Ampeg V-4B question

[BassBeginer64]

BB3 Big Baby 3 (photo shows Big Baby 2)
Dimensions (H W D) 56cm 45cm 37cm
22" 17.7" 14.6"
Ampeg VB4 Ampeg Amp Head | V-4B All-Tube Bass Head
Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 24 x 11 x 11

 

[green3101]

BB3 Big Baby 3 (photo shows Big Baby 2)
Dimensions (H W D) 56cm 45cm 37cm
22" 17.7" 14.6"
Ampeg VB4 Ampeg Amp Head | V-4B All-Tube Bass Head
Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 24 x 11 x 11

My cab is the Gen III big baby 2. I think the 3 that you’ve listed is in a redesigned enclosure. My point was, with the cab upright, the ampeg is too long to rest it all on top of the cab. I can cover the whole surface area with the cab on its side though (it also has rubber feet on one side). I just wanted to know people’s thoughts on this and if it will work ok? Or would be better going with the cab right way up and the amp on top, just with overhang.

 

[Jim C]

I used a piece of 3/4" birch plywood between my old V4B and whatever cabinet I was using that day.
That head is really wide.

 

[green3101]

I used a piece of 3/4" birch plywood between my old V4B and whatever cabinet I was using that day.
That head is really wide.

What you think of my suggestion about the cab on its side?

the bass on top with the cab the right way up with some overhang due to the ampeg being wide would be ok to no?

 

[Dave W]

What you think of my suggestion about the cab on its side?

the bass on top with the cab the right way up with some overhang due to the ampeg being wide would be ok to no?

I've done it both ways. I usually keep it upright just for the extra height. My rig normally carries the room and acts as my monitor all at the same time. I've done the sideways thing when playing through FOH on a quieter stage. When using on it's side I find that the cab puts out a little more bass than usual. Not good or bad, just different than when upright.

 

[green3101]

I've done it both ways. I usually keep it upright just for the extra height. My rig normally carries the room and acts as my monitor all at the same time. I've done the sideways thing when playing through FOH on a quieter stage. When using on it's side I find that the cab puts out a little more bass than usual. Not good or bad, just different than when upright.

Won’t cause any damage this way I imagine? (Sideways). Mainly for when it’s at my home.

alternatively, is the overhang of the Ampeg not an issue if using the cab upright?

 

[Dave W]

Won’t cause any damage this way I imagine? (Sideways). Mainly for when it’s at my home.

alternatively, is the overhang of the Ampeg not an issue if using the cab upright?

Nope, no damage at all. The cab is designed to be used either way.
The only issue with the overhang is the fugly looks.

With that said, if I were only using mine at home I would more than likely run it sideways all the time, just because of the looks. I'd say try it both ways to see what you think works best. The tonal difference I mentioned might not be all that noticeable to you so it would become a purely cosmetic "issue"

 

[green3101]

Nope, no damage at all. The cab is designed to be used either way.
The only issue with the overhang is the fugly looks.

With that said, if I were only using mine at home I would more than likely run it sideways all the time, just because of the looks. I'd say try it both ways to see what you think works best. The tonal difference I mentioned might not be all that noticeable to you so it would become a purely cosmetic "issue"

That’s great thanks man. No issue in terms of physical damage to the amp if overhang (I’d imagine it won’t be on its feet in this scenario) or the cab in general in either with the weight of the ampeg?

 

[Dave W]

That’s great thanks man. No issue in terms of physical damage to the amp if overhang (I’d imagine it won’t be on its feet in this scenario) or the cab in general in either with the weight of the ampeg?

Mine actually does sit on the feet. They're just close enough that they just barely sit on the top. An inch wider apart and it wouldn't.
I also swapped out the feet on my V4B to be rubber rather than the plastic they ship with. I don't know if the stock feet will sit on the cab or not, I never tried because I didn't own the BB2's at that time.

Another option would be to get a gramma pad or a piece of plywood so the amp sits on that instead.

 

[green3101]

Mine actually does sit on the feet. They're just close enough that they just barely sit on the top. An inch wider apart and it wouldn't.
I also swapped out the feet on my V4B to be rubber rather than the plastic they ship with. I don't know if the stock feet will sit on the cab or not, I never tried because I didn't own the BB2's at that time.

Another option would be to get a gramma pad or a piece of plywood so the amp sits on that instead.

Thanks! Was literally going to ask about something between the amp and cab!

if I do put it on the cab upright, and the feet also overhang. Would this cause an issue with the amp?

 

[Dave W]

if I do put it on the cab upright, and the feet also overhang. Would this cause an issue with the amp?

