Replace the old amp or go with something new

[mikewalker]

I loved my V4B, but the next tube amp I buy will be a Traynor YBA-100
22 pounds and lotsa good stuff!
YBA100 – Traynor Amps

 

[bignote]

I would consider a Markbass or Phil Jones solution. Your back will love you for it. SO will your ears.

 

[kentiki]

If you were in my situation, what amps would you consider?[/QUOTE]

I always played tube amps, especially Ampegs. I went to class D and lightweigt cab and I couldn't be happier. I love tubes, but really with FOH support and the type of places I'm playing they are overkill.

There are a lot of options and try as many as possible. They won't sound the same as the V-4B, but they will sound good. Good luck.

 

[rodl2005]

If the V4B and cab was doing it for you, there's yr answer.

I've gotta V4B and a cuppla class D amps and, to me, the Aguilar TH500 is a great match to be in the same ballpark and is only 5lb or less.

 

[rodl2005]

The burnt rig 'd look great if it WAS revived

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I know exactly how it’d go down.

I’d spend a month trying everything: Mesa, Markbass, 7ender Bassman, GK, cool vintage stuff like Eden & SWR…

I’d probably give the entire Mesa lineup like ten tries really rooting for them to win me over…

Then I’d ask myself why I’m trying to re-engineer steak and potatas and just get another V4B & pair of 212av’s and remind myself that my doctor told me I need to be doing significant amounts of weight training for my back’s long term health anyways and having those two cabs for squats is a handy two-birds-one-stone purchase.

Try out some DNA stuff too if you can. The founder of Eden left in 2009 to start DNA (David Nordschow Amplification). He released his DNS (David Nordschow Speakers) cabs in 2010. Way back in 2015 I bought his [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] which I thought would be the last cab I'd ever need to buy. I bought a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] cab in 2019 when I became a member of the DNA Endorsing Artist group and last year I bought a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] amp (400-watts rms into 8Ω and 800-watts rms into either 4Ω or 2Ω, class D amp weighing 4.8-lbs.).

Ended up buying some cabs for small venues because the 410 scared owners of small brew pubs and invariably they would make me play through a small 112 combo. So I bought the DNS-210 because no one looks twice at a bass player bringing in a 210 and it's really loud. Its an 8Ω cab with 700-watts rms power-handling with super clear, clean, full sound with a very tight and focused bottom end... sounds just like my DNS-410 but with a smaller form factor. It's actually so loud that I use that DNS210 for all my indoor venues now and reserve the DNS-410 for outdoor venues and music festivals.

Picture below was from first gig I used the 210 for. Wasn't certain it would cover this almost-large venue. So brought my DNS-410 along too because I get told to turn that 410 down at music festivals and if the 210 didn't cover it I could unplug the 210 and plug in the 410 in just a few seconds. I'm driving it with my Eden WT500/800 running it bridged at 800-watts into the 210. It was more than loud enough and my 410 ended up just being a very expensive amp stand.

Street prices are:
DNA-800 amp - $799
DNS-210 cab - $849 to $969 (believe the $969 had Neo speakers)
DNS-410 - $1,149 to $1,249
You can get them used for less if you can find them. They show up on Reverb from time to time.

 

[Mvilmany]

Get the TT 800 or whatever lightweight head that you want, and get a lightweight 212.

 

[wysiwyg248]

GenzBenz Shuttle Max 12, at 6.75 Lbs is hard to beat.
Don't own one (own SWR but thinking about buying one), had the pleasure to play thru one of these a couple of months ago and was superb. Very TRANSPARENT tone.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

“We have a full pro quality backline”

 

[coy garcia]

I got tired of hauling my boogie tube amp and cabs. If you like ampeg tube tone maybe a pf50t (20-25 lbs) and a lightweight cab (bbc112 20ish lbs). This tiny rig keeps up with a full band with or without FOH support. I love the tone and sometimes use my boogie speakers with it.
So many options these days for lighter great sounding gear.

 

[Raf Seibert]

When I had some sound equipment damaged by a lightning strike, the insurance company wanted good documentation of the damage before they would pay. They did, and I came out alright, but those pictures of yours would sure have done the job.

 

[Bald-N-Bassy]

@Rip Van Dan Thats a nice rig. Ive got the 800 and 2 DNS112 cabs.

 

[mrjim123]

As you age you're growing ever closer to a physical limitation of some sort. Definitely go light weight - class D head and Neodymium cab(s). Your back (and heart) will thank you.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Last Saturday, the practice space my band was renting burned to the ground. Luckily most of my gear was at home but my Ampeg v4B and 2 SVT 212 AV cabs were destroyed. The good news is that I have all of my gear insured with Music Pro and less than a week later I have a check in my hands for the full replacement value of $3k.

I really liked the way that rig sounded but to be honest we never play a gig without a PA (with sub) so I didn't really ever need the second cab. I'm also getting older and even though the V4B is half the weight of an SVT it's still a 45lb head. Those two cabs were another 120lbs on top of that.

I'm thinking about taking the opportunity to invest in a lighter / smaller rig and am very interested in the Mesa TT 800.

If you were in my situation, what amps would you consider?

I would and have gone the Mesa Subway route.
The TT and my favorite the WD are good choices
The WD gives me a B-15 vibe.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

That is heart breaking, I'm so sorry.
The Mesa would be a fantastic replacement.

 

[2tonic]

Pffffffff......that'll buff out!

 

[Spupilup]

Wow, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I had a similar thing happen to me back in 1977 when I lost an Acoustic 371 to a house fire. Back then there wasn't really much of a choice between old school stacks and lightweight alternatives. I bought a different but similar in many ways, replacement. It lasted only a couple of years before I went with a used GK 350 and a couple of smaller, lighter TL 806 boxes. I'd use two sometimes, one for smaller gigs.

There are a lot of incredible, lightweight alternatives these days. Take some time and you'll find the right replacement that will enable you to capture your tone while saving your back. Good luck!!!

 

[themickster]

There are Trace Elliott Elves and loads of Markbass to choose from, all with lightweight speakers.

 

[Aloe]

if I was in your shoes, I'd check out the Ampeg PF-800 along with Mesa, recommended by Andy.

and would get two 112 cabs of your liking: Ampeg, Mesa, Aguilar or whatever you like best.

 

[baxter_x]

If you still want the SVT tone in a lightweight package, go for the SVT 7 pro.