• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg v4b volume 1 Potentiometer

So, presuming that I ve an A log taper in the amp, how is the log a taper and the 1 meg linear influence the gain structure when you turn the volume up.. I mean something like 1 will make the amp reach the crunch early, and another maybe later?? Or, for instance, what difference should I notice compared to what I've now on channel 1 when I turn the volume up?
The level will come up really fast and after 12:00 will only get a little bit louder.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sunnampeg
The level will come up really fast and after 12:00 will only get a little bit louder.
So if I've understood well, the 1 Meg linear will reach the louder volumes and overdrive early, and the A log taper will reach later louder volumes and overdrive, and it distributes the power in a more even way on the entire run of the potentiometer. right?
 
So if I've understood well, the 1 Meg linear will reach the louder volumes and overdrive early, and the A log taper will reach later louder volumes and overdrive, and it distributes the power in a more even way on the entire run of the potentiometer. right?
Correct, generally a log pot in that location will feel (a lot) better and be more usable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sunnampeg
Correct, generally a log pot in that location will feel (a lot) better and be more usable.
Thanks, with this information, I don't understand how they can sell it as a pot replacement for amps with not much headroom, like Svt 70s or even worse, V4B 70s. It seems it will make the volume of your amp unmanageable. Someone should tell them it is not the right replacement
 
Incorrect parts get sold all the time, I see it in amps that have had repair attempts made. Always costs more to then fix it right.
 
I’m sure my magnavox era 70s v-4b has Lin volume pots.

These days I really never go past 10 o’clock to get the volume and touch characteristics I like.

For the years my wife gigged that head she would ever so slightly ride this little arc between 10:25 and 10:35, marked on the faceplate with a China marker.

That would be the difference between “just right” and tool loud!
 
I’m sure my magnavox era 70s v-4b has Lin volume pots.

These days I really never go past 10 o’clock to get the volume and touch characteristics I like.

For the years my wife gigged that head she would ever so slightly ride this little arc between 10:25 and 10:35, marked on the faceplate with a China marker.

That would be the difference between “just right” and tool loud!
Mine is a Magnavox era, and here it is what I've found: it is not linear, it is A log taper 220663-3 1 meg 1377450
 

Attachments

  • V4B  70 s volume1 pot.jpg
    V4B 70 s volume1 pot.jpg
    623.8 KB · Views: 20
Not a huge surprise, given the way factory-floor substitutions were often done.

If your (sunnampeg) v-4 is the one in your pic, I definitely have an earlier one. Mine has the metal knobs and metal power and standby switches. It may have been built, in some measure, Ampeg Linden N.J. parts
 
Mine is a Magnavox era, and here it is what I've found: it is not linear, it is A log taper 220663-3 1 meg 1377450

You have it backwards, the image is a 1M linear pot. Based on the pot codes, 1377450 means that it’s a CTS pot made in the 50th week of 1974. Your amp was probably made in early 1975. The other code is the Ampeg part number, 220663-3 is a 1M Linear pot.

I posted a parts list pdf file above. From that file: -3 is linear; -18 is log

IMG_6732.jpeg


So the correct pot for your amp is 1M Linear.
 
You have it backwards, the image is a 1M linear pot. Based on the pot codes, 1377450 means that it’s a CTS pot made in the 50th week of 1974. Your amp was probably made in early 1975. The other code is the Ampeg part number, 220663-3 is a 1M Linear pot.

I posted a parts list pdf file above. From that file: -3 is linear; -18 is log

View attachment 7272741

So the correct pot for your amp is 1M Linear.
Bah we will see, this is for the V4 or v4b? There could be differences between those 2.. why there is often 1 meg linear 1 meg log or 100m k lin 100k log
 
Where are you searching and finding log taper?

The part list shows linear.

The schematics show linear.

You have the pot. Measure it and see.
The information I have shows a log pot, though there were several versions of this amp and there MAY be differences.

sorry i m not following.
You need to measure the pot to see if it tracks as linear or log.

Set the control to 50% and if the readings are equal between the center terminal and each of the side terminals then it's linear. If it's very different, then it's log.

This is the first thing a qualified tech would do, to determine what the part is and if the part is correct to the schematic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WRM
The information I have shows a log pot, though there were several versions of this amp and there MAY be differences.


You need to measure the pot to see if it tracks as linear or log.

Set the control to 50% and if the readings are equal between the center terminal and each of the side terminals then it's linear. If it's very different, then it's log.

This is the first thing a qualified tech would do, to determine what the part is and if the part is correct to the schematic.
Hi yes, I will ask. He has dismantled the pot piece by piece, cleaned it, and has probably already done it. But I will ask to make sure.
So, with the number part, do you think it's a log taper?
 
hi yes, I will ask. He has dismantled the pot piece by piece, cleaned it, and has probably already done it. But I will ask to make sure.
That’s not how a pot gets replaced… and it’s measured without any disassembly.

This logic makes no sense at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sunnampeg