Ampeg SVT vs Vintage Ampeg V4B

[KPAX]

That's a TOUGH question because I'm afraid you might be dissatisfied with EITHER, but for different reasons.
In my opinion, the old V4B is underpowered. Especially with todays cabs which are able to take high power but are often less efficient (less loud for a given amount of amp power) than the old cabs. The old V4B cab was a LOUD folded horn cab and that helped the 100W head. I've owned two 70's V4B heads.
On the other hand, the solid-state SVT-400 has the power but probably not the tone. I've never owned one of those but I've owned a GK 1001RB and a 700RB (which are similar amps) and for me, the tone wasn't there. I ended up going back to (high powered) tubes and getting an SVT-CL and a Peavey VB-2.
If you have to choose between them and you're gigging in a band, I'd probably (somewhat reluctantly) go with the SVT-400 because it has adequate power and you can work on the tone. The p-bass is about the easiest bass to get a good tone using practically any amp. I've heard p-basses sound GREAT through old solid state Peavey amps that I considered crummy.
However, if you're a tube tone guy you'll probably end up with an SVT or Mesa 400+ (or something similar) sooner or later.

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.

 

[Rugaar]

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.

Good choice. I love my V4 and it's got plenty of power for the gigs I'm playing.

I'm running mine through an Avatar 212 and it sounds great. I heard one through a Mesa 215 once and it sounded HUGE. I'd like one of those for myself if I needed (or could transport) such a large cab.

 

[David Cardoza]

Seriously, I'm not trying to be a wise-ass here... but has
anyone found the V4B to be enough power for even the
quietest of bands?

I owned one years ago, and although great tone controls and
tonal range, it just absolutely did not cut it in a band setting...
not even at rehearsals. After this experience, I bought an
SVT (with one cab), and never had any lack of volume after
that (wish I still had it). But the V4B? just never had enough
balls.

Is anyone using these at gigs?

Dave

 

[Kindness]

Seriously, I'm not trying to be a wise-ass here... but has
anyone found the V4B to be enough power for even the
quietest of bands?

I find it to be more than loud enough to overpower every drummer I've played with in a rock band setting, but I use it with an exceptionally efficient 1x15 + 1x6.

 

[coreyfyfe]

Seriously, I'm not trying to be a wise-ass here... but has
anyone found the V4B to be enough power for even the
quietest of bands?

I owned one years ago, and although great tone controls and
tonal range, it just absolutely did not cut it in a band setting...
not even at rehearsals. After this experience, I bought an
SVT (with one cab), and never had any lack of volume after
that (wish I still had it). But the V4B? just never had enough
balls.

Is anyone using these at gigs?

Dave

I play my V4 with a 70's ampeg 4x10 normally, but a few weeks ago I decided to use my drummers 70's 8x10. We had a guy from across the street come tell us to turn the bass down. The first time in two years practicing at this place we've ever had a noise complaint. (FWIW, the guitarist is running a Rivera M100 and mesa 4x12, certainly not a quiet rig)

As I said above I gig regularly with my V4, mostly at clubs where all the instruments are mic'ed up. The only time I don't have a mic on the amp is when the place is small enough that they only mic vocals, which has been rare.

 

[megadan]

Seriously, I'm not trying to be a wise-ass here... but has
anyone found the V4B to be enough power for even the
quietest of bands?

I owned one years ago, and although great tone controls and
tonal range, it just absolutely did not cut it in a band setting...
not even at rehearsals. After this experience, I bought an
SVT (with one cab), and never had any lack of volume after
that (wish I still had it). But the V4B? just never had enough
balls.

Is anyone using these at gigs?

Dave

I play in a very loud band and have no problems with my V-4 through an Ampeg 610. Mind you I like a pretty good helping of dirt with my sound, and certainly if I was asking the V-4 to be absolutely clean, it wouldn't cut it. But if you like the dirt (which is fantastic!) there should be no problems. An SVT would be too loud for the kind of tone I want.

 

[jvdb]

Too loud... loud enough? It just all depends.

I have a 72 V4 and 70's SVT's. In my band the V4 just don't cut it. I can't hear myself, it has no headroom and therefore not enough low end. Even in small clubs it annoys me. I use it through a 70's 810. So I use my SVT for gigs. Through one or two 810's.

But... I love the tone of the V4. It's so sweet. So when I'm in the studio, I use my V4. It's a keeper anyway, who know what band I'll end up in. But competing with two Marshall half stacks and two Orange half stacks... it just don't work.

To help you choose: BUY THE V4, the SVT 400 sucks.

 

[Petethebassman]

Seriously, I'm not trying to be a wise-ass here... but has
anyone found the V4B to be enough power for even the
quietest of bands?

I owned one years ago, and although great tone controls and
tonal range, it just absolutely did not cut it in a band setting...
not even at rehearsals. After this experience, I bought an
SVT (with one cab), and never had any lack of volume after
that (wish I still had it). But the V4B? just never had enough
balls.

Is anyone using these at gigs?

Dave

Wow, you must be in a loud band. I've used a 70's V4 many times at gigs (currently I have one in our rehearsal room) and I've never even had to crank the amp, more than plenty for my purposes. But then, I've always played in quieter bands.

 

[David Cardoza]

Yes, I have to admit... the bands I've been in have always
been loud...

but that's rock n roll, isn't it?

It wasn't until I moved up to SVT, then Acoustic 370 and now
GK800RB and SWR, that I finally started having the balls and
headroom to get the job done.

I've always wished that a small amp could could it for me,
but it's gotta vibrate my blue jean's legs to do the job.

Dave

 

[JoelEoM]

Seriously, I'm not trying to be a wise-ass here... but has
anyone found the V4B to be enough power for even the
quietest of bands?

I owned one years ago, and although great tone controls and
tonal range, it just absolutely did not cut it in a band setting...
not even at rehearsals. After this experience, I bought an
SVT (with one cab), and never had any lack of volume after
that (wish I still had it). But the V4B? just never had enough
balls.

Is anyone using these at gigs?

Dave

I use an early 70s V4B thru an Eden D410XLT. more than enough power. in a loud rock band with mesa and marshall halfstacks. my amp volume is set around 9oclock, bass at 12, mids at 2, treble cranked. its in bad need of a cap job, so i retired it this weekend and will be using my demeter thru a P5000s bridged till its fixed. but i much prefer the V4B in that setting.

 

[bassvi]

I have a V4BH and run it through an NV610. I have used it in a band playing some stuff like Rush and Satriani with a heavy hitting drummer and loud guitarist, and I get plenty of clean volume with it and requested to turn it down from guitarist.

It's all relative though- we try to keep stage volume workable for the sound guy and let the PA do it's job. I can see 100 watts not being enough for outdoors or trying to fill a large room without PA support. In the old days for me 100 watts was not nearly enough. Nowdays, most of the time it is.

 

[nysbob]

I have no trouble keeping up with a V4B through a pair of 15"s. I have an SVT, but I'm not using it nearly as much - the V4B may only be 100W, but those are some fat-a$$ watts.

 

[lazyone2]

I used a V4B and an early 70s SVT 8x10 for about 25 year. I never had a volume problem. There is a sweet spot around 10-11 o'clock where it just starts to distort. Nothing else sounds like it excet maybe an old SVT. I had both and used the V4B much more. I got too old and the equipment is to heavy. I sold the SVT and cab but I still have my V4B.