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Thunderbird Club

For whatever reason, I have never been drawn to Ampeg amps. The other night at band practice, I used an SVT model on my Fender Tonemaster Pro. Holy smokes there was the tone!! Now I am going down that rabbit hole. I like my Aguilar AG700 head, but now find myself looking at V4Bs.

GAS sucks....
1776979741794.jpeg
 
but now find myself looking at V4Bs.
I recommend the newer “re-issue” V4B over the vintage ‘70’s V4B. I have had more than a few of the old ones (both V4 and V4B) and I never really loved them. Maybe it was the cans I used them with (always sealed with 4x10 or 4x12). Now I have the newer V4B with gain and master and paired with the SVT-212AV cab, it’s one of my favorites I have going now.
 
For whatever reason, I have never been drawn to Ampeg amps. The other night at band practice, I used an SVT model on my Fender Tonemaster Pro. Holy smokes there was the tone!! Now I am going down that rabbit hole. I like my Aguilar AG700 head, but now find myself looking at V4Bs.

GAS sucks....
Keep in mind that an Ampeg V-4B is not a smaller/lighter version of an SVT. The V-4Bs are brighter and tighter and some ways more aggressive. But sound fantastic loud and the power tubes compress. Wonderful. Also very loud even for 100w. (But we are talkign tube watts after all. :whistle:) Dial them back a little and the make a pretty decent guitar amp.

When I tried the second head at Music-go-round in years ago that was the sound I wanted and been searching for.

This V-4B Classic is the only V-4B (100w) that goes in the SVT direction.
1776985727479.png


What I play through every week. Same head as above. Sold the one on top. These have the same pre as SVTs, but obviously different power sections.
1776985813860.png


This is in the front room. Different sounding amp that those above.
1776985925493.png


I can't see ever getting rid of the V-4BH though I could use the ABM 300 and be happy. But the V-4B I could see selling at some point since I often use the ABM 500 at home. I will say the V-4B heads may be the best looking to my eyes.
 
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For whatever reason, I have never been drawn to Ampeg amps. The other night at band practice, I used an SVT model on my Fender Tonemaster Pro. Holy smokes there was the tone!! Now I am going down that rabbit hole. I like my Aguilar AG700 head, but now find myself looking at V4Bs.

GAS sucks....
So many of my early favorite bassists used SVTs.
 
For whatever reason, I have never been drawn to Ampeg amps. The other night at band practice, I used an SVT model on my Fender Tonemaster Pro. Holy smokes there was the tone!! Now I am going down that rabbit hole. I like my Aguilar AG700 head, but now find myself looking at V4Bs.

GAS sucks....
IMG_9572.jpg
 
So many of my early favorite bassists used SVTs.
I have to believe that a plethora of famous songs were recorded through a B15 - every recording studio worth their weight in salt around the world has one.
 
Keep in mind that an Ampeg V-4B is not a smaller/lighter version of an SVT. The V-4Bs are brighter and tighter and some ways more aggressive. But sound fantastic loud and the power tubes compress. Wonderful. Also very loud even for 100w. (But we are talkign tube watts after all. :whistle:) Dial them back a little and the make a pretty decent guitar amp.

When I tried the second head at Music-go-round in years ago that was the sound I wanted and been searching for.

This V-4B Classic is the only V-4B (100w) that goes in the SVT direction.
View attachment 7480930

What I play through every week. Same head as above. Sold the one on top. These have the same pre as SVTs, but obviously different power sections.
View attachment 7480932

This is in the front room. Different sounding amp that those above.
View attachment 7480934

I can't see ever getting rid of the V-4BH though I could use the ABM 300 and be happy. But the V-4B I could see selling at some point since I often use the ABM 500 at home. I will say the V-4B heads may be the best looking to my eyes.
I do love Ashdown’s. The V-4BH heads. That silver and blue cloth is so classy
 
Are you enjoying that awesome hollow-body? Such a cool bass with those added DarkStars!
My only issue is I can’t play it for more than an hour as my arm sits on the sharp edge of the body. I end up with a red dent in my forearm.

I do alternate between the Electar and Dark Stars. Both have their own distinct sound.
 

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