Well like I said HM-2 is probably the best bass fuzz I've ever played. Not entirely sure but that V4-B would be from the 70's. Ampeg didn't make V series amps after MTI bought them from Magnavox in the 80s. But a V4-B would be my choice over either Sunn. It'll probably need some work. But those amps just roar, they're loud, distortion machines. Put a drive pedal in front and one could say that it might be... gnarly. I miss the tone of my late '70s master volume modded V-4B when I'd run it into my 8x10 with my Bass-Drive in front so much distortion and so much loud.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How Gnarly will my Tone Be? *SUNN Content
- Thread starter HeavyAxe
- Start date
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
Should prob check out the Lone Wolf Audio Left Hand Wrath. modded HM2 by a guy who heavily favours 70s Ampeg V4s. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
More of a Bob Gnarly guy.
[Actually really dig Dread Zepplin]
I don't know, when I asked the guy he just said its an 80s model with a three prong plug.
Got a picture? That will clear things right up. The three-prong plug is common safety mod.
That's definitely a late 70's much like mine with the MV mod. Loved it. But my holy grail Ampeg is a clean(ish) early 70's V-4, after I got it I couldn't justify two having V-4s around. Gotta spread those amps around, anyone that would appreciate one should have one. Anyways, looks fairly clean will definitely look nicer in the original box if that's in good shape as well. Find out its service record but otherwise one of the best bass amps I've ever played.
On the Sunn input #1 runs your signal through the "brite" circuit without having to turn it on. #2 runs your signal dry but you can still get the "brite" to turn on via the switch for more high end on the #2 input. The Sunn is mid-late 70s as well.
On the Sunn input #1 runs your signal through the "brite" circuit without having to turn it on. #2 runs your signal dry but you can still get the "brite" to turn on via the switch for more high end on the #2 input. The Sunn is mid-late 70s as well.
Hmm, this is kinda tough... Keeping in mind I already have a nice Mesa Boogie Bass 400, what would your move be?
With that in mind, definitely the Ampeg. I used to have a Bass 400+ which took over for my V4-B because at the time I needed the power to compete with my guitarists using my '73 V-4 and and a loaner V-4 through 4x12 cabs. If I didn't need the power I would have kept using and even kept the V-4B. Eventually the 400+ became overkill and I sold it along with my SVT-VR. Between the V-4 that I have now (the '73) and my GK, that's plenty of power for most situations. I do wish I had that late '70s V-4B though, mini SVT basically.
Hmm, I'm gonna see what price I could get on the Ampeg. The SUNN and V4B are priced fairly close, but I may be able to get the Ampeg for the same price as the SUNN, which seems good. Do you think I could get those monster doomy (or gnarly) tones from the Ampeg?
To those curious, that constitutes a gnarly bass tone. He's using a SUNN Concert Bass and a slave through two 2x15's, though I've seen him use the Concert LEAD as well! Not a big Weedeater fan, but talk about pure bassy goodness.
Gnarrrrrrrllllly..... drool
Last edited:
Oh yeah, you'll definitely be able to get some serious grind out of the V-4B. Just don't be afraid of how loud the amp is before it gets to distortion, it doesn't get any louder after that. A V-4 runs full tilt around 10 o'clock on the volume knob, put a good dirt pedal in front and you're laughing as your band mates and the sound man run for cover while bass freaks and V-4 lovers in the audience will be stoked. I wish I had some recorded examples of my old V-4B with my Bass-Drive in front of it, that was great.
Lol, Dave Collins was the inspiration for my black-on-black Squier P-Bass. Mine is nicer than his, but that's some serious moxie though playing that same beat up Squier since forever basically.
Lol, Dave Collins was the inspiration for my black-on-black Squier P-Bass. Mine is nicer than his, but that's some serious moxie though playing that same beat up Squier since forever basically.
Last edited:
Hmm, well I ended up gettin' the Concert Lead. I was pretty impressed by the built in distortion. Haven't dimed it yet, which I'm going to do tomorrow. When I stepped on that HM-2 though with all knobs dimed...dear lord. That was insane. Like, it felt as if I would just randomly move my fingers around on the fretboard and a juicy, doomy, fuzzed out riffs would bestow themselves upon me. I foresee many long and LOUD jam sessions!
Clean tone was alright. I just tried my Ric through it, but I think with the jazz, it might be a bit better.
While my tone had been quite gnarly lately, I may be able to up said gnarles. A real cheap SUNN Concert Slave just came up for sale. I'm not very experienced with slave/power amps or whatever, but do you think it'd be even gnarlier to run the Lead with the Slave into two cabs?
If you wanna be like Dixie. Do eet. I've considered tracking down a Concert Slave and a second 215B (when I had a Concert Bass and 215B loaded with EV EVM-15B servies II drivers) after I saw Weedeater for the first time. Plus you'll get into clean headroom territory with the extra speakers and head to free up some of the workload with the first. To connect he Concert Lead to the Slave. Just use the line/pre-out jack on the back of the Lead and run it the top input on the front of the slave. I don't know where the signal splits so watch your levels.
Very cool. The guy only wants like $50 so I think I'll grab it. So after connecting them, would one cab be connected to the Lead and the Slave?
Yeah, thats what I mean. Sorry, worded sorta funny. One cab for the Lead and the Slave. Two cabs in all!
I've sorta had a hankering for an Orange 1x15 for awhile. Do you think with the Lead/Slave each going into a single 15 would be good? The Lead right now going into the 2x15 sounds pretty good, but with high volume and distortion gets pretty muddy and farty. Or do you think 10s or maybe 12s would be better? Well I do like Weedeater, I don't play nearly as sludgy stuff as that. More speed/black Motorhead style metal.
