Ampeg V4s.... who uses them?

[suprotennessee]

I am reposting this since the backup.

I have an Ampeg V4 and a V4B. I have had them both for years, though for most of my time with them they have been broken. I just had them repaired and they sound great, but I can't put my finger on the right application for these amps.

So if you Ampeg enthusiasts out there can tell me how YOU use your V4 or V4B (into what cabinet, what kind of guitar, any effects, what style of music, etc) I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again
B

[Electricbones]

Originally Posted by suprotennessee

I am reposting this since the backup.

I have an Ampeg V4 and a V4B. I have had them both for years, though for most of my time with them they have been broken. I just had them repaired and they sound great, but I can't put my finger on the right application for these amps.

So if you Ampeg enthusiasts out there can tell me how YOU use your V4 or V4B (into what cabinet, what kind of guitar, any effects, what style of music, etc) I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again
B

Though not exactly a V4, I don't know what I 'd do without my VT22! It's a 1972 pre-master volume & I run it with the matching 2x12 cab and play good ole' straight-forward blues-based heavy rock n' roll.

I rely on pedals to get my drive sounds since I would never attempt to turn it up loud enough to get any drive out of it without fear of killing all small animals within a 5 mile radius!!

Pedal wise, I use a D*A*M Sonic Titan as my main drive sound but I also use a MAD effects DD30 & a Lovepedal LO to get some variation. I also have a mild fuzz addiction that is quenched by a few more D*A*M pedals: 2 Professional MKII's (one with OC81Ds & the other with OC71s), a 1966, a Drag'n'fly, and a Meathead, plus 2 Red Rooster boost pedals. (told you it was an addiction) I also have some modulation in there: a Tonefactor Nebula (on it's way, replacing a Maxon PT-999) a Maxon CS-505, a Fl-301 and an AD-80.

This amp LOVES any pedal thats ever been put in front of it and the dynamics, punchiness and headroom it has is unbelievable!!

Guitar wise I use a Gibson 1956 VOS, LP Jr. and an SG Classic. I'm a pretty devout P90 guy, but this amp sounds great with humbuckers and strat or tele style single coils!

Now that yours are up and running, how do you plan to use them? .....And what with?

[JLee]

Originally Posted by Electricbones

D*A*M pedals: 2 Professional MKII's (one with OC81Ds & the other with OC71s),

How do the different transistors compare? I have a D*A*M w/OC81Ds and a Marshall Supa Fuzz w/OC71s. I always wondered how the different trannies would sound in the exact same circuit. I know how they are supposed to sound theoretically, but always wondered how apparent the differences really are.
I'm using a V4/RI Sunn 4/12. The V4 needs some repairs though. I think the Ampeg V amps are good for anything and everything.

[archtopjazz]

Used one in the late 70's with an Ampeg 4x12 bottom and loved it.

[Electricbones]

Originally Posted by AbbeSauniere

How do the different transistors compare? I have a D*A*M w/OC81Ds and a Marshall Supa Fuzz w/OC71s. I always wondered how the different trannies would sound in the exact same circuit. I know how they are supposed to sound theoretically, but always wondered how apparent the differences really are.
I'm using a V4/RI Sunn 4/12. The V4 needs some repairs though. I think the Ampeg V amps are good for anything and everything.

They have their differences, but they are very subtle. The OC71s have more bass, a little more spit to them, and just a tad more sustain than the 81's. They still have a decent amount of clean up as well, though nowhere near what the 81's have, that's the biggest difference between the two.

The one with 71s was custom built for me and David tuned it to his 1967 Supa Fuzz w/OC75's, so I'd imagine yours and mine would be very close!!

[JLee]

Originally Posted by Electricbones

They have their differences, but they are very subtle. The OC71s have more bass, a little more spit to them, and just a tad more sustain than the 81's. They still have a decent amount of clean up as well, though nowhere near what the 81's have, that's the biggest difference between the two.

The one with 71s was custom built for me and David tuned it to his 1967 Supa Fuzz w/OC75's, so I'd imagine yours and mine would be very close!!

Very cool! David is a mad scientist! My experience with my 2 pedals is essentially the same. There have been times where I've plugged into both and forgotten which I had on. Just so this isn't a total thread hijack, the MKII into the V4 is the most muscular fuzz tone I've ever heard!

[rwe333]

Slightly OT: Steve Morse used a V4 for much of his early career (Dregs through the first few solo discs). Some incredible tones from clean to mean, there.

[Brick]

I don't have a V4 but I do have the little brother, an early 70s V2 that I run through an Avatar 2x12 (C-Rex/Red Fang) cab. It loves all styles of music, all kinds of guitars and all combinations of pedals. :RoCkIn

I did try running it with an attenuator and thought it killed the sound so I run it clean with pedals.

I'm never getting rid of it.

[GrecoVee]

I own two early`70's Ampeg V2's and just love both of them!
Mine are the older ones with out the master vol. One has some NOS RCA 7027 power amp tubes and the other has a set of NOS Philips 5781's. I like to run a "Y" cord into both channels of one and use a Tonebone "Hot British" 12AX7 tube distortion pedal for gain. I'll run one or two older Marshall 800 series 4x12's loaded with Rola Celestion G12-80's for cabs.
This is my current favorite setup at the moment! These older Ampegs (V2,V4,VT-22,VT-40) are one of the most under rated amps out there!:AOK

[gushtone]

I've always had a VT-40 4x10 combo in my stable, it was my first amp. It kills! Very similar circuit to the V4. Also had V4's and V4B's. Super tones, and the best thing is that they are distinctly NOT in the Fender, Marshall or Vox camps. Awesome. Always makes me want to play "Can't you hear me knockin" by The Stones ;-)
+1 on the pedal love with these amps, all sound great. Believe it or not, one of my all time fav's through these is the heavily colored Boss Super Overdrive SD-1.

[suprotennessee]

Keep it coming! I feel like I am getting somewhere with these amps. Thanks everyone!

[gushtone]

PS: A Strat or Tele straight through these with the Sensitivity switch in the hottest spot and the volume around 4-5 is superb sounding (but really loud!). Can't go wrong with humbuckers either.

PSS: hey, if you're into old Danelectro's you should check out the one I have listed in the Amps and Cabs Emporium. Tres cool and small gigable.

[steve rowen]

Hi Electricbones,
I have the identical rig. I also have a V4 w/6550's, and a VT40. Got some Portaflex B12XT's too, 1-15, 2-12, and 4-12, and finally a 66 Gemini VI. I love Ampegs, and they smoke w/od pedal and P90's.

[Electricbones]

Originally Posted by steve rowen

Hi Electricbones,
I have the identical rig. I also have a V4 w/6550's, and a VT40. Got some Portaflex B12XT's too, 1-15, 2-12, and 4-12, and finally a 66 Gemini VI. I love Ampegs, and they smoke w/od pedal and P90's.

You have impeccable taste!!:BEER

.....and one hell of an Ampeg collection! I'm jealous!!

[TommyMambo]

I used to use 2 V4 stacks in the late 70's and early 80's. These things would eat a 100 watt marshall for lunch. I know because the other guitarist had one! Great raunchy tone, big on the mids...think "Love You Live"!