the Official Ampeg Club Part 5

[5thsand4ths]

I have a PF500 and pair of 115HE's as noted in top photo but I now have a SVT CL. Nothing wrong with the PF500. What's nice is it is easy to transport inside a 115 cabinet fliptop and serves as a very capable backup.

 

[G On Bass]

I finally found a used 210AV cab at a great price on Reverb and it is inbound. This will give me:

V-4B
2 x 112AV cabs
MicroVR Head
2 x 210 AV cabs.

For the places and genres I play out here, this is pretty much an ideal tool chest. I'm not a pedal guy so these will do the heavy lifting all by themselves. Super stoked!

 

[krkozbassman]

Can I join in? I finally got all tubes with a SVT-2 PRO and I couldn't be happier!!! My old SVT-3 Pro was great, but I was never completely happy with it. It's been a month now and I'm like a little kid - I rush home from work and just play and enjoy! I purchased used from GC ($850) and it had issues so they bought me all new output tubes (Tung Sol 6550's) and I installed them along with a couple burnt resistors and IC's (bias sense). That's luv it didn't work, I had to fix it and I am still totally in luv with it!!!

 

[krkozbassman]

View attachment 1100539 Can I join in? I finally got all tubes with a SVT-2 PRO and I couldn't be happier!!! My old SVT-3 Pro was great, but I was never completely happy with it. It's been a month now and I'm like a little kid - I rush home from work and just play and enjoy! I purchased used from GC ($850) and it had issues so they bought me all new output tubes (Tung Sol 6550's) and I installed them along with a couple burnt resistors and IC's (bias sense). That's luv it didn't work, I had to fix it and I am still totally in luv with it!!!View attachment 1100528

I forgot to mention my wonderful wife made this all happen for our 25th anniversary!!

 

[Michael Schreiber]

@krkozbassman Congratulations! The 25th anniversary, is that called "Silver Anniversary" in English, too?

I would also like to join the club - I am so happy with my beloved Ampeg V-4B and SVT-210AVs cabinets; after all that money saving and considerations, pondering: Finally, I do have found what I was looking for \m/ (U2 pun intended ;O)

Ampeg V-4B 2013 Reissue + 4x 210AV

• Michael Schreiber
• Apr 9, 2017
• 210av ampeg rickenbacker 4001 v-4b

My Ampeg V-4B, 4x 210AV, and my Rickenbacker 4001 :D

Of the 4x 210AV, I only use 2x 210AV for...

 

[mapleglo]

Rics and Ampegs, my favorite combo! Nice!

 

[beans-on-toast]

What strings do you use on your ricks with the Ampeg amps?

I've been using TI flats for years on my 4002 and Pbass. They work well for me. Expensive but I never change my strings.

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[Michael Schreiber]

Rics and Ampegs, my favorite combo! Nice!

Thank you! Great nickname, by the way \m/

What strings do you use on your ricks with the Ampeg amps?

I've been using TI flats for years on my 4002 and Pbass. They work well for me. Expensive but I never change my strings.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Hi beans! Welcome to the club of the NeverStringChangers
I am using the strings that were set up by the previous owner. He mentioned they're Rotosound; I measured the low-E as .095 in diameter, so I understand they are the RS66LC. Pretty sure it's stainless steel, not nickle - but just because of the color. I guess once they are worn in, there might be hardly any difference in tone?
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Interesting, I knew Thomastik from violin strings! I can imagine their bass strings to work pretty well, since they obviously do know how to make quality strings. Glad you're happy with them - and that I'm not the only one using vintage strings I cannot help it, I do like the sound not before but after they are worn in; so, I can rely on a consistent sound that stays as it is. Same with my other bass, and my guitars (Rotosound Darkzones, by the way).

 

[beans-on-toast]

Hi beans! Welcome to the club of the NeverStringChangers I am using the strings that were set up by the previous owner. He mentioned they're Rotosound; I measured the low-E as .95 in diameter, so I understand they are the RS66LC. Pretty sure it's stainless steel, not nickle - but just because of the color. I guess once they are worn in, there might be hardly any difference in tone?
Invalid Link Removed

Interesting, I knew Thomastik from violin strings! I can imagine their bass strings to work pretty well, since they obviously do know how to make quality strings. Glad you're happy with them - and that I'm not the only one using vintage strings I cannot help it, I do like the sound not before but after they are worn in; so, I can rely on a consistent sound that stays as it is. Same with my other bass, and my guitars (Rotosound Darkzones, by the way).

