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2013 Ampeg V-4B 100W Reissue

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#982
hodgy said:
Since I've finally had the chance to get my hands all up in a bunch of these this week, and since we're talking about QC, I'll address a few things. The first batch of V-4Bs were built in early June and the second in mid-late July. A couple of things have already been modded and implemented for newer production runs- nothing major, just a couple of potential things that engineering is on top of. So if you've already got one, or are planning on getting one, don't get all freaked out. Like I said, there's nothing catastrophic here.
As for QC, I'll just do a quick production run-down:
The PCBs are stuffed and run through the wave-solder machine. I'm pretty sure they have the wave solder technology figured out at this point. Then the boards are inspected and cleaned. Next, they get sent to a bed-of-nails type automated functional test. This test is pass/fail. No user error allowed. Boards fail, they go to a tech. They pass and they go into an amp. After the amp is assembled (but before going into the cabinet) there is another functional test. Once again, Pass/fail, and very little room for user error. This test runs through all of the EQ and power settings.
Next the amp is loaded into the cabinet and sent to the burn-in room. Actually I'm not sure if they get burned in before or after they get put in the cab, but that's not important.
I *think* they get burned in for 4 hours. At least 2, I'll have to look that up.
THEN the amps get run through a play test.
The power tubes get matched into quads using a Maxi-Matcher, the same one I use here on the Heritage stuff. We specify the limits for each set.
I probably forgot something, but this is just off the top of my head- and yes, I've actually been there and have seen the production 1st hand, not on the V-4Bs, but on the CLs, 4-Pros, and 3-Pros.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detail Hodgy. Inasmuch as I'd like to see a USA build for all the other reasons, it's good to see that you guys appreciate the importance of the build and Q.C. process to the conversation about a new product. By the way, tell your chain of command that I, for one would buy and pay more for USA built V4b. But sincerely, thanks for sharing the 411.
 
#983
Now that I have this one, I don't know if I'd make the same call. Then again, if it looked super cool, maybe I would. I did get the Heritage SVT when I could have gotten a Chinese one for cheaper, and while its being able to cop the Blue Line/Flatback tone to the letter was a nice bonus, the black sparkle grillcloth is the main reason ;)
 
#988
JimmyM said:
Now that I have this one, I don't know if I'd make the same call. Then again, if it looked super cool, maybe I would. I did get the Heritage SVT when I could have gotten a Chinese one for cheaper, and while its being able to cop the Blue Line/Flatback tone to the letter was a nice bonus, the black sparkle grillcloth is the main reason ;)
Click to expand...

Super cool looks and a matching cab would be a bonus... :)
 
#989
JimmyM said:
Now that I have this one, I don't know if I'd make the same call. Then again, if it looked super cool, maybe I would. I did get the Heritage SVT when I could have gotten a Chinese one for cheaper, and while its being able to cop the Blue Line/Flatback tone to the letter was a nice bonus, the black sparkle grillcloth is the main reason ;)
Click to expand...

Funny, I like the AV grill cloth better. :)

Liam
 
#992
JimmyM said:
Fulfilling a couple photo requests:

V4B210av2_zps9b962abf.jpg
Click to expand...

Sorry I'm late, but just a quick thanks for this Jimmy! Much appreciated! :)
 
#996
So I just discovered today that I'm going to have to move the vertical stack to one edge of the head or the other. It sags a little bit under the weight of the cabs. It's not real bad, but I don't think I should do it anyway. If moving it to one side doesn't work, I guess I'll have to get creative with placement.
 
#997
What if you got a piece of plywood the same size as the top of the head, painted it black, put some rubber feet on its corners, and then put that on top of the amp, and then the vertical cabs on top of that?

Maybe too much work. Just thinking that if you could get it so that the weight of the cabs wasn't resting in the center of the top of the head, it might solve the problem while keeping the same layout and not taking up any more floor space.
 
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