Ampeg V-4B 100W All-Tube Bass Head

[@craigdamage]

The week after I got a sweet deal on a V4BH (late 90s Ampeg) a few years ago on craigslist....I kid you not, the very next week I had ALL my bass overdrive pedals for sale on EBAY!! HA! My V4BH sits atop an SVT HLF (4ohm 4x10) It makes all my flatwound strung Fender Ps and Js really shine. The clean tone is warm and tubby but the drive sound is what makes this amp stand out.

[@blackcatpgh13]

I still have an original - they like to blow up regularly when you push them, but they sound AMAZING.

[@robertswrecks]

Can confirm, i used to play in a band years ago and both myself and our guitarist used v4s, we spent a lot of money having them fixed and rebuilt on a regular basis

[@blackcatpgh13]

@@robertswrecks mine is currently in a parts pile waiting to head back for surgery! I think that it blew up 3 times over the years.

[@OutnBacker]

Alright, let's put this argument about "only 100watts" to rest. I had one of these back in the day. Played an early Tele through it mostly. You need to understand what Ampeg did here. That cabinet is a folded horn enclosure with two 15 inch Altec - Lansings in there shouting at each other. The whole box is a loudspeaker and was built like a safe. That's why they were so heavy. These amps can power any medium venue almost without a mix through a PA. The old school Altecs were so tough they rarely rattled no matter what you did. Clear and perfect all way to the moon. Distortion is for guitars, not bass, unless by artistic intent. If you wanted a solid, clear bass sound with the options of going all Jack Bruce, this one would do it. More watts was not needed.

[@therobotuner]

I just got one of these recently and traded in an Svt-350H I had for 19 years and the V4-B gets just as loud. I have no issues gigging in my band where I'm up against a Fender Blues Deville 212 and and Orange AD30 on an Orange 412.

[@MP-lb1wb]

I’ve got the SVT-450 and I want to get one of these. But I was worried that it wouldn’t be loud enough to compete with drums and a Marshall half stack.

[@jimnichols722]

A lot of people say that even through an 810 that the V4B isn't loud enough for an arena but most arena sized venues would put you through the PA and there aren't a ton of arena sized DIY halls that I've come across at least in the rock and metal scene. Idk I could be wrong

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

it's not loud enough to keep up w/ a drumset and an electric guitar...... it was a product they discontinued because it was the wrong amp for most everything.....

[@djohnson2499]

In what universe would you need more power? I play in a metal band with two guitar players each playing two amps and I never need to turn the V4B more than halfway up. It's plenty loud for anything you might need

[@arthuraguirrejr.9500]

@@djohnson2499 What speakers do you have for it?

[@djohnson2499]

@@arthuraguirrejr.9500 I was using two Eminence Delta 15a but I've since moved to two Celestion BL15-300x. Plenty loud

[@arthuraguirrejr.9500]

@@djohnson2499 gotcha. Thanks! I have a 6x10 Ampeg cab. Not sure if this head will be optimal for that cab.

[@Bassplayerscott]

I have one of the new v4b heads along with the 2x12 AV cabinets. I have never had a humming issue or any problems at all. This is a great amp with great one. The guy who had the humming issue may have just gotten one that was bad. It happens. Nothing is ever perfect.. Probably sending it back to ampeg would have solved it. They have been around for years and i have never had any problems with the service department. I have used this amp in casino lounges and on outdoor festival stages and never had any issues with not being loud enough. All i can say is try it out. If you don't like it bring it back. This is a great amp and i'm sure after playing it you will agree.

[@Solosonico]

Same man, i have the same and i don't have any problems.

[@Principezone]

@@Solosonico It's humming here, 3:20. I ordered mine but am kind of worried

[@joelspaulding5964]

The full Tufnel tone was superb.

[@jerryhubbard4461]

In my opinion, Ampeg makes the amp for very large rooms or outdoor venue's with hard hitting tones. But Kustom is the amp for small clubs or medium size rooms like concert halls with it's very low tones that you can feel. Both great amps

[@commando7144]

I had this set up in 1978 it was a 2 15 bottom but I had the 4 12 bottom also.i wish I never sold the head.

[@johnstraley9057]

Same here. Bought it in '78, sold it in '80. Still regret I sold it.

[@warrenosborne1539]

I ran a 77 SVT for decades, replaced the 6550's every couple years or so. Kept the sound man pissed off,, I tried pulling one 6550 on each side, but it really didn't do much good, I was told not to pull two off each side. Too much invested to screw up. I think a V4B is a good way to get the growl and not piss off the club owner or the sound man. Currently running a VR through a 67 Ampeg 2X15 Altec cab I rewired the speakers parallel to get 4 ohms. XLR to the snake, seems to work very well, reasonable stage level, and let the PA do what it is supposed to do. Yea, a V4B may very well be the best of both worlds, and not give the back surgeon too much business.

[@eagleflyfree3975]

Interesting😁😍👍best bass amp

[@Burwabit]

so much more usable/flexible than the original 70's version but still capable of duplicating that sound

[@bflo1000]

I disagree. I didn't hear the "fat warm sound" that he kept referring to. Not like I get from my 77 V4.

