Comments on: Ampeg V-4B: The All Tube Bass Amplifier http://www.ianschaefer.com/music/ampegv-4b-alltubebassamplifier/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:31:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: The Mac http://www.ianschaefer.com/music/ampegv-4b-alltubebassamplifier/comment-page-1/#comment-2754 The Mac Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:37:01 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ianschaefer.com/wp/?p=69#comment-2754 I bought my 1977 V-4B and have since paired it with my 1975 (Eminence loaded) V-4 cab and I've played it at gigs with my 1972 810 Squareback (CTS loaded). You can have all the new, flashy gear you want. I LOVE MY Ampeg rig and it's never leaving my possession. Mine still has all the original tubes (7027's rock) and works like a champ. Pics of my stuff are at this website: http://www.ampegv4.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=ampegv4&page=6 I bought my 1977 V-4B and have since paired it with my 1975 (Eminence loaded) V-4 cab and I’ve played it at gigs with my 1972 810 Squareback (CTS loaded).

You can have all the new, flashy gear you want. I LOVE MY Ampeg rig and it’s never leaving my possession. Mine still has all the original tubes (7027′s rock) and works like a champ.

Pics of my stuff are at this website: http://www.ampegv4.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=ampegv4&page=6

]]> By: Dr Krunkberry http://www.ianschaefer.com/music/ampegv-4b-alltubebassamplifier/comment-page-1/#comment-1928 Dr Krunkberry Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:18:24 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ianschaefer.com/wp/?p=69#comment-1928 Don't F with the V4-B! SURE, the SVT is nice. You can pay a TON for one, and have a nice sound. You can also spend the same money on a PC and Pro Tools......but we are talking about a thing of History here. A Bass Monument. Why is it called the V4-b? Because of the origional V4. A guitar head. That kicked so much *ss BASSISTS had to have them. That is something to think about in itself! After realizing this, Ampeg created the v4-b. A thing of majesty. Thirty years later, STILL melting face. In my completely biased view, the V4-B is the reason Ampeg became the bassist's rocket launchers of choice. Sure, you can dump a load of cash on the SVT and sit upon the modern throne of Pricey Provided Providence. Or you can spend time in the trench of historic elbow grease: find a V4-B andtube it out any and every way that scratches your itch. I fell asleep to this amp reverberating the heating ducts below my crib while my father practiced with his band. I played with my GI Joes all over it. I danced to it growing up. And ever since it was handed down to me five years ago I rock the thing out three days a week. Hard. Last year it fell off my stack (damn end-of-gig concrete door jam) four feet and landed flat on its face in a parking lot. The tubes didn't even break. The metal corner gards have some new dimples. That is all. I still can't believe it. I'll stop. V4-B for life (or hernia from carrying. Then its time to hand it down to my son, buy an SVT and drive the complimentary Cadillac that comes with it). Don’t F with the V4-B! SURE, the SVT is nice. You can pay a TON for one, and have a nice sound. You can also spend the same money on a PC and Pro Tools……but we are talking about a thing of History here. A Bass Monument.

Why is it called the V4-b?

Because of the origional V4. A guitar head. That kicked so much *ss BASSISTS had to have them. That is something to think about in itself! After realizing this, Ampeg created the v4-b. A thing of majesty. Thirty years later, STILL melting face.

In my completely biased view, the V4-B is the reason Ampeg became the bassist’s rocket launchers of choice. Sure, you can dump a load of cash on the SVT and sit upon the modern throne of Pricey Provided Providence. Or you can spend time in the trench of historic elbow grease: find a V4-B andtube it out any and every way that scratches your itch.

I fell asleep to this amp reverberating the heating ducts below my crib while my father practiced with his band. I played with my GI Joes all over it. I danced to it growing up. And ever since it was handed down to me five years ago I rock the thing out three days a week. Hard. Last year it fell off my stack (damn end-of-gig concrete door jam) four feet and landed flat on its face in a parking lot.

The tubes didn’t even break. The metal corner gards have some new dimples. That is all. I still can’t believe it.

I’ll stop. V4-B for life (or hernia from carrying. Then its time to hand it down to my son, buy an SVT and drive the complimentary Cadillac that comes with it).

]]> By: admin http://www.ianschaefer.com/music/ampegv-4b-alltubebassamplifier/comment-page-1/#comment-1912 admin Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:52:57 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ianschaefer.com/wp/?p=69#comment-1912 Thanks for the tip, Rich. It's almost time to re-tube my V4-B, and greater tube availabilty is definitely a good thing. I've been using an SVT3-Pro as my main gig rig lately, and a very happy with it. The tube preamp and driver give a nice warm tone and the solid state power section is a bit tighter and much more powerful than my V4. Still, the V4-B is a fine creation. I do love the high gain sound, particularly with my Gibson Grabber. It's pretty tough. Ian Thanks for the tip, Rich. It’s almost time to re-tube my V4-B, and greater tube availabilty is definitely a good thing.

I’ve been using an SVT3-Pro as my main gig rig lately, and a very happy with it. The tube preamp and driver give a nice warm tone and the solid state power section is a bit tighter and much more powerful than my V4. Still, the V4-B is a fine creation. I do love the high gain sound, particularly with my Gibson Grabber. It’s pretty tough.

