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Need New Amp, Ampeg SVT-CL Or Will V4B Be Enough?

S

spitfirees20

Guest
Dec 20, 2013
61
18
#1
Hello All,

This is going to be a relatively easy thread. Right now I'm using an Ampeg PF-500 through a Greenboy Dually. I play hard rock music. The amp is set up with the gain up to the point where the clipping light comes on when I start to dig in, and the master volume at 10 o'clock. I don't know if this is loud or not to you, but it may help with the following question:

I'm looking to move to a tube amp. My question is, should I get the SVT-CL, or will a V4B be enough with my particular cabinet setup and playing style? I really like the V4B sound and how grindy it gets, but I just want to make sure that I don't have to max out the gain AND master volume just to compete with a drummer. I'm not looking for super clean tone. Most of the places I play, if they mic up the drums, they'll also mic up the bass or take a di feed from the head, so I think all I really need is enough stage volume.

Any input? Hopefully the settings on my PF-500 listed above and some familiarity with my cab will give someone all the information they need to help answer my question. Thanks in advance!
 
#2
I think the V4B would be perfect for you. I'm pretty familiar with the PF800 using similar settings, and a V4B can get you there and still have some wiggle room. It won't make you puke if you crank it super hard like an SVT will, but it's not a quiet head by any means.
 
#3
JimmyM said:
I think the V4B would be perfect for you. I'm pretty familiar with the PF800 using similar settings, and a V4B can get you there and still have some wiggle room. It won't make you puke if you crank it super hard like an SVT will, but it's not a quiet head by any means.
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Thanks, JimmyM. I value your input seeing as how you have almost every single head in question haha. Just one thing though, you said you use similar settings on your PF800; does that means you use a similar master volume setting? If so, considering you use the PF-800 and I use the PF-500, wouldn't that mean you play louder?

Also, do you think that the V4B is a decent step up from a PF500 tone wise? I feel as though the bottom end is somewhat thicker on a V4B or an SVT, but I unfortunately haven't had much of a chance to play with them vs my PF500. The PF500 truly does sound great for the price, but it seems to lack... balls, for lack of a better word. The low end girth just seems to be lacking a bit.

Unfortunately, I don't play stadiums or anything like that. We're not a quiet coffee shop band, but I don't really think I'll be in a scenario where I'd like to make myself puke with volume.
 
#6
spitfirees20 said:
Thanks, JimmyM. I value your input seeing as how you have almost every single head in question haha. Just one thing though, you said you use similar settings on your PF800; does that means you use a similar master volume setting? If so, considering you use the PF-800 and I use the PF-500, wouldn't that mean you play louder?
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I have used that setting before, but I don't really use it on gigs. I tend to back off the gain a little so I get a cleaner sound and I use pedals for overdrive. And my band has a fairly quiet stage volume so I've only been able to give the PF800 a good cranking at home. I don't know if I would be louder than you with the PF800 set the same as amps don't usually work in a strictly linear manner like that, and extra wattage doesn't always make such a noticeable jump in volume.

Also, do you think that the V4B is a decent step up from a PF500 tone wise? I feel as though the bottom end is somewhat thicker on a V4B or an SVT, but I unfortunately haven't had much of a chance to play with them vs my PF500. The PF500 truly does sound great for the price, but it seems to lack... balls, for lack of a better word. The low end girth just seems to be lacking a bit.
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The micros are excellent for the money but there's a reason the V4B costs more. You will definitely notice the uptick in tonal quality, no doubt about it.

Unfortunately, I don't play stadiums or anything like that. We're not a quiet coffee shop band, but I don't really think I'll be in a scenario where I'd like to make myself puke with volume.
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I've done stadiums and large amphitheaters before, and I've never needed to make myself puke with stage volume. My band runs pretty much the same stage volume whether we're doing a stadium or a dance at a local rec center. With a decent PA, you really don't need big stage volume.
 
