NAD: FIRST ALL-TUBE HEAD

[NotTylerHendley]

So for the last ten years I've had nothing but solid state and hybrid amps. While these are perfectly fine and serve their purpose - I couldn't help but hear that old tube sound and start itching to get there.

Lo and behold, I finally made the move. Found a local CL ad for a 1971 Ampeg V-4 and offered up a trade.

A few days later, after taking it to Acorn Amps in Atlanta for a service (and upgrade the power cable), I present to you my otherwise all-original '71 Ampeg V4!

I've only had a few minutes to play through it before band rehearsal tomorrow, but with just a Pbass and a cable I can finally hear what I have always wanted to come from my hands.

I have already put a $20k down payment on a new spine. totally worth it!

 

[Rockbobmel]

Yuppers . Looks just like mine. Does it still have the old 7027A tubes in it ? They last FOREVER! Besides the weight, the only thing I don't like is the shape.

 

[Basshappi]

Congrats!
Welcome to the warm and glowing side!

 

[Stumbo]

I suggest getting covers, coasters and a "fridge" dolley!

Cool find! Looking forward to a gig report. See if you can go FOH to hear how it sits in the mix.

 

[Oren Hudson]

Good going - enjoy.

 

[NotTylerHendley]

Thanks all!

Yuppers . Looks just like mine. Does it still have the old 7027A tubes in it ? They last FOREVER! Besides the weight, the only thing I don't like is the shape.

Yes it does! I got it from the second owner who still had the original warranty card. Tech said it didn't need to be re-capped or anything.

 

[Figjam]

A treasure! The SVT tone is still 'the tone' for me (or one of THE TONES) , after owning one briefly. But it was too heavy for me!

 

[bobyoung53]

A treasure! The SVT tone is still 'the tone' for me (or one of THE TONES) , after owning one briefly. But it was too heavy for me!

I bought a good two wheeler for my SVT head and it makes moving them so much easier.

 

[NotTylerHendley]

A treasure! The SVT tone is still 'the tone' for me (or one of THE TONES) , after owning one briefly. But it was too heavy for me!

That's still the sound to me, but this guy gets me sooooo much closer than I anticipated

 

[Crusher47]

Congrats!

 

[jumbodbassman]

V4B with a squareback is still the best sound rig. i always preferred it to my SVT

 

[Laurent]

Yep, tube heads are sweet indeed.
After more than a decade having a mix of class D and tube heads, I 've gone all tubes.
Ashdown Little Bastard (30 watts) for the living room and Orange AD200B (200 watts) for other venues.
And I don't miss solid-state amp whatsoever.

 

[Moosehead1966]

Man that head is CLEAN! Love it. I am totally rockin’ a ‘71 Ampeg B-25 B with the 7027 power tubes. Wonderful tone.




Had a ‘71 V4B lined up but deal fell through. Saving my $$ for a reissue at the moment. Congrats sir.

Marc

 

[Fair Warning]

Ive got one just like it. Mine has all (except 1) the old Magnavox tubes in it. I once made the mistake of leaving it on for 3 days, since I normally let it cool down for a few minutes before turning it off. I burnt out one of the power tubes due to that laps of care.

So if anyone has an original 7027 Magnavox power tube for sale........here I am.

Magnificent sound and power! I cant get mine past 3 on the volume before getting told to turn down.

 

[Razman]

You are the newest member of the church of Iron and Glass - welcome! I love my Mesa 400, it replaced a SVT-6pro that was never the same after encountering bad generator power. I’m definitely a devoted congregant now!

Raz

 

[Ender_rpm]

Sweet rig. I still have a couple class D back ups, but yeah, my EBS and Peavey tubers are where its at for shows.

 

[Raw N Low]

Some of the best tube amp head around. I picked up a '76 V4 that has vintage RCA tubes in it. I was able to pick up a matching 4x12 cab a couple of months ago that I plan to upgrade with better speakers. Every note sounds like glowing pillow-like goodness.

Congrats and great find.

 

[Michedelic]

Get serious and get a fitting Anvil style road case with wheels. If you can find a ‘luggage’ configuration with telescoping handle and tilt wheels, even better. Even with the added weight of the case, it will be easier(and easier on the amp)to tilt/lift/slide into a vehicle. If you get a roll around, you can place one or both cabs on top to move them.

 

[coreyfyfe]

Get serious and get a fitting Anvil style road case with wheels. If you can find a ‘luggage’ configuration with telescoping handle and tilt wheels, even better. Even with the added weight of the case, it will be easier(and easier on the amp)to tilt/lift/slide into a vehicle. If you get a roll around, you can place one or both cabs on top to move them.

This is exactly what I do. Have rolling cases for my SVT and one that fits a few heads, my V4 included, with padding added/subtracted. Pop my smaller cabs right on top and roll away. I'll sometimes use the case on it's side as an amp stand as well. Depends on what I bring for a stack and how nervous I amp about it tipping over on stage.

 

[SactoBass]

All-tube amps with big power tubes and heavy iron transformers. IMO, there is simply *NOTHING* like it!

The tone..............and the "feel."

IMO, there are some amp topologies that try and cop the tone, and some get sorta kinda close, but IMO *NONE* get anywhere near the "feel." IMO, transistors just can't provide the feel.

OP: welcome to the wonderful world of all-tube amps!

(Btw, at my age of 61, I have found that Motrin often helps with the schlep factor. I think they invented Motrin for bassists who use all-tube amps!)