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Ampeg V-4 through a fridge, volume?

drewfunk

drewfunk

May 10, 2010
358
7
Olympia, Wa
#1
I've got the itch for a tube amp! Obviously the dream machine is an SVT, but lords knows how expensive those are, and the amount of volume needed to overdrive it would probably be to much. I've heard alot of good things about the V4 heads, and i can find some pretty good deals locally on them, but i'm wondering how they are in the volume department when paired with a wall of 10s. For comparisons sake, i'm playing through GK BL600 head and never need the level and master above 12 oclock, and we are a pretty damn loud band. How would the V4 compare? Overdrive is my thing, so i'm not worried about clean tone, cranking it isnt a problem.
 
#5
My brother has a vintage v4 and I have a vintage svt. They sound similar but not exact and the svt has better breakup than the v4. The v4 sounds ok but, alittle more harsh overdrive than the svt. They weigh almost the same as well. I you want that tone at a low volume, actually get a vintage svt and run it into a smaller, less efficient cab. I can actually do that with my sealed LDS 158 but, it's 8 ohms and probably not good to run it that way all the time.
 
#6
The V4BH feels anemic and runs out of steam too fast for me. I like grit but my old V4BH into '72 SVT 810 could not keep up for a loud rock band as far as I'm concerned. (That's a reference to two guitars through 100w 412 rigs and a heavy handed drummer.)

People on TB tell me the vintage V4B with bigger iron handles things a bit better but I don't have first hand experience. My SC120 running ~120-130w walked all over the V4BH in both headroom and depth though.
 
#7
My current rig is a mid 70s v4b into a mid 70s 810. It rocks. The v4b as an amp only has so much juice though. You're going to have to deal with always on overdrive in any situation if you ask me....maybe if you run two 810s you can avoid it but good luck dealing with that rig. With an 810 the v4b will be a LOUD overdrive....but you're going to hit a wall without a doubt. It wont make you lose your hearing. I'm saving up for a 70s svt so I can get the volume I want without hitting that wall of drive regardless of who I'm playing with.

I've never played the GK so I cant offer a comparison.

As with all vintage gear I assume it will be next to impossible to test this setup out before you buy it.....GAS and resell if it doesn't work.
 
#8
Should be loud as hell. I used to run an early 70s V4 with a 70s 4x10, modern 6x10, and then finally an early 70s 8x10. Great combination. When my V4 was in really grindy dirt land it was blowing the doors off of places. I had 6550s in mine so I think the overdrive characteristics were a little different than one with 7027s (or 6L6s like the V4BH), but either way it was definitely a very loud amp. I sold my SVT-CL when I got the V4 because it was loud enough for me, and old got rid of the V4 as a trade for my 70s SVT. Really wish I hadn't but I just didn't have the cash to buy the SVT outright.
 
#9
Every Monday night I play a friend's mid-70s V4 into his '68 810 sealed, flat-back cab. I've never been able to get it to overdrive level. It's so loud before then I can't bear it. But, this is in the practice room. Yet, even at twenty feet back it's that loud. Maybe outdoors is the place.
 
#14
I played a V4 through an old 8x10 a few years back. It sounded good for oldies rock. Can't speak as to reliability, because I only kept it until I figured out how impossible the size and weight of the cabinet were for me at the time; then I sold them both.
 
#17
I've been using my V4B for years with a 4x10 cab for reference
and the folded horn,2X15 original cab. It's plenty loud.
The folded horn is the best way to go since the sound takes 15 to 20 feet to develop. It's the kind of bass that vibrates your
insides, and pops rivets out of tables and chairs. :D
 
#18
drewfunk said:
Thanks for the helpful replies, although the answers seem varied
Click to expand...
It's not uncommon when you talk about V4/V4B heads with SVT cabs. Lots of variables at work. The biggies are the condition of the amp itself, and the vintage of the SVT cab since not all drivers were the same. I fall into the group that says a V4B will run out of steam early and will sound anemic into an SVT cab. But my configuration was in the mid-late '70s with a new V4B and a new kickback SVT cab. The experts will tell you that other SVT cabs (with different, more-efficient drivers, and/or drivers that are better suited to BG use) will do a lot better with 100-130 watt amps, and I'd be the last to challenge them.
 
#19
drewfunk said:
I've got the itch for a tube amp! Obviously the dream machine is an SVT, but lords knows how expensive those are, and the amount of volume needed to overdrive it would probably be to much. I've heard alot of good things about the V4 heads, and i can find some pretty good deals locally on them, but i'm wondering how they are in the volume department when paired with a wall of 10s. For comparisons sake, i'm playing through GK BL600 head and never need the level and master above 12 oclock, and we are a pretty damn loud band. How would the V4 compare? Overdrive is my thing, so i'm not worried about clean tone, cranking it isnt a problem.
Click to expand...

I used to use a v4 powering an 8x10 and an 18" folded horn cabinet, and it was freakin' loud. I would buy another v4 without hesitation if I could find one cheap enough (and had a small crew to carry it)..
 

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