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Vintage Ampeg V-4b tips?

Corythosaurus

Corythosaurus

Commercial User
Nov 18, 2012
73
161
New York City
Disclosures
Engineer, Electro-Harmonix
#1
So I'm doing a session soon and I have the opportunity to use a 70's Ampeg V-4b. I've seen these around a lot, but never had the chance to use one. I'd like to go in a little prepared so I'm not wasting studio time fiddling with tones.

Any tips from vintage V4b users?

I'm going for a slightly overdriven sound, which I understand is really special on the V4. Any suggestions on Channel 1 vs. Channel 2? Does the volume need to be cranked to get some grind out of it?

Also, there are passages where I want to get a bit more distorted sound... does anyone use boost pedals on these amps to up the gain, and if so, what do you use? I've got a good selection of pedals that I can try.

Any other suggestions on how to get the most out of the amp?
 
#2
Set it with all knobs at noon, plug into channel 1, and let 'er rip. Yes, you do need to crank it hard to get overdrive out of it, but you will be quite happy when you do.
 
#6
JCM800 said:
I can't recall this those also have 4 inputs, but if they do you can bridge them together and use both sides of the EQ/volume controls.
Click to expand...

The old V4-B only has two jacks, channel one and channel two. The two channels are the same but have their own preamp tubes before the EQ section. I installed a 12AU7 in one channel for my hot active bass. There is no "master" so the "Volume" control is your only volume control.

You have to try pretty darn hard to get a "bad" sound out of it.
 
#7
You know, I can't remember what channel 2 does in those old V4B's, but it's been my experience with B-15's and SVT's that channel 2 is a brighter channel with less low end than channel 1...more suited for guitar IMHO. It's not a question of which one breaks up sooner...they both share the EQ and power amp so they'll break up at the same volume. (EDIT---saw B-string's post...his experience is more recent than mine so go with what he says)

JCM, only 2 channels, and they share the same EQ knobs so while you could bridge it, you couldn't EQ each channel individually unless you use an outboard EQ on a channel.
 
#8
B-string said:
The old V4-B only has two jacks, channel one and channel two. The two channels are the same but have their own preamp tubes before the EQ section.
Click to expand...
Aha! I thought they were different but now I realize I was looking at the V4 schematic, not the V4b.

Any of you guys ever use boost pedals with it to switch in a little more gain?
 
#9
Ive been getting a great tone out of mine recently by utilizing the mid channel as my 'tone shaper'.

Bass @ 2 oclock with the ultra bass off, treble at noon with ultra switch off, mid selector on low (300hz?) with the mids scooped to get the 'clean' tone, and then add the low mids back in if you want some GNARLY crunch. I dont use a fuzz pedal, the mid range on this amp will get you all the fuzz you need if you work it.

***** and giggles one time i tried the 'Lemmy' approach, treble and bass at 0, low mids dimed...not useable for my band, but a very convincing heavily distorted tone at reasonable volume.

We play that 'Shippin Up to Boston' tune with a fiddle, acoustic, drummer and myself. Needless to say, its missing the big fuzzy/crunch electric guitar, so i just bring the mids back up to about 1 or 2 oclock (low range still) and hit the big power chords in the intro and verses and the sound is epic. Very defined fundamental still in there, but a healthy dose of distorted overtones shine right through.

GOOD LUCK, although you just need to fiddle around with it. The mid-range selector is where most of your tone changes will come from IME.

cheers,
 
#10
For distortion you have to use your ears as the cabinet and bass can alter knob settings.
FWIW I had a V4B for years and one of the best recorded sounds I got was with a 300 watt dummy load on the output and the line out into the console.
This was as a both a recording engineer and a bass player on the other side of the glass.
This was for a warm clean tube sound though.
 
#11
If it's a studio amp, they'll probably suggest how they get the most out of it. Otherwise, as was said, start with the tones at noon, switches to the left, and adjust to taste. It will depend on the speaker cabinet that you use as well and how it is being mic'ed.

I mostly use a VT Bass to generate some dirt with my Ampeg's when set to lower volume levels. Engage the pedal to switch between clean and dirt. But don't be afraid to use dynamics to drive the amp harder or softer as well. So yes, pedals at the front end can add some additional flexibility.

Unfortunately, if you are paying for studio time, there isn't usually a lot of time for experimenting. Try everything you can. Don't be afraid to do the opposite to what is normally done to see what you can come up with.

Do you get to borrow some Electro-Harmonix pedals?
 
#12
Thanks for the tips everyone. I can indeed borrow some of our pedals, and I plan on doing that, as well as bringing a few things I've put together outside of work. I've been in the mindset of using a trying a couple clean boosts to add some crunch in louder parts. We'll see if that works well.

Time management is definitely the thought here. I always try not to be the bottleneck, so I want to go in as prepared as possible. Maybe I should track down one of these for myself anyway, for future studio use!
 
#13
I would suggest using as few pedals as you can and rely on turning the volume up and down, unless you want to use stuff like fuzz or non-distortion effects. Ain't a pedal on earth sounds as good as a cranked V4B.
 
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#16
A little derail, but I can't for the life of me figure out how you guys can run a v4b with the vol at noon! Especially as a starting point :eek: never mind pants flapping, that'll make teeth flap. But yeah, the overdrive is incredible up there. Starts sounding like a Hammond b3 IMO. 8)

I agree that the mid section is where the impressive tone shaping takes place. It's cool how much you can do in there.
 
#19
Im usually runnin my volume at 1:30 and use dynamics and the mid knob to set myself in the mix depending on the song. Not sure about the new ones, or any other V4 as ive only played mine, but it runs out of perceptible volume increase after 2 oclock. past that it gets into total tone domination mode and i would need to be in a sabbath cover band to use it!!
 

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