The reason why I want a V4 is because Kurt Ballou of Converge lives and breathes this thing. Once you crank those knobs, you get one mean amp that does guitar and bass and takes pedals very well.
You explained the one thing I dislike about modern tube amps when they add a DI...it's only from the preamp! I've been using speaker-level DIs taken from the parallel out of cabinets for a while now...works great.
Interesting, do these ampeg cabs have that? Also, most producers in my experience prefer straight instrument di for plugin fiddling, which is why I kinda like the preamp-only thing. A nice in between. I bet the speaker level di utilizing the full power of the amp sounds incredible!!
I've had an original from '76 for 10 years now, and can't find a new, lighter amp to touch it. Gonna have to A-B test them. Gain Master could come in handy, but it eliminates stacking channels with different effects for Volume One Volume Two.
@@lewissaunders2837 tough to say because I've only played an SVT-CL on a couple of gigs. You can't go wrong with either. It just depends on your needs. To me, the V-4B was a bit more "bitey" and overdriven. And obviously if you need a lot of volume the SVT has 300 watts vs the 100 of the V4-B. There's also the factor of the cabinets. I was playing the V-4B through the 212 cab, whereas I played the SVT through the 810. At the end of the day, they're both incredible amps. I don't much care about wattage because I'm either playing at home or in venues with front of house support. The amp is mostly to hear myself on stage.
I’m in the same boat. I just played one today and to me, the sound, feel and flexibility was perfect. Soooo much character and it really responds great to your touch.
I'm thinking of buying one in the near future but my cab is a hartke 410 xl series which runs at 8ohms. Since in the back of the V4b there's an option of running the speaker cables at 8ohms I should be good right??
Not that this will help you four years later, but even if you ran it at 4 ohms it would be fine. You just wouldn't be maximizing the output of the cabinet. What you don't want to do is run a cabinet with a lower number of ohms than the amp. For example, if you had an 8 ohm amp, you would NOT want to use a 4 ohm cabinet.
I love old '70s sounds and own a Rickenbacker, a Jazz Bass and an EB-3; they were all recently built, but I would love to make them sound more vintage and maybe aggressive. I know almost nothing about amplifiers. I have a Mark Bass LMK 600 old model, I find it incredibly smooth and let us say it allows your instrument to sound as clean and faithful to its nature as possible; however, I have been looking for something more vintage and aggressive. My Mark Bass hasn't even got the gain control. Would you suggest this amp, or what other one would you recommend that I buy? Also, are 100 watts enough in a tube amp, compared to the 400 or 600 watts I use with the solid state amps I have to play in the pubs, in the streets and in the rehearsing garage? Thanks in advance.
What I can tell you is that 100 watts would be in plenty of volume, especially with a 410 cabinet or two 115 cabinets. I wouldn't worry about not having enough volume, especially if you want vintage and a bit more aggresive sound.
I've owned two of these now. The first one I returned because once I took it off standby, there would be a faint buzzing sound. Probably wouldn't notice it live but when practicing alone, I could hear it every time I stopped playing and if I was playing quiet enough, I could hear it while I was playing as well. I returned it thinking there was something wrong with it and recently got another one with the matching cab, only to find out it has the same exact buzzing noise. Any one else have this issue? And if so, do you just let it be or was there something you did to fix that? It is not the gain being too high and I don't play with pedals. It's also not the power in my house because I've tried it in a few different places. Really love the sound of it so I don't want to get rid of it but would really like to stop the buzzing.
Thank you for one of the very thorough reviews of an amp that i've seen. I am in the market - but I have a problem with a non-USA product. BUT - it sure sounds good! Does anyone want to guess how long it will last? I'm torn - old worn out and buzzy US made - or - new China made? I would appreciate any comments.
Years ago I used the old (70’s) V4b on jobs and it did really well. Out doors you want to crank it more but just go through the PA system and bring it back through the monitors (I always used and still use 15” monitors so I can hear kick and bass without blowing 12’s as monitors. I recently purchased a used like new Ampeg 410HLF cab and I have an old Traynor YBa-1a head. At “1”, it was plenty for any job, the cabinet is extremely sensitive and even the very lows don’t distort. Years ago I also used a seventies SVT with “2” 8x10 cabs for big indoor arena type venues and out doors. 1-8x10, I used for bars and big clubs…..totally awesome. The Traynor head is very heavy like the old V4b heads but we’ll worth the effort.
It sounds good but what happened to the volume, why isn't it loud? I used to have a 70s V4 head with V4 cabinet (which I used for guitar) and it was a screamer! It would leave your ears ringing with the volume halfway up. Does he have his guitar volume turned down? Can someone explain?
