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Ampeg V4 rebuild - new top panel and reverb pan, do I need the reverb lock mechanism?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by throbbinnut, Apr 4, 2016.

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  1. Apr 4, 2016 #1
    throbbinnut

    throbbinnut

    Jun 20, 2000
    georgia....georgia........geor
    So I've got a late 70s V4 that I'm bringing back from the dead, and it's missing its top panel and reverb pan. I've ordered a new pan, and I'll make a new panel from sheet metal, but I'm wondering what was the deal with the reverb lock lever on the back of V4s? I've never seen the guts of one in person, and I'm wondering if I even need to replicate that? Seems to me I can just let the springs rattle around in transit just like other amp heads do.

    Thanks,
    Chris
     
  2. Apr 4, 2016 #2
    beans-on-toast

    beans-on-toast

    Aug 7, 2008
    Attached is an image of the lock mechanism.

    Another option is to not install the reverb pan.

    reverb lock.JPG
     
  3. Apr 4, 2016 #3
    throbbinnut

    throbbinnut

    Jun 20, 2000
    georgia....georgia........geor
    I'll probably sell this one, so I figure I'll make it stock to get the most dough out of it. I can't even tell how the lock mechanism even works, so I'm just gonna leave that part off. Thanks, mang!
     
  4. Apr 4, 2016 #4
    BassmanPaul

    BassmanPaul Inactive

    Aug 25, 2007
    Scarborough Ontario Canada
    Out in the world of vintage guitar amps, very, very few had locking mechanisms on their reverb pans. I cannot remember seeing one in at least 40 years. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
     
  5. Apr 4, 2016 #5
    throbbinnut

    throbbinnut

    Jun 20, 2000
    georgia....georgia........geor
    Paul and Toast - thanks y'all. I'll cobble up a new top panel, screw the reverb pan to it, and get it working. I actually want to hear an Ampeg V4 with full reverb with a guitar through a 4x12 since I never have. It's sounding good through a Black Widow 18 with dilapidated filter caps and no reverb. New filter caps and reverb pan on the way.
     
  6. Apr 5, 2016 #6
    BogeyBass

    BogeyBass Inactive

    Sep 14, 2010
    it's a clean amp for sure with guitar.
    it really wakes up with new caps.
    I bought mine with old caps and broken reverb too. without doing a super accurate bench test I measured the output voltage few times to see hopefully changes. wanna say 110/113 watts on old caps. and 126/128 with new caps and bias resistors. hate to say it but the reverb was royal pain to fix. But that was mainly confusing cause the tank was bad and I thought it was good and had hard time finding the driver tube.
     
  7. Apr 3, 2018 #7
    Kevin Colt

    Kevin Colt

    Feb 9, 2015
    Bokeelia, Fl.
    none
    There was a piece of banding strap that was twisted into place by the lever. You could replicate if you want with some pop rivets and a piece of strap. When twisted, it was pressed against the springs at the midway point (thereabouts) stopping them from stretching out by rough treatment or road shock. Simple but effective.
     
    throbbinnut likes this.
  8. Apr 24, 2018 #8
    throbbinnut

    throbbinnut

    Jun 20, 2000
    georgia....georgia........geor
    I rebuilt mine without the lock. And I just rebuilt a VT-22 that had the lock, so I know what it looks like now and how it works. Took me forever to figure out it was engaged and was causing feedback when I turned the Reverb up on the VT-22... hahaha
     
  9. May 1, 2018 #9
    Kevin Colt

    Kevin Colt

    Feb 9, 2015
    Bokeelia, Fl.
    none
    I have two v4s and a vt22 to rebuild. Plus an svt power amp that needs to be serviced. Also have a kustom studio valve 4, a car in sx100, and a Packard model 51 that need attention. I'll get to them when I finish building my Harley shovel head. Lol.