Not just powers on, but actually makes sound. It is not a guarantee that all is fine, but generally speaking if there is a serious problem, you'll hear it (if you are listening).
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Vintage Ampeg V4-B question
- Thread starter Visirale
- Start date
Not just powers on, but actually makes sound. It is not a guarantee that all is fine, but generally speaking if there is a serious problem, you'll hear it (if you are listening).
If you get power and the speaker makes noise, even if it's just a hum, the power transformer is almost guaranteed to be ok. Output tranny issues are harder to diagnose, but if you're getting sound, it's probably OK, too. Most V4 issues are cap related or are caused by a past component failure.
More often than not, old tube ams need caps. Sometimes one or two, frequently most of them. The longer the amp has gone w/o being powered-up, the more the oil in the caps "settles," or leaks out altogether. If it hasn't been powered up in a really long time, best to do it on a Variac. If you power up an amp w/ dry caps, you'll probably fry a lot of good parts. An easy but unreliable way to check caps is to look for signs of leakage, and swelling on the ends of the caps. (Don't even attempt this part if you don't know a fair amount about tube amp safety.)
Honestly, I think the "deal" factor on amps like this is the desire of the purchaser to own one. $200 is pretty reasonable, even for a parts amp, but you'll almost certainly put another $200 into it in tubes and caps, if not more. If you would pay $400-500 for a tuned-up, sweet-running V4, then its a killer deal, especially since you got it on a "payment plan" and you will know its condition exactly. If this is more about curiosity, the desire to try an amp that other people rave about, or a potential profit opportunity, then its a bad call.
BTW - I'll give you $210 for it.
Honestly, I think the "deal" factor on amps like this is the desire of the purchaser to own one. $200 is pretty reasonable, even for a parts amp, but you'll almost certainly put another $200 into it in tubes and caps, if not more. If you would pay $400-500 for a tuned-up, sweet-running V4, then its a killer deal, especially since you got it on a "payment plan" and you will know its condition exactly. If this is more about curiosity, the desire to try an amp that other people rave about, or a potential profit opportunity, then its a bad call.
BTW - I'll give you $210 for it.
More often than not, old tube ams need caps. Sometimes one or two, frequently most of them. The longer the amp has gone w/o being powered-up, the more the oil in the caps "settles," or leaks out altogether. If it hasn't been powered up in a really long time, best to do it on a Variac. If you power up an amp w/ dry caps, you'll probably fry a lot of good parts. An easy but unreliable way to check caps is to look for signs of leakage, and swelling on the ends of the caps. (Don't even attempt this part if you don't know a fair amount about tube amp safety.)
Honestly, I think the "deal" factor on amps like this is the desire of the purchaser to own one. $200 is pretty reasonable, even for a parts amp, but you'll almost certainly put another $200 into it in tubes and caps, if not more. If you would pay $400-500 for a tuned-up, sweet-running V4, then its a killer deal, especially since you got it on a "payment plan" and you will know its condition exactly. If this is more about curiosity, the desire to try an amp that other people rave about, or a potential profit opportunity, then its a bad call.
BTW - I'll give you $210 for it.
Good advice. From what I've gathered he used it semi regularly until fairly recently. We'll see what the exact condition is like when I get there.
And yes, I want it, haha. I have my Markbass for most of my playing stuff. I want this for recording or if I land a rock gig anytime soon.
I'm hoping to go into session work after college so I'm all about diversity and quality of tone.
Payment plan is golden, haha. I don't have the money for a whole head atm, but how often to vintage ones come up? I start my new job tomorrow so financing the "restoration" (if needed) won't be a problem.
I paid $510 for my V4B just a few months ago. Even if you have to invest another $300 into a $200 tube amp it is still a good deal, imo. I'd buy it for that price. You just can't get any sweeter sound than a tube amp. If you decide to get it, keep me posted on its condition. I will have to repair mine someday and would like to know what to expect when that day comes.
Failing all else, if the amp is really belly-up, you can start ebaying the parts and get most, if not all of your money back. If it's a metal-knob amp, those alone should bring you almost halfway back - they also fit the V/T controls on the Dan Armstrong guitars and basses. A repro headbox from Fliptops is $185 new, so you should be able to get a decent buck for a good original one. DO IT!
Hey guys. I ended up not getting it, he didn't go get it from his studio until later on. We talked some more about its condition. He said it powers up but insisted it needed new powertubes. He said that he's gonna go get it and put new powertubes in it, let me play through it so I will know it works, then charge me the $200 plus the price of the tubes. He said he's maintained it himself through the years (20 that he's owned it). Obviously buying something from someone you don't really know is always kinda sketchy, but I think paying $200 plus powertubes for a working amp is a good deal for this amp.
How's that sound?
He also took the listing off and I have dibs on it.
How's that sound?
