Sunn Beta Lead or Ampeg V4?

[raul]

tell me what you know about the Sunn Beta Lead and it's pro's and cons and where perhaps i can pick one up...

and how does it compare in tone to an Ampeg V4?

i'm looking for big loud tone to push with pedals...

[GarMan]

Go with the V4. It is VERY LOUD! Almost unbearable.

The Sunn Beta, sounds cool to me. A lot of people hate them though. They can be loud, but not as loud as a V4 I think. Buzz from the Melvins still uses his Beta Leads.

[jojo]

I can't compare the V4, but my other guitarist has a beta lead combo and it's the loudest amp I've ever heard hands down. it's seriously louder than my matamp gto 120,Orange rv 100 and or 120 !!! Here's a concert lead :http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/msg/1702799604.html

My amp tech has a V4 for sale too, you might check with him if you're in d/fw

http://www.dallasvintageguitars.com/repairamp.htm

[straightblues]

When I was in high school, 25 years ago, the other guitar player in my band played a Sun Beta Lead. It was a good sounding amp dirty, but kinda of a 1 tone amp if my memory serves me right.

The Ampeg is a different amp. It is a loud amp that will need pedals. The Ampeg is more power than I would want. It probably isn't the best choice of amps for small parties and clubs.

[raul]

thanks for the replies...i wish there was a Beta Lead or a V4 in Austin i could try out and maybe even walk away with...

how does the Concert Lead compare to the Beta Lead as far as tone goes?

i do plan on using pedals for dirt...

[maxwedge]

You'll hurt people with a V4 over driven with pedals, and with out the pedals cranked.Might hurt your back carrying it too.
Don't know anything about the other amp.

[Rex Nomad]

If you really like the Sun Beta Lead - cool. I know the Melivns guy plays one but IMO just about any other amp would be better. It is one of the loudest amps I've ever heard, but...you'd probably be better off with a Crate Powerblock (or two) and a nice 4x12 cab/s.

[chillerthanmost]

I like the Sunn Concert Lead more than the Beta Lead. A Concert Lead pushed with a nice pedal sounds really tube like and is super loud. I'd love to get one with a big box Rat. With that being said though, I haven't heard anything that sounds nicer, louder, and better than my Ampeg v4 pushed with an 80's japanese made boss HM-2. Would take that over a Sunn anyday of the week. The only time I heard a beta lead sound good is when it was pushing it's preamp through a jcm800.

[Schafrocks]

+1000. I had a Beta Lead for a few years. Bland cleans and the drive had no charactor either. I think the power block sound much better. Takes pedals great too.

[analogsystem]

Get a V4. It will take pedal much much better.
If you want a Sunn amp, go for a model T, 100s, 200s, 1000s, 1200s, 1500s, 2000s, or 350L
You want one of their all tube models from the 60s or 70s. If you look around you can find a 200s for $350 or so on CL.

[Schafrocks]

Yes, lots better choices there. The Beta isn't even that good by solid state standards.

Schaf

[aquadog]

Originally Posted by analogsystem

Get a V4. It will take pedal much much better.
If you want a Sunn amp, go for a model T, 100s, 200s, 1000s, 1200s, 1500s, 2000s, or 350L
You want one of their all tube models from the 60s or 70s. If you look around you can find a 200s for $350 or so on CL.

Bingo. There's no reason to spring for the solid state.
The more recent t50 reissues are excellent, underrated amps as well. Plenty of volume and headroom, especially if you put in some lower gain preamp tubes