The official Ampeg V-4BH thread

[TSanders]

Yes, mine had the stock Sovtek 5881WXTs.

 

[hbarcat]

The year I started playing bass (late 80's) I bought an Ampeg v4 used for $100 including the cab with a 15" JBL in it and a horn. I didn't know enough at the time to realise that it was a good amp. I only had it for about six months when the singer in our band invited some of his idiot friends (think Beavis and Butthead) into our practice place when the rest of the band wasn't there so they could get drunk and high and play with our guitars and amps. One of them burned out my amp (at least he admitted it) and told me he'd pay for it to be repaired or replaced so I just agreed to sell it to him for what I paid for it, which was $100. Of course when I went shopping for another amp and realised how much good amps cost and what a great amp the V4 is, I knew that I was pretty dumb, myself.

 

[SB Dog]

Thanks for the information.

I have searched every ampeg tube amplifier thread on this site hoping to see if anyone has encountered the same problem that I am experiencing with my tube amplifier (previously stated). I am not having any luck.

Hopefully I can get some suggestions.

Here is the issue: If I leave the amplifer in standby mode for a prolonged period (meaning I forget to shut it off), then, take her out of standby and attempt to play through it, I get no sound unless I max the volumes and slap a string. Only then I may get a POP then no sound. I shut it off and wait a few minutes, I still get no sound. If I shut it down and wait say 8+ hours, all is fine.

If I am playing and inadvertently step on guitar cord unplugging it from my bass, I get the same problem. Last, I will be playing, and all of a sudden, I get a reverbing effect and it the same thing happens. It has happened to me once just turing the amp on for a practice session.

I have only accidently left it on twice (standby mode), Unplugged from bass once, and the playing / reverb issue, once. All together, this scenario has occured 5 times over the past year I have owned her since new. The power tubes have the blue glow equally, and the amplifier is not painfully hot to the touch. The power led is on (green), and the standby circuit glows red when closed.

I took it back to the music store where I purchased it when it happened the first time, but when the tech turned on the amp, it worked fine. I felt quite embarrassed thinking it may have been a fluke thing. But now, I really hate to take it in because I know it will work fine until it happens again.

I have tested ALL cords and cables, (I do this routinely) I have tried several of my other basses thinking it may be the instrument, I have got great ventillation around the amplifier, and since it has never left my house, (68 deg. temp controlled) I never have it up past 4 (VERY MAXIMUM).

I am out of troubleshooting tips and things to isolate the problem.

Before I take it in to have it serviced, does anyone have any ideas or troubleshooting tips?

I have contacted Ampeg about the problem and they said it is NOT a warranty issue, and I should take it in for service, but before I do, I want to be sure it is not just a minor tube issue.

Your input and advise would be appreciated.

 

[TSanders]

Thanks for the information.

I have searched every ampeg tube amplifier thread on this site hoping to see if anyone has encountered the same problem that I am experiencing with my tube amplifier (previously stated). I am not having any luck.

Hopefully I can get some suggestions.

Here is the issue: If I leave the amplifer in standby mode for a prolonged period (meaning I forget to shut it off), then, take her out of standby and attempt to play through it, I get no sound unless I max the volumes and slap a string. Only then I may get a POP then no sound. I shut it off and wait a few minutes, I still get no sound. If I shut it down and wait say 8+ hours, all is fine.

If I am playing and inadvertently step on guitar cord unplugging it from my bass, I get the same problem. Last, I will be playing, and all of a sudden, I get a reverbing effect and it the same thing happens. It has happened to me once just turing the amp on for a practice session.

I have only accidently left it on twice (standby mode), Unplugged from bass once, and the playing / reverb issue, once. All together, this scenario has occured 5 times over the past year I have owned her since new. The power tubes have the blue glow equally, and the amplifier is not painfully hot to the touch. The power led is on (green), and the standby circuit glows red when closed.

I took it back to the music store where I purchased it when it happened the first time, but when the tech turned on the amp, it worked fine. I felt quite embarrassed thinking it may have been a fluke thing. But now, I really hate to take it in because I know it will work fine until it happens again.

