Ampeg V4B 70´s - Clean tone with loud volume its possible?

[rockstarbassist]

I guess it depends on what you mean by "clean"-

if like me, you mean snappy, poppy true solid-state "clean", then no. I used to have a very early 70's V4B and at the time it def wasn't clean enough for my tastes. Nowadays it'd probably be fine, but I understand where you're coming from on this issue.

Usually I like a hybrid amp and use dirt pedals or preamp gain for natural drive, but I may look into something like a Super Bass or Plexi clone in the future...

 

[JimmyM]

i'm starting to think i missed the boat on marshall bass amps. i got that sansamp british character pedal and it's killer.

 

[rockstarbassist]

i'm starting to think i missed the boat on marshall bass amps. i got that sansamp british character pedal and it's killer.

Yeah those things go for stupid stupid money nowadays. Like I mentioned there are more than a few good clones available nowadays and I'm sure a lot more sturdy than the originals, where you wouldn't be as scared of them being jacked or nicked while on a gig or in transit.

 

[patxianton]

Hi again

yesterday I get the B40 cab from the postal service.

today i have playing with the V4B and sounds great!!

Nice bass sound, and punchy, and I can increase the volume until the 8 without nothing of distortion, i have playing with a fender precission of 1977 and a fender jazzbass

Here a mobile picture of the amp

Thanks a lof for all!!

 

[kraigo]

Maybe is a cab trouble I`ll try with ampeg cabinets... I had an ampeg V4BH 90´s and always sound enough clean and loud for me.. SVTCL its too much volume for me...

All the tubes are new, i put the tubes into the amp today, the previous owner kept out the tubes for the travel..

Maybe it´s bad connect any tube?

Vintage cabs work best with vintage heads. Modern cabs by and large assume you've got a few hundred watts to throw at them. They're voiced more for hi-fi and are willing to exchange some efficiency for low end extension. Vintage cabs are often voiced to cut through with fewer watts at the expense of true hi-fidelity.

KO

 

[Mooblar]

patxianton-

That is a sweet looking stack you got there!