Personally, and this is just a call, I'd mike so you can get the grit. Since the DI is preamp out, you won't get the kick from the 6L6's pre up master down. Just my 2 cents.
Hayden Rix power amps also compress and eventually distort at high volumes, just like preamps do. The power amp compression is an important part of the ampeg sound which is what he was probably referencing. You’re right that most people will be perfectly happy to get their distortion from the preamps.
@@fendersunburst4832 You're kidding, right?...ever heard of Aguilar. The "Rolls Royce" of bass amps is the Aguilar DB751, and it's made in New York City. The United States is the best manufacturing country in the world.
Andrew James the original v4b puts out 120 watts if you put it on a scope. I had 3 of them years ago. My amp tech was Dennis Keager from 60s Ampeg co. he had 1 of mine for retube and told me they do put out 120 watts with the real 7027 power tubes. great amps IMO, the originals.
..opted for a Marshall all valve 400 watt bass stack with 8 x 12 in speakers, instead of going ampeg like the salesman wanted me to. Glad I did, it's a beast, and it's made in the UK..!
. Nope, I just bought a US made 50th Aniversary SVT FOR about $2600, and it's 300 watts. I have a nice Aguilar DB751 for about the same price made in New York City, which is a very high end quality bass amp.
This ain't no stinkin V4-B. Okay, it's a nice amp for giggin and the studio, but I had the original model that graced the stage with the Stones, Rod Stewart and Faces, etc. Big as refrigerator and could emit gamma rays that would blister your skin at 100 yards away. This is a much scaled down model for your bedroom.
Raging Noorp haha in a way I get what you are saying because to me this sounds amazing and the "new" style amps all sound lack lustre and lifeless to me.. guess it's all just personal preference and ultimately depends on the style of music you are playing.. I love this amp but it would sound terrible if not used in the proper setting
What an embarassing comment on my part. I totally get it nowadays. Myself I prefer class-D but vintage Ampegs for example will sound crazy good if recorded right or playing one live.
I don't think it's too embarrassing, honestly a lot of industry magazines really compress the hell out of the tone in bass amp reviews so it's hard to hear the magic in a video. I didn't "get it" until I heard it live or through a studio console either.
The reissue doesn't hold a candle to the vintage V4B or V4. No fat bottom end on the new one (even w the Ultra Low engaged) and I didn't hear the "grit" that he kept referring to.
![They're (almost) Perfect! | Ampeg Venture Range [Review/Demo]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RIJwwS9X9hc/mqdefault.jpg)
I used to have one of these, sounded amazing. One day it started smoking and that was that.
Even broken ones sell for a lot if you still have it
@@BonsonPylon Long gone. The repair cost wasn't worth it at the time. Probably sold it for $100. I think I bought it for $400.
The reason why I want a V4 is because Kurt Ballou of Converge lives and breathes this thing. Once you crank those knobs, you get one mean amp that does guitar and bass and takes pedals very well.
You explained the one thing I dislike about modern tube amps when they add a DI...it's only from the preamp!
I've been using speaker-level DIs taken from the parallel out of cabinets for a while now...works great.
Interesting, do these ampeg cabs have that? Also, most producers in my experience prefer straight instrument di for plugin fiddling, which is why I kinda like the preamp-only thing. A nice in between. I bet the speaker level di utilizing the full power of the amp sounds incredible!!
@@rickydeathtower most cabs will have some kind of parallel output for chaining cabs together, yes.
Sounds so nice
Be sure to also check the vids regarding quality control issues with these.
Why does he keep hitting it... jeez... lol
basspepper I thought it was just me! 🤣
sooo true :D
Take a shot everytime he hits it.
Been playing too much slap bass. Now he just slaps everything. All the time.
Because Ampeg is no longer US made.
I bought a USA Geddy after I tried it thru a V4B, was immediately sold on the bass, but keep thinking about getting the head,
Do it
yeah do it. I was hesitating for a while, but I finally got it and I do not regret it.
Thanks especially for pointing out that the Direct Out is preamp only. I’ll look into the SVT CL then...
I've had an original from '76 for 10 years now, and can't find a new, lighter amp to touch it. Gonna have to A-B test them. Gain Master could come in handy, but it eliminates stacking channels with different effects for Volume One Volume Two.
I played one of these the other day and I can't stop thinking about it. I have the Ampeg PF-50T and I love it, but this blows it out of the water.
As good as the SVT CL ?
@@lewissaunders2837 tough to say because I've only played an SVT-CL on a couple of gigs. You can't go wrong with either. It just depends on your needs. To me, the V-4B was a bit more "bitey" and overdriven. And obviously if you need a lot of volume the SVT has 300 watts vs the 100 of the V4-B. There's also the factor of the cabinets. I was playing the V-4B through the 212 cab, whereas I played the SVT through the 810.
