Ampeg V-4B Overdrive Switch

I just set my amp for overdrive and then use my volume knob on my bass or my pickup switch (switching from a high output to a low output pickup) to get a cleaner sound.

 

Guitar amps with channel switching are fairly common. There are different EQ settings that allow the player to get the overdrive that they need within a song. Fender takes their channel switching queue from guitar amps and offers it in the 100T. The question is, does the Fender boost increase the volume without distortion in the way that you want it to work.

Bass players tend to rely on using the bass volume control to set the level. Some bass players use pedals for a whole host of effects, just like guitar players. A pedal called a clean boost not only increases the volume but also changes the EQ to provide more high end. This makes your playing stand out more. If there is enough of an increase in the signal, the pedal will overdrive the input stage of the tube amp. This will provide distortion. The right balance has to found with the pedal settings, you may not want distortion, just a volume boost.

What is important that sets the two amps apart from my thinking are the tonal qualities.

Hopefully someone who has owned both will comment.

 

It's a common misconception that all overdrive pedals are meant to emulate a tube amp. Most of them, especially the classic circuits, are intended to provide a signal boost with a small amount of clipping in order to drive the preamp section of a tube amp to distortion. They're designed to work in tandem with a tube preamp. So I'd re-think your aversion to pedals. The V4B isn't designed to be super dirty on its own, if you want drive/distortion you'll either need to crank it to full or add a pedal.

You could pick up the new Ampeg Scrambler pedal for under $100, or even cheaper would be a Joyo Ultimate Drive. Just be sure that you get something that's purpose-built for bass or you could end up cutting out a lot of low end.

 

For what you want the Fender Bassman 100 would be ideal.

 

I usually set my amp for the volume I need an duse an overdrive to push it beyond when I want a driven sound. You can also do as suggested by setting the gain at the drive level you want and backing off with the volume on the bass or alternatively by using a volume pedal. Used to do that with my sound city, it was non-master and always sounded a bit driven at the volumes I wanted but using a volume pedal allowed me to back of the gain in the early stages while keeping my bass/effects levels consistent before the amp.

 

As Corey said above. Set the amp for an overdriven sound, then back off the bass volume to clean it up. Work the volume control.

A clean boost pedal does something else. It boosts the level and the high frequencies a bit. BUT, the output of the pedal does not have to be so strong that it overloads the input of the first stage. It’s a clean transistor based preamp that provides some gain. This allows it to work with a tube or solid state amp. If you are using a tube amp, you have the option of turning up the level of the pedal so that it does overdrive the input stage. This can be creamy or it can be distorted depending on how far you go with the level. The pedal matters as well.

 

I really like a Timmy but look into some "transparent" overdrives. Pedals you can set for that kind of edge of breakup sound without really coloring the tone too much. Can also check out the xotic rc booster, barber direct drive, wampler euphoria, BJFE blueberry, of fairfield barbershop.

 

There are so many pedals to choose from. In general clean boost circuits are based on a single transistor or an operational amplifier (TL047 for example). They are are a simple clean amplifier stage.

The one that I like is the Strymon OB1 Bass (with the bass mod, specified when ordering). It combines both a boost and a compressor to trim the peaks. This can be useful in that it makes the boost less harsh, the compressor provides even more boost. If you use a lot of pedals this one whould go first in the chain. There are options on the pedal, also more settings inside, it’s a complex pedal.

Worth checking out. The down side is that at $200, it is more expensive that most boost pedals.

 

You definitely should peruse some of the pedal threads to find what you are looking for. There are tons of threads on "transparent" overdrives.
But honestly, I would say that until you get the amp, I wouldn't worry about trying to find a solution before you even have a problem. The playing dynamics of the V4B and the catalog of songs you want to play are really going to dictate what type of pedal you'd be looking for, or if you even need a pedal. The amp excels at creamy blues rock tones, but still fits in cleaner settings as well with a bit of push. It's a tube amp, so it sings when you are giving it some juice.
So, unless you are expecting crystal clean hi-fi most times, (in which case you shouldn't be looking into a 100 watt tube amp) and your idea of driven tone is the polar opposite, I don't know if you need to worry about such things yet.

Now, completely negating what I just said, I've found a Catalinbread SFT plays well with Ampeg amps. I use that with my V4B to get some extra drive. Also, a cheap boost worth checking out, IMO, is an Ibanez BB9. It's a decent mild pedal, especially for the price, IMO.

I did some clips of the BB9 into a PF800 here:
Ibanez BB9 Bottom Booster (the boost you've never thought about) SOUND CLIPS

 

Not in my opinion; even having a pedal that doesn't compromise the low end, I prefer using it with a blender-looper pedal.
I use my Earthbound Audio BEAST pedal that way; connected to the send/return effects loop of the blender-looper, followed by a volume pedal, I can blend in as much fuzz as needed during the song. Works similarly with overdrive pedals.

However, I only use that to fill the gap in the mix when the guitar's playing lead melodies/soli.

Otherwise, I simply play softer, so my V-4 doesn't distort.
Works very well for me - but it may have to do with my bass; my 4001s don't have extremely hot output signals as, for example, my HB-8.

So, if you have problems controlling the overdrive with dynamic playing alone, feel free to try reduce your bass output bit by bit until you find the sweet spot in terms of both dynamics and tone.

Much success and much fun - the V-4B is a great amp, IMHO! \m/

 

Both are fine pedals that will do what you want, although if you go the TS route, get one that's been made for bass, even if you have to get a clone. But I've been using the Scrambler for a few months now, and it's a great pedal with a lot of clarity, and I always get drawn back to it when I try other ones.