EDIT: This post is comparing the V4BH (the one that looks like an SVT) with the V4-B (which looks like a vintage V4). I just remembered there was also an SVT-lookalike V-4B with the red+blue logo. That amp is the same as the V4BH.
Confusing? Yes. But basically, if it looks like an SVT, everything I've written below about the V4BH applies.
If it looks like a vintage V4, everything I've written about the V4-B applies.
Back to my original post:
I'm not in the US but I'll give you my opinion anyway, because I have extensive experience with the V4BH and there are a couple of things you REALLY need to know about that amp.
V4BH:
The V4BH (the one that looks like an SVT-CL) is BY FAR the lowest output 100w amp I've ever tested. I actually thought mine was faulty (I got it brand new shortly after they were released) and brought it to a tech. He said it was the weakest 100w amp he had ever come across, and that it measured closer to 50w than 100w. I actually own several 50w amps that can deliver a significantly louder output volume than the V4BH. In fact, even my Matamp Series 3000 (30w) is at least as loud, probably louder.
There wasn't actually anything wrong with my V4BH though. They're all like that. Replacing the driver+output tubes with something better than the stock tubes and adjusting the bias helped a little bit, but not enough. I got this amp because I wanted to use it for rehearsals and touring, but in the end it was simply too weak. I could never get the output volume I needed when playing with a band. Admittedly this was a quite LOUD band, but still... ALL my other 100w tube amps give more than enough output volume. But not this one. Not even close.
The preamp in the V4BH is supposed to be the same as in the SVT-CL, but it is combined with a rather anemic "100" watt 6L6GC-based output section. The tone is similar to an SVT-CL, but with FAR less output volume, less "heft" and a slightly thicker/muddier tone overall. When pushed into distortion it gets rather mushy.
My V4BH also had an issue with some kind of weird oscillation when used with certain cabs/speakers. According to my tech it had something to do with the output transformer. It was audible with some speakers as a high pitched squeal, but with other speakers it was silent. It was a bit weird. I could use the same cab and with one set of speakers it would squeal, and with a different set of speakers it was silent. Same impedance, two similar spec Emincence speakers. I'm not sure if all V4BHs have this problem, but the overall build quality was commented upon by the tech as "they must have been drunk when they assembled it".
I have used mine quite a bit for recording. It's a nice studio amp. But it's simply too weak to be used for rehearsals/gigs. At least with my bands and the style of music I play.
V4-B:
I have never owned this model, but I've played it on many occasions. Enough to know the difference vs the V4BH. Being based on the vintage V4 (rather than an SVT) the V4-B is a TOTALLY different amp. Better tone (IMO) and far more output volume, even though they're both supposed to be 100w. The V4-B can also be a bit more aggressive sounding, more bite. At least if you want it to. It sounds significantly better than the V4BH when pushed into distortion.
To sum it up:
Out of these two amps I strongly recommend the V4-B.
I can't recommend the V4BH unless it is for recording only, or MAYBE if your band isn't very loud. You might like the tone, but I don't think you will be happy with the max output volume.
