2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue

[JimmyM]

Not 100%, but I've had phantom on while using an SVT's XLR out before and nothing happened, so I assume protection is built into it and the V4B. I'm pretty positive they'd tell you if phantom affects it. Hopefully Hodgy or Ryan will be along to confirm.

 

[B-string]

If the DI is opamp driven it should have DC blocking caps. To not have DC blocking on the DI would be unbelievably idiotic (I can NOT see that happening). Phantom power on an XLR is not a brand new thing.

 

[Bowe]

If the DI is opamp driven it should have DC blocking caps. To not have DC blocking on the DI would be unbelievably idiotic (I can NOT see that happening). Phantom power on an XLR is not a brand new thing and miss-wired outlets have been around since AC was wired to buildings.

+1
If it has anything like the outputs I've seen on other modern Ampeg units there should be no problem.

 

[Metal Mitch]

Well, I was interested when I first found this thread. Not so much after reading it.

Besides using the wrong tubes (thanks WE), a couple of points stick out.

That video from Dino is terrible. He needs to fire his setup guy. No tone, just fret buzz. And I don't want to hear the suck button, or any slap. Where's the P-bass?

Then there's the manufacture location. No thanks.

Best post of the thread:

"It's gonna make more women not shave and raise barnyard animals" - Chef FTW.

 

[JimmyM]

Which wrong tubes? The wrong tubes you can't get new anymore or the wrong tubes which you can get new but are the same as the tubes they used except for a different pinout? This ain't 1971 anymore, you realize?

 

[B-string]

Considering there are new production 6L6 family tubes with 35 watt dissipation and higher plate voltage tolerance than the old 6L6GC's of the past. The advantage of the 7027A's of the old days is moot.

 

[96tbird]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. This is all one needs to know.

 

[Tim1]

I for one was quite impressed by Dino's video (but I did play it back in decent speakers in my classroom ). It showed me a lot of what I wanted to know and I am quite excited by this head. Two things will ultimately define it for me: does it really sound like the original and how reliable is it? If the answers to both are positive I will definitely be getting one to add to the tonal arsenal. The first question will be answered for me by Jimmy's review, when it happens (when does yours actually arrive, Jimmy?). I have bought several products unheard based on Jimmy's opinion over the years and I do trust him to present an honest appraisal. The second question on reliability won't be answered straight away, so I will probably wait six months or so with an open mind. I expect there will be minor issues as with many new products in the early runs, but it is the way that Ampeg responds to them that will influence me. Don't forget that the new Fender amps have had issues but the manufacturer has responded positively and everyone is very happy. I so want this amp to be a success.

 

[Lia_G]

Anyone in the Nashville area who wants to try one out is welcome to demo mine when I get it.

Cheers,
Liam

 

[jeff62]

Does anyone really give a rats a$$ about which tubes they use in the power section if the amp performs well and cops a classic V4B tone?

I'm only concerned about whether there is "just enough" clean headroom for the occasions that I might want it. Of course, I could always pull out another amp and use it instead.

 

[B-string]

This may or may not be of help. I ran my old V4-B with a 215 cab, 2 guitars, good drummer and vocals only in the PA and never failed to get visits from the PoPo. Started running out of clean at about 11:30 but never had to go above 11:00.

 

[Metal Mitch]

Does anyone really give a rats a$$ about which tubes they use in the power section if the amp performs well and cops a classic V4B tone?

That's the question, exactly. I think WE did a good job explaining why it can't possibly be like the original. But I'll be happy to check back here once the gig reports start coming in.

 

[B-string]

Maybe I should pick one up since I had a couple decades with the '73.

 

[JimmyM]

I for one was quite impressed by Dino's video (but I did play it back in decent speakers in my classroom ). It showed me a lot of what I wanted to know and I am quite excited by this head. Two things will ultimately define it for me: does it really sound like the original and how reliable is it? If the answers to both are positive I will definitely be getting one to add to the tonal arsenal. The first question will be answered for me by Jimmy's review, when it happens (when does yours actually arrive, Jimmy?). I have bought several products unheard based on Jimmy's opinion over the years and I do trust him to present an honest appraisal. The second question on reliability won't be answered straight away, so I will probably wait six months or so with an open mind. I expect there will be minor issues as with many new products in the early runs, but it is the way that Ampeg responds to them that will influence me. Don't forget that the new Fender amps have had issues but the manufacturer has responded positively and everyone is very happy. I so want this amp to be a success.

Don't know when mine comes. Will probably order it this week, and hopefully get it before anyone else does

 

[Jazzbass2010]

Ampeg SVT-212AV & SVT-112AV Bass Enclosures

Invalid Link Removed

 

[WretchedExcess]

I liked the video, but the amp was never that loud in comparison to his voice.

I'm not sure how much faith I can put into a demo video where the volume coming out of the cabs is restricted to conversation levels. In a live situation you're going to be pushing the volume a lot farther, and the video doesn't demonstrate that.

 

[Lia_G]

Agreed. I've enjoyed Dino's videos of the V4B and the cabs, but wish he would have pushed it to higher SPL.

Liam

 

[greengoblin]

Maybe they just need to do a side by side comparison if the new V4B and the old one they modeled after using the same cabs. Showing both low and high volume playing and then everyone will be happy.

And I liked the videos that have been done so far. I only listen through a good set of headphones though as laptop and iPad speakers will not do the low end justice. I wonder if those complaining are using decent headphones or speakers and not laptop style speakers. They will never give you a true sense of low end and tone.

For the cab video it would've been nice for a small bit of the 212av vs (2) 112av's...

 

[Lia_G]

I'm not complaining about the tone, just wishing for some higher volume demos.

Oh well, I'll be able to demo the V4B as loud as I want in a couple of weeks. Just checked with Sweetwater, and their latest estimate is that they'll receive the first shipment of V4Bs on 9/03.

Cheers,
Liam

 

[96tbird]

Don't get too caught up in volume levels. We know the 6l6gc can put out at least 25 watts. There's four of them so you net at least 100 watts. That's going to drive a 215 to more than adequate and similar spl.

The amp is going to sound different from two factors.

1 Addition of master volume: if you use it for vol control you are going to sound different than the original; if you use gain to control volume (master wide open) it's going to sound closer to the original

2. The obsolete 6k11 of the original is gone so there may be some slight tonal differences from using two dual element pre tubes to handle that same section of the EQ that the 6k11 did.

This is today's equivalent of an old design. One has to assume that this time, they have come as close as possible to cloning the original given what is available today and have added a couple of handy features. Chances are the amp is going to rock hard. It isn't going to be an SVT but the original v4 b wasn't that either.