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Ampeg just dropped a bomb on Facebook...

#81
Jonyak said:
I'm not big on features.

I just want a good, easy to use, easy to service, good sounding 100 watt tube head.

thats just me.
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this.

I also hope they don't try to save weight and go with nice iron transformers.

I have a feeling though that it will sound nothing like the original as they try to appeal to the "modern" bass player.

I'm a B25B kind of guy anyway. Best tube sound I have ever heard.
 
#83
I'm not big on all the extra features, some folks are. 1 channel is fine by me if it can run pretty loud clean, then have a smooth transition into breakup you coukd control with instrument volume, attack, playing style, etc.

Automatic or user adjustable bias control would save some money at the tech.

A built in speaker level DI like a Countryman with switchable dummy load might be cool but I can see all that extra stuff running up cost and/or making you cut corners somewhere else. I'd rather you just made a damn good sounding amp, then worry about the add-on's. I'm not going to pay $1400 for a new v4 when I can get an old one for 1/3 of that.


Whatever you do, don't put those retina-piercing led's all over it or make it look like a robot. Make it look classic, at least from the front and sides. Put all the modern looking stuff on the back. Need 1/4" output jacks as well as speakon too.
 
#85
#91
Features?

2, 4, and 8-ohm stable at same output; user-serviceable bias control; minimalist tone section (bass, mid, treble and maybe variable mid frequency, but nothing else), one channel is fine by me if it can run pretty loud clean, then have a smooth transition into breakup you could control with instrument volume, attack, playing style, etc.; a DI with dummy load so you can run without a speaker; headphone out. The last two are vague desires, not really necessary.

I'm a huge fan of minimalism (obviously), and would really love to see an easy to use, great sounding tube head.
 
#94
jbybj said:
Traynor YBA-1A Bassmaster Mark II
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or a bassman 100 - a vintage one.

I thought the V4BH kind of missed the mark. It just didn't seem that well throughout to me. Slap part of an SVT in another amp and call it a day aproach to amp design if you ask me.

I got one, played it on more than a few gigs, and it just didn't sound that great to me. I was hoping it might replace the Bassman in the 100 watt department - nice to have the DI + 8 and 4 ohm taps, but it just didn't do it for me tone / volume wise.

Not exactly sure on the details, but my tech changed the value of one of a resistor (attached to the bass pot) on my Bassman, and it got really tight and punchy. Sounds great, and I am really digging the Bassman.

We will see what ampeg does... seems like it's nothing more than a picture on FB at this point.

If my opinion actually counted for something, I would say keep it simple and classic. Don't go overboard with the options, flashing lights, etc... I really like the idea of a slightly smaller form factor. Not as small as the LB, but smaller.
 
#95
CL400Peavey said:
I like those lights. After a long practice they start to give the rest of the band a headache... :ninja:
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Put them on a swivel so you can aim them at the guitar player? Connect them to an spl meter so when he cranks too loud it burns his eyes? Need something on there that makes them respond to loud crashes on cheap cymbals and keys players getting too far over there with the left hand too.:p
 
#96
I loved the tone on my old V4B. It had the 7027's. I actually liked the pre section the most. I used it with a ss power amp & svt410hlf cab. Blues & Doom filled any room I played.That was one heavy pre amp!
I would like to see V4B Preamp, 7027's, smaller & lighter (not micro just a bit smaller & lighter.) I am curious of the street price.
 
#97
hennessybass said:
or a bassman 100 - a vintage one.

I thought the V4BH kind of missed the mark. It just didn't seem that well throughout to me. Slap part of an SVT in another amp and call it a day aproach to amp design if you ask me.

I got one, played it on more than a few gigs, and it just didn't sound that great to me. I was hoping it might replace the Bassman in the 100 watt department - nice to have the DI + 8 and 4 ohm taps, but it just didn't do it for me tone / volume wise.

Not exactly sure on the details, but my tech changed the value of one of a resistor (attached to the bass pot) on my Bassman, and it got really tight and punchy. Sounds great, and I am really digging the Bassman.

We will see what ampeg does... seems like it's nothing more than a picture on FB at this point.

If my opinion actually counted for something, I would say keep it simple and classic. Don't go overboard with the options, flashing lights, etc... I really like the idea of a slightly smaller form factor. Not as small as the LB, but smaller.
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Curious if I could do a mod like that to my 135. He may've raised the frequency of the bass control or filtered it somehow so it's not wasting it's power on the super deep stuff. I've had hell trying to get that thing loud enough and staying clean. I eventually gave up and used it for guitar but I still have it. Needs an overhaul anyway so I'm willing to try most any HPF or any sort of mod that would help it in that department.
 
#98
+1 one to a post a couple of pages back.

For all the guys saying they would buy one, why aren't you out buying an actual, vintage V4 or V-4B right now? They are a HECK of a let less expensive than any new amp Ampeg may come out with.

And, if we look at history, most folks seem to look at the original SVT as the Gold Standard for tone in the 300W-ish category, and the original V-4B as the Gold Standard for tone in the 100W-ish category. Since those original amps, Ampeg has tried to make newer amps in the 300W category - first the SVT CL and now the SVT VR - and the VAST majority of Ampeg fans all seem to agree that none of the later offerings sound better than the original SVT. There are definitely some who say that the VR sounds AS GOOD as the original, but not better. And look at how much it costs.

So, if I were a betting man - which I'm not - I'd be betting that nothing Ampeg comes out with now in the 100W category is going to sound better than an original V-4 or V-4B. So, again, for those of you claiming to be ready to sign up tomorrow, what are you waiting for? Vintage V-4 and V-4B amps are pretty darn easy to find...
 
#99
hodgy said:
What are the features of the Fender 100T that are so awesome that people would like to see in a theorhetical Ampeg 100 watt head?
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Only thing about the 100t that would be cool in a new V4B is the DI that comes out of the output transformer and not the preamp. Apparently you can run it without a cab because it inserts its own dummy load when the cab is unplugged. Anything else on it is just gravy, and I can't say I'm all that interested in all the other features of the 100t, nice amp though it may be.
 
#100
will33 said:
Curious if I could do a mod like that to my 135. He may've raised the frequency of the bass control or filtered it somehow so it's not wasting it's power on the super deep stuff. I've had hell trying to get that thing loud enough and staying clean. I eventually gave up and used it for guitar but I still have it. Needs an overhaul anyway so I'm willing to try most any HPF or any sort of mod that would help it in that department.
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Jessy at Austin vintage did it for me. Not sure if he's moved to Houston though.

I complained about the bottom end being too huge, loose, and just getting away from me. He changed a resistor on that pot, and the lows are much more controlled, and I've got more punch.

As far as headroom, I dig it. Breaks up a little if I really dig into the bass, but otherwise just a nice warm tone. I've found that I stay clean better turning the pre and power up pretty good,, vs. dimming the power section and using the pre for volume. Usually run the pre at aobut 5 or 6, and the power at about 6 or 7. Sometimes I run both channels if I need to dial in more mids.

Sorry to derail the ampeg thread!!!
 

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