New guy needs advice on Ampeg SVT vs V4B

[thatguy1988]

I currently have a 400 watt Ashdown ABM that I run at about 50-75%depending on the situation and the volume is fine for me. My question is should I get a V4B or the SVT for a similar volume level? I'm looking at vintage and reissue ampegs. I have no ampeg dealers in my area and no used ones to try out either. I'll be running the amps through an Ampeg 810 heritage cab. I'm concerned that the V4B won't have enough clean headroom and on the other hand I'm concerned that the SVT will be way to loud.

Any input would be apprecieited

Thanks

 

[b/o 402]

SVT all the way.
Do you have a good tube amp tech?

 

[thatguy1988]

SVT all the way.
Do you have a good tube amp tech?

Yep I have a really good amp tech that I've used for years. I really want an original SVT but i'm going to have to buy one without getting to play it. I've found some on Reverb and none of them are close to me.

 

[JimmyM]

Not knowing at all how much volume your Ashdown head puts out at those settings, here's how I describe the volume differences between the two...

---The V4B has enough available volume in an 810 to get you dirty looks from any sound tech and fired from any respectable gig.

---The SVT has enough available volume in an 810 to make you nauseous.

The V4B definitely has the size/weight advantage, especially the new ones, which weigh 41 lbs vs the typical new SVT's 80-85 lbs. depending on whether you go CL or VR. But it's clear that for sheer concussion value, the SVT is the winner. I've talked to people who are deliriously happy with the output from the V4B, and I've talked to people who are not. Me, I mostly use the PF-50T through an SVT 210av or PF115hlf these days and I can still get asked to turn down now and then

As for new vs vintage, there is something very cool about vintage Ampeg heads...I have one of the first SVT's ever made from 1969, and it's an amazing amp. But so are my two Heritage SVT-CL's. And in the many AB comparisons I've done between them, I've found that the CL sounds and responds identically to channel 1 of the 69 SVT when you crank the master up all the way and use gain to control volume. I also do a fair amount of fly gigs and have used all the different models of SVT at one time or another, and to me they all sound basically the same, with the differences being very slight and way more about the cabs and the tube in V1 of the preamp than any actual differences in the heads. But you don't have to worry about the cab since you already own what I consider the very best cab to ever come out under the Ampeg name. And while I haven't been able to AB an original V4B vs the new one, I used to own a 73 V4B, and I think for all intents and purposes, they sound the same according to my slightly fading memory. So I wouldn't worry too much about what era head you get...it's all good.

 

[thatguy1988]

Not knowing at all how much volume your Ashdown head puts out at those settings, here's how I describe the volume differences between the two...

---The V4B has enough available volume in an 810 to get you dirty looks from any sound tech and fired from any respectable gig.

---The SVT has enough available volume in an 810 to make you nauseous.

The V4B definitely has the size/weight advantage, especially the new ones, which weigh 41 lbs vs the typical new SVT's 80-85 lbs. depending on whether you go CL or VR. But it's clear that for sheer concussion value, the SVT is the winner. I've talked to people who are deliriously happy with the output from the V4B, and I've talked to people who are not. Me, I mostly use the PF-50T through an SVT 210av or PF115hlf these days and I can still get asked to turn down now and then

As for new vs vintage, there is something very cool about vintage Ampeg heads...I have one of the first SVT's ever made from 1969, and it's an amazing amp. But so are my two Heritage SVT-CL's. And in the many AB comparisons I've done between them, I've found that the CL sounds and responds identically to channel 1 of the 69 SVT when you crank the master up all the way and use gain to control volume. I also do a fair amount of fly gigs and have used all the different models of SVT at one time or another, and to me they all sound basically the same, with the differences being very slight and way more about the cabs and the tube in V1 of the preamp than any actual differences in the heads. But you don't have to worry about the cab since you already own what I consider the very best cab to ever come out under the Ampeg name. And while I haven't been able to AB an original V4B vs the new one, I used to own a 73 V4B, and I think for all intents and purposes, they sound the same according to my slightly fading memory. So I wouldn't worry too much about what era head you get...it's all good.

It's a lot easier for me to get a SVT-CL or V4B reissue than it is to get an original since most people don't want to ship the originals. So I'm glad to hear that the tone on them is all pretty much the same. I'll probably buy a couple different brands of preamp tubes and see which one sounds the best to me.

Do you think the master volume amps are a little more versatile since you can turn the master down and the gain up and get them to breakup at lower volumes in comparison to the non-master volume amps?

 

[JimmyM]

It's a lot easier for me to get a SVT-CL or V4B reissue than it is to get an original since most people don't want to ship the originals. So I'm glad to hear that the tone on them is all pretty much the same. I'll probably buy a couple different brands of preamp tubes and see which one sounds the best to me.

Do you think the master volume amps are a little more versatile since you can turn the master down and the gain up and get them to breakup at lower volumes in comparison to the non-master volume amps?

Yes, but that is offset by the VR and vintage heads having two non-identical channels, which is also very cool for certain things, although getting breakup at lower volumes isn't one of them.