I have tested ALL cords and cables, (I do this routinely) I have tried several of my other basses thinking it may be the instrument, I have got great ventillation around the amplifier, and since it has never left my house, (68 deg. temp controlled) I never have it up past 4 (VERY MAXIMUM).

I am out of troubleshooting tips and things to isolate the problem.

Before I take it in to have it serviced, does anyone have any ideas or troubleshooting tips?

I have contacted Ampeg about the problem and they said it is NOT a warranty issue, and I should take it in for service, but before I do, I want to be sure it is not just a minor tube issue.

Your input and advise would be appreciated.

I had somewhat similar problems with one of the inputs on my V-4BH. Have you tried cleaning the input jacks? I used alcohol on a q-tip, tightened the jack and that did the trick. Might not work for you, but it may.

 

[rudedogg]

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

OHHH YEAAA....I had one of the old V-4B rigs. A 1976 head and the folded horn cab with SROs in it. It was straight up incredible. Its true about "throwing the sound", you had to stand about THIRTY feet out to really get a feel for what the audience would experience, devastating!


John

 

[rodl2005]

Hi all, I got my NEW ST LOUIS Music V4BH about 6 weeks ago. & MAN DO I LOVE IT!!!!!!! It just SITS in the MIX PERFECTLY!!!!!!! & thru my Berg NV610 it has Volume a plenty!!!!!!!!!!! IMHO is EASILY as loud as my old SVT3PRO, & B2R[450w & 350w respectively-all S.S. power tho! ;-( ]
I'm STOKED with it. Sounds superb-punchy, full, warm ,round, & can sound 'modern' & 'slappy' also easily! DAMNITT!!!!!!!! Now I have to choose between taking the V4BH OR the Fender 300PRO- I think I like the sound of the V4BH better, but the 300PRO has the channel blending Overdrive option........aaah well I can think of worse choices. I'm thinkin tho..............the LMII might have to GO!! ???????? Dunno yet. But taking the LMII to the 'jazz' gig last nite-I noticed the 'same old problem' arising...that is... IME-------- I seem 2 have to have the vol. of a S.S. amp up too far to get the same 'punch' as with a valve amp-at about 1/2 the volume..... & this makes a difference-especially in a quiet jazz setting(& in a loud 8 piece band-as I've described B4) with the LMII(& any S.S. amp I've tried-& hybrids)I have to havethe vol UP so the bass is LOUD, with VALVE/TOOBE power I seem 2 be able have the volume down, but the bass seems to still be punchy & solid to the audience(& our vocalist) without being too 'loud' in strictly 'volume'. Hard 2 explain..... but thats the "jist" of it!??????????????????????

 

[anderbass]

I know exactly what you mean and totally get the "Jist" of it Rod...
That's the same complaint you had with your SVT-3 right?

 

[rodl2005]

Yep.....I've had the same 'complaint' w/ every S.S. amp I've tried(GK, EDEn, Ampeg,Ashdown, Trace, Peavey........AND power amps..... Crown, EV, Yamaha, Carvin. .... can't remember ALL i've tried over the years. I remember having this feeling yrs ago( early '80s) & ppl looked at me funny- things haven't changed much!!!! ;-)

 

[SB Dog]

I had somewhat similar problems with one of the inputs on my V-4BH. Have you tried cleaning the input jacks? I used alcohol on a q-tip, tightened the jack and that did the trick. Might not work for you, but it may.

I just checked the jacks, cleaned and verified tightness of them, and it still does not function. This is the longest duration this amp has not worked. I removed the metal sleeve protectors from the AX7 and AU7 and they both seem to glow as well.

Any other suggestions?

 

[rodl2005]

Any further info- news SB DOG?

 

[dave64]

I recently got a V4BH and I'm liking the tone, but I'm beginning to think there may be something wrong with it. This is my first tube amp so I don't have much to compare it to. I was hoping some of you could answer a few questions and help me figure out if I need to take it in for service. First off, I'm playing a Fender MIA Jazz with stock pickups and the amp is running into an Ampeg SVT 15E cabinet (amp is set to 8 ohms).