I find that nickel strings can be identified by the way that they oxidize. Rub them and the oxide comes off. Stainless strings are cleaner.

I use Pyramid Gold flats, another old string company, on a Ric 381/12 and on a Another guitar to get a vintage sound. Both the 381 and 4002 are mapleglo. The bass has all black hardware. I bought a number of packs of Hofner strings for my 500/1 bass years ago. I think that they were made by Pyramid in Austria.

 

[Michael Schreiber]

I find that nickel strings can be identified by the way that they oxidize. Rub them and the oxide comes off. Stainless strings are cleaner.

That's why! I always wondered; after jamming, a friend of mine and me used to clean our strings with some cloth - his was dirty, and I told him to take better care of his strings, he replied "I do, that's normal" - and I thought, no it's not, look at my cloth, there's no stain on it... Then it was just the oxide from the nickel plating. Geeze, finally solved that mystery! Thanks

AFAIK, Pyramid strings are also hand-crafted, at least the Gold series you use. But I don't have any experience with flatwounds, save for the high-e and -b guitar stings. I'd love to try some, but I don't like to put off the strings that never let me down. Maybe I have to lend another bass or guitar to try flatwounds
I only have a set of Axel Ritt's Pyramid guitar strings, stainless steel. Came pretty close to what I was looking for, just found the high-e string was too thick/stiff for me. With my little skill I'm rather a slow melodic player on the high strings. Even if I would like to shred the highs, I just couldn't. So, I prefer thick low strings and thin high strings on the guitar.

Do you have pictures of your guitars and basses?
Made me curious; guess I risk a peek into your profile
EDIT: found no pictures - mission... failed

 

[beans-on-toast]

That's why! I always wondered; after jamming, a friend of mine and me used to clean our strings with some cloth - his was dirty, and I told him to take better care of his strings, he replied "I do, that's normal" - and I thought, no it's not, look at my cloth, there's no stain on it... Then it was just the oxide from the nickel plating. Geeze, finally solved that mystery! Thanks

AFAIK, Pyramid strings are also hand-crafted, at least the Gold series you use. But I don't have any experience with flatwounds, save for the high-e and -b guitar stings. I'd love to try some, but I don't like to put off the strings that never let me down. Maybe I have to lend another bass or guitar to try flatwounds
I only have a set of Axel Ritt's Pyramid guitar strings, stainless steel. Came pretty close to what I was looking for, just found the high-e string was too thick/stiff for me. With my little skill I'm rather a slow melodic player on the high strings. Even if I would like to shred the highs, I just couldn't. So, I prefer thick low strings and thin high strings on the guitar.

Do you have pictures of your guitars and basses?
Made me curious; guess I risk a peek into your profile
EDIT: found no pictures - mission... failed

Not any pics of the guitars. Here are a few of the basses with my restored 63 B-15N. A nice little amp with a wonderful tone.

'88 4003 with black hardware, vintage knobs. I removed the cover from the bridge pickup.

Hofner 500/1

These two go together well.

 

[Michael Schreiber]

Not any pics of the guitars. Here are a few of the basses with my restored 63 B-15N. A nice little amp with a wonderful tone.

'88 4003 with black hardware, vintage knobs. I removed the cover from the bridge pickup.
View attachment 1102677

Hofner 500/1
View attachment 1102678

These two go together well.
View attachment 1102679

Shoot, that black hardware looks really cool in combination with the mapleglo finish, hot!

They all seem in very good condition, the amp as well. Amazing to see a '63 B-15 like it's only one year old. Good job.
Would love to hear the basses through the amp, especially the Hofner, since I know nothing what it really sounds like; beyond youtube videos and such. Guess, they have very precious and detailled characteristics, which must be felt and can hardly be captured in recordings. Just like the difference between violins; OK they sound different, but when someone actually plays it live, even the subtle differences are feelable. Same for basses, and such special amps.

Great pictures, thanks for showing these gems!

 

[FloydianAnimal]

Hadn't checked this thread for awhile- I see just one new number since I last updated the list:

1115 Michael Schreiber

Let me know if anybody still needs a club number. Liking the gear and pictures for sure!

 

[Michael Schreiber]

1115 Michael Schreiber

Thank you!

 

[12BitSlab]

@krkozbassman Congratulations! The 25th anniversary, is that called "Silver Anniversary" in English, too?