As for the tubes, so far I've tried a handful of NOS 12ax7's that I still have laying around (GE, RCA, and Raytheon from Japan made on Mullard equipment), a new Tung Sol, and the stock JJ, and the tube that made my HSVT-CL sound closest to my 69 with a very nice Amperex 12dw7 in V1 is the JJ. All the others were too bright and tight, especially the Tung Sol.

 

[Dp1363]

I had a new V4B for a year. Best tone ever from a bass amp. I even thought it sounded much better then the SVT-CL. But.....in the end, the 100 watts wasn't quite enough for the gigs I played.

I found the SVT's wattage overkill (and too heavy) and the V4B not enough power. Ampeg needs to come out with a 200 watt SVT at a decent weight and price. That could be the sweet spot for most players. I bet they would sell a load of them. I know I would be first in line to buy one.

 

[Funkdified]

If you're around the pittsburgh pa area you can come check out my v4b to see if its loud enough. I'd have to go get my 810e heritage from storage down the road.

 

[Jim C]

I've had both at the same time.
I think the V4B sounded just a little but sweeter.
It also didn't have enough clean power with an ineffecient cabinet.
SVT for the win.
They don't cost that much more on the used market and easier to sell if you change your mind.
And 84 lbs. is not that much.
OK I lied, but players still schlep these boat anchors for a reason!
If you let them cool before you move them, tubes can last a long time.

 

[Alexander]

I currently have a 400 watt Ashdown ABM that I run at about 50-75%depending on the situation and the volume is fine for me. My question is should I get a V4B or the SVT for a similar volume level? I'm looking at vintage and reissue ampegs. I have no ampeg dealers in my area and no used ones to try out either. I'll be running the amps through an Ampeg 810 heritage cab. I'm concerned that the V4B won't have enough clean headroom and on the other hand I'm concerned that the SVT will be way to loud.

Any input would be apprecieited

Thanks

I ran a 300W Mesa Walkabout at around 50-75% and had no problem replacing that with a V4B (and that was through 412s). If you are running through a Heritage 810, it will give you even more headroom. I have no idea how loud your band is, but the V4B is plenty for me with a moderately loud rock band (and 810). Clean enough at volume and easy to get it grindy too at a volume that doesn't kill folks. As Jim C says, I too find it sweeter sounding than the SVT. It is lighter, simpler and quieter (given no fan) than the SVT.

The SVT is bigger/louder/fatter sounding than the V4B, especially when I jump the channels. I can't imagine a gig it couldn't cover through an 810 and I find it sounds great at lower volumes as well - you can always turn it down. But, if you are in a position to crank it up a bit (as I have a couple of times outdoors with the rock band), it is a real force to be reckoned with! If I want to bring a smaller cab (212AV), the SVT still gives me plenty to work with. The V4B through one 212AV usually isn't enough - but the Heritage 810 gets 99% of my gigs anyway.

The obvious answer is to get both and take whichever one suits the gig you're playing best (or you're just in the mood for!). I hope this helps

 

[2behead]

I had a new V4B for a year. Best tone ever from a bass amp. I even thought it sounded much better then the SVT-CL. But.....in the end, the 100 watts wasn't quite enough for the gigs I played.

I found the SVT's wattage overkill (and too heavey) and the V4B not enough power. Ampeg needs to come out with a 200 watt SVT at a decent weight and price. That could be the sweet spot for most players. I bet they would sell a load of them. I know I would be first in line to buy one.

Give an old traynor a shot. They made a 200 watt head. I had a 50 watt traynor from 69. Fantastic tone. As good but slightly diffrent than my v4. Just not enough juice.

 

[thatguy1988]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I ended up getting a very nice MTI era svt and I can’t believe how amazing it sounds. And I think it might be an early MTI since it has 12DW7’s in it unless someone changed them out.

Anyway thanks everyone for all your help.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I ended up getting a very nice MTI era svt and I can’t believe how amazing it sounds. And I think it might be an early MTI since it has 12DW7’s in it unless someone changed them out.

Anyway thanks everyone for all your help.

Congratulations on the MTI SVT!!!

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I ended up getting a very nice MTI era svt and I can’t believe how amazing it sounds. And I think it might be an early MTI since it has 12DW7’s in it unless someone changed them out.

Anyway thanks everyone for all your help.

An excellent choice! MTI's are very underrated by people who have no experience with them and only see "Made in Japan."

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

An excellent choice! MTI's are very underrated by people who have no experience with them and only see "Made in Japan."

The MTI made amps might just be the real "Sleeper" in vintage SVTs. My Dad was a Ham Operator, and I remember he always praised the impeccable workmanship found in his Yaesu and Icom transceivers way back when. He believed Japan produced the very best electronic devices.

 

[bobyoung53]

V4-B's are nice sounding heads but I always say you can get an SVT for what maybe 500 bucks more? I had both of them at one point and used the V4-B for rehearsal and used the SVT for gigs if that tells you anything. I'm 65 and still use them for almost everything but small rooms then I use a Fender Dual Showman head which is comparable in volume to a V4-B.