Ampeg V4 Club

[astack]

If anyone's looking to join the club, my V4B is posted in the classifieds.

 

[StuartV]

And there's some perfect vintage tubes for it in the Classifieds, too!

 

[astack]

Where do I go to return my club badge? The V4B left with it's new owner tonight.

The guy tried it out with a Marshall 4x12 and dimed the volume. My ears. They feel bad, man.

 

[Unfinely Tuned]

I know the feeling, my friend ran her ESP through mine with a Russian Big Muff and a 412 Avatar cab and it was deafening lol.

I also have a few club badges to return also.....

 

[Artobass]

I just picked this early 70's V4. All original. I absolutely love this amp! I certainly want in. I'm matching it with the Uber 410 or GK NEO 212 until I find an Ampeg cab. Couldn't be happier with this amp!

 

[Unfinely Tuned]

I also must return my badge. I sold the V4B to a young lady in a death metal band a few months ago although I now have a b15 along with my SVTII. I will have another V4B someday to round out my vintage Ampeg collection.

 

[Bassmec]

1st V4b rig I bought new in 1976, Traded it in a year later for an acoustic 370/301 rig.:-(
Lucky my son Robin asked what was the bass amp of the many I most wished I hadn't sold and so he bought a 1976
V4B in very good condition and it sounds every bit as good as I remember.

 

[johnpbass]

1st V4b rig I bought new in 1976, Traded it in a year later for an acoustic 370/301 rig.:-(
Lucky my son Robin asked what was the bass amp of the many I most wished I hadn't sold and so he bought a 1976
V4B in very good condition and it sounds every bit as good as I remember.
View attachment 665670

Wow, that's in super nice shape Bassmec. I had a 76V4B/SVT810 setup that I still say was the best tone I've ever gotten from a bass rig!

 

[birdman14]

Just got this today. Sounds great. 76 I think, runs VERY quiet.

Trying it out thru the stock PF115HE here at my school.

It's in great nic.

I think it's time I got a number, now that I've finally got mine running with more or less no issues.
View attachment 541924

I just picked this early 70's V4. All original. I absolutely love this amp! I certainly want in. I'm matching it with the Uber 410 or GK NEO 212 until I find an Ampeg cab. Couldn't be happier with this amp!

#101: rodl2005; V4
#102: waltdogg; V4
#103: Artobass; V4

Updated List:

#1: Birdman14; V4B
#2: Floridabwoy; V4
#3: Phoenix Crush; V4
#4: Silenttodd; VT22
#5: SwansonEricJohn
#6: lowend1; V4, V4B
#7: nouroog; V4B
#8: Pedro; V4B
#9: Nashvillebill; V4
#10: coreyfyfe; V4
#11: BobbyXIII; V4, V4B
#12: Bassics; V4B
#13: J-O; V4B
#14: tapehead Ted
#15: tombowlus; V4B
#16: JimmyM; V4B-R
#17: paidtheprice; V4, VT22
#18: lazyone2; V4B
#19: StuardV; V4
#20: JvN; V4B
#21: JMac4strngr; V4
#22: 68Goldfish; V4B
#23: anderbass; V4
#24: wartonbass; V4BH
#25: Turock; V4BH
#26: Kramerbassfan; V4
#27: 2behead; VT22
#28: big stubby; V4B
#29: tallchris; V4B, VT22
#30: 3l3phantstomp; V4B
#31: themacinator; V4B
#32: ampegfuzz; V4B
#33: RockBobby; V4
#34: Hamerguy; V4BH
#35: zanzibar jorge; V4B
#36: karter2000; V4
#37: LowerBeef; V4BH
#38: Billy-Bob; V4
#39: Coughdrops; V4
#40: jbass62; V4
#41: Spinal Tapper; V4B
#42: 2behead; V4
#43: bassbobh; V4BH
#44: LH1000; V4B
#45: Bert Slide; V4B
#46: Epidrake; V4
#47: TheCush; V4
#48: subbasshz; V2
#49: Jazz_bass2664; V4
#50: throbbinnut; V4B
#51: Alex1984; V4
#52: Stiles72; V4BH
#53: gastric; V4
#54: Birdbrain; V4B
#55: Dave44; V4B
#56: the dude; V4
#57: jumbodbassman; V4
#58: FenderLove; V4BH
#59: denton57; V4B
#60: bsmithgrind23; V4B
#61: CoopNasty; V4B
#62: 68PBassDave; V4B
#63: Bass 45; V4, VT-22
#64: Old Fart; Vt-22
#65: TussinBot; V4B
#66: debris; V4
#67: astack; V4B
#68: Groovy_Gravy; V4B
#69: BassSurfer; V4
#70: 3mrrhythm; VT-22
#71: christw; VT-22
#72: Henko; V4B
#73: j_rod; V4B
#74: seventhsunbass; V4
#75: dubstylee; V4
#76: matthewcowley; V4B
#77: Ang1970; V4B
#78: Glenn Taylor; V4
#79: doudoubasse; V4
#80: Ben714; V4
#81: sedan_dad; V4BH
#82: dukeisdog; V4BH
#83: nayisthereason; V4B
#84: LordRyan; V4, V4B, BT-25
#85: Steve Marquez; V4B
#86: z11111; V4
#87: saxman_singcan; V4B
#88: lyla1953; V4BH
#89: bigtexashonk; V4B
#90: bsuttonbass; V4B
#91: Vintagefiend; V4B
#92: SactoBass; V4B
#93: wighat; V4B
#94: 96tbird; V4B
#95: Clearwave; V4B
#96: gimp; V4BH
#97: JH Statts; V4B
#98: bray101; V4
#99: TC.65; V4B
#100: LosFer Words; V4B
#101: rodl2005; V4
#102: waltdogg; V4
#103: Artobass; V4

 

[JimmyM]

Yo bird, I'm no longer honorary...

