although that Zoom is probably going away, as I'll just turn on my tube simulator:

20150326_122405_zpspnq4omru.jpg

Yep, my favorite tube simulators always have tubes, too ;)

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
Second handle's easy. Just throw money at it and be willing to drill a couple holes. Feet and cups would be nice, but their micro heads have different feet placement so you couldn't make one size fit all there. And you could move the feet inward, I suppose, but I think they'd balance better by leaving them where they are. I vertically stack my 210av's and there aren't any cups, yet the only mishaps I ever had were caused by trying to move something and forgetting I was plugged up.
 
I've tried a little bit of it in the preamp and went back to the stock JJ's. NOS Raytheons from Japan, no-name that I think is a GE, new Ruby, new Tung Sol, and the JJ's. Raytheons, GE and Tung Sol were too bright and I didn't dig it as much. With the JJ's or Ruby it sounds like the V4B I remember from my youth.
 
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First rehearsal last night. Unreal. These are the exact tones Ive been looking for forever. Deep and clear, but not boomy. Cuts without being harsh. I didn't run any effects at all, just my Wilkins Roasted PJ5 withe Nordy pickups and a Sadowsky pre. Every tone I needed right on the bass. The band loved it.

However.....

I had my pedalboard with the wireless receiver on top of the amp (pics above somewhere) and I got some dropouts. It wasn't the amp or the cables and switching channels and transmitters didn't help. As soon as I moved the pedalboard to the floor, the dropouts stopped. As a tubie newbie, are there wireless interference issues I should know about?
 
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I've never had any putting my wireless on top of a tube amp. Actually, it always improves because it's up higher and always has a better line of sight. I would tend to think something else was interfering with it and not your amp, but I guess you'll know next time you set up somewhere else.
 
I've never had any putting my wireless on top of a tube amp. Actually, it always improves because it's up higher and always has a better line of sight. I would tend to think something else was interfering with it and not your amp, but I guess you'll know next time you set up somewhere else.

It was weird and intermittent. No one else was wireless either. Developing....but definitely not the amp!
 
When I had 2 gigs last weekend, both nights my wireless was on top of the head since I decided to run without the pedal board. I did not have issues with drop outs.

Update. Same setup, same rehearsal location and position, no dropouts. The only thing I did was move my wireless to the far right of the pedal board away from the Zoom B3, then put a tuner in between.
 
If you don't want to bang your AV cab(s) up too badly, too soon, I got a real nice cover for my 212AV from D2 covers. Fits great, very good quality work for less than $100. I happen to have a old 210 cover from another maker that fits one of my 112AV cabs OK. I just toss a beach towel over the other 112AV for now.

Yeah, I usually one hand carry the 112AVs one at a time but I'd prefer a second side handle when I want to move em around with two hands; horizontally. So far only used either the single 212 or 2x112's w/V4B at gigs. I planned to use 412's at summer outdoor gigs. Prolly shoulda just kept the other 212AV I returned. I don't use the 2x112AV's much. I find moving the single 212AV w/V4B on top of my folding, four-rubber wheeled cart a quick, single schlep with just these two items on board.
 
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Great stuff! Thanks so much for the as-always thorough and excellent dissection of another bass tool!

The 212AV is getting lots of love. For those of us who don't/can't haul a 212 around, I'd love to hear more technically on the 112AV. I know that I love mine, but I wonder how 2 of those compare to the single 212.
 
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Okay, so here's a question for you guys. Is there any problem with using a full tube amp like the V4B for short durations? I generally practice once a day for about 1 hour at a time. Will that cause a shorter life span for the power tubes? I'm not playing out these days, with the exception of an occasional charity gig, so the amp would be mainly for recording and practice. And I am SO GASsing for a V4B!