I have an Ampeg SVT 350h head now and a friend of mine has a 70's Ampeg V4b. i was thinking about trading him, but im not quite sold on weather or not it's a good idea. i've owned my 350h for 4 er 5 years now and it does the job pritty well, but it doesnt have the head room or sheer vloume i'd prefer for playing live with drums in a metal band. i love tube heads, and i've played many. but this V4b is in kinda rough shape, it's just standard wear and tear from use, but my 350 is in tip top shape. i know i could have it retubed and i know a pro who would do it for very cheap. so what it really comes down to is whitch head is better the 350H or the 70's V4B? any comments on eather amp would be great too bad or good. plzz help.
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70's Ampeg V4b VS Ampeg svt 350h
- Thread starter Willywarwick
- Start date
Hey, I had a couple of 350Hs as well. I fealt the same way about headroom---until I plugged-in a Aphex Compressor and WOW! What volume...I believe you could use any boost pedal for the same effect. I just got a EH Mole that is killer, and for $40ish you can't beat it. I'd recommend you trying a few of these first, simply because of the lack of maintenance expenses associated with that head...just my $0.02
I own a V4B and previously owned a SVT3 Pro head, my V4B blows the SVT out the water. I'll never get rid of my V4B.
In terms of headroom, the V4B is not going to give you a lot of headroom (most likely not more than the 350H provides) without being edgy/growly sounding. Tonewise though, you will get something WAY better than the 350H. (That is if you like growly tones over clean ones). If you can get it fixed quickly and cheaply, it might be worth it. I think you are better off keeping the 350H and using your money to a larger wattage amp head.
True, vintage amps, vintage tube amps for that matter, are more expensive to get repaired. As for headroom, 100w tube head is plenty for small gigs and venue's. Most of the stuff is miced anyways.
like i said i love tube heads, their great for metal, but i also like simple head both these heads are simple. however the V4B is quite a bit more simple that my 350h, and to me that means less grabage in my signal path. but i think ampeg did a good job on the EQ of the 350h and i like the effects loop cuz i like to run thing like a bbe sonic max once in a great while. but i know have both heads in my practice room and when i A/B them the V4B is just a bit louder and has a bit more head room, plus the tone controls do WAY more so it offers more tone styles then the 350h. this head is a beast tho, it weighs 66lbs according to my scale compaired to 40 some that the 350h weighs. all in all i think i like the V4B more but im still not 100% sold on it so more input would be great.
I just bought a V-4B about two months ago, and the tone is just perfect for me through an Aggie DB410--that's about as loud as I'm going to need to be in the foreseeable future, too. I've never tried the 350, so I can't compare the two. The weight differential doesn't sound like much to me, and I don't think the upkeep on a V-4B is much to worry about, frankly. New tubes last a heck of a long time. My only concern for you would be headroom, since you're playing metal.
If the volume levels are comparable as you say, then 100% hands down V4b. I play a V4, through a 4x10 as well, absolutely fantastic amp. Honestly, I can't believe your friend is even considering trading you his V4b for the 350H, the 350H is crap (IMO). Even if it needs work, the V4b is going to be 1000 times better. 66 lbs isn't bad either, I cart mine around in a road case, so that adds about 10-15lbs haha. Almost gets me into SVT range.
And as far as older tube amps costing more to repair, that's just not true. An older amp is more likely to be at the point that it's going to be in need of repair, but that doesn't mean it's going to be any costlier than a new amp needing the same work done. Once you get it in tip-top shape electronically, it will be a tone monster.
And as far as older tube amps costing more to repair, that's just not true. An older amp is more likely to be at the point that it's going to be in need of repair, but that doesn't mean it's going to be any costlier than a new amp needing the same work done. Once you get it in tip-top shape electronically, it will be a tone monster.
this amp needs a new set of tubes and at least 3 new switches, the switches are poor quality to begin with and now they dont even click when you push them wich is a good sign that there goin out, but overall it's a solid head, the more i play it the more i like it, and with what you all said it sounds like V4B is a keeper. thanks all.
P.S. i'm lookin at around $80 to $120 in new tubes, bias, and switches. and (IMO) isn't bad at all considering it's gonna be a 100% pro job, so that's not too bad. thanks agin.
P.S. i'm lookin at around $80 to $120 in new tubes, bias, and switches. and (IMO) isn't bad at all considering it's gonna be a 100% pro job, so that's not too bad. thanks agin.
T R A D E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tone for days w/ all tube V4 + U get a FAR better re-sale value with it than the 350H
I agree completely with most of what's been said, only adding that I would advise letting your tech take a look at the V4b before making the trade. Vintage amplifiers, due to the normal wear and tear of many years of use, can be in need of quite a bit more than new tubes and a few switches. A cap job for instance, not an uncommon bit of maintenance for aging tube amps, can run you between $200 and $300, that would be on top of the cost of new tubes and switches.
Having said all of that, if your up for the potential investment, I think you will be very happy with the V4b.
If you don't want to trade I'd like to buy it. Spend the $400 and put the old RCA 7027 back in it and you love it. New tubes suck.
I've got a 1970 V4B but an amp tech in Springdale Ark butchered it and removed part of the wiring harness. Replaced the can caps with homemade little capacitor cards out of ever which brand of caps he had in his spare parts can. Took my original tubes and put new junk in it. I actully cried when I got it back. Been wanting to find somebody to fix it but I'm a disabled vet and live on a VA disability check and it's hard to justify it. V4B in it's original state is the best bass and guitar amp both, I've ever played thru and I've been playing for 40 years. Those old RCA NOS tubes will make all the difference too. I paid $200 for 2 1965 Mullard 12ax7s for my Marshall but it's worth every penny when you hear the sound and also for the sound you won't heard (it quiets the hiss, hum, etc)
- Feb 16, 2008
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not true at all. i realize this is an old thread, but the misinformation is new to some.
Agreed. Its often cheaper to repair an old Ampeg V4 than a say, broken Markbass or something like that...