#7
JimmyM said:
I have used that setting before, but I don't really use it on gigs. I tend to back off the gain a little so I get a cleaner sound and I use pedals for overdrive. And my band has a fairly quiet stage volume so I've only been able to give the PF800 a good cranking at home. I don't know if I would be louder than you with the PF800 set the same as amps don't usually work in a strictly linear manner like that, and extra wattage doesn't always make such a noticeable jump in volume.


The micros are excellent for the money but there's a reason the V4B costs more. You will definitely notice the uptick in tonal quality, no doubt about it.


I've done stadiums and large amphitheaters before, and I've never needed to make myself puke with stage volume. My band runs pretty much the same stage volume whether we're doing a stadium or a dance at a local rec center. With a decent PA, you really don't need big stage volume.
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Awesome, thank you for the very detailed responses.

Not to hijack my own thread or anything, but I guess it relates: my band is the same way, and we play with the same volume no matter if it's in the practice space or on the stage with everything mic'ed up. We tend to let the soundguy do his thing in regards to volume. What would the purpose of an SVT be in this scenario? Is it just a relic of a bygone era where PA support was more lacking, or does it have an entirely different tone, or was there a need for such a loud amp on stage?
 
#8
Well you see SVT's on major stages more than any other amps these days so you can't really call them relics of a bygone era. Some bassists just like the sound of SVT's (most do, actually...they just don't want to move them ;) ). Some bassists like lots of headroom so they stay clean at higher volumes. Not all bands like quiet stage volume, either. And some bands have PA's that are no good for bass so they need a boost from the amp. But I could do every gig I do with a V4B running clean, even the loudest ones I do, and be fine. I've AB'd my new V4B on a gig with my Heritage SVT-CL before and didn't notice a lack of balls even in the slightest.
 
#12
spitfirees20 said:
What kind of cab do you play through, and what sort of music do you play? Just trying to figure out if our musical scenarios are similar.
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I've gigged it with Bergantino NV115, but I just got an Ampeg 212AV so that will be my primary cab going forward. 90% of my gigs are local bar/club gigs. I have a 6x10 cab I can pull out if needed for a big outdoor gig or something. My current band plays 90's alternative rock covers (311, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, RHCP, etc) with 2 guitar players who keep their volume mostly reasonable. (I usually have a TX Country / Americana project too but not at the moment.)

I'll say I did as much research as possible before buying without actually playing it. Volume question comes up a lot and the resounding answer has been it's plenty loud enough. I briefly owned an early 70's V4B and it did NOT have near enough clear headroom for me, but this is much better. I probably wouldn't have researched so much had it not been for that experience. Now that I own one, I can confirm the hype at least so far. Easily comparable to a 500+ Watt solid state rig in volume, IMHO. Tone is great.
 
#13
Burwabit said:
I've gigged it with Bergantino NV115, but I just got an Ampeg 212AV so that will be my primary cab going forward. 90% of my gigs are local bar/club gigs. I have a 6x10 cab I can pull out if needed for a big outdoor gig or something. My current band plays 90's alternative rock covers (311, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, RHCP, etc) with 2 guitar players who keep their volume mostly reasonable. (I usually have a TX Country / Americana project too but not at the moment.)

I'll say I did as much research as possible before buying without actually playing it. Volume question comes up a lot and the resounding answer has been it's plenty loud enough. I briefly owned an early 70's V4B and it did NOT have near enough clear headroom for me, but this is much better. I probably wouldn't have researched so much had it not been for that experience. Now that I own one, I can confirm the hype at least so far. Easily comparable to a 500+ Watt solid state rig in volume, IMHO. Tone is great.
Click to expand...

Awesome, thank you very much for the reply.
 
