• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg V-4B

#41
It really depends on the PA & monitoring situation. I don't use an amp at all these days but I we use IEM's and always have a full PA.

Without IEM, I'd need an amp loud enough to hear over the drums. Without a good PA, I'd need to be loud enough to fill the room with my stage volume. I've NEVER been able to use a 100w amp for bass & be loud enough to hear over the drums. A 20w amp for guitar is plenty of power but I always needed at least 300W or so for my bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Johnny Fingers, Wasnex and DJ Bebop
#42
groovepump said:
Very true.
And Large venues usually have a PA system and sound guys, so you can DI into that. So it's good for
large venues too!!
Click to expand...
With a two notes torpedo, it's great for silent recording also. And, there's no fan so it's also great for microphone recording as well.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: groovepump and DJ Bebop
#43
I use a ampeg pf50t with a 4ohm 112 for good size indoor and outdoor hard rock gigs with or without PA support. Tube amps are much louder than the watts makes us think they will be especially modern ones. Those are awesome heads.
 
#45
You can check my V4B setup in my signature - it is ALWAYS enough. My V4B is a 1974 though. You would have to be placed considerably far away from your 810 to not hear yourself with a V4B. On a 2x12 though - not sure. You might want the SVT then. In any case, I wouldn't expect to be running a 500 people show solely on my own bass amplification, but would an 810 x V4B be enough for a reasonably sized club with 500 people? Depends on the music, but it could, yeah. Would a 2x12 V4B do it? I really doubt it. Could a 300W SVT do that better? Somewhat yes, but still I'd not be particularly comfortable doing it. I like my headroom.
 
#46
gtirard said:
AMPEG VB4 + SVT 212AV
Amp power (RMS): 100 Watt
Cab sensitivity (db @ 1w / m): 99 Db
Cab power handling (RMS): 600 Watt
Result volume - SPL (db): 119 Db

From my calculation, you should get 119 Db out of this rig.
It should be enough for your personal monitoring, but maybe not enough for the audience in a "medium size club" if you don't have PA support.
Click to expand...
@gtirard — what formula did you use to calculate the decibels from the above rig?
 
#48
I used this head with 2 210av in front of 1000 and more people several times.But,i think that the limit is in a pub with 100 people.otherwise i thinks that it’s impossibile to play in a mid venue without everything into PA
 
#49
Admiral Akbar said:
@gtirard — what formula did you use to calculate the decibels from the above rig?
Click to expand...

The formula is:

SPL = Cab sensitivity + ( LOG ( min ( Amp power ; Cab power handling ) ) X 10 )

With:
Amp power (RMS): 100 Watt
Cab sensitivity (db @ 1w / m): 99 Db
Cab power handling (RMS): 600 Watt
Result volume - SPL (db): 119 Db

SPL = 99 + LOG (100)x10 = 119
 
  • Like
Reactions: Admiral Akbar and Wasnex
#50
Wasnex said:
Some people do gig with the PF50T, but I believe it will be noticeably distorted at full power (rated 50W at 10% THD). So IMHO it does not punch above it's power rating. In fact my 30W Ashdowns are louder.
Click to expand...
Highly depends on the cab...I use a either a 4ohm BBC112 tank that is very loud or my boogie 210 and 115 at 4ohm. I add a little grit on the front end but not distortion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wasnex and groovepump
#51
coy garcia said:
Highly depends on the cab...I use a either a 4ohm BBC112 tank that is very loud or my boogie 210 and 115 at 4ohm. I add a little grit on the front end but not distortion.
Click to expand...

Agreed,

I usually play through a pair of Genz Benz 1288T Uber Quads. One of these cabs has a 97.5dB 1W/1m sensitivity rating. Two should be 100.5dB, which is 1/2dB higher than the sensitivity rating of an Ampeg 810E.

Calculated SPL at 50W = 117.5dB

Not viable in a cover band for me...but you might be fine with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: coy garcia
#52
Wasnex said:
Agreed,

I usually play through a pair of Genz Benz 1288T Uber Quads. One of these cabs has a 97.5dB 1W/1m sensitivity rating. Two should be 100.5dB, which is 1/2dB higher than the sensitivity rating of an Ampeg 810E.

Calculated SPL at 50W = 117.5dB

Not viable in a cover band for me...but you might be fine with it.
Click to expand...
I have used a boogie 400+ for 30 yrs but I am tired of lugging it to shows so this works for me. Some shows these days I am required to use in ears and a simulator but I prefer the old school flip top type tone. :D
 
#53
The V-4B doesn't sound like an SVT, so make sure you try one first. I have the reissue and 212. It's plenty loud with reasonable players. I could have used it years ago for plenty of rock gigs. DI, mic it, get another cab if that isn't enough--which it should be. I've yet to drive mine as hard as I like to get that nice power tube compression and breakup. Another option if you like the Ampeg sound might be an Ashdown 300+ watt head. I'm not saying they sound the same, but as an owner of three Ampeg tub heads, I find my Ashdown RM300 is a great little head. It sounds fantastic through my Ampeg 212, the Heritage 410 and a Fender 115. For someone who love the Ampeg sound, I'm also at home and very happy with my Ashdown. Just a thought.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 31HZ
#54
Hey Dagrev,

A V4b and a SVT don’t sound the same but they are in the same family, nearly identical tone stacks. Going from my SVT-CL to an early 70’s v4-b (with the same jbl d140 cabs) was completely seamless for me. I couldn’t work the SVT into overdrive at any sane volume (loud trio, rock clubs) but the v4-b went RIGHT there. Clean tones seemed very comparable to me.
 
#55
J-Mags said:
The bass player in my 90s band played a V4B. It was always loud enough. The only caveat is that it might not be clean enough for you. There was a certain amount of grunge and grime to the sound, especially at higher volumes. It was never distracting or bad, but we were a grunge-era 90s rock band. I thought it sounded fantastic.

If your ideal bass sound has a little grime, you'll love it. If you want clean sounds, you'll have to be pretty careful.[/QUOte
I would say in my personal experience with rick4001 I can start lightly to hear the ( pushed clean/ crunch ) already, slightly before 12 o'clock.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back