• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The official Ampeg V-4BH thread

TSanders

TSanders

Oct 23, 2004
2,733
86
42
Columbus, Georgia
#1
In a tonal quest that has lead me through what seems like a million amps, I seem to have hit a snag.

I got an Ampeg V-4BH about a month ago. Mine is branded a V-4B "reissue", from the Classic Series, but these are the same as the amps currently branded as V4BHs.

I was worried about 100 watts (even though its all tube) not being loud enough. HOWEVER, for my needs this amp really has more than enough juice. I dont use PA support in small to medium venues, but do rely on PA support for bigger stuff.

This amp has been so good to me. I love the way the tubes sound, but even more the way the feel when you really get them going.

So yeah, this thread is for those that like the Ampeg V4BH.

So that my thread isnt worthless :D :

V4BH001.jpg


V4BH005.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rugmaster, jdubbass38 and BluesOnBass
#4
Ill go a bit further and say that I prefer the V4BH to the SVT Classic.

Ive now owned both, and Ive found the V4BH to provide better results for me.

It seems like its easier to push to a sweet spot at 100 watts as opposed to the 300 watt SVT Classic. The result for me has been an easier time dialing in a warm, thick tone. I also dont find the V4BH as muddy at higher volumes as the SVT Classic was for me. Maybe someone who knows more about tubes can chime in as to whether or not thats the result of the 6L6s (V4BH) vs the 6550s (SVT Classic).

Cool to see two other satisfied V4BH users show up so quick.
 
#6
mikgag said:
What I'd like to hear is what style of music each person plays and how loud you normally play...:bassist:
Click to expand...

I play everything from straight up rock and roll, to bluesy rock (like the John Mayer trio), to weekly church services. I LIKE, I mean REALLY LIKE a good bit of volume on stage (even when using PA support).

Heres a list of amps Ive used in the last year or so:

Ampeg V4BH
Ampeg SVT Classic
Trace Elliot AH1200
Gallien Krueger 1001RB-II
Ashdown ABM500
Eden WT330
Eden WT400
Aguilar AG500
Mesa Boogie D-180
Euphonic Audio iAmp 500
Ernie Ball MusicMan HD-500
MarkBass Little Mark II

Ive had no more issues (in terms of volume, with the V4BH) than with any of the amps listed above. In fact there are a couple amps in that list that IMO didnt do as well with volume as the V4BH.
 
#7
do you have the original cabs? i have heard that the V4 series cabs gave a great sound that projected into the audience well, but the bassist couldn't hear himself unless he turned WAY up, is that true? i have heard that people began carrying an SVT 810 cab along with them so that they could hear themselves.
 
#8
moogboy said:
do you have the original cabs? i have heard that the V4 series cabs gave a great sound that projected into the audience well, but the bassist couldn't hear himself unless he turned WAY up, is that true? i have heard that people began carrying an SVT 810 cab along with them so that they could hear themselves.
Click to expand...

I use Ernie Ball MusicMan HD-210 cabs. They are smooth sounding cabs with a good sounding tweeter.

They are rear ported, but seem to be a great match with the V4BH. They are in one of the pics above.
 
#10
I go back a long way with Ampeg and I have owned many brands and types of amps (see profile) and I love the Ampeg tube tone best! My current setup is a V-4BH with an SVT-15E single 15 bottom and for the size rooms I'm dealing with it has plenty of power @ 100 watts. I am thinking of adding another bottom but I really haven't had to yet. I will agree wholeheartedly that it is nice that you can get a slightly overdriven sound at lower volumes easier than you can with an SVT head but to be fair, I wouldn't want to use anything other than an SVT-VR for large/loud venues. My only complaint about the VR is the weight. But, if you are talking about small to medium rooms in a band with reasonble sound levels or in a studio situation, the V-4BH is just fine and a great choice for that big warm cushy all tube tone in a reasonable size and weight.

George
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bass 45
#13
moogboy said:
do you have the original cabs? i have heard that the V4 series cabs gave a great sound that projected into the audience well, but the bassist couldn't hear himself unless he turned WAY up, is that true? i have heard that people began carrying an SVT 810 cab along with them so that they could hear themselves.
Click to expand...
You are thinking of the folded horn 2x15 Ampeg cabs from the early 70's -- I think they were for the V4-B. They project the sound out about 15 feet or so, so yeah, you could barely hear yourself standing in front of the amp, but out in the audience, you were louder than the drummer :D
 
#14
jsamans said:
You are thinking of the folded horn 2x15 Ampeg cabs from the early 70's -- I think they were for the V4-B. They project the sound out about 15 feet or so, so yeah, you could barely hear yourself standing in front of the amp, but out in the audience, you were louder than the drummer :D
Click to expand...

ahhhh, ok, i read that in a book about Ampeg, it was a book that is on their website. i got it for christmas and after i read it i began looking at certain Ampeg gear.
 
#15
rllefebv said:
Or how about just us straight V-4 lovers? Gettin' some tone with my roots/rock group... '00 Dano into a '71 V-4 pushing an odd Gibson 2X15... This is how I like to sound!
Click to expand...

Right on Robert! I've been playing V4's for almost 20 years now. I do admit to keeping a V4 4x12 cab around and playing guitar through it too -- gotta love the versatility. I have an old Ampeg 2x15 cab (not the folded horn design) for bass.

I've owned two of them. The first one was a '76 and it had the folded horn 2x15 cabinet, with the "towel bar" handle. I got the head, the cabinet and a MIJ P-bass all for $500 back in the late 80's.

My current V-4 head is an oddball -- white tolex and it is actually a VT-22 chassis in the head -- light blue paint so I guess that makes it pre-1972. The story went that it was part of the Rod Stewart Band's backline in the early 70's -- for a while the Guitar Center in Hollywood had a whole mess of these in white tolex -- heads and cabs. I got a great deal on mine since it was the VT-22 chassis.
 
#16
jsamans said:
Right on Robert! I've been playing V4's for almost 20 years now. I do admit to keeping a V4 4x12 cab around and playing guitar through it too -- gotta love the versatility. I have an old Ampeg 2x15 cab (not the folded horn design) for bass.

I've owned two of them. The first one was a '76 and it had the folded horn 2x15 cabinet, with the "towel bar" handle. I got the head, the cabinet and a MIJ P-bass all for $500 back in the late 80's.

My current V-4 head is an oddball -- white tolex and it is actually a VT-22 chassis in the head -- light blue paint so I guess that makes it pre-1972. The story went that it was part of the Rod Stewart Band's backline in the early 70's -- for a while the Guitar Center in Hollywood had a whole mess of these in white tolex -- heads and cabs. I got a great deal on mine since it was the VT-22 chassis.
Click to expand...
That sounds really cool. Got any pics?
 
#17
Aaaargh! This is really the last thread I wanted to see. I got rid of my V4BH and 1x15 yesterday. I have a late 60s B15 on the way and something needed to go. I'm hoping and trust that the tone that I bought the V4BH for, is in the B15.

I've still got the SVP CL but the V4BH is no longer in the arsenal!
 
#19
I have a Magnavox V4B running an original V4B folded horn cab (Altec upgrade) along with a modern SVT 810. The original cab can be run at 4 or 16 ohms. When using both cabs, I set the folded horn to 4 ohm and then hook the 810 up at 4 ohms for a 2 ohm load.
Thick sound that will rattle your fillings out from the stage, yet the 810 keeps the stage sounds great.
All you need is a van to haul them. I can't imagine hauling an SVT amp vs the V4B. The V4B is heavy enough for me.

Get one. They are worth it!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back