At the end of the day, they're both incredible amps. I don't much care about wattage because I'm either playing at home or in venues with front of house support. The amp is mostly to hear myself on stage.
It should; but the SVT blows this out of the water!
I’m in the same boat. I just played one today and to me, the sound, feel and flexibility was perfect. Soooo much character and it really responds great to your touch.
Great review! Thanks
Dude misses the point of this amp by not maxing the gain and digging in.
Couldn't agree more. I used to have one of these years ago and it sound incredible
Opinions on using this as a primary guitar head for studio and live situations and pushing it with pedals?
God he never stops talking
JUST PLAY IT FFS
This is what bass is supposed to sound like.
No, it isnt for any modern music. Yeah it fits good in basic rock&pop, but Djent and slapping...
***** Its just my opinion.
Raging Reuniclus Actually I think with a sansamp and like a musicman bongo bass or a warwick you could get a very good djent tone
PunkerWithABoner I want tightness and clarity ;)
Raging Reuniclus Well buy that amp, it will do
I'm thinking of buying one in the near future but my cab is a hartke 410 xl series which runs at 8ohms. Since in the back of the V4b there's an option of running the speaker cables at 8ohms I should be good right??
rosetasstoned I should say so. It has a dedicated 8ohm output so you're fine.
Not that this will help you four years later, but even if you ran it at 4 ohms it would be fine. You just wouldn't be maximizing the output of the cabinet. What you don't want to do is run a cabinet with a lower number of ohms than the amp. For example, if you had an 8 ohm amp, you would NOT want to use a 4 ohm cabinet.
0:22 David Draiman, is that you?
droppin plates
Hi. How distorted can be this amp ? Its the mid boost similar to the Marshall sound? Thanks
I have a 1972 with original tubes. Tried one of these. The master volume is super handy but it hummed too much.
Nice review
I love old '70s sounds and own a Rickenbacker, a Jazz Bass and an EB-3; they were all recently built, but I would love to make them sound more vintage and maybe aggressive.
I know almost nothing about amplifiers. I have a Mark Bass LMK 600 old model, I find it incredibly smooth and let us say it allows your instrument to sound as clean and faithful to its nature as possible; however, I have been looking for something more vintage and aggressive. My Mark Bass hasn't even got the gain control.
Would you suggest this amp, or what other one would you recommend that I buy? Also, are 100 watts enough in a tube amp, compared to the 400 or 600 watts I use with the solid state amps I have to play in the pubs, in the streets and in the rehearsing garage?
Thanks in advance.
What I can tell you is that 100 watts would be in plenty of volume, especially with a 410 cabinet or two 115 cabinets. I wouldn't worry about not having enough volume, especially if you want vintage and a bit more aggresive sound.
I've owned two of these now. The first one I returned because once I took it off standby, there would be a faint buzzing sound. Probably wouldn't notice it live but when practicing alone, I could hear it every time I stopped playing and if I was playing quiet enough, I could hear it while I was playing as well. I returned it thinking there was something wrong with it and recently got another one with the matching cab, only to find out it has the same exact buzzing noise. Any one else have this issue? And if so, do you just let it be or was there something you did to fix that? It is not the gain being too high and I don't play with pedals. It's also not the power in my house because I've tried it in a few different places. Really love the sound of it so I don't want to get rid of it but would really like to stop the buzzing.
I have the new reissue model and do not have this problem mine is super quiet
what kind of bass you have??
Thank you for one of the very thorough reviews of an amp that i've seen. I am in the market - but I have a problem with a non-USA product. BUT - it sure sounds good! Does anyone want to guess how long it will last? I'm torn - old worn out and buzzy US made - or - new China made? I would appreciate any comments.
They are not the same amp. Go vintage, trust me.
Didn't this dude kidnap the chipmunks?
please ampeg bring back the guitar v4 !
How loud is it? will it work in small venue gigs?
Ampeg amps are notoriously loud (with the exception of the portaflex). This amp will allow you to drown out the guitars, it’s more than enough.
Years ago I used the old (70’s) V4b on jobs and it did really well. Out doors you want to crank it more but just go through the PA system and bring it back through the monitors (I always used and still use 15” monitors so I can hear kick and bass without blowing 12’s as monitors. I recently purchased a used like new Ampeg 410HLF cab and I have an old Traynor YBa-1a head. At “1”, it was plenty for any job, the cabinet is extremely sensitive and even the very lows don’t distort. Years ago I also used a seventies SVT with “2” 8x10 cabs for big indoor arena type venues and out doors. 1-8x10, I used for bars and big clubs…..totally awesome. The Traynor head is very heavy like the old V4b heads but we’ll worth the effort.