#14
JimmyM said:
Well you see SVT's on major stages more than any other amps these days so you can't really call them relics of a bygone era. Some bassists just like the sound of SVT's (most do, actually...they just don't want to move them ;) ). Some bassists like lots of headroom so they stay clean at higher volumes. Not all bands like quiet stage volume, either. And some bands have PA's that are no good for bass so they need a boost from the amp. But I could do every gig I do with a V4B running clean, even the loudest ones I do, and be fine. I've AB'd my new V4B on a gig with my Heritage SVT-CL before and didn't notice a lack of balls even in the slightest.
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Jimmy, this is a similar to where I'm at currently. I'm playing an SVTCL through an Orange OBC410. I bypass my Master Volume, running volume from the Gain, but I can't get my amp past 4/5 without blowing the walls down. I'm thinking of swapping for a V4B because I liked the tone better actually. I'm no sure if this is due to the cab or the tubes (6L6's vs. The 6550's). I love my classic but am looking for more of the Grindy Ampeg tone. I'm having trouble achieving with that tone without pedals, but haven't found a pedal I really like. I'm thinking it might be the Orange cab, it feels a little looser and less tight in the mid/highs. I'm going to try AB'ing the Classic and V4B with the Orange vs. Ampeg cabinets. Any advice? I'm scared I'll regret trading off my classic.
 
#15
Colin Cashman said:
Jimmy, this is a similar to where I'm at currently. I'm playing an SVTCL through an Orange OBC410. I bypass my Master Volume, running volume from the Gain, but I can't get my amp past 4/5 without blowing the walls down. I'm thinking of swapping for a V4B because I liked the tone better actually. I'm no sure if this is due to the cab or the tubes (6L6's vs. The 6550's). I love my classic but am looking for more of the Grindy Ampeg tone. I'm having trouble achieving with that tone without pedals, but haven't found a pedal I really like. I'm thinking it might be the Orange cab, it feels a little looser and less tight in the mid/highs. I'm going to try AB'ing the Classic and V4B with the Orange vs. Ampeg cabinets. Any advice? I'm scared I'll regret trading off my classic.
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You sound like a candidate for a V4B. Don't know much about the Orange cabs, but the V4B has a very flat response with knobs at noon so that may be attractive to you. It'll still be quite loud if you crank into power tube distortion, but it won't make you throw up like a cranked SVT will ;)
 
#17
Scott549 said:
I have a PF-500. I bought a V-4B but returned it because it was not loud enough w/o breakup. I was playing with a classic rock cover band with a small outdoor gig. The PF-500 is significantly louder than the V-4B and the tone is almost as good -- just my 2 cents.
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Was it one of the new reissue V4Bs? If so that's not been my experience at all.
 
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#19
Scott549 said:
New reissue, yes. It was b-stock or a return from Guitar Center, but all the tubes appeared to be working. The tone was fine but it just didn't have enough headroom. I was using just a 112 and a 210 with it, which could have been a factor, but still, the PF-500 is much louder with those cabs.
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Well yeah...500w vs 100w...even with tubes, a watt is a watt. But man, even with that cab config, I would never consider a V4B "quiet."
 
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#20
Scott549 said:
I have a PF-500. I bought a V-4B but returned it because it was not loud enough w/o breakup. I was playing with a classic rock cover band with a small outdoor gig. The PF-500 is significantly louder than the V-4B and the tone is almost as good -- just my 2 cents.
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Not my experience at all either. I gigged an Ampeg PF-500 with two PF-115he's for about two years before upgrading to the V-4B. The V-4B is WAY louder than the PF-500 was. It's also an appreciable upgrade in tone. I've been gigging the V-4B for just over a year now and seriously don't have a single negative thing to say about it. I don't think I'll ever buy another amp.

Anyhow, to the OP - get the V-4B, you won't be dissapointed. I believe it will be much louder than the PF-500 with your current cab. I also believe you will be love the tone. I run mine pretty clean most of the time (mostly play indie/alternative rock) with a single Ampeg SVT-112AV cab. My band is like Jimmy's in the sense that our satge volume is a constant regardless of venue, everything else is up to FoH. They prefer it that way and so do we. My settings are: Gain and Master at 1'o clock; EQ all set flat; Ultra Hi off; Ultra Low off. Don't know if it matters or helps, but I play an American Standard Jazz and Ray34CA and leave the settings on the amp the same for both bases.
 
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