My biggest concern is the heat. Is it supposed to get so hot? I knew tube amps get hot, but this one gets so hot that the metal back plate (where the ins and outs are) is almost too hot to touch. Is that normal for these? The power tubes have a slight orange/yellow glow. Is that how they are supposed to look?

The other concern is the volume. I know it's a low wattage amp, but it isn't as loud as I was expecting. Could it be because I'm using a 15 at 8 ohms? Unless I put the gain on at least 5, I can turn the master up to 10 and still not have it very loud. Also, I thought that if I put the gain on 10 and turned down the master I should get a nice overdriven sound. With the gain all the way up, it does get pretty loud as I turn up the master, but the tone doesn't really change that much from when the gain is on 5. Maybe I just don't know what bass tube overdrive sounds like, I guess I was expecting something more fuzzed up with a more drastic change as the gain increases. But it does nail that growly Ampeg tone that I like.

Sorry for such a long post and thanks for any suggestions anyone has.

 

[SB Dog]

Any further info- news SB DOG?

I read this post, turned it on (not expecting anything) and it decided to work for me.

This is the craziest thing I have ever experienced.

Could it -- Would it -- possibly be the AX7 or AU7 tube even though they do glow?

Has anyone ever heard of a tube working partially? Or if a tube goes, it is gone?

 

[rodl2005]

I recently got a V4BH and I'm liking the tone, but I'm beginning to think there may be something wrong with it. This is my first tube amp so I don't have much to compare it to. I was hoping some of you could answer a few questions and help me figure out if I need to take it in for service. First off, I'm playing a Fender MIA Jazz with stock pickups and the amp is running into an Ampeg SVT 15E cabinet (amp is set to 8 ohms).

My biggest concern is the heat. Is it supposed to get so hot?


Yes. Tube amps DO get hot.
I knew tube amps get hot, but this one gets so hot that the metal back plate (where the ins and outs are) is almost too hot to touch. Is that normal for these?



Too hot to touch???? Sounds a bit TOO hot--- But if U R running it hard-loud as...- it will get hot- sounds pretty normal. U could get someone to check it out tho -JUST to be on safe side!
The power tubes have a slight orange/yellow glow.

Is that how they are supposed to look?
Yes! Don't they look lovely????


The other concern is the volume. I know it's a low wattage amp, but it isn't as loud as I was expecting. Could it be because I'm using a 15 at 8 ohms? Unless I put the gain on at least 5, I can turn the master up to 10 and still not have it very loud.


Possibly because U R running into just ONE 15" spkr. I run into my EV1x15"(8 ohm)or my Bergantino NV610 (4 ohms-tho doesn't matter w/ tube amps- as long as u match impedance w/ switch on rear -it'll put out max. power) & I can get LOUD-I think at least as loud as my old SVT3PRO(450w solid state) But I definately Notice it is MUCH louder-(more headroom available)when running into the NV610 when compared to the 1x15"- the sheer cone area of the 6x10" compared to the 1x15"= increased headroom!


Also, I thought that if I put the gain on 10 and turned down the master I should get a nice overdriven sound. With the gain all the way up, it does get pretty loud as I turn up the master, but the tone doesn't really change that much from when the gain is on 5. Maybe I just don't know what bass tube overdrive sounds like, I guess I was expecting something more fuzzed up with a more drastic change as the gain increases.

It DOES get pretty overdriven & a change of preamp tubes(to a kind that overdrive more easily) might make a difference 4 U-but that may come at a cost of less clean volume- I can't remember which settings I used , but I know I did get it to overdrive quite a LOT- BUT it isn't a FUZZ type - it's a definate tube overdrive, def. not fuzzy, but plenty grunty!! Hard 2 explain-some on here(ANDERBASS, Psycho Bass guy) will be able to better describe 4 U.

But it does nail that growly Ampeg tone that I like.
There U go.

As far as headroom..... IFAIK- a more efficient cab WILL make HEAPS of difference for U. I know a guy who has the exact same set up as U do, But runs the SVT210 on top of the SVT15E... he seems happy with his volume capabilities.
I can only go on what I've experienced- I've only had My V4BH for a cuppla months & I LOVE it, but I've had tube amps ALL my life, & I remember once.... I was using my EV 1x15" spkr(always-only cab I had then!!) & a friend lent me his 4x10" cab & I was BLOWN away by how much more volume & punch I had with the EXACT same tube amp!

