Should i sell my all tube Ashdown LB30 head and buy an Ampeg V4B?

EQ is prob closer to a Hiwatt one. Get another cab the same, for more volume. Less pushed makes the eq bit more responsive too. Or get an LB550.

 

I never recommend against getting a V4B But it's always great to have a low wattage tube amp for recording.

 

It depends. I love my LB30, but I don't gig it, I only use it for home practice and the occasional rehearsal. I have a Fender SB300 for live gigs.

So I guess I would keep the LB30 and buy the V4B.

 

Understand that the V4 is NOT an SVT. It will NOT sound like one.

Many think the V4 is a 100W mini SVT but not even close.

The V4 is "cleaner" than an SVT. It is much harder to get grit and dirt from a V4. It is not a beefy as an SVT either.

They are not the "same preamp with less power". It's a totally different circuit.

They are both amazing at what they do. But what they do is different.

 

While there are differences, they're not that drastic and can be overcome for the most part with EQ. The V4B has flat response with knobs at noon and the SVT has a hump at 100-150 hz and gradually tapers off going up the spectrum. But you can adjust the EQ's to sound like someone's favorite sounds out of both.

Cleaner? Nah, I'd say they're about the same for clean, although obviously the SVT goes louder cleaner, it's not by a butt-ton. And getting grit and dirt is just as easy on both. Don't get that one at all. As for beef, some might disagree, but I've done an AB with them on a gig and I thought both of them had equal amounts of beef at the volumes I use them. Which, admittedly isn't too loud, but it's loud enough to hear.

 

You have obviously spent more time with Ampeg gear than I have. But ournexoeriences were totally different. I have owned and early 70s SVT and V4. The V4, to me, was almost hi-fi compared to the ACT. The SVT almost wanted to he aggressive while you had to dial crap out of the V4 to go that route. And I play pretty hard compared to most.

If Jimmy says you can coax a fat round hairy tube tone out of a V4 then I will defer to him and say it can be done. I couldn't do it with mine.

 

Time for a road trip to a place that has a V4B reissue in stock. You'll never know till you try one. Bring a spare pair of pants, you'll need them after trying the V4B. Enough said.

 

That I can not answer.

 

Bass Gear Mag did a vintage vs reissue shootout along with a full review on the V4B-RI and 212AV. Tonally the vintage and new reissue are pretty close, overdrive characteristics were a little different. Between the two the reissue uses all current production tubes.

 

Dozens of 100w territory valve heads come in cheaper than either of those s/h.

 

Yep. That's why Ampeg makes the B-15N.

 

Yes. V4b

 

I had an Ashdown and could never seem to dial in a good sound. I went back to an Ampeg SVT-CL and have no regrets.

 

Yes, unfortunately it is difficult finding them. That's why I mentioned taking a road trip. Being the only kid on your street that has an Ampeg comes with a price.

 

Got 60 or so piled up about my house, think linking any would prob violate the commercial user thing though. No need of local since international shipping became a thing.