Early 70's Ampeg V4B - Mark O'Connor from Dixie Dregs content

[bhoff5150]

Stopped by Gruhn's in Nashville last week, and found an early 70's Ampeg V4B in the corner. According to the shop, it belonged to and was toured from 81-82 by Mark O'Connor with the Dixie Dregs. The shop told me it didn't work, but I had to try anyway. Lo and behold it works fine!! I think the impedance selector in the back had been stuck between settings or something and when set like that it does not make a peep. Set correctly she sounds great, and has lots of definition. I ended up buying it, with room to make repairs if needed.

Brought it home and put about an hour's playime on it and it was going strong. So, I played a 4 hour gig with it last Saturday. I had low expectations due to it's age, and how long they say it sat in the store, so I brought a backup head just in case but the old girl stayed strong all night. I was happily surprised.

I think it has all of the original tubes in it (some of them I've never heard of before). Most of them I believe say Magnavox on on them.

I know, I know......pics or it didn't happen. I'll upload them shortly.

I've owned many Ampeg tube amps, but none this old. Any advice or things to watch our/care for is appreciated.

 

[bhoff5150]

Here’s a few pics

 

[bobyoung53]

Stopped by Gruhn's in Nashville last week, and found an early 70's Ampeg V4B in the corner. According to the shop, it belonged to and was toured from 81-82 by Mark O'Connor with the Dixie Dregs. The shop told me it didn't work, but I had to try anyway. Lo and behold it works fine!! I think the impedance selector in the back had been stuck between settings or something and when set like that it does not make a peep. Set correctly she sounds great, and has lots of definition. I ended up buying it, with room to make repairs if needed.

Brought it home and put about an hour's playime on it and it was going strong. So, I played a 4 hour gig with it last Saturday. I had low expectations due to it's age, and how long they say it sat in the store, so I brought a backup head just in case but the old girl stayed strong all night. I was happily surprised.

I think it has all of the original tubes in it (some of them I've never heard of before). Most of them I believe say Magnavox on on them.

I know, I know......pics or it didn't happen. I'll upload them shortly.

I've owned many Ampeg tube amps, but none this old. Any advice or things to watch our/care for is appreciated.

Old Ampegs never die, just need a little TLC here and there. Incidentally those will put out 120-130 watts with 6550 tubes, with maybe just a bias change.

 

[bhoff5150]

Old Ampegs never die, just need a little TLC here and there. Incidentally those will put out 120-130 watts with 6550 tubes, with maybe just a bias change.

Will the 6550s require a different socket or will they just plug into the same socket as the 7027As??

I normally use in ears, but this past gig was a show with floor monitors. That V4B kept up with a Marshall plugged into a 2-12 cabinet. Guitar player was polite, but I was really impressed with the Ampeg. It will also dial in a little grit if you push it.

 

[stubborne]

Saw Mark jump on the stage w/ the Dregs in Charleston this past March... They were OUTSTANDING. Anyway, great score.

 

[bobyoung53]

Will the 6550s require a different socket or will they just plug into the same socket as the 7027As??

I normally use in ears, but this past gig was a show with floor monitors. That V4B kept up with a Marshall plugged into a 2-12 cabinet. Guitar player was polite, but I was really impressed with the Ampeg. It will also dial in a little grit if you push it.

They plug right in and are interchangeable, I think the directions are in the Ampeg Wiki here on this site, in fact I'm going to go check it out now. I had one those years old versions like yours ago, good sounding heads.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The bear claws that hold the tube in place can be a problem with 6550’s. I would get to know the amp before making changes. But first, since it is a gigging amp, I’d have a tech check it out and bring it up to spec.

We have no way of knowing what sort of maintenance has been performed. At the very least, the amp looks like it needs a good cleaning. Dirt can impede cooling. Inside, most often solder joints need to be reflowed. These amps run so hot that it takes a toll on them. But the inside should be inspected.

The tubes should be checked. The power tube bias should be checked. Clean the pots, jacks, and tube socket terminals with deoxit. The usual basic maintenance tasks that a tech would perform.

There are good current manufacture Tung-Sol 7027A power tubes available (thetubestore.com).

 

[bhoff5150]

The bear claws that hold the tube in place can be a problem with 6550’s. I would get to know the amp before making changes. But first, since it is a gigging amp, I’d have a tech check it out and bring it up to spec.

We have no way of knowing what sort of maintenance has been performed. At the very least, the amp looks like it needs a good cleaning. Dirt can impede cooling. Inside, most often solder joints need to be reflowed. These amps run so hot that it takes a toll on them. But the inside should be inspected.

The tubes should be checked. The power tube bias should be checked. Clean the pots, jacks, and tube socket terminals with deoxit. The usual basic maintenance tasks that a tech would perform.

There are good current manufacture Tung-Sol 7027A power tubes available (thetubestore.com).

Yup, totally agree. My SVT is in the shop right now getting service, and when I pick that one up I'll drop this one off. It deserves to be kept up and maintained....

I had not seen the Tung-Sol 7027As - Tung Sol are some of my fav tubes. I'll be checking those out for sure if my tech says its time on the power section.