Ampeg VT-22 (advice thread)

[charlor]

Hello,

I am about to buy this VT-22: Invalid Link Removed

The ad is in Dutch but I can't save the pictures.
The text says it's been checked by a tech; the preamp tubes, power tubes (by JJ 7027s) and the capacitors were replaced.
He's asking 1000$ which looks like a lot to Americans but in Europe you won't find any cheaper ones. Oh, it has 2 1975 12" Eminence speakers.

I was wondering if its power (the watts) would go down if you split it over the speakers and my Ampeg 610HLF cab? Or what would happen if I disconnected the speakers and only used it on my 610?
Furthermore, I've read a lot about the slightly older VT-22/V4s (I'm guessing the Linden ones?) and I'd like to know if there's really that much of a difference between them? The sensitivity switch on the older ones looks quite handy if you want to keep the amp from breaking up too fast.

So, any thoughts? Thank you.

 

[Rockbobmel]

100watt volbuizen amp! Dit is de combo versie van de V4 met 2x12" speakers

Where are you?



.

 

[charlor]

Sorry? What do you mean?

 

[charlor]

Bump

 

[Jeff Scott]

The VT-22 amp is probably similar, for the most part, to a V4B IIRC, so it would work fine for medium volume playing or more if you want nice grit/distortion in your tone. I would not use the internal Eminence speakers, just your 610 cab.

 

[Floridabwoy]

vt-22 = V4 as a combo amp.

I have a v4, it sounds great.

If you are stateside you can get one for MUCH cheaper. I got mine for $300 last year. Just be patient.

 

[charlor]

Thanks for the feedback.
I'm just curious about the Linden vs Magnavox VT-22s. Are they really that different?

Jeff, indeed I would probably use it with just my 610 but I read something about the output dropping if you connect it to two 4ohm speakers? In this case the speakers of the VT-22 and the 610 cab.

Floridabwoy, unfortunately they don't get much cheaper Europe.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Right, the output issue is definitely related to the load impedance; if it were mine, I'd take the chassis out of the combo cabinet and make a case for it.

 

[charlor]

And what about disconnecting the speakers?

So if I get this right, the amp will sound louder with its speakers disconnected and only running through the cab?

 

[Jeff Scott]

A lot of this is related to the output that the speakers can produce for a given input and it's maximum capabilities. Certainly the guitar speakers in an open cabinet such as the VT-22 is will only sound okay at fairly low volume levels and will not have much bottom end, partly due to the nature of open back cabinets. Without a doubt, you will be much happier with using only the 610 cabinet.

 

[Rockit]

You can get a head box for the VT-22 here:

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[charlor]

That is exactly what I had planned, wouldn't want to stress those old speakers too much. Thanks.
Rockit, wouldn't it be a shame to throw away those 2 Eminence speakers? They're still fine.

Now who could answer that Linden vs Magnavox question please?

 

[Rockit]

That is exactly what I had planned, wouldn't want to stress those old speakers too much. Thanks.
Rockit, wouldn't it be a shame to throw away those 2 Eminence speakers? They're still fine.

Now who could answer that Linden vs Magnavox question please?

I wouldn't ever throw the old speakers away, that would be just wrong. My suggestion would get a head box to use the amp for you bass rig and keep the the original chassis it came in nice and safe so if you ever decide to resell it at some point it will be original. From what I understand, the Vt-22 combo weighs a ton and a half like a lot of older Ampeg amps.

I had a V4B a few years back, great amp but I had to sell it.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I read something about the output dropping if you connect it to two 4ohm speakers? In this case the speakers of the VT-22 and the 610 cab.

The V4/VT-22 is great in that it has a 2-4-8 ohm switch so just make sure you match the switch to the total impedance and you're golden. However, I believe the stock CTS speakers in this amp present an 8 ohm load (it's 4 ohms if they're the Altec upgrade speakers), so combining that with a 4 ohm 6x10 is NOT a good idea. Your best bet is to disconnect the internal speakers and use the 6x10 alone - or if the funds are available, get a V4 headbox and slide the chasis into that for use as a stand alone amp.

They are fantastic bass amps, and I used mine with a 6x10 for a while. Pretty decent setup.

www.ampegv4.com has a lot of good info on these amps.

 

[charlor]

That's what I would do if I had the extra money and if I could do it myself. But I can't so I'll probably just leave it in its original state, because I don't move my cabinet and amp much anyway.

 

[charlor]

I would really like to know the difference between these 2 versions:

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[coreyfyfe]

Not much really. The later 70s models added master volumes and/or distortion controls, but otherwise they're pretty much the same amp.

 

[Korladis]

Maybe if you got a head box for the VT-22 amplifier, you could make a cab for the two 12"s in case you wanted to use it for guitar? Or just use the old box as a speaker cab.

 

[charlor]

Not much really. The later 70s models added master volumes and/or distortion controls, but otherwise they're pretty much the same amp.

And what about the sensitivity switches? These look quite handy to keep the amp clean longer when you're using it with a bass.

 

[coreyfyfe]

And what about the sensitivity switches? These look quite handy to keep the amp clean longer when you're using it with a bass.

Hadn't noticed they weren't on both, as far as I knew the sensitivity switches were present on both the V4 and VT-22 but not on the V4B (bass version). The really aren't all that useful for taming a hot signal unless you have a really hot bass IME. You dampen the input signal but you'll run into power tube saturation as your crank the volume further so it doesn't make much difference. At least I didn't find much use for them.