Try as many cabs as poss. Check out the sensitivity ratings of them.- maybe aim to add the SVT210 to what U have now... It'd be an AWESOME rig! &...
Sorry for such a long post .

& long reply!

 

[rodl2005]

Sorry it all came out 'IN' your Quote???????? I've not tried that B4 & so .... well Sorry!
I 4got 2 mention one thing tho.... I've used my V4BH with my Aguilar GS112(a 1x12" w/ horn cab) & sounds good! BUT when I put the GS112 on top of My 15" EV-mentioned above- it sounds GREAT!!! The 2 cabs working togetherare awesome. The old "sum of the parts....." saying---aw crap I can't remember THAT! Where's my memory goin??? I don't know THAT EITHER!!!!!!
Basically-the V4BH sounds great into the 1x12" OR the 1x15". But put the 2 cabs together & "whacko!!" seems to sound MORE than twice as good!!
If I was U- I'd try a 2x10", 1x12", 2x12" cab-any or ALL of these configurations. AVATAR-makes a nice LIGHT 2x12" which would sound great by itself & Fantastic with yr SVT15E! IMHO-of course! Or try the SVT210-as I said above- a mate has these 2 cabs with a V4BH(tho he lives in another state to me & I've not heard 'em) & he says-as I do- that the amp's as loud as he needs-easily! He plays Hard rock w/ 2 guitarists-one w/ 50w Marshall 1/2 stack, other w/ Fender Twin(both LOUD tube amps) a keyboard & a LOUD Drummer!
Good luck!

 

[TSanders]

I read this post, turned it on (not expecting anything) and it decided to work for me.

This is the craziest thing I have ever experienced.

Could it -- Would it -- possibly be the AX7 or AU7 tube even though they do glow?

Has anyone ever heard of a tube working partially? Or if a tube goes, it is gone?

Hey, one more thing. Did you check the two 12AX7s behind the input jacks? If you unscrew the 4 screws on top of the amp and push out the black screen on the front (its secured by string velcro, and the silver corner pieces on the bottom). Once you do that the amp can slide out of the from of the casing. On the inside there are two 12AX7s. The cant be accessed from under the amp as the 12AX7, 12AU7, and 6l6s can. Thats the only other thing I could think of.

 

[rodl2005]

Hey ebmuscman83- I noticed those two tubes in there just by peering thru the vents- I thought there were more tubes in it than what was stated on the 'tube list' on the rear panel!! So they're both 12AX7's huh? Thanx for that!
SBdog- haven't heard of a tube partially going bad & working again- but there's a 1st for everything?????? :-(
Could be some wiring behind/ into where the tubes are!! I dunno. see how it goes & take to a tube expert if poss.

 

[McHaven]

I just bought one here on TB. Waiting for it to be shipped. I'm concerned about volume with my band though. Hopefully I'll be okay

 

[rodl2005]

McHaven- U'll be FINE IF yr cabs are efficient OR U at least have a 4x10 IMHO. It needs to push a lotta air- & does so with STYLE imho! I LOVE it thru my NV610- & we Have a LOUD LOUD DRUMMER!!!!!!!

 

[peter G]

I'm playing a Fender MIA Jazz with stock pickups and the amp is running into an Ampeg SVT 15E cabinet (amp is set to 8 ohms).

The other concern is the volume. I know it's a low wattage amp, but it isn't as loud as I was expecting. Could it be because I'm using a 15 at 8 ohms? Unless I put the gain on at least 5, I can turn the master up to 10 and still not have it very loud.

I know adding another cab would help.I use the same cab and bass but through the Traynor head.normally for pratice and worship I run the single 15" with a gain at 3 master at 5 plenty loud enough for the hall,but when we played outside I added another 15" pushed the master to 6 and had plenty of vol.It did seem like doubling speaker area doubled vol or close to it.

 

[rodl2005]

+1 Some spkr 'guru's will know the facts/specs, but yep U R right it sure does pump it up!