Ampeg V4B year ?

[Kronyx]

Hi !

I just bought a V4B and wanted to know what could be the manufatured date of this amp, the serial number of the amp is removed...

Dropbox - 2015-10-03 08.38.46.jpg

Thanks !

 

[Northern Pike]

OOps. I thought you were taking one out for dinner and a movie. Wanted to see how that worked out.

 

[Kronyx]

hahahah ! Sorry for my english, I modified the title

 

[Old Fart]

As far as I know, the late-seventies ones had a master volume, which yours lacks. The early-seventies ones had metal knobs, which yours also lacks. Mid-seventies, I say.

 

[Kronyx]

That's what i think too, I have read that the white rocker switches are from the mid 70's

 

[ahc]

Look at the pot codes. They should start with 137, then the year, then the week of the year. That should give you a pretty close approximation of when it was built.

 

[Kronyx]

I've just found the serial number inside the amp, look at the picture:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I Also found that:

White rocker switches (tube amps) 1976 - 1979

 

[96tbird]

Look at the pot codes. They should start with 137, then the year, then the week of the year. That should give you a pretty close approximation of when it was built.

Not as easy as you make it sound but yes that's the best way. You just can't simply take the cover off to read the codes, there's lots of crap in the way and they angle down. Be prepared to remove parts to get at them. I found it difficult to simply get a Deoxit nozzle in there.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

Based on the cosmetic features of your amp it's from '76-'79.

Serial numbers are not going to help you. EIA codes on the transformers are your best bet. You may be able to see the codes with your bare eye or with a flashlight and a little mirror - I'm not sure. I've always just pulled the chassis out of the head box. That's easy enough. If you decide to do that, leave the back panel on. That helps stabilize the floppy side mounts.

 

[Bassics101]

This site might be helpful
Dating Ampeg Amplifiers :: Ampeg V4.com | All Ampeg All The Time

 

[TomB]

Yours is identical to my '76 - Magnavox era.

 

[pianolance]

You guys are making me misty. I had a fantasic V4B when I was in college in 78-79. When I got out of school I wasn't playing much bass so I traded it for a... wait for it, wait for it...........A TAPCO Spring Reverb. AHHHRG! What was I thinking? The amp was giving me some problems with cutting out - but that was most likely a tube or some pretty easy fix. Cosmetically it was near perfect. That amp is now worth $1000 and my spring reverb is long gone. Not too long after that, digital reverbs came in and that was that. The reverb (Tapco 4400) is bringing a little over $300 on ebay, and it was a top of the line spring reverb for that era. I don't think I got anything for it, I think I gave it to a friend that had a studio, but I can't tell you how many times I wished I had that Ampeg V4B amp back. I don't play bass much anymore - mostly piano, but still............

 

[beans-on-toast]

Eventually, we all get those what was I thinking moments. I once traded a 60's guitar for a fuzz pedal. Can't remember anything about the fuzz but I sure remember the guitar.

 

[sharkbait130]

I traded my first bass for an oz. of Columbian. It was a really crappy bass. I got the better end of the deal.drool

 

[harryh]

I've just found the serial number inside the amp, look at the picture:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Kronyx, where did you find that label inside the amp with the model and serial number on it?