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Ampeg V-4B —???????

#21
OP again -
Well, if anyone has one they’d like to trade - or hear of one - let me know. I have WAY too many basses and although my wife is tolerant of my addiction, if I spend any more actual $$$ on gear I might find myself living with in laws. Seriously - I’d love to get my hands on one and if anyone is interested in Stingrays, SUBS (USA made - 5 string and 4 string - passive), a custom Jazz bass, a 500w GK head - you get the idea. I need to thin the herd before I bring another amp in...
 
#22
I just went V-4B over SVT at Jimmy's recommendation, and I'm loving the amp.
Haven't played it against a drummer, but it wins agains every window pane in the front of the house.
I too considered going SVT, but the 45 lb. difference won out. And as Jimmy observed, overdrive is a lot closer
with 100 watts. What I didn't reckon for is just how smooth and melodious the V-4B can sound. Barre chords on the upper neck chime like a Rhodes piano.

(Full disclosure: I've got an SVT-5 PRO to cover any 1,000 watt opportunities, which do not presently seem forthcoming.)
 
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#24
I walked into a Guitar Center in 2002 and heard a SVT CL all tube 300w amp on a classic 8/10 cab for the first time up close and it brought a tear to my eye. I have tried to get that sound ever since but due to the lack of funds I haven't been able to. My fist Ampeg was a BR2E and a 4/10 classic then i got a SVT Pro3 then a Pro4 still not the same. Two yeas ago (2017) I got a 8/10 heritage and a V-4B and this rig has been plenty loud never had to dime it out, of course i have and it was glorious :drool:. She has a tone that will give you a eargasm and has been very reliable. Not having to do anything to it. Still has the tubes she came with. That being said it still didn't have the punch of that SVT CL so even though the CL is way more then I'll need I went ahead and ordered a matching heritage svt cl to hopefully scratch this inch I've had for all theses years.
225CD0B8-FCBD-4453-9A83-80E3354AC7F8.jpeg
 
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#25
Mastermold said:
I still don't own a V4B. I've wanted one since the reissues came back. But I don't have any trouble gigging SVTs so the redundancy factor has kept me away. So far ... but forever? ... ;)
Click to expand...

Same here, I had one years ago though and liked it although the SVT always sounded better to me, I haven't tried a new one so can't comment on their tone compared to an SVT.
 
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#26
basso_profundo said:
FWIW, I was shopping for an Ampeg head late last year and the V-4B was my fav, but I ultimately ended up with a PF-800. My heart was with the V-4B, but my head (and back) won out - easier maintenance, can throw it in a bag, more wattage, able to easily do gigs without PA support, etc. I had a gig last weekend with the PF-800 and it was glorious, that little dude had headroom to spare and got me a perfect tone in the mix.

But I still want a V-4B :woot:
Click to expand...

How does that head sound compared to a V4-B, does it have the girth?
 
#28
Dirtydub said:
I walked into a Guitar Center in 2002 and heard a SVT CL all tube 300w amp on a classic 8/10 cab for the first time up close and it brought a tear to my eye. I have tried to get that sound ever since but due to the lack of funds I haven't been able to. My fist Ampeg was a BR2E and a 4/10 classic then i got a SVT Pro3 then a Pro4 still not the same. Two yeas ago (2017) I got a 8/10 heritage and a V-4B and this rig has been plenty loud never had to dime it out, of course i have and it was glorious :drool:. She has a tone that will give you a eargasm and has been very reliable. Not having to do anything to it. Still has the tubes she came with. That being said it still didn't have the punch of that SVT CL so even though the CL is way more then I'll need I went ahead and ordered a matching heritage svt cl to hopefully scratch this inch I've had for all theses years. View attachment 3432532
Click to expand...
Excuse me. But are you allowed to play a J through that rig? This is TB! Just say there’s a P off camera and you were tuning the J for a friend who’s leaving town with it as soon as you’re done! :)
(I was actually afraid to not put a smile emoji.) :):):)
 
#30
bobyoung53 said:
How does that head sound compared to a V4-B, does it have the girth?
Click to expand...
Wow - Forgot about this thread!

Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to pick up a V-4B and I still have the PF-800. They are definitely in the same tone family, but the V-4b has a more complete overall tone. And pushing it gives an amazing breakup.

I’d say the 800 gets close enough to the V-4B girth that for bar gigs with a full band its portability and durability win, but on their own or high quality sound situations the V-4B definitely sounds better.
 
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