• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg just dropped a bomb on Facebook...

#101
JimmyM said:
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.
Click to expand...

Pretty much how I feel about the 100T. The 8 and 4 ohm taps would be nice,, but that "modern" channel just ruins it for me.
 
#102
JimmyM said:
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.
Click to expand...

Agree, but would the price be offset accordingly?
 
#103
hdracer said:
I remember my prof in biz school saying,
"Always know what your competition is doing before you embark on a new venture"
Click to expand...
Oh please! You really think they don't know? This ain't Jaime Engen Nitwit Central LOUD ;)

I'm also amused at some of the comments...amazing how it hasn't even been announced officially that they're doing another V4B, yet some of you already know exactly what it looks like, sounds like, and costs. U doodz am funniez!

Also...Heritage B-15...50 made last year, 50 sold out in a few months. 100 made this year, 100 sold out before they were even finished making them. Might not have hit our price point but someone's buying them. Not eveything in the world is made to come in at a low enough price point for whiners who likely wouldn't have bought one in the first place to afford.

Talkbass...the only place people will review gear without it even existing.
 
#106
StuartV said:
Vintage V-4 and V-4B amps are pretty darn easy to find...
Click to expand...

Easy to find in the US, not so easy in some other places in the world. And when you find one, they're much more expensive than what they're asked for in the US.
A lot of folks would be happy to buy a 100w tube amp that sounds as good as a V4B, new, with a warranty and a customers service to go with, distributed nearby.
Hopefully it won't be targeted at the elite like the Heritage B15, and will be priced to compete with the Bassman 100T.
 
#108
StuartV said:
+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.
Click to expand...
Yeah, can you believe that Ampeg actually wants to make money from the amps they sell? ;)

Who wants an "improved" SVT anyway? SVT is perfection as it is. All anyone wants is an SVT that's as good as the originals. IMHO Ampeg has done that, and "improving" it isn't improving it.

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...
Click to expand...
I don't care ;)
 
#109
My first real ampeg was a B25B back in 1974. I had that and a fender Musicmaster Bass. I was 17 and so so proud playing adult clubs in my first funk band. We had so many members in the band and a corrupt manager I made like $10.00 a gig but I didn't care. On top of that I had my own car a Buick Skylark coupe, silver with Cragar Mags. You couldn't tell me nothing. LOL!!!!
 
#111
will33 said:
For me personally it would be getting the classic "warm but still pretty clean" bassman tone at a volume to fill a typical bar room/smaller club without having to run it into distortion...I actually prefer them for fat cleanish tone.

A "loud" sounding 100-150 watts seems to be the sweet spot for being able to do that in typical smaller gig situations where a little amp isn't enough and the SVT is total overkill...
Click to expand...

+1

"Warm, but still pretty clean" is a good description what I'd like. Fatter is better, except in bar tabs and women—;) ;) ;)

However, I think simple and closely adhering to the original feature set and performance would be desirable.

"A little louder" is always better, LOL! However, I wouldn't be getting one to do the larger heavy lifting gigs—for that I have the M9, CA6, MB800, and even Shuttle 6.0. :cool:
 
#112
StuartV said:
+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...
Click to expand...

I have been looking for a v4b for probably 4 years now.

They do not show up much in Canada.
 
#114
I wish they'd make a 100 watt, all tube B-15 head with an authentic Baxendall tone stack. I'd much rather have a head than a combo which would be too heavy and I think it's better for long term reliability to sequester tubes from the vibration of a bass cabinet. While I love the SVT circuit, it's been done to death and there are plenty of existing options to choose from if you want that sound. The original 100 watt B-15 reissue Ampeg came out with sounded exactly like my reissue V4-BH, which was a decent head given the coin involved, but was a bit thin on the low end side, IMHO. I also had some reliability issues with it ... thank goodness for the transferrable 5 year warranty.
 
#116
Jonyak said:
I have been looking for a v4b for probably 4 years now.

They do not show up much in Canada.
Click to expand...
That's where mine was sold through the TB classifieds; cost the buyer approx $70 for shipping and $70 for customs; he was very happy.

BTW, one of the best tones I ever got for bass in the studio was my V4B with a ballast resitor on the output and the line out straight into the console. We used this rig a lot for rock sessions although a Countryman was better for certain bases / tracks.

In regards to bias control, wasn't the early hum balance pot related to power tube bias?

Lastly, wouldn't it be a hoot if the facebook message was a hoax just to see what would happen!
 
#117
hennessybass said:
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!!!
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks. May have to track him down and see what he did. I can do a lot of the parts replacement/solder work myself but I need a real tech to figure that kinda stuff out as Jon Bessent is no longer with us. And yeah, 6-7 on all the volumes with the channels jumped is about as loud/full as I can get it without getting too dirty for me and it leaves me hanging just a little short without an absolute mountain of speakers.

Thanks again.


/ derail.

Don't know if it really was that much of a derail seeing as the Ampeg tech is asking about the Fenders.:p
 
#118
Spinal Tapper said:
+1

Heck, why not 3 or 4 grand? You see what they're asking for the Heritage Edition B15??? It's like $4500!! That's insane! You could get 3 original B15's for that price!!!

C'mon Ampeg...

:hmm:
Click to expand...

In europe that translates to 5000 € street price. :bawl: For the few units sent to the european market. I can still reserve on from one store... but too rich for my blood.

They made only 50???? Why?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back