[@erikcebokli9585]

@@bflo1000 agreed, my 1976 V4B sounds quite different in that regard too.

[@bflo1000]

@@erikcebokli9585 The only tube amps made today that have lots of warmth and depth are the large 6 tube 300 watt amps. Even a cheap used Bugera BVV3000 blows away any of these smaller amps. The problem is of course is that it weighs 75#.

[@erikcebokli9585]

@@bflo1000 yeah I find that extremely weird and funny at the same time. I mean my V4B has low end for days, loeads of warmth and extremely musical (harmonic in other words), the preamp alone is a complete blast, you can literally pump the mids by 20db+ and still retain a composed sound.

[@bflo1000]

@@erikcebokli9585 But my V4 is modded w a MV, and has 6550 tubes, which give it more clean head room. So now it's better for bass than guitar. BTW, it's the distortion model, and I use a Y for both channels. It has some balls!

[@guy2506]

Nice review, great sounding amp. Thanks Dino.

[@bv9434]

Why is everyone on here saying 100 watts isn't powerful enough? Ok... just go and buy their 300+ watt tube amps such as an SVT then. Ampeg DOES make louder amps. It's like complaining that a Camry can't go off road. Just go buy a Tundra!

[@rickydeathtower]

What is this, the opinion of sludge/doom metal artists and 12 year olds? I’m jealous of all these people playing stadiums…

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

The hottest gear for bassplayers in 2014

[@theanthonyrw]

WTF does every demo have to be slap Bass?

[@bflo1000]

I've been playing bass for a long time but I never slap.

[@dragon21247]

IN a demo slapping spikes the pre amp and pushes the amp harder so it can heard pushed and clean /finger style different strokes different folks

[@giorgosm1159]

u should watc the whole demo, obviously practice more and olso stp whining over free stuff

[@rjmcaan]

Slap is a really distinctive bass sound. It shows that the bass has an important role as a solo instrument not just a filler between drums and guitar. Even if you don’t like slap it is a very prominent technique bass players use, so why not show how the amp handles it

[@Cap683]

Hate it. How often do you hear slapping in the real world?

[@TimBoykinGuitar]

DAT TONE!!!!!!!!!

[@pcallas66]

You're right about that.

[@rmccain99]

Sounds good.

[@videomaniac108]

I much prefer the Ampeg amps played clean, through a sealed cab with 10" drivers.

[@richardburchett]

Great demo and good representation of that great sound. I’m interested in knowing how this differs from the classic V4-b. Is this pretty identical or have they added any new features?

[@daddy4kawaii853]

Wish I could hear a Modulus test with that rig

[@iler859]

Yumm.

[@jthunderbass1]

Im gonna buy one soon!!! The SVT is to much for band practice.

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

woosey

[@mikefoster2669]

Nice head is this better or the same as SVT-CL

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

worse, not enough power

[@bflo1000]

The SVT is 300 watts...This is only 100.

[@shambhavikale1357]

how many watts is the cabinet?

[@kevindickey9736]

How loud is it? Will it cover a mid size room? Thanks...........

[@NStuffMusic]

Kevin Dickey This amp will definitely fill up a room with bottom end.

[@BROOKS39]

Yes

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

no it won't........ u will be sad

[@bflo1000]

It's has 20 or 25% less power than the Vintage V4B. If you play in a LOUD rock band it's not loud enough w-out running it through a PA.

[@oligt90]

I own an svt4 pro and use it for live gigs anyone know how this shapes up to it? Plugged into an 8x10 ampeg cab as well

[@1thess523]

Why would you only make this 100 watts, i ran across this at Guitar Center and saw the price and thought why would you pay for an amp with good sound but only 100 watts.

[@ReviewMovieWorld1]

Because it is a good amp! go figure....

[@1thess523]

***** i know Ampeg i am just surprised it is only 100w and from I have heard 100w is 100w no matter if solid state or tube. I guess if you are always mic'd it's not a problem. It's like their 1x15 combo's all the ones i run across are 100wts but supposedly there are 300wt ones, they sound great but the volume level is low and i know personally because my old bassist when i played drums had one and you could barely hear it next to a JCM 900 half stack and a drum set and he was an awesome bassist but you couldn't hear it and we were a punk band so all iur shows were played in places where you weren't always mic'd up.

[@ReviewMovieWorld1]

1thess523 The amp price isn't just based on how many watts it is, this amp is so expensive because it has amazing hardware and awesome tone, it fills the whole room up with warmth (I know this because I have one) and btw, this thing can get really loud.

[@1thess523]

I know Ampeg quality don't get me wrong, I guess it's like those boutique guitar amps that are like 1-5 wtts and are $1000. I was just surprised that it was only a 100wts.

[@ReviewMovieWorld1]

1thess523 100 watts is good dude, what do you expect to do with 300w blow up a building?

