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Ampeg V4 -vs- V4b
- Thread starter thobbinghotrod
- Start date
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
they'll put out 125 watts easily, but with a little bit of distortion.
completely clean, mine measured 108, 111, & 112 watts.
the v4 is rated at 120 watts, v4b is rated at 100 watts. actual measurements are generally higher.
my b25-b is rated at 55 watts but most of them test out at 70. they're generally rated at 'clean' volume levels
EDIT
lol johnk had it, i didnt get to page 2 but hadnt seen anyone mention the power difference yet. "my bad"
my b25-b is rated at 55 watts but most of them test out at 70. they're generally rated at 'clean' volume levels
EDIT
lol johnk had it, i didnt get to page 2 but hadnt seen anyone mention the power difference yet. "my bad"
OK so I just compared the stock input #1 with the modded input #2 on my V4"B". Lots more low end and, it seems, overall power on #2. I'm happy there are two inputs on these amps so we can experiment and not completely mess up the original design.
This leads me to another question I've had for a long time - especially in regards to the classic blackface Fender amps: why so many inputs? A Deluxe Reverb (a relatively small amp) has FOUR inputs. Were they expecting entire bands to plug into one amplifier?!?
This leads me to another question I've had for a long time - especially in regards to the classic blackface Fender amps: why so many inputs? A Deluxe Reverb (a relatively small amp) has FOUR inputs. Were they expecting entire bands to plug into one amplifier?!?
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
both of my V4B's channels actually sound different from each other. one has more low end and is a little louder. i was always meaning to investigate why, but never did.
both of the channels on my V4's sound identical.
as far as fender amps having 4 inputs, i suppose you could plug 4 instruments into it (and some people did in the old days), but i think it was also so that you had a choice of either playing thru a 'straight' bare bones channel (volume/treble/bass), and one with reverb & vibrato (or tremolo). the #2 input on each channel also has a pad so it attenuates a hotter signal.
Handyman said:
+1, you won't regret it. I picked up a 1974 (I think) V4B in a moment of weakness/opportunity. I'd never played one before, so I was a little nervous... but oh man was I STUNNED by the tone! $610 shipped, found it on the 'Bay. It's a boat anchor for sure (61lbs.), but oh man what an incredibly warm, buttery, room filling bass tone! Plenty of grind available too. Like Handyman says, it's KILLER. I don't regret it for an instant!
5sg.
As far as "should I get and use a V4 for bass?" the answer is YES. Even the V4 without the "B" sounds great. Buttery was a good word! Not completely clean. Great for classic rock situations. Maybe do the mod? If you have a good tech...
Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out, Baby!
Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out, Baby!
Channel 2 on my V4 was always slightly louder than channel 1, but channel 1 was a little bassier. Kind of odd. Don't know if it had to do with replaced components or whatnot over the years, or maybe just different tubes, I never really spent the time investigating, but that's how it was.
I use my v4 on top of bag end 15d cabs often for low volume and coffehouse gigs. I dont care one bit that the v4 is almost twice as wide as the BE cab. The sound is beautiful just great. With a pbass or jazz the combo is just wonderful.
Today i just picked up 2 more v4s, got a super deal. Im just crazy about ampeg tube tone. Maybe im just crazy.
Today i just picked up 2 more v4s, got a super deal. Im just crazy about ampeg tube tone. Maybe im just crazy.
This is a lot to ask but if any of you Mag v4b owners would trace the back panel and mail it to me................ or you could scan it in pieces and email it?
it's this one: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Mine didn't have one when I bought it and I'd like to make one that looks original, not pay Fliptops 38 bucks plus shipping.
it's this one: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Mine didn't have one when I bought it and I'd like to make one that looks original, not pay Fliptops 38 bucks plus shipping.
Thinking about getting a V4B to use for both guitar and bass...good idea or bad idea? The reverb on the V4 doesn't matter that much to me, so would there be any reason to chose the V4 in this scenario?
I think it will sound great for both. I love the way a V4 sounds with bass AND guitar. Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out type tone. It is quite loud, though, if you want to get that creamy distortion with a guitar. However, I have never plugged a guitar into a V4"B" specifically. I'll bet it's great. Might be cleaner than a V4 if anything.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
IME, the early V4's and V4B's have the same amount of dirt for guitar or bass.
Heres a question, since i don't use the "suck" switch on my SVT anymore i was thinking of getting a v4 for bass to save a little weight and to double as a guitar amp. But does anyone know if their is a big difference between the tone of early v4's and later v4's with master volume. Because i think i would prefer a master volume version for bedroom/studio work.
I just purchased a mid 70's V4B off a fellow tb'er (thanks again adbass!) and I absolutely love it. It's the best sounding amp I have ever had. It sounds great with all my basses, even the B string on my RBV sounds better than ever.
I'm running mine through an svt hlf 4x10 and the low end is thunderous. It can get stupid loud, too...amazing that it is a 100 watt head. The only thing I would change on it is that I'd like a separate gain control. Does the V4 have a separate gain knob? If so, that would be something to consider when comparing the two.
I'm running mine through an svt hlf 4x10 and the low end is thunderous. It can get stupid loud, too...amazing that it is a 100 watt head. The only thing I would change on it is that I'd like a separate gain control. Does the V4 have a separate gain knob? If so, that would be something to consider when comparing the two.
