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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue

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#821
slade said:
yeah Jimmy- I need some more real life opinion on this one too! How loud- cover any club gig without FOH? How do you compare it tone wise to your SVTs? Not sure you've played the 7pro but if you have how would you compare it? I rarely need to play REALLY loud (outside large 1,000+ shows), but it does happen 6 or more times a year. This amp as well as the Fender amps are giving me fits of gas. First Ampeg I've owned is my SVT7pro and I really dig it (although I feel it lacks a touch in the mids). Nice amp, and thanks in advance for any input (and congrats on the new rig!!!!)
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Thanks bro. I have played the 7 Pro, and the 7 Pro gets way louder, as you'd expect for an amp with 10x the wattage. As for it lacking in the mids, that's the beauty of the mid control on it...has a lot of range. But I used to use a V4B into an 810 for years in situations such as yours, and I always had clean volume enough for the joints I played and was often asked to turn down, even in the loudest bands I was in. I can't answer if it's enough for you, but if it's not, just bring your 7 Pro and keep it hidden ;)

Husky, yes, I consider it more mid and treble forward than the SVT with knobs at noon, but I also felt the same about the original V4B so it's not unexpected. Plus there's plenty of range to get basically the same sounds out of both, no matter what you like.
 
#823
Should also mention the workmanship on this thing is spot on.

And I have a 7-Pro and the tone is similar. The V-4B has some more "girth" if you know what I mean. Volume-wise, both are limited by the cab you use. I would say the V-4B through a 410 or larger can easily handle up to medium sized clubs on its own. Of course, that depend on speaker sensitivity and what kind of music you're talking about, too. I'm usually with a loud 5 piece honky-tonk band. Perfect for me.

Dan
 
#825
Bugger. Looks like I will have to own one, I always trust Jimmy's reviews. The Fenders won't be going anywhere though, I am still delighted with them. It will probably be at least a couple of months before they arrive downunder so it will give me some time to hear what people have to say about reliability - although based on the Korean VRs and CLs it seems that Loud have got tube amp production pretty well sussed.
 
#826
I'm with you, Tim. The Fender is staying, but this thing is way good in an entirely different flavor. And my experience with the PF-500 and 7-Pro made me not hesitate to pre-order the V-4B. Kudos to LOUD. At least the Ampeg bunch!

Dan
 
#829
I just happened to be browsing my local music store on the web and there was a picture of a stack of new Ampeg gear that they had just unloaded (yesterday), and yes among the pile was a box labeled V4B. I was surprised when I called the store that it was available, although not for long as I had them hold it for me to pick up. Now it's in my living room connected to my HLF410. Wow. Wow. Loud, heck yeah. Really loud. I mean really loud. Wow. I don't have much to compare it to except a PF-500. Ummmmm, yeah. No real comparison. I have no idea what the old ones sound like, and I've never played an SVT through my cab or any other for that matter so I must defer to those ( JimmyM ) that have experience there. I would say if you can find one, get one. Im keeping this one :-)
Mark
 
#830
MarkH_129 said:
I just happened to be browsing my local music store on the web and there was a picture of a stack of new Ampeg gear that they had just unloaded (yesterday), and yes among the pile was a box labeled V4B. I was surprised when I called the store that it was available, although not for long as I had them hold it for me to pick up. Now it's in my living room connected to my HLF410. Wow. Wow. Loud, heck yeah. Really loud. I mean really loud. Wow. I don't have much to compare it to except a PF-500. Ummmmm, yeah. No real comparison. I have no idea what the old ones sound like, and I've never played an SVT through my cab or any other for that matter so I must defer to those ( JimmyM ) that have experience there. I would say if you can find one, get one. Im keeping this one :-)
Mark
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Despite your lack of experience with old V4B's and SVT's, good to hear your perspective on its loudness in a 410hlf, as it has those huge lows and sacrifices a bit of sensitivity for them. I'm sure that's a concern for some who use the 410hlf.
 
#831
i had a '73 V4B w/ the big Ampeg 2 x 15 cab - sounded great, but a real PIA to transport. as for the re-issue, my Fender Super Twins in head cabs were about $500 each, even after caps & all new JJs. for me, the dough is a big consideration.
 
#834
Well, got home from my road trip, and the V4B was waiting on the front porch!

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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] by wwgtsc, on Flickr

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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] by wwgtsc, on Flickr

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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] by wwgtsc, on Flickr

Okay, after unboxing on the porch, I took it in to the music room and set it up on top of my Carvin 112AG stack. I have a Dually-T on the way that will be a perfect fit, but it won't be ready for a couple of weeks. Plugged in my fretless P bass, let it warm up for a couple of minutes, then started playing. Wow! What a tone! I had everything just set at noon, except I had the master dimed and controlled volume with the gain. With gain at 9:00 it was very loud already, about as loud as I can play in the house. I turned the gain up to 10:00 just for a few notes and rattled the walls. That was about gig volume for me, and everything was still very clean. :bassist: It has some more range left before getting into breakup, which is great. The tone is extremely 3d, for lack of a better term. Warm and rich, and made my fretless really sing.

The pics in the music room, which is dark, didn't turn out as nice as the ones on the porch. For some reason, the flash on my iPhone was creating a glare. But here they are anyway.

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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] by wwgtsc, on Flickr

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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] by wwgtsc, on Flickr

I just got a Zoom H4N, and am itching to try it out. This week sometime I'll try to get some demo clips done and post them.

Very happy!

Cheers,
Liam
 
#837
In reality if I did see it I would get it off your porch, look up your digits and leave a message that I didn't want anyone to steal it so ill be over with it as soon as you call me back; don't need a new one, I have an old one. Really, the courier just left it on your steps? :eek:
 
#838
96tbird said:
In reality if I did see it I would get it off your porch, look up your digits and leave a message that I didn't want anyone to steal it so ill be over with it as soon as you call me back; don't need a new one, I have an old one. Really, the courier just left it on your steps? :eek:
Click to expand...

Nah, my housemate signed for it but decided it was too heavy to move inside. She was home the whole time.

Liam
 
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