[@pcallas66]

100 watts in an amplifier like this is extremely loud and will more than power even a large room (ok, maybe not an arena). I had a 50 watt Traynor tube amp over 30 years ago. It was so loud. I had two 15 inch speakers in a very large Ampeg cabinet. That amp was the only amp that I had that could keep up with my buddy's 120 watt Randall. I can't imagine how loud this would have been, especially when I kept the master at 12:00 and the preamp at the 9:00 position. It was unbearable beyond that. Since then, I had a Hartke HA3500, a Fender Rumble 350, and a Gallien Krueger 400 RB. None of them had the volume of the Traynor.

[@SpongeBath_ShitPants]

It probably would be enough for an arena, because an amp on the stage is basically just used as a personal monitor these days. Usually the cabinet will get mic'd and sent through the PA for the *real* volume.

[@robmoojen5147]

I had this amp but it was not loud enough (even in rehearsel i would struggel) went backt to the SVT classic and will never go back again.

[@bflo1000]

Wow...are you SURE the Traynor was only 50 watts?

[@brianmurphree189]

Great-sounding amp, but suffers from design/build quality issues. Mine was D.O.A.

[@kisamasanchez9557]

Ese amplificador suena hermosoooo, tengo un orange que suena casi igual, pero ese ptm no tiene nada de agresivo pero suena bien definido... Lástima que no me gusta :v

[@harisiman5135]

Can this amp gig with a lot of people

[@bflo1000]

Not without having an overdriven distorted sound if the guitarist is cranking his amp...

[@TheRobGuard]

@@bflo1000 I wonder how it will sound with an Electro Harmonix Bass Soul Food? I just ordered this amp with a 1 x 15 ampeg speaker, so I will soon find out though! :)

[@bflo1000]

@@TheRobGuard I like the BSF. It's milder OD like a Blueberry OD, which retains low end. The best Bass OD IMO have a dry blend knob, but these are much $$. Other good ones for the $$ are Green Russian Muff and Bass Fat Drive (which I have).

[@bflo1000]

@@TheRobGuard BTW, I have a modded V4 that has 6550's and a MV. It has a "distortion channel", so I only need a Y cord to use both channels. It has more headroom than a stock model, but I get way too much dist even when I crank the MV to try to keep it clean. If you add another cab, you may get by depending on how loud the guitarist is.

[@mikefoster2669]

Btw I play a P and a J

[@balter21]

I have an ampeg of 79 and this version does not have a gain knob..

[@bflo1000]

But the Vintage amp has heavier iron and have more power & more low end. The Vintage V4B is a warmer, fuller sounding amp.

[@BearAmps]

100 tube watts is much fuller than a comparably rated 100watt SS amp, which in reality is only 50 watts. a 100watt tube amp such as this is easily peaking at 140watts AND if using a good efficient cab, not a cheap shit 410, you'll be more than loud enough. if your looking for dub and subbass tones then your not being realistic

[@latindrummer777]

Only a 100 watts? And the price for that is $1,299.99?! I might as well go with the Hartke Kilo being a 1000 watts for a $1000 being a tube amp, OR the Ampeg SVT-4 PRO series being 1200 watts for $1549.99 (Its costs a little bit more but with that power, your bound to pay more). This amp looks great and sounds great, but I'm sure you can get something better for a better price. No offense to Ampeg lovers.

[@jamalalsenady3144]

Tube doesn't need as much wattage to be powerful

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

agree compleatly, 100 watt bass amp is fine for ur bedroom.... not keeping up in rock band....

[@bflo1000]

Of course you get more watts for your buck w SS or Class D....You DONT get a tube power section...

[@book3100]

Ever crank a class D? They quit and get squishy. 100 watts of V4 never quits, and doesn't compress like class D.

[@joshuajones3532]

100 watts is not loud enough.

[@NStuffMusic]

Subjective.

[@joshuajones3532]

Yeah, you're right, but I've noticed 100 watts for a guitar is usually pretty loud but 100 watts for a bass guitar is not as loud.

[@Messerschmitt07]

100 watts hare quiet enough if your amp is a jcm800 bass

[@joshuajones3532]

What do you mean dude?

[@Messerschmitt07]

Marshall is Overpowered, and old Traynor too. Tose amps have a power section similar to a 200Watt, much reserve of clean sound.ù

[@D3ft0ne]

None too special.. maybe demo is not the greatest, GK MB fusion 800, can do pretty much anything this thing does, but its probably 4 times as loud.

[@stevenmorgan4153]

pfffff

[@kisamasanchez9557]

Y con púa suena tan agresivo como un warwick, que mierda ._.

[@venskarafiola6868]

eeww 5 strings. Meh

[@dafxtone]

Dino is really one of the worst demoer of the ampeg amps...

[@forrestmark805]

Cuz he's a great guy

[@jackthomson5047]

Everytime I watch this fella I wonder why on earth ampeg have him showcasing their products. He is the worst I've ever seen do it. Very poor

[@beaconofasicksociety2320]

Jack Thomson you are a loser

[@standupstraight9691]

I read really don't like slap bass.

[@PeterDad60]

More black man slap bass? Enough already!

[@eddvargas88]

Bass horrible. Ampeg + Precision ✔️