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Early '70s Ampeg V-4B Impressions

#23
Billy-Bob said:
I also cast a vote for you to have your amp serviced. The tone and amount of headroom before break-up improved markedly after a cap job, a few new resistors and new tubes on my V4. It won't quite melt faces like Corey's rig, but it will get them toasty!

Billy-Bob
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Good to know - thanks for your concern, and for sharing your experience.

I'll get it looked at soon. Now that I have 3 very old tube heads, it would definitely behoove me to establish a relationship with a good local tech.
 
#27
V4's are just as good as V4B's. personally, i think that the difference that you're hearing (or preferring) is just that the '76 is curretly set up running better than the others. my two V4's and V4B all sounded very different from each other until i recapped and retubed them. after that, they all sounded great.

3V4_s-2-1200.jpg
 
#30
The few times I used my v4 for gigs I thought it was somewhat underpowered for my purposes. Big efficient cab can help though. As far as the end of gig volume thing you experienced, I'd suggest it might be due to auditory fatigue. Same thing that causes people to ratchet up volume as a gig progresses. Not saying thats what you experienced, but it is very likely. I tend to use an SVT for all gigs and once I set volume I pretty much leave it. Can adjust FOH as needed if going through PA.
 
#31
Jefenator said:
That input sensitivity switch would be nice to have - the volume control on mine is pretty touchy. (10 o'clock too soft - 10:30 way hot!!)
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That is the one thing I'd miss with a V4B. It is nice to be able to overdrive the amp at lower volumes with that switch.

The volume pot is just as touchy on mine, it goes from nothing to loud in a hurry. I did find once my amp was freshened up, what you are experiencing at 10 o'clock dropped down to 9 o'clock. The amp gained volume/presence and broke-up later when it was finally right.

Billy-Bob
 
#33
zachoff said:
Not sure on the differences between the V4 and the V4B but my guitar player has a '72 V4 and a '76 V4 and I think the '76 has a much richer, fuller sound than the '72 plugged into the same cab ('75 Sunn 412).:eyebrow:
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As JohnK wrote:

Proper recapped and retubed they both sound the same.
The caps and/or tubes from that 72 in your case may been worn out more than the 76 parts.
 
#34
Channel 1 crapped out on me, last Friday. Not what I wanted to deal with while we were recording a live demo. Serves me right for not investing in a checkup yet (and doubly for not bringing my LMII for backup). Fortuntately, channel 2 was still OK and the recording came out great.

The culprit? A bad preamp tube - probably the original Magnavox. Everything else checked out OK - the 7027 power tubes might also be original but they all tested good (low hours on this baby).

So I think I got off pretty easy. (About $70 for a checkup/cleaning & NOS RCA 12AX7.) I'll be glad to run another 100-200 hours before retubing.

The amp sounds just wonderful on the recording. I SO "get" the craze over vintage Ampeg now. :hyper:
 
#36
A pick on 'Let's Stay Together'? Please hand in your soul card and Ampeg. LOL!!

All kidding aside I love the tone of my V4b thru my Orange 115. But it is heavy and though loud for 100 watts one has to recognize it's limitations. Within those limitations though its mighty sweet.


Jefenator said:
I gigged out my new-to-me V-4B for the first time, last night. Here's my take, so far.

We started out with a mellow rendition of "Let's Stay Together". Playing fingerstyle with the tone rolled off, I have never had a bass rig feel so "right". :bassist:

I tried a few things to bring out the pick attack while leaving the bottom largely intact. I settled on the "ultra-hi" switch. Not as "spanky" as the Sunn (or as deep, for that matter) but it worked. Apart from that, I was pretty pleased with all 3 knobs at 12 o'clock. I wanted to experience that true vintage Ampeg "grunt" and I definitely felt it!

As one would hope, this 100 watt amp did fill the room and punch it out a little more than my 60 watt Sunn does. Unfortunately, toward the end of the last set, I had hit my volume ceiling. That disappointed me a bit, given just how bulky and heavy this thing is. (A proper servicing might help - I have no idea what shape the tubes & caps are in.)

So there it is. It's not the most practical piece of gear I've ever tried, but I'm glad I took the plunge.

I welcome any other V-4 users' thoughts.
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#38
dgonzy2005 said:
I just bought a V4b and am wondering what would work better: a svt410hlf or svt610hlf? I am using this for medium sized gigs. I only want to buy one cab...thx
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I worked one really hard with a 6 X 10 and liked it a lot. Eventually I had a 2 X 12 custom built for it. I actually had 2 of 'em built, but our keyboard player uses one of them.

I just love how it sounds with a pair of 12's. :cool:
 

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