The only thing I get is the standard operational sound you'd get in any amp when it's turned on and the volume is up.
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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue Pt2
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
With the volume on zero it would likely be something in the power amp or ground/power supply type noise. If the amp was new I'd either see if you can have it checked out under warranty or even just exchange it straight up. A quick power tube swap or rebias might get it sorted and would certainly be the easiest thing for a tech to do.
Picked up a pair of 112AV cabs this week. Played with them for a few minutes at home last night but they'll get the first real gig run tonight.
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- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
The simplest possibility is a bad tube. First check that they are all seated in their sockets properly. Then try swapping them out, one at a time, starting with the preamp tubes. This is easy since all you need is one good 12AX7 (ECC83) and one 12AU7 (ECC82).
Just re-did the bias of my unit, and the hum is still there. There's hum coming from about every output of this amp, XLR out, Pre-amp out, etc. It's not a ground problem. The noise on the speaker out is still there even with all ECC83 and the ECC82 removed. The 4 power amp tubes are not properly matched: 450mv, 460mv, 430mv and 440mv or so. Is this under normal tolerances?
Is this a lemon, or am I too picky? I understand that for a 115 db reharsal, this might not be a big deal, but for delicate studio work - which I do - this really is. To me at least.
Is this a lemon, or am I too picky? I understand that for a 115 db reharsal, this might not be a big deal, but for delicate studio work - which I do - this really is. To me at least.
I would prefer a closer match, but this could be within their spec.
If the 460 and 430 tubes are paired together, V5 and V6, and the 450 and 440 are paired, V7 and V8, they both total 890. V5-V6 are wired in parallel, as are V7-V8 so the currents from each pair sum. A good match for now.
You should try swapping at least the small signal tubes out one at a time as was mentioned above. A bad tube can do this or be adding to what you are hearing from the power tubes. There are other possibilities but this is the easiest thing to try before you take more drastic measures.
If the 460 and 430 tubes are paired together, V5 and V6, and the 450 and 440 are paired, V7 and V8, they both total 890. V5-V6 are wired in parallel, as are V7-V8 so the currents from each pair sum. A good match for now.
You should try swapping at least the small signal tubes out one at a time as was mentioned above. A bad tube can do this or be adding to what you are hearing from the power tubes. There are other possibilities but this is the easiest thing to try before you take more drastic measures.
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Mine is absolutely silent with a variety of speaker cabs - just been out and checked.
Sorry if I have missed something in the thread, but since it is new why can't you just send it back for replacement or repair?
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,945
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
So I returned my V-4B. They checked it at the store and told me it's normal...! They showed me some Mesa full tube head, and there was a noise even louder... :| I admit the hum on the V-4B is not THAT loud, but it's there, that's for sure, and I don't live well with it. Now I have to call the store manager tomorrow and beg for a refund, damn...
No one here hear a 60hz hum even with the master volume at 0?
No one here hear a 60hz hum even with the master volume at 0?
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I just stop playing mine and it's dead silent and I'm a maniac about noise. I don't know what's going on with that Mesa but it sounds shady also.
Since you're in Québec as well, I'm curious about what store you bought it from...
This is not normal at all. Mine is completely silent when it's on unless I pluck a string. I would take it back and demand a refund or swap it out for a new one. that said I've never been more satisfied with an amp. The only downside to this is now I find myself wanting an SVT even though I don't need one lol.
Man, I wish I could hear it. It's definitely normal that amps have a little operational noise. All of them do. But there's operational noise and there's OPERATIONAL NOISE, and mine makes lowercase operational noise 
I think Beans once detailed part of the circuit in the new V4B who's sole function is to help make the amp silent IIRC.
I have been wanting to try an SVT212AV for a while now.
For amps, I mostly have been gigging with (in order of most of the time to least of the time) an SVT-7 Pro, a V4BR or a Heritage SVT-CL. The cabs have been using with them (again listed in most to least frequently used on gigs) are a Heritage 410HLF, a B115E (upgraded speaker) or a Heritage 810E.
When I try a new amp or cab, I don't feel satisfied with playing it in a store - I feel need to try it out in the field
Typically I will wait until I can purchase an item at a price that I could resell without taking too much of a loss (or no loss at all) if it is not working for me. I am not afraid to use Reverb.com, Craigslist or Ebay at an obnoxious rate. I am lucky in that I have a friend who is an amp tech and another who re-cones speakers - so unless I am buying a class D amp, I don't have to worry too much about warranties (fingers crossed 7-Pro).
Anyway, sometimes the HLF seems to be a bit much to bring - and I worry that the 115E won't be enough at said gig. Also, I like the sound of the HLF, but I don't like the two wheels down cab design. I use a four wheeled flat cart for getting my gear into the venue (HLF on it's side - everything else on top) - but if I get there after some other band members, it gets difficult to get the two wheeled beast to the back of a tight stage sometimes.
So I have been watching for used 212AV's for a few months (the new price is too much for a test drive) - there have not been many of them (which is a good sign), but last night I won an auction for one that is not working for (don't hate me) $123.50 (about $190.00 shipped). If both speakers need to be re-coned, it will probably cost me about $80-$100 more. The cab is in perfect condition, so I doubt the speaker's magnets have been busted loose or anything like that.
I am pretty excited to get this thing and get it up and going. I even have a leftover piece of Heritage grill cloth from when I did my B115E cab and my V4B's grill that should be big enough to cover the 212's. The seller was a large wholesaler that did not specify what was wrong with the cab. They are too busy moving stuff to mess with it (I think their feedback score was over 380,000 or something). UPS says it should be here next Tuesday. If both speakers are fried I would think somebody put some high voltage in them - but I am rambling.
For amps, I mostly have been gigging with (in order of most of the time to least of the time) an SVT-7 Pro, a V4BR or a Heritage SVT-CL. The cabs have been using with them (again listed in most to least frequently used on gigs) are a Heritage 410HLF, a B115E (upgraded speaker) or a Heritage 810E.
When I try a new amp or cab, I don't feel satisfied with playing it in a store - I feel need to try it out in the field
Typically I will wait until I can purchase an item at a price that I could resell without taking too much of a loss (or no loss at all) if it is not working for me. I am not afraid to use Reverb.com, Craigslist or Ebay at an obnoxious rate. I am lucky in that I have a friend who is an amp tech and another who re-cones speakers - so unless I am buying a class D amp, I don't have to worry too much about warranties (fingers crossed 7-Pro).Anyway, sometimes the HLF seems to be a bit much to bring - and I worry that the 115E won't be enough at said gig. Also, I like the sound of the HLF, but I don't like the two wheels down cab design. I use a four wheeled flat cart for getting my gear into the venue (HLF on it's side - everything else on top) - but if I get there after some other band members, it gets difficult to get the two wheeled beast to the back of a tight stage sometimes.
So I have been watching for used 212AV's for a few months (the new price is too much for a test drive) - there have not been many of them (which is a good sign), but last night I won an auction for one that is not working for (don't hate me) $123.50 (about $190.00 shipped). If both speakers need to be re-coned, it will probably cost me about $80-$100 more. The cab is in perfect condition, so I doubt the speaker's magnets have been busted loose or anything like that.
I am pretty excited to get this thing and get it up and going. I even have a leftover piece of Heritage grill cloth from when I did my B115E cab and my V4B's grill that should be big enough to cover the 212's. The seller was a large wholesaler that did not specify what was wrong with the cab. They are too busy moving stuff to mess with it (I think their feedback score was over 380,000 or something). UPS says it should be here next Tuesday. If both speakers are fried I would think somebody put some high voltage in them - but I am rambling.