He also took the listing off and I have dibs on it
.
Hey guys. I ended up not getting it, he didn't go get it from his studio until later on. We talked some more about its condition. He said it powers up but insisted it needed new powertubes. He said that he's gonna go get it and put new powertubes in it, let me play through it so I will know it works, then charge me the $200 plus the price of the tubes. He said he's maintained it himself through the years (20 that he's owned it). Obviously buying something from someone you don't really know is always kinda sketchy, but I think paying $200 plus powertubes for a working amp is a good deal for this amp.
How's that sound?
He also took the listing off and I have dibs on it
Did he mention why he thinks it needs new tubes? Has he had them tested or something?
Honestly, look at it this way...no matter how much you buy it for, even if you paid $500-700 for one at a guitar shop, you should still want to get it looked at by a pro eventually. Especially if you don't know that much about amps and how to test/repair them.
Kinda makes me wish I would've only had to pay $200 for mine a few months back - cause I had to bring it in for a checkup and that ended up costing me another $275 anyways - even though I thought it was running okay at the time. IMO, it's always worth it to be sure...even though you can never really be sure
Kinda makes me wish I would've only had to pay $200 for mine a few months back - cause I had to bring it in for a checkup and that ended up costing me another $275 anyways - even though I thought it was running okay at the time. IMO, it's always worth it to be sure...even though you can never really be sure
Hey guys. I ended up not getting it, he didn't go get it from his studio until later on. We talked some more about its condition. He said it powers up but insisted it needed new powertubes. He said that he's gonna go get it and put new powertubes in it, let me play through it so I will know it works, then charge me the $200 plus the price of the tubes. He said he's maintained it himself through the years (20 that he's owned it). Obviously buying something from someone you don't really know is always kinda sketchy, but I think paying $200 plus powertubes for a working amp is a good deal for this amp.
How's that sound?
He also took the listing off and I have dibs on it
That's weird. Red Flag.
+1
I suggested caution before. Now I'd be more cautious. He should sell it to you for what it is worth and if it needs new tubes, you should handle that with your tech.
Is he going to include the original tubes? Can you try it out before he retubes it? I have a V4 with the original tubes and it is going strong. Yeah, power tubes can wear, but it might be best to hear it for yourself.
I took mine to Dennis Kager and he assured me that there was no reason to retube it.
BTW, I paid $200 for mine several years ago and it was THE deal for me.
I took mine to Dennis Kager and he assured me that there was no reason to retube it.
BTW, I paid $200 for mine several years ago and it was THE deal for me.
I don't know. It sounds more to me like the guy's having second thoughts, like he may want to keep it once he gets tubes in it. Anyway, it IS a red flag and I would proceed with caution but I'd see it through. You can always say no if you're not comfortable.
Why the red flag?
He offered to sell it to me without the new tubes, but said he'd put new ones in and not charge me the labor... If I get a working V4b for 280, what's wrong? I can always walk if it's not what I expect.
You didn't make that clear. From your last post. it sounded like the only way he would sell is with new tubes. The safer bet is to buy the amp as-is with the supposed "bad" power tubes and sorting out any tech issues with someone you know.
He's may just be trying to save a set of old US made 6L6GC's for himself. That's not so "red-flaggy," but it does merit a little extra caution. Someone unloading an amp that cheap who needs money shouldn't be worried about fixing it up.
Visirale if I were you I'd listen to PBG. When I bought mine, I got it at a Music Store. The owner of the shop called just before he was ready to ship to tell me that the selector switches weren't working and that he'd either have to have his tech work on it or he would give me $100 off. I checked w/ PBG and another tech friend and both said, take the $100 because the chances are the switches work just fine. They did. I'm very grateful for the advice I got.
I would have not thought twice before I was on my way over there to check it out. It it looked half decent I would have taken the chance. At least at that point you can get it recapped and tubed if needed with a known tech that is reliable and have choice of component upgrades.
It's worth it to go check it out. Forget red flags. Well, don't forget them, but don't let them slow you down. $500 is the ballpark for those amps, and as long as it's not a transformer, it probably won't cost much more than $500 to have a working V4B, so I say use common sense but by all means check it out.
Like the others say its still not a bad deal at $280 with a new output tube set but it sounds like the original offer was the amp with the old tubes?
First ask why he "insists" it needs new tubes. If you don't get a good reason I would request the amp with the old tubes and let him keep the new ones. Or ask for both if the price is right. If they are original or NOS then he is likely trying to keep them to sell later and give you what is probably a backup set he bought but never installed which if new would not sell for as much as an original or NOS set.
I have a late 70s V-4B with almost all original tubes that seem to be fine. I paid $600 for it I think. That was a bit much but I don't care, I wanted it. My amp has a handful of issues but as Psycho said, most of the problems are not tube related.
