i am in the market for a tube amp. The big boys (SVT- Superbassman, etc) would be too much for my needs. At home, small clubs, coffee shops etc. unfortunately I do not have any where around me to try out a tube amp in person. I've narrowed it down to an Ampeg V4B or the Fender Bassman 100T. Just curious as to if any of you have tried both and as to what your impressions where. I'm looking for a creamy tub amp sound, vintage sounding, some grit from time to time. Not really looking for a "modern" tone.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Ampeg V4B vs Fender Nassman 100T
- Thread starter BigBear77
- Start date
Both fine amps in the tradition of their respective companies. I prefer the Ampeg tone stack but either of them will do what you want.
used to own an old bassman 100. loved it till one night the power transformer died on me in the middle of a gig. I went out the next day and bought an acoustic solid state head. have been using solid state since. now me and some of my long time musical friends are thinking of putting together a roots rock band and i'm thinking I might go tube again. if I do, and we have a gig to play, I would also bring a solid state back up. one of those new fangled heads that weigh next to nothing but have tremendous power ratings for their size. if you end up in a working band and want to use a tube head (the v4b is another fine choice by the way) I would strongly encourage you to also have a solid state emergency backup.
I am interested in both of these amps as well. I have only played the V4B reissue once in a store, plugged in to the 212AV. It was sublime. It had that creamy tube amp sound, vintage sounding, some grit from time to time. Made me want it badly. But I'm also interested in the 100T like you, and hope to find one to try while I am saving up. In the meantime I'll be stalking this thread to see what others say.
I went for the V-4B at JimmyM's suggestion and couldn't be happier with the amp. It definitely does "creamy."
I love that it has no fan and thus is dead silent.
I love that it has no fan and thus is dead silent.
Good choice. I owned both concurrently for a while but in the end I kept the V4B and flipped the 100T. The 100T is definitely more versatile with a heap of extra features it is difficult to find on any other all- tube amp, but I like a clean sound and the V4B seemed to stay cleaner louder and was more euphonious/creamy when pushed into overdrive. Plus I like its simplicity and still wish my Super Bassman did not have the auto-bias feature. Of course, for others the reverse preference will apply and you couldn't really go wrong with either.
I was interested in both amps as well, and ended up getting the V4b with a 212av cab. Annd holy moly!! Why did it take me so long to get an Ampeg Tube amp? Tone heaven.
I would pick the Bassman 100T for it's dual channel switching ability. You can get an old school fat Fender sound or a crunchy overdriven tone. Also, I love the 25 watt feature + studio mode (no cab necessary) post power tube DI out. The tube self bias technology is the cherry on top.
Marc
In my opinion Ampeg and Fender make the best bass amps. ive owned V3 Fender Rumble 200 head and 410 matching cab. I also owned a Fender bassman 400 head with matching 410 & 115 cabs. Never a fender tube amp though. Then as far as Ampeg goes I've owned the Portaflex pf500 head with a portaflex 410 cab. I've owned the SVT pro 3 head, The a Ampeg Svpbsp preamp head, Second Gen BA 110,115 & 210 combo amps. Currently my main rig is a Ampeg 610 HLF cab I bought brand new and just got the V4B head. I'm in love with having the all tube head. I have yet to really use it with a band but that could soon be approaching. I had an audition last week and the studio had a SVT cl with an 810 cab so I didn't have to bring my amp. I loved the SVT CL. I really wanna use the V4B to see what it's got. But Ampeg is the BEST
I did not like the tone of the 100T - it wasn't terrible, but nowhere near as rich sounding as the V4B. I've been gigging my SVTs lately, but honestly feel the V4B will be here when they've all gone. Such a great sounding head...
Hi SOW
I am a V4B fan (not the only one
)because it is loud!
(sorry I could not resist 
)Wise(b)ass
I just bought a V4B about 2 weeks ago.Being my 1st full on tube amp I can say that I'll never play anything else but tube again. Well at least for redording or gigging.
I haven't used the V4B yet with a band. That won't happen for a couple more weeks. I did however play an SVT CL at an audition recently and I LOVED it. will my V4B be enough to keep up with the band? I have a 610 HLF cab that goes with it.
Not sure how loud your band is. I've gigged mine with a moderately loud rock band using the V4B through two AV212 cabinets. It took some pushing, but certainly kept up. In fact, I was a little louder than I should have been. And that amp begs to be pushed, which is part of the magic - the clean tone is amazing, but what you get with a little push takes it to another level. I wouldn't want to play with a band that is loud enough to bury that rig.
