N(S)AD - Ampeg V4B Classic Series

[ahpook]

New (Serviced) Amp Day(ish)

 

I bought this wonderful slice of valvey goodness a couple of weeks ago, but it needed some TLC - a good clean, some reflowing, new output valves and rebiasing.

 

That's all finished and it sounds...well, amazing, to be honest. I used to use an SVT -Pro preamp but that's now too old and badly-behaved to use.  I've been after something to replace it for a while. After ruling out any flavour of SVT (too loud, too heavy), the recent reissue V4B seemed an option, but this 1997 version turned up for sale, and just seemed a better bet - cheaper than the new reissues too

 

It does the Ampeg break-up, ludicrous amounts of bottom end and smells divine when it's all warmed up. I'm a very happy man.

 

Edited July 6, 2023 by ahpook

[Pow_22]

Had one for years, superb amps with one of the 'richest' tones ive had

[Reggaebass]

Really nice, wasn’t they made in the USA too 

[ahpook]

1 hour ago, Reggaebass said:

Really nice, wasn’t they made in the USA too 

 

They were indeed - this one in St. Louis.

 

The construction looks top-notch, and being 90s, not an surface mount component in sight- a joy to work on.

Edited July 7, 2023 by ahpook

[northcountrybob]

Love the V4B. I used to own a VT22 combo which was crazy heavy. Like an ultra linear twin. Never seen this version. Looks great! 

[VTypeV4]

I was looking for one of these last year but failed after about 3 months keeping an eye out on here, FB, eBay etc but not one appeared.. I was only after the head as I wanted the SVT flavour for use at the studio but without the bother of the expensive 6550s and the weight.. In the end I bought an entire stack with a 'full fat' SVT CL, 410HE and 115E - far more than planned!

 

Glad you've brought this lovely amplifier back to life, it's very cool indeed - hope you enjoy it as much as I do my SVT. ❤️

[ahpook]

52 minutes ago, VTypeV4 said:

I was looking for one of these last year but failed after about 3 months keeping an eye out on here, FB, eBay etc but not one appeared.. I was only after the head as I wanted the SVT flavour for use at the studio but without the bother of the expensive 6550s and the weight.. In the end I bought an entire stack with a 'full fat' SVT CL, 410HE and 115E - far more than planned!

 

Glad you've brought this lovely amplifier back to life, it's very cool indeed - hope you enjoy it as much as I do my SVT. ❤️

 

It's certainly a lot more manageable weight-wise than an SVT

 

Glad you got your stack though - I be it sounds formidable !

 

[ahpook]

On 07/07/2023 at 22:41, northcountrybob said:

Love the V4B. I used to own a VT22 combo which was crazy heavy. Like an ultra linear twin. Never seen this version. Looks great! 

 

I like the 80/90s styling. The V4BH (which this basically is as far as I can tell) had a more classic look, but...this one has a red V. That's so much better

[BassmanPaul]

@ahpook I hope the amp serves you well.

 

[ahpook]

4 hours ago, BassmanPaul said:

@ahpook I hope the amp serves you well.

 

 

Thank you - it's making me smile every time I play through it.

[VTypeV4]

On 09/07/2023 at 00:29, ahpook said:

 

It's certainly a lot more manageable weight-wise than an SVT

 

Glad you got your stack though - I be it sounds formidable !

 

 

It's a fantastic tool, thanks. 😀  Enjoy the V4, I expect it's equally useful but with a bit more 'vintage mojo' going on - super cool. 😀

[BassmanPaul]

Ampeg do make good sounding bass amps. I love my Sixties B15NF. Every time I play through it it makes me smile.