I would also like to join the club - I am so happy with my beloved Ampeg V-4B and SVT-210AVs cabinets; after all that money saving and considerations, pondering: Finally, I do have found what I was looking for \m/ (U2 pun intended ;O)

Ampeg V-4B 2013 Reissue + 4x 210AV

• Michael Schreiber
• Apr 9, 2017
• 210av ampeg rickenbacker 4001 v-4b

My Ampeg V-4B, 4x 210AV, and my Rickenbacker 4001 :D

Of the 4x 210AV, I only use 2x 210AV for...

Your pic suggests that you are using a V4B with FOUR SVT210AV cabinets. If so, how do you wire those?

 

[Michael Schreiber]

Your pic suggests that you are using a V4B with FOUR SVT210AV cabinets. If so, how do you wire those?

Yes, I also use all four together.

The 210AV has two input sockets, that are in parallel.
The V-4B has two outputs for 2 Ohms in total; both output sockets are in parallel. Mentioning that, since it may sound confusing calling both "2 Ohm outputs" - they can be used to either plug in two 4 Ohm cabs (= 2 Ohms in total) or one 2 Ohm cab.

I connect a pair of 210AVs, and one cab of that pair into one of the 2 Ohm outputs of the V-4B. Same for the second pair:

210AV <---> 210AV <---(2 Ohms output #1) V-4B (2 Ohms output #2)---> 210AV <---> 210AV

Tried to visualize that a bit. Hope that helps.

 

[12BitSlab]

Yes, I also use all four together.

The 210AV has two input sockets, that are in parallel.
The V-4B has two outputs for 2 Ohms in total; both output sockets are in parallel. Mentioning that, since it may sound confusing calling both "2 Ohm outputs" - they can be used to either plug in two 4 Ohm cabs (= 2 Ohms in total) or one 2 Ohm cab.

I connect a pair of 210AVs, and one cab of that pair into one of the 2 Ohm outputs of the V-4B. Same for the second pair:

210AV <---> 210AV <---(2 Ohms output #1) V-4B (2 Ohms output #2)---> 210AV <---> 210AV

Tried to visualize that a bit. Hope that helps.

Thanks!!!!

 

[Michael Schreiber]

Thanks!!!!

You're welcome!

 

[Jakub]

Hi guys ! I have American SVT4PRO and Vietnemesse 2010 410HLF cab. I use 4 string basses (rarely detuned to D) and I still don't know how to setup my eq to make this gear good sounding. Most of the time I just set everything flat sometimes adding some bass and mids or just cut only high end, but I think that's still is not the best what I can achieve from this gear. There's a lot of low end in this cab and I think there's too much high end too and mid sound is somewhat scooped. But maby it's just me... Do you have same gear ? How to use properly eq on SVT4PRO to make this cab somewhat flat without those thunderous shaking low end, overwhelming high end and how to improve midrange ? I like good mid sound kind of "pretty growl" noticeable in the mix like on Prince's recordings in 90's and sometimes kind of Nathan East and Pino kind of sounds. I use mainly my StingRay 4 3band eq maple with Thomastik flats. Thanks !

 

[Michael Schreiber]

Hi guys ! I have American SVT4PRO and Vietnemesse 2010 410HLF cab. I use 4 string basses (rarely detuned to D) and I still don't know how to setup my eq to make this gear good sounding. Most of the time I just set everything flat sometimes adding some bass and mids or just cut only high end, but I think that's still is not the best what I can achieve from this gear. There's a lot of low end in this cab and I think there's too much high end too and mid sound is somewhat scooped. But maby it's just me... Do you have same gear ? How to use properly eq on SVT4PRO to make this cab somewhat flat without those thunderous shaking low end, overwhelming high end and how to improve midrange ? I like good mid sound kind of "pretty growl" noticeable in the mix like on Prince's recordings in 90's and sometimes kind of Nathan East and Pino kind of sounds. I use mainly my StingRay 4 3band eq maple with Thomastik flats. Thanks !

Hi Jakub!
I don't have the same gear, but maybe a tip worth trying. Since you'd like to achieve mid sound and pretty growl, which I like as well. On my V-4B with 210AVs, I do roll off the bass down to 8 o'clock. To warm up the sound, I then engage Ultra-low, the rest all flat.

Here is the video from AmpegTV which inspired me to try this out:


Another one - not with the SVT4 PRO, but might be helpful:


And finally one which also shows an SVT PRO:


Hope that helps, or gives at least some ideas.
Much success and much fun!