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bassman 100 vs. V4B & others

W

whitespike

Nov 28, 2007
649
9
Austin, TX
www.thebandcalledboy.com
#1
So, upon reading the "100 tube watts" thread I think I'm considering getting another tube amp. I'm not there yet though.

My main cosiderations are the Ampeg V4B or Fender Bassman 100.

Which do you like better for a nice punchy tone? Are there others I should consider? Sunn?

Years ago I sold my SVT and got the Eden WT400 - which I like a lot. I would like something that might be considered a little less defined with a very slight break up.

I got rid of the SVT for obvious reasons - weight and it just seems to be too much of everything as nice as they sound. That's why I'm considering revisiting the tube world - but with less power and weight. It seems the consensus is that 100 watts is enough for many players.

If you list a suggesting please be able to post the weight.

How much do vintage V4Bs and Bassman 100s weigh? I saw the new VB4 listed at 40 lbs, which is fine, but it seems the old ones are heavier?
 
#2
Bump.

I'm interested in this too. Just played a silverface 1970 fender bassman 50 that I can pick up for $350 and there are at least 3 or 4 bassman 100's at the same store. Prior to seeing these I was looking for v4's or v4bs.

Lets hear it...:bassist:
 
#3
well... these amps sound entirely different. You really need to listen to them as one should jump out at you if an amp in this class can do it for ya. Probably you should add the YBA-200 to your list. By the time you score a 70's Bassman/Bassman 100 and do the recap/re-tube - you'll have spent enough to score a YBA. A V4 in decent shape will probably run more than a YBA. IMO - the YBA sounds better than either but I'd pick the Bassman 100 (or preferrably a Showman Amp) if I were looking quasi-vintage. I just prefer the Fender / RCA tone stack to the 'Peg's Baxandall.

Personally - a 100 watt amp - tube of otherwise is a practice amp in my book. Your mileage may vary - mine doesn't though. Been there, done that - no need to re-visit...
 
#4
i used to have a 78 bassman 70 and my drummer has a 73 bassman 100, definitely great sounding amps. i currently use a 72 v4 which blows them both away IMO, but its not a whole lot lighter than the SVT. i think the v4 is around 65 lbs or so, but ive never weighed it, i think remember seing that weight online somewhere.

the 1970 bassman 50 for 350 sounds like a fair price, i sold my bassman 70 for 350 as a quick sale earlier this year when i get my v4.
 
#5
An old V4B weighs a good deal - I'm gonna guess around 60-65 pounds. I gig with one fairly often...I don't mind bringing in some iron if it sounds great...but then again I've never experienced any "obvious reasons" for ditching my SVT either. I love that fat low mid thing that Ampegs do.
 
#6
My 1972 V4 (w/reverb) weighs 68 lbs on my scale.
I'd expect a (non-reverb) V4B to weigh a few lbs. less.

4Mal said:
well... these amps sound entirely different. You really need to listen to them
Click to expand...

+1... definitely

nysbob said:
I love that fat low mid thing that Ampegs do.
Click to expand...

+1... me too.


I'd be willing to bet a V4/V4B would easily win an overall volume contest against a Bassman 100.
I dont have a Bassman, but I did compare the power section of my 135-watt Twin Reverb (ultralinear model) against my V4 using my NV610 cab.
The V4 had an obvious volume advantage and its very strong low-mids ended up cutting through distorted guitars with my loud-ish rock bands allot better.

With that said, I still found my V4 to be lacking in available clean headroom for many situations and it ended up merely being a lower-cost stepping stone until I found a good SVT that I could afford.
(although I still love my V4 and have no plans of ever selling it)
 
#7
I was recently comparing my 78 V4B against a customers Bassman135 of the same age, both fitted with 6L6s, using the same JBL loaded 1x15 I have in my workshop and my 74 Pbass, the V4B blows it away completely in every way, volume, depth of sound, frequency range, punchiness, clarity. I've always liked Bassmans and consider them really nice guitar amps, particularly the 135, but for bass the V4B is another level entirely, really just a notch behind SVT in tone, in my very humble opinion, I am an amp tech but not a 'bassist', I have a 78 SVT as well and I like the V4B practically the same.

The V4/B are heavier than the Bassman135 but probably easier to carry some distance since the fenders are not weight balanced and lean down very much to the power transformer side, also its nice that the chassis is shock mounted and will take banging around a bit better
 
#8
I have no experience with a bassman, but I have had a V4 for about 6 months. I absolutely love this head. It is heavy, but not ackwardly heavy. Great tone. I wish I would have bought one back in '93 when I first started playing. I had no idea back then about how to get 'that tone'. Well, now I know and I will never sell it. I have only played it through the Berg NV215 (which may be the best 2x15 ever), but I am a believer. Best alternative available if you want the Ampeg tone without shelling out the big bucks for a '70's SVT. I have had the traynor and IMO dont think they compare. I wanted to try a vintage Sunn, but that gas died when I got the V4.

In conclusion ( :) ), a 70's V4 has my vote! If I was the type to start a club (I am not), I would start a V4/V4b club. Remember, this is a guy who has a '73 SVT too! The V4 is getting all the play right now cause we are in the party gig/ practice stage and the SVT would KILL everyone in the band!
 
#12
Well I'm late to the table here but no matter, I'll chime in with my $.02.

On Friday I went to my local store because I was going to buy either B15S or a Fender Bassman 50 w/ 2x12 cabinet. I ultimately thought the B15 was the better choice soundwise and monetarily but I got to say that the Bassman sounded great. Maybe it was just a voice from my youth that sounded familiar and I was comfortable with but suffice it to say that while I don't regret my decision to go with B15 I will definitely add the Bassman to my wish list.
 

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