Everyday reliability - Ampeg SVT vs V4B? (Tried searching, no luck...)

[AlexanderB]

So what say you about reliability of current iterations of Ampeg SVT, and V4B, respectively? I have tried to find any existing discussion about this, but found nothing. By the way, l saw that the reissued V4B was introduced in 2013? Time sure flies.

I am mainly concerned about failures big enough to bring out the backup amp, like blown tubes, transformer problems, intermitting signal loss (bad solder joints seemed very Ampeg typical some years ago) and similar.

It seems to happen fairly often in the SVT, that tube failure will call for some extra bench time to replace resistors etc. Does that happen in the V4B as well?

Thanks!

 

[coreyfyfe]

I’ve had a bunch of SVTs and V4s, though the only “current” one was an early-aughts SVT-CL. My impression has always been, as with any tube amp, if you take care of it, it will take care of you. None were more problematic than the others for me.

A tube failure can damage other components in any amp. Comparing two amps made by the same people in the same factory I would suspect any issues relating to poor qc or common components would probably be a wash. So then the question is reliability of design. They’ve both been in production for years with minor updates, and the SVT design hasn’t changed a whole lot since the early 90s. I’d say that’s probably a sign they’re on the whole fairly reliable.

 

[Funk With Me]

I’ve owned four different SVT’s over the years and a V4b. Workhorsed all of them and never had trouble. I don’t think it matters which, trouble is always a game of chance.

 

[JimmyM]

I've had both, and both are equally built well. Tubes can sometimes be a wild card, but I only lost one in the 2013 V4B that I used to have and still have all the originals in my 13 Heritage SVT-CL after 9 years of moderate usage.

 

[jdubbass38]

Have two Ampeg V4b’s reissues, solid amps!

 

[AlexanderB]

Thanks, everyone!

 

[rodl2005]

All original tubes in my V4B, not that it gets gigged often, but when it does it's pushed pretty hard. To its limits really.
Not one problem with it.

Super Bassman is my 300w all tube amp, and it too has been rock solid. It's still on its original power tubes tho I swapped pre amp tubes back in 2013 or 14.