I would say not at low volume. At gig volume I suppose it could rattle the tubes more than if it were directly on it's feet, but I'm not positive about that. The stock feet offer nothing in terms of vibration protection.

 

[green3101]

I would say not at low volume. At gig volume I suppose it could rattle the tubes more than if it were directly on it's feet, but I'm not positive about that. The stock feet offer nothing in terms of vibration protection.

I might look into putting something between the amp and cabinet eventually then. Either that or get a foam pad to put underneath the Barefaced on its side.

Would a standard bit of plywood probably suffice in terms of the ampeg on top with the cab upright? Just don’t want to put anything there where the weight gives!

I assume in the meantime, if the feet overhang and I’m just using it at home at fairly low volume/silent via a cab load box - no harm done?

 

[Dave W]

I might look into putting something between the amp and cabinet eventually then. Either that or get a foam pad to put underneath the Barefaced on its side.

Would a standard bit of plywood probably suffice in terms of the ampeg on top with the cab upright? Just don’t want to put anything there where the weight gives!

I assume in the meantime, if the feet overhang and I’m just using it at home at fairly low volume/silent via a cab load box - no harm done?

Standard plywood would work. I wouldn't worry about any weight, I plop an SVT on mine all the time which weighs almost twice that of the V4B.

I'm not an amp tech so take this with a grain of salt, but I honestly wouldn't worry about putting an amp of top of a cab. That's exactly what both pieces of equipment are designed for.
You're using a load box? So it's not even connected to the cab? Then the cab just becomes a $1000 table.

 

[Jim C]

What you think of my suggestion about the cab on its side?

the bass on top with the cab the right way up with some overhang due to the ampeg being wide would be ok to no?

I had a cabinet (EV TL606 I think) that was too narrow for the feet to sit on it but too wide to fit in between the feet. In hindsight I probably should have turned that cabinet on it's side and let the feet do their thing.

I had a 2x15 that I wanted to be at ear level and as I recall, the amp's feet were just barely narrow enough to fit.
You could always add more feet to either the middle or both ends of the amp. I like the idea of some type of feet between the two cabinets.
And let the amp cool down before moving to extend the tube life.

 

[green3101]

Standard plywood would work. I wouldn't worry about any weight, I plop an SVT on mine all the time which weighs almost twice that of the V4B.

I'm not an amp tech so take this with a grain of salt, but I honestly wouldn't worry about putting an amp of top of a cab. That's exactly what both pieces of equipment are designed for.
You're using a load box? So it's not even connected to the cab? Then the cab just becomes a $1000 table.

Thanks man, appreciate the advice and your own experience. I’m probably just overthinking it (as usual!).

haha the cab will most certainly be used where it can! My version actually has the filter dial on the back to cut some highs, to make it sound more like an old school cab! It’s just for recording situations and late night silent playing when I still crave all that R rated ampeg grit! I’m going to use a two notes captor in conjunction with a two notes CAB M +

 

[green3101]

I feel like I already know the answer here, with the amp being all tube, but i'll ask anyway - Is it normal for the Amp to get very hot too the touch? i usually have the gain 3/4 up or more.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I feel like I already know the answer here, with the amp being all tube, but i'll ask anyway - Is it normal for the Amp to get very hot too the touch? i usually have the gain 3/4 up or more.

Heat is normal. Pushing the amp will produce more heat.

A reissue V4B uses 6L6GC power tubes. The spec says allowable glass bottle spot temperature can reach 250 degrees C. There’s also heat generated buy the transformers. There’s more heat from the power transformer, on the side where the power switches are.

You can point a small portable fan blow into the back of the amp if you wish, it isn’t necessary though. Don”t place the amp up against a wall. Air should be allowed to freely circulate around it.

The vintage V4B generates way more heat than the reissue.

 

[green3101]

Heat is normal. Pushing the amp will produce more heat.

A reissue V4B uses 6L6GC power tubes. The spec says allowable glass bottle spot temperature can reach 250 degrees C. There’s also heat generated buy the transformers. There’s more heat from the power transformer, on the side where the power switches are.

You can point a small portable fan blow into the back of the amp if you wish, it isn’t necessary though. Don”t place the amp up against a wall. Air should be allowed to freely circulate around it.

The vintage V4B generates way more heat than the reissue.

Thanks! it's not fully up against the wall (as in, touching it), but it's in the corner of the room with about 15-20cm against the back of the amp and the wall. Reckon i'll be alright?

 

[beans-on-toast]

Thanks! it's not fully up against the wall (as in, touching it), but it's in the corner of the room with about 15-20cm against the back of the amp and the wall. Reckon i'll be alright?

I’d give it a bit more space from the wall if you can and see if it runs any cooler.

 

[green3101]

cheers mate