 

[waltdogg]

Huh. I guess I never pointed out my V-4 is actually a VT-22 in a V-4B head box. Lol!

 

[dagrev]

I've been using a couple 3Pros (not at the same time). Stumbled upon and bought a V4BH at Music-go-round (of all places) that had been retubed by a good guy here in town. It was literally like new. I love this amp. I A/B'ed it with the 3Pro and it's more full, warm and just bigger sounding. Even a sound guy noticed the difference as well. I don't play and asinine levels to impress myself so volume is not an issue since we always have PA support, but can see where it could be an issue for some.

This seems to be what I was looking for. It's got great tone and doesn't weigh 80 pounds!

 

[BluesOnBass]

About time I got a number please. I picked this one up last winter and I LOVE the sound when paired with either my 212AV or the PF 115LF + SVT 410HE.

 

[Korladis]

I also must return my badge. I sold the V4B to a young lady in a death metal band a few months ago although I now have a b15 along with my SVTII. I will have another V4B someday to round out my vintage Ampeg collection.

Do you remember which band?

 

[Unfinely Tuned]

Sorry about the delay, my computer capped out. I forget her band but have been in contact with her on Facebook about the PA music scene

 

[Frontporch]

Not vintage but brand new. Had it for a couple of months. Fabulous amp!!
can I have a number?

 

[Eric_Allard]

Looking for some advice. Hope you guys can help.
I picked up a VT-22 and am planning to make a head case for it to essentially convert it to a V4.
The amp is a 77 model and is all original, including tubes and capacitors. It sounds really good as is and is dead quiet, but I expect a cap job will be required sooner than later.
One obvious choice is the kit available at Fliptops, but I'm wondering: can I do better? Are their caps good quality? Would the V4 benefit from more capacitance on the B+? Also, do I require the "Version 1" kit or the "Version 2" kit?
Regarding replacement tubes, what has everyone had best luck with? I know this has likely been discussed at length, but I don't have time to read through a 46 page thread.
From what I've read, the 7027A's can be substituted with 6L6's, but which modern 6L6's can best deal with the plate voltage in these amps? I've read that modern production 12DW7 are crap, so it's best to go NOS for that one. The 6k11 and 6GC7 are only available NOS as far as i can tell. Are there any acceptable substitutes for those?
Thanks for the help.

 

[jbd5015]

Somethings wrong with my '74!! Havent played it in a while as I havent needed all the iron, so its been in the 'back-up' department. Went to test it out and the head sounds pretty bad.

No sound until volume is at '9 oclock', and its already fuzzy. Normally this thing wouldnt get crunchy til around '2 oclock' and its LOUD then. Its also sounding a bit thin.

Even with all the tone controls backed 100% off, its still fuzzy sounding. Not super distorted, just fuzzy. Itll be going to the amp tech as soon as the B15 is done with its visit. I replaced the 6L6s that were in it (3 or 4 years ago) with 7027s and had it biased, some caps replaced, plate resistor replaced and power cord replaced before gigging with it.

My tech is a wizard, so he will find whats wrong, but any ideas based on the symptoms?

 

[96tbird]

I would just go to eBay and grab a couple NOS RCA 6k11's. I got a pair for $38 delivered about two years ago. They're are not too bad in price now and if you're patient you can get them quite cheap. Considering they do the job of 1 1/2 12ax7's they aren't that steep. They last a long time so two is a lifetime supply, likely.

Fliptops seems to be the go to specialist on Ampeg components. I'm sure the stuff they sell is fine.

If you can find them, WINGED C 6L6gc coin base are well regarded. Apparently the brand was deleted then revived by the big outfits that have bought up all the Russian tube factories

 

[coreyfyfe]

Looking for some advice. Hope you guys can help.
I picked up a VT-22 and am planning to make a head case for it to essentially convert it to a V4.
The amp is a 77 model and is all original, including tubes and capacitors. It sounds really good as is and is dead quiet, but I expect a cap job will be required sooner than later.
One obvious choice is the kit available at Fliptops, but I'm wondering: can I do better? Are their caps good quality? Would the V4 benefit from more capacitance on the B+? Also, do I require the "Version 1" kit or the "Version 2" kit?
Regarding replacement tubes, what has everyone had best luck with? I know this has likely been discussed at length, but I don't have time to read through a 46 page thread.
From what I've read, the 7027A's can be substituted with 6L6's, but which modern 6L6's can best deal with the plate voltage in these amps? I've read that modern production 12DW7 are crap, so it's best to go NOS for that one. The 6k11 and 6GC7 are only available NOS as far as i can tell. Are there any acceptable substitutes for those?
Thanks for the help.

The fliptops set is good, though pricey. If you went with individual caps you could probably increase some values and save a little money, I liked the form factor of drop in cans so I used their kit in mine. I think the version 2 kit is for the later amps but you should check the values against your amp.

For 7027As try the JJ 7027A (buy them with a good burn in) or tung-sol 7581A reissues (they were recommended to me and I've heard good things). The sovtek 7027As failed on me pretty quickly. I went with NOS sylvannias as replacements for those. A 7027A is a 6L6GC with a higher plate voltage rating and a change in one pin that doesn't matter in the V4.

There are new production 6CG7s but the price is close to what you pay for NOS.

6K11s used to be cheaper and easy to find. I bought up the last of AES' supply when they were like $5-10 and now they're charging around $30. These tubes last a while so get one or two good ones and you'll be fine.