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Ampeg V4 OR GK 800RB + VT Bass

#22
the V4 is even more fun if you convert it from 7027s to 6550s.. i've had two V4s and one V4B.. i converted one V4 and the V4B to 6550s.. it ends up like being a 100W SVT.. i was very happy with them.. the only real problem that i had with them is the overall weight.. they are really heavy heads.. which after a long gig, could be a hassle..

the GK 800RB is an amazing head also.. basically the polar opposite of the V4, but is a total workhorse, and has that specific GK tone.. which, either you like, or you don't..
and it's presently still in production.. so, getting service or parts will not be a problem.. that is IF you will need service or parts.. and it's much lighter than the V4, and is easily put in a rack.. i presently have a 400RB, and for what i'm doing it's the perfect amp.. and i like the GK tone..

but, the V4 is tube.. and with 6550s, it's great..
 
#23
I am starting a blues/ Allman Bros covers band and got my Jazz fit with DR flats. I am using a V-4 into a Henry 8x8 and it really nails a great vintage solid bass sound. I wanted to go lighter and tried my GK800RB but the tone was not even close. I liked it but no where near the V-4. I also thought of getting a VT bass pedal.

I guess there is no substitute. V-4 all the way!!!
 
#24
I played an 8x8 with my V4 as well, sounded pretty cool, but I bought a 4x10 to match the V4 shortly after I got it so I sold the 8x8. How is the balance with the head on that cab?

throbgod - I have the 6550 mod in mine as well. When I picked up my V4 it had 6550WE's, but I wasn't really a fan of those so I put in some winged C's and it rocked. I tried some 7027's before doing the mod but it wasn't the same.
 
#26
pedro said:
I wish I knew stuff like that. I just randomly push buttons 'till I get a sound I like. Would be better if I had some idea of what I was doing. :confused:
Click to expand...
I feel you. I'm still not quite together with it (as you'll see about the thread I'm going to post in a little bit regardling problems dialing in my SVT) but I'm getting better. A few months ago, I sat down with some recordings of my bass in Sound Forge with a 31-band graphic EQ plug-in, and just worked all the frequencies up and down to get an idea of what they do.
 
#31
I cannot tell you the difference in tone between the two tube types, but I can describe how my V-4 sounds with it's Magnavox tubes. It is very punchy, and begins to break up a bit right after 11 o'clock. The mids are well pronounced, and very warm sounding. Nice lows, highs as well. The amp sounds sweet when set flat on the EQ.

The mid control is awesome, as well as the sensitivity switches which control the gain of the instrument's input. You can push the volume up higher, and keep it cleaner by using the sensitivity switch. The switch is labeled: -9db, -6db, and 0db.
 
#34
dubstylee said:
I cannot tell you the difference in tone between the two tube types, but I can describe how my V-4 sounds with it's Magnavox tubes. It is very punchy, and begins to break up a bit right after 11 o'clock. The mids are well pronounced, and very warm sounding. Nice lows, highs as well. The amp sounds sweet when set flat on the EQ.

The mid control is awesome, as well as the sensitivity switches which control the gain of the instrument's input. You can push the volume up higher, and keep it cleaner by using the sensitivity switch. The switch is labeled: -9db, -6db, and 0db.
Click to expand...

Understand that I have the V4b but I’ve never switched out tubes on it. I was just curious what difference it made.
 

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