Ampeg SVT vs Vintage Ampeg V4B

[jdorrier]

I am looking at buying either the 70's Ampeg V4B at $400
or the Ampeg SVT-400 at $475

I have Ampeg 4x10 and 1x15 8 Ohm cabs and am looking for the best bang for my buck. I play a Standard P Bass - gigs at small to medium bars and clubs. Mostly rock and blues, some jam.

 

[Tom Howland]

If your playing big rooms.
The SVT will give you more power, and headroom.

But for small to medium gigs the V4B can be pushed for some great tone.

I own both, play the V4B more.

 

[jellymax]

the svt 400 is not a keeper. it is a solid state head as well. the v4b is a rare tone machine.
it may be loud enough. if it is not, stash it away & get another head.

 

[megadan]

The V4 will hold it's value easy, sound better, be a great studio and live amp, and it's cheaper. Easy choice!

 

[bassvi]

$400 for a V4B in good condition (be sure about that) sounds like a sweet deal. I would grab it. If you have to put more money into it may not as sweet but it's still a great amp.

 

[paganjack]

i would cast my vote for the V4B. it's probably loud enough for what you want and is way cooler

 

[RickenBoogie]

Big V4B fan here, go with the toooobs.

 

[MotorTed]

Price wise the V-4b is a better deal. But will it sound the way you want? Try both amps with your equipment to know for sure.

 

[karter2000]

V4b all the way. I just got a 70 V4 and I love it. Plenty loud for most situations.

 

[nelsonhays]

I had a '77 V4 - best amp I ever had, and I learned later it wasn't even truly a bass head... but I guess I was 18...

go old

 

[anderbass]

In good working/looking condition, that 400T is probably worth something more like $200/$300. A nice V4B should be worth more towards the $500/$600 range. I'd imagine the 400T would be a bit louder but I think you'll find the V4/V4B series amps sound better.

If you haven't already, you should probably take some time and read through some of the older threads I've linked below about both these amps before you decide.

400T: http://www.google.com/custom?domain...;S:http://www.talkbass.com;LP:1;FORID:1&hl=en
V4B: http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&...++V4B&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.talkbass.com
V4: (its basically the same amp with reverb) http://www.google.com/custom?domain...;S:http://www.talkbass.com;LP:1;FORID:1&hl=en

 

[bassninja7]

you get more boob when you play through tube!!

(my OWN quote, but you may use it if ya like)

 

[mrkreuzschlitz]

The SVT-400T is too heavy for the wattage it puts out.

I'd get the V4B now and later on sell it and move up to something more substantial for what you do if you even need to.

 

[coreyfyfe]

V4 all the way. I own one and gig with it regularly. IME for club gigs that are small enough you wont be mic'ed it will work perfectly, and for larger gigs, 99% of the time you'll be mic'ed and wont have a problem.

 

[ItsMichaelYeah]

V4B!

 

[boomba]

OK What Cabs are all of you using with your V4's ?

 

[Jim C]

I've owned a lot of bass amps (SVT, SVT3, SWR, B-15, Fender, Acoustic, etc) and I think that my V4B is one of, if not nicest sounding amp on the planet.
Even with a 2x15 cabinet, it barely has enough power to gig clubs with for me.
Tried it 3 times and now it remains scratch free at home.

Used a 400 at a rehearsal facility for about a month and thought it was OK but not great.
Make sure the V4B still has 7027 power tubes and not been re-biased for others; these tubes have gotten pricey, so if they don't have a blue glow, that's a good thing.
If it looks clean and has not been modified you should buy it, and then by something cheap if you need more power.
Frankly, if you are in anything more than a 4-piece band without pro players, the din of the others kills the extra 5-10% of sound purity anyway. Always loved a 3-piece for just that reason!

 

[rodl2005]

I got a V4BH the modern version of the V4, Sounds SUPERB( thru just about ANY cab) especially thru the Bergantino NV610 or NV215 - what I usually use!
I own an SVT(300w all tube) AND a V4BH (100w all tube) & I use the V4 more, tho the SVT's power comes in HANDY often!!! Apparently the older V4, V4B's are a bit louder than the newer versions ????????????????????? yay nay??
DEFINATELY go 4 the tube AMP!

 

[jdorrier]

Looks like the V4B is the obvious winner. I picked it up last night and am a HUGE fan. It cranks out huge tone and is super silky, even at the bottom end. It has enough juice to shake down a house and could probably handle larger gigs when needed. BIG fan so far.

 

[megadan]

Mine's a 72 V4-B, I play it through an Ampeg 610HLF. Sounds pretty fine.