Ian

]]> By: Rich http://www.ianschaefer.com/music/ampegv-4b-alltubebassamplifier/comment-page-1/#comment-1910 Rich Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:46:45 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ianschaefer.com/wp/?p=69#comment-1910 JJ/Tesla now makes the 7027A power tubes for the Ampeg V4 and V4B amps. What a great amp. Match it with a pair of good 15's for that thick classic rock bass sound. JJ/Tesla now makes the 7027A power tubes for the Ampeg V4 and V4B amps. What a great amp. Match it with a pair of good 15′s for that thick classic rock bass sound.

]]> By: losmoran http://www.ianschaefer.com/music/ampegv-4b-alltubebassamplifier/comment-page-1/#comment-1176 losmoran Tue, 05 May 2009 03:05:01 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ianschaefer.com/wp/?p=69#comment-1176 Ah, So I have V4-B That I've had since 1976 with an 810 cabinet, I had it repaired a couple of times. Once the stanby switch got stuck in the on position and I played it that way for years I would just turn it off, The other time a busted fuse holder and a new power cord. I always liked it but always remembered the sound of the SVT. I stopped playing for some time (got a real job) but recently went to get together with some friends to give the old chops a work out, needless to say they need a lot of practice, Anyway the amp had a lot of noise (leaky cap) and I took it to a local guy who got rid of the noise but somehow the amp does not sound the same, there is no treble presence and does not seem to have any attack or punch. He says he set the bias correctly to the new old stock 7027A's that I found on the web from some government surplus stock. Last weekend I went to someone's house and there was an SVT-VR which just blew me away and quickly started to look for one. They're very expensive!!! So, in the interim I found your blog and was glad to hear your fondness for the V4-B. I just think I may send it to NJ to get it checked out by Dennis Kager, he can bring it back to life. Thanks for the inspiration. Los Ah, So I have V4-B That I’ve had since 1976 with an 810 cabinet, I had it repaired a couple of times. Once the stanby switch got stuck in the on position and I played it that way for years I would just turn it off, The other time a busted fuse holder and a new power cord. I always liked it but always remembered the sound of the SVT. I stopped playing for some time (got a real job) but recently went to get together with some friends to give the old chops a work out, needless to say they need a lot of practice, Anyway the amp had a lot of noise (leaky cap) and I took it to a local guy who got rid of the noise but somehow the amp does not sound the same, there is no treble presence and does not seem to have any attack or punch. He says he set the bias correctly to the new old stock 7027A’s that I found on the web from some government surplus stock.
Last weekend I went to someone’s house and there was an SVT-VR which just blew me away and quickly started to look for one. They’re very expensive!!!
So, in the interim I found your blog and was glad to hear your fondness for the V4-B.

I just think I may send it to NJ to get it checked out by Dennis Kager, he can bring it back to life.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Los

]]> By: winston huggins http://www.ianschaefer.com/music/ampegv-4b-alltubebassamplifier/comment-page-1/#comment-567 winston huggins Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:45:03 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ianschaefer.com/wp/?p=69#comment-567 Have one v4 there is nothing like it was on a pevey before,long live ampeg. Have one v4 there is nothing like it was on a pevey before,long live ampeg.

]]> By: NegativeEd http://www.ianschaefer.com/music/ampegv-4b-alltubebassamplifier/comment-page-1/#comment-6 NegativeEd Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:11:51 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ianschaefer.com/wp/?p=69#comment-6 <p>Shoot, forgot to add this. The V4 doesn’t need to be “converted” to 6L6’s. Check out Triode Electronics page, “Help My Amp Has 7027’s!” http://www.triodeel.com/7027.htm Also, Triode has decent prices on tubes & quick delivery.</p> Shoot, forgot to add this. The V4 doesn’t need to be “converted” to 6L6’s. Check out Triode Electronics page, “Help My Amp Has 7027’s!” http://www.triodeel.com/7027.htm Also, Triode has decent prices on tubes & quick delivery.

]]> By: NegativeEd http://www.ianschaefer.com/music/ampegv-4b-alltubebassamplifier/comment-page-1/#comment-5 NegativeEd Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:07:03 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ianschaefer.com/wp/?p=69#comment-5 <p>Ahhh… if you like that amp, see if you can find a Music Man 115RH loaded with a 15” EV. I got one used for about $175, it’s not too heavy, comes with wheels & sounds awesome. <br /> NEd</p> Ahhh… if you like that amp, see if you can find a Music Man 115RH loaded with a 15” EV. I got one used for about $175, it’s not too heavy, comes with wheels & sounds awesome.
NEd

]]> By: Jeff http://www.ianschaefer.com/music/ampegv-4b-alltubebassamplifier/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Jeff Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:21:31 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ianschaefer.com/wp/?p=69#comment-4 <p>I have the same amp only replaced the tubes with kt-66 (EL-34s on steroids) Great sound same power limitations. I suggest getting a <span class="caps">THD</span> Hotplate and running the line out function into a large rack power amp. I use a 1000 watter. Run that into any 4×10 and you should be way good. I like that way more than using my <span class="caps">SVT</span>cl. Seems like a lot of extra gear but well worth it.</p> I have the same amp only replaced the tubes with kt-66 (EL-34s on steroids) Great sound same power limitations. I suggest getting a THD Hotplate and running the line out function into a large rack power amp. I use a 1000 watter. Run that into any 4×10 and you should be way good. I like that way more than using my SVTcl. Seems like a lot of extra gear but well worth it.

]]>