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Ampeg V4BH vs. V4B 90s classic series: what's the difference?

soundtim

soundtim

Nov 19, 2010
29
8
Hamburg
#1
Hello,

I'm in the market for a tube amp and got an offer for a 90s Ampeg V4B classic series, the one with the red and blue script. Actually I'm looking for an Ampeg V4BH - but to be honest just because it looks better ;-)

Can anyone tell me what's the difference between the V4B Classic Series and the V4BH? Couldn't find any good info about the Classic Series. How do they sound different? What's the H n V4BH standing for? Are they basically the same? Any help, opinion and so on is much appreciated.

cheers, Tim
 
#3
As far as I know the current one is a Chinese remake of the original 70s version. But what's the difference of those two US made V4BH and V4B Classic? The only thing I know is that the V4Bs are from the 90s and the V4BHs are made around the 2000s. But I'm not even sure about that...
 
#4
V4B classic series and V4BH are the same amp with different graphic styles. The "classic series" we're the earlier version with the red and blue graphics but when they switched to all black/white they appear to be labeled V4BH (head maybe?). There was also an AV model made during the anniversary year. You see many more BH labeled heads.

The newer V4B reissues are different. More like the original V4 circuits. The BH models I believe we're closer to an SVT-CL preamp with a 4x 6L6 power amp.
 
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#10
BlushResponse said:
As much as I hate being "That guy", and I hate resurrecting threads, BUT: what's with the serious difference in resale value when you compare the V4B reissue and the V-4BH used amps? Are the V-4BH models just not desirable, and why?
Click to expand...

I have both the V-4B RI and the BH. The V-4B RI is noticeably louder than the BH--by a fair amount. The BH is smoother, warmer, bigger and less aggressive sounding as well. The BH has 5 Mid settings (I love #4) vs only 3 on the RI. I love both and wouldn't get rid of either one. I think I actually prefer the BH a little more if I had to choose.

If someone needed more headroom and volume the RI would be the way to go. Other than that, the BH has a slight advantage in the tone department for what I want to hear. What I've heard others say it's more SVT like and the V-4B is really a different amp. The RI seems to breakup much faster (in a good way, and it's very loud at that point), and the BH would really, have to be pushed. Even then I'm not sure what the results would be as I've never had to go there with it. The new factor and the loudness may be the big reasons the RI is more in demand over the US made BH.
 
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#11
GAK! I'll happily be "That guy" to avoid confusion.
Before I say that I also have this same question, I want to clarify this:
The V-4B is a brushed aluminum-faced, blue grill cloth wearing reissue of the V-4 of prior glory. Not the one we're asking about here. This one is totally different outside, and I don't know what differences it has in it.

The ones I'm asking about (as the OP, as far as I can tell) is the V4BH, a 100W tube amp, black with white letters, looks like the SVT classic head
yxfhgsldhsfafx1iexhx.jpg

and the V-4B Classic, that looks like the typical 90s style head
post-24441-0-62996600-1360613427.jpg

By the looks, I think it was a cosmetic issue, where the differences are only in paint chosen. The SVT of the 90s and today bear exactly the same differences as these 2 appear to. I am asking for clarification, because I really don't know, either. I just bought the V-4B something from GC. They have since shipped it to my store, and I can't see it in stock anymore, and I don't know which one it was! I opted in for it before I knew there were 2 different ones.

So, are they really the same?
 
#13
No Treble said:
GAK! I'll happily be "That guy" to avoid confusion.
Before I say that I also have this same question, I want to clarify this:
The V-4B is a brushed aluminum-faced, blue grill cloth wearing reissue of the V-4 of prior glory. Not the one we're asking about here. This one is totally different outside, and I don't know what differences it has in it.

The ones I'm asking about (as the OP, as far as I can tell) is the V4BH, a 100W tube amp, black with white letters, looks like the SVT classic head
View attachment 1420088
and the V-4B Classic, that looks like the typical 90s style headView attachment 1420089
By the looks, I think it was a cosmetic issue, where the differences are only in paint chosen. The SVT of the 90s and today bear exactly the same differences as these 2 appear to. I am asking for clarification, because I really don't know, either. I just bought the V-4B something from GC. They have since shipped it to my store, and I can't see it in stock anymore, and I don't know which one it was! I opted in for it before I knew there were 2 different ones.

So, are they really the same?
Click to expand...
I own both of these amps. I'd say that they are the same. The 90s V4B model even has V4BH written on the back.
 
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#16
No Treble said:
GAK! I'll happily be "That guy" to avoid confusion.
Before I say that I also have this same question, I want to clarify this:
The V-4B is a brushed aluminum-faced, blue grill cloth wearing reissue of the V-4 of prior glory. Not the one we're asking about here. This one is totally different outside, and I don't know what differences it has in it.

The ones I'm asking about (as the OP, as far as I can tell) is the V4BH, a 100W tube amp, black with white letters, looks like the SVT classic head
View attachment 1420088
and the V-4B Classic, that looks like the typical 90s style headView attachment 1420089
I just bought the V-4B something from GC. They have since shipped it to my store, and I can't see it in stock anymore, and I don't know which one it was! I opted in for it before I knew there were 2 different ones.
Click to expand...

So what did you end up with and what do you think so far?
 
#17
dagrev said:
So what did you end up with and what do you think so far?
Click to expand...
It ended up being the second picture, the blue lettering. It was a great purchase. I am using it almost every day. Someone had swapped the 4 6L6 tubes called out in the manual for 4 6550s. It has some great sound from it. Very nice tone. Has a preamp similar to the SVT, with the 5 position mid tone selector. It's in great shape, and I'm very happy with the output.
 
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#18
No Treble said:
It ended up being the second picture, the blue lettering. It was a great purchase. I am using it almost every day. Someone had swapped the 4 6L6 tubes called out in the manual for 4 6550s. It has some great sound from it. Very nice tone. Has a preamp similar to the SVT, with the 5 position mid tone selector. It's in great shape, and I'm very happy with the output.
Click to expand...

Nice! I have the BH and love it. I have a new V4-B AV, but I'm certain I like BH better for it's tone. Can't ever imagine getting rid if it. If I saw another or the blue scrip one like yours I pretty sure I'd buy it and replace the V4-B. I like the tone of the BH more than the tone of the V4-B or need the extra volume. If you ever want to get rid of it let me know.

Here's a TBer who found that a balanced 12au7 driver tube helped with volume for the V4BH.
My solution to making the Ampeg V4BH work
 
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#19
Thanks for the info, by the way. I'm about to be tube rolled, for sure. That was a good read, and a decent source of info. I know what changing that solitary 12AU7 plain red-lettered "CHINA" drive tube will really mean. I'm going to take great joy in finding and swapping tubes all over the place.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
 

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