It sounds good but what happened to the volume, why isn't it loud? I used to have a 70s V4 head with V4 cabinet (which I used for guitar) and it was a screamer! It would leave your ears ringing with the volume halfway up. Does he have his guitar volume turned down? Can someone explain?
Buddy, it's a youtube video
Mikey likes it!
excellent! Thanks!
Is the demo DI out or mic'd cab or both?
How it is mic'ed? Sounds great!
Personally, and this is just a call, I'd mike so you can get the grit. Since the DI is preamp out, you won't get the kick from the 6L6's pre up master down. Just my 2 cents.
anyone tried one of these for guitar?
I don't have any idea from this demo what this amp is capable of. Sorry
50 watt?
Hiesenberg Walt 100 watts
The preamp is what distorts and makes the grind. Wtf dude.
Hayden Rix power amps also compress and eventually distort at high volumes, just like preamps do. The power amp compression is an important part of the ampeg sound which is what he was probably referencing. You’re right that most people will be perfectly happy to get their distortion from the preamps.
Yeah, driving the power amp is what tube amps are all about, otherwise use a tube pre and trans poweramp
doesnt seem too loud half way up
Lol. How can you tell how loud it is in the room?
Made in China? Why?
Because Americans can't make things anymore
@@fendersunburst4832 bulls’’t
@@fendersunburst4832 You're kidding, right?...ever heard of Aguilar. The "Rolls Royce" of bass amps is the Aguilar DB751, and it's made in New York City. The United States is the best manufacturing country in the world.
I kept seeing this guy on Fox & Friends and couldn't figure out why I recognized him. now I know. It's Steve Cook!
I have the original 1972 model, loudest hundred watt you'll ever hear
Andrew James the original v4b puts out 120 watts if you put it on a scope. I had 3 of them years ago. My amp tech was Dennis Keager from 60s Ampeg co. he had 1 of mine for retube and told me they do put out 120 watts with the real 7027 power tubes. great amps IMO, the originals.
I have a 77 V4 Distortion model set up w 6550's & you can get a lot of clean headroom, as well as more grit and tone than this cheap overseas version.
i have original one message me if you want to buy
More play...less speak
Sounds killer. Such a shame its made overseas though.
I absolutely agree with you there.
Who cares? You want to pay $4k for it? You would if it were made in the US...
..opted for a Marshall all valve 400 watt bass stack with 8 x 12 in speakers, instead of going ampeg like the salesman wanted me to. Glad I did, it's a beast, and it's made in the UK..!
. Nope, I just bought a US made 50th Aniversary SVT FOR about $2600, and it's 300 watts. I have a nice Aguilar DB751 for about the same price made in New York City, which is a very high end quality bass amp.
We know how it works. Just play it!!!
This ain't no stinkin V4-B. Okay, it's a nice amp for giggin and the studio, but I had the original model that graced the stage with the Stones, Rod Stewart and Faces, etc. Big as refrigerator and could emit gamma rays that would blister your skin at 100 yards away. This is a much scaled down model for your bedroom.
It's just as loud. Just lighter. You can't tell from a video how loud it gets.
For your bedroom. Jesus chrisr you'd have to live in the middle Of nowhere with no neighbours to play this thing 😂😂
I assure you this is not a "bedroom" amp dude lol i'd hate to jam w you if you've been playing a 100 watt amp in your room since the 70s. HUH, WHAT
Garbage review.
Ampeg V-4B Head 100W = Mercedes C Class
Amoeg SVT Classic Head 300W = Mercedes S Class
I just dont get it what people hears in these old-school amps.. They just tend to sound boring and there is nothing new imho.
Raging Noorp haha in a way I get what you are saying because to me this sounds amazing and the "new" style amps all sound lack lustre and lifeless to me.. guess it's all just personal preference and ultimately depends on the style of music you are playing.. I love this amp but it would sound terrible if not used in the proper setting
What an embarassing comment on my part. I totally get it nowadays. Myself I prefer class-D but vintage Ampegs for example will sound crazy good if recorded right or playing one live.
I don't think it's too embarrassing, honestly a lot of industry magazines really compress the hell out of the tone in bass amp reviews so it's hard to hear the magic in a video. I didn't "get it" until I heard it live or through a studio console either.
The reissue doesn't hold a candle to the vintage V4B or V4. No fat bottom end on the new one (even w the Ultra Low engaged) and I didn't hear the "grit" that he kept referring to.
To anyone having their doubts, play it in person. There is NOTHING that compares to an Ampeg Tube Amp in terms of punch, clarity, grit, and presence.