2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue

[stiles72]

The 90s model had Speakon out but the reissue only has the inferior 1/4" tele connectors? Huh? Seems like a bad decision to be cutting cost in such sensitive place in the amp.

The V4BH did not have a Speakon for domestic units. Only a pair if 1/4" jacks. The hole where a jack would have been had a plastic plug. From what I was told by SLM back in the day, the Speakon Jack was only installed for the European market.

 

[JimmyM]

I have never played through a V4B and have only played through an SVT Classic a couple of times, but that was enough to know why most people love the way that amp sounds and feels. So my question is how does the V4B compare in tone and feel to the SVT CL? I should be able to pick one up in a couple of months. I've been looking at the 100T also but I really like the simple layout of the V4B reissue. can anyone give me some insight on this?

The way I remember it (1989 was the last time I played mine but I had it for 11 years before that), the V4B is brighter and more upper midrangey with knobs at noon, but you can get the same sounds out of either. It's very noticeably in that same tonal family.

 

[bludog]

I will say that after getting my 100T, I do not miss my '76 V4B at all.

So glad you don't miss it because I'm not giving it back at this point - I LOVE that thing! Thanks for keeping it in such great shape, she's a beauty!

As for the RI, looks VERY promising, but still glad I picked up an original that was so well cared for. Have 2 LDS cabs coming to match, will be tonal bliss when they arrive. <On that note, the biggest plus I see to the RI is the size, so many cab options now and easier to transport. Kudos, Ampeg!

 

[AlexanderB]

Thanks, stiles72! By that logic, it might be that the European version of the reissue also gets Speakon...

Now I am just waiting for a picture of the reissue v4B equipped with the advertised CL-grille.

 

[tombowlus]

My Little Pony: Rainbow Edition????
Does it come with the brush and comb?
You sir, are a good husband.

Really, Chef? You are a closet bronie?

 

[Chef]

I had to look that word up in urban dictionary:

 

[tombowlus]

I got the SVT810 shortly after getting the V4B, but for a short time I ran my V4B through a B40 cab. Not sure what amp that cab was designed to go with, but it sounded pretty darn good with the V4. 4-10/no tweeter configuration - 1/2 a Fridge. After hearing the 810, it was all over though. Carried many clubs with no FOH with that v4B/810 setup!

I've gigged my V-4B/B40 rig, and it has all the stage volume I need, and tone for days.

 

[jumbodbassman]

mine didn't have red and green lights like yours :_)

 

[Chef]

Those aren't lights.
Those are Bowlus External Power Tubes.

 

[tombowlus]

Those aren't lights.
Those are Bowlus External Power Tubes.

Shotgun shell Christmas lights, FTW.

 

[jumbodbassman]

does that mean the amp goes to 11

 

[Chef]

Depends how many external power tubes are used at the time.

 

[denton57]

So glad you don't miss it because I'm not giving it back at this point - I LOVE that thing! Thanks for keeping it in such great shape, she's a beauty!

As for the RI, looks VERY promising, but still glad I picked up an original that was so well cared for. Have 2 LDS cabs coming to match, will be tonal bliss when they arrive. <On that note, the biggest plus I see to the RI is the size, so many cab options now and easier to transport. Kudos, Ampeg!

It is a great amp and in great condition, no doubt! I was scared after selling it as you know, but the switch to the 100T (after a brief micro detour) has been a pleasant experience for me tonally and as a bass player. I think the Fender has opened up my thinking and flexibility due to having the overdrive channel a simple click away. The Ampeg has one great sound. The Fender has two .

Glad my beloved V4B went to a true Ampeg fan who will keep it rocking!

 

[tombowlus]

The 90s model had Speakon out but the reissue only has the inferior 1/4" tele connectors? Huh? Seems like a bad decision to be cutting cost in such sensitive place in the amp.

It's not a cost-cutting decision. It has to do with the vagaries of tube output section design. Tube amps commonly have a speaker jack with a shunt connection, which shorts the output if you power it up without a cab plugged in (tube amps risk damage with open loads). They probably still tell you in the manual not to power up the head without a load (and that's good advice, in my book), but this is an extra level of protection for your tube output section. I don't think that there are any Speakon connectors made with a shunt connection, which is why you so commonly see 1/4" jacks on the back of (even high dollar) tube heads.

This generally is not a problem with solid state amps (which probably would be damaged by a shorted load, in fact).

 

[johnpbass]

I've gigged my V-4B/B40 rig, and it has all the stage volume I need, and tone for days.

LOVE that setup!

 

[Passinwind]

I don't think that there are any Speakon connectors made with a shunt connection,

Invalid Link Removed

 

[TC.65]

The way I remember it (1989 was the last time I played mine but I had it for 11 years before that), the V4B is brighter and more upper midrangey with knobs at noon, but you can get the same sounds out of either. It's very noticeably in that same tonal family.

Thanks Jimmy. So I guess with a little bit of adjustment with the eq and it's basically a mini SVT?

 

[seamonkey]

...
A 1974 V4B was used to A/B the new one, and all of the gear-heads at Ampeg agree that the reissue sounds virtually identical to the old one.
...

Ampeg SVX sounds "virtually" identical to the amps it has models for.
And that's something Ampeg agrees with.

Ampeg SVX actually does model original plate voltages. The models are so accurate that SVX actually duplicated a shutdown flaw in one Ampeg hardware amp. They virtually fixed it, but the model tripped just like the real amp.

I don't know what the plans are for upgrading SVX but it'd be a good way for players to compare the differences in amps, especially the old models that are rare in the market place. It's a good selling tool.

 

[96tbird]

Quarter inch certainly are inferior. Once I was behind my rig in close quarters and hooked my foot in the cable. As I walked away the crummy quarter inch jack pulled out of the cabinet, saving me from tripping or pulling the stack over and dumping my old v4b on the floor.

A quality speakon would have left me on my face or dumped my beloved tube head to the floor. Man I wish I had had speakon cables: the outcome wouldn't have been so boring.

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks Jimmy. So I guess with a little bit of adjustment with the eq and it's basically a mini SVT?

I prefer to think of it as an oversized B-15 but then again, I think the same of the SVT to a large degree, too. Definitely won't disappoint if you like SVT's.