Which Ampeg amps for guitar?

[D.o.S.]

Yeah, I get that. Just didn't want you to think I was standing there with my abacus saying "not a dime over 650 or I'll sick the dogs on you!"

I believe my friend's old roommate sold his in decent shape a couple years ago for +/-800(?)

There are completed listings for clean ones on the over-pay-bay going from 850 to a G, and a few less pristine but still working ones are dropping to the 650 range. Lowest I saw was 350 but that was with only one channel working.

Granted, those are ebay prices, but that's probably where the dude is looking to get his information.

Original owner, used as a backup... does it have the original tubes? When was the last time it was taken to a tech?

With the original tubes and a thumbs up from a tech I could drop 750 if there was no way I was going to walk the earth with a clean conscious if the bastard slipped through my fingers. If the amp's really the way you describe it in regards to condition, in the worst case scenario you should be able to flip it and break even pretty easily.

[SpaceFlunky]

Oh, and I'd probably go600 650ish (since it's local) for that V4. Depends on how bad you want it, though.

Yeah, he's bustin' my ballz at $650 and it's hard to counter on the local + pristine V4 that's available to test out pre-purchase. Unfortunately, I want it pretty bad too...

just get it dude. that is as good a price you will get on once that is clean. Unless you find a great local-ish deal.

I am still on the hunt for a Ampeg V4b. I might have Nick build me one similar to one.



I run a VT40 and a V2. Not planning on selling them any time soon. The Vt40 is about to go get all new tubes and speakers in it. Just finished completely re-tubing the V2.

[Holy Schnikes]

Thanks gents! D.O.S., appreciate the detailed breakdown Exactly the advice I was seeking! It has all original tubes, 7207a's, and the guy selling is an amp tech so maintenance is all in order. He just called me saying $600 will get the deal done so I'm biting I suppose.

[D.o.S.]

No worries dude. 'gratz on your new amp.

[Gone Fission]

If you want it and can swing it, do so at that price.

As an aside, though, I any time I see the forum wisdom that original tubes in a 30+ year old are automatically awesome and worth a premium. They're still good if they're still good.l, but for how much longer? If they're microphonic are otherwise shot, not that great. Original tubes that were originally fine in a used amp can just go. Siemens EL34s made in Germany are worth some dough these days, but I had some in a Hiwatt that were past their prime. Fresh Winged Cs (back when they were Svetlanas) made the amp a Hiwatt again, or actually more than it had ever been since I got it -- came alive.

[D.o.S.]

When you're trying to figure out the right price of a vintage toober, original tubes play into that. Doesn't matter what we think about it--it is what it is.

[Holy Schnikes]

If you want it and can swing it, do so at that price.

As an aside, though, I any time I see the forum wisdom that original tubes in a 30+ year old are automatically awesome and worth a premium. They're still good if they're still good.l, but for how much longer? If they're microphonic are otherwise shot, not that great. Original tubes that were originally fine in a used amp can just go.

Honestly, my true concern with the OG tubes is the simple fact that the amp wasn't modded for different tubes when the 7207s went out of production awhile back. Seems lots of Ampegs were altered to account for this but that tube is back in action and definitely what I'd prefer.

Shit, I've had brand new tubes go bad so I don't place absolute faith in any tube. Wish I could.

[Moustache_Bash]

The SVT thing is mostly born out of the fact that I came over here from Talkbass, where the de facto answer to "what tube head should I buy" was always an SVT. I've played a handful of them, and they are awesome, but I just post it for shits and giggles mostly.

Right now on the amp front I've got a Sovtek MIG100, a Peavey Mark VI, and an Orange OR120.

Doperigs gets one more update, the often vaunted Helms/Torche/Big Biz show gear rundown. I've got it all typed up, I just haven't put it on the site yet. Lots of balls in the air, and all that.


Oh, and I'd probably go600 650ish (since it's local) for that V4. Depends on how bad you want it, though.

Sheee-it. I can't believe I didn't pick up on the sarcasm. Once I asked on TB if a 50 watt tube head would keep up with a guitarist with a DRRI, and one guy responded with "50 watts is hardly enough for a light bulb, I won't play a gig unless I got my SVT AWM NOM NOM NOM"

Look ferrwerrd to the update.

And to OP, I didn't read the thread, but if you want to go combo route I've seen VT40s go for decent prices. Sub-600.

[benjuro]

SVT for guitar is borderline ridiculous, as you would rarely be able to open it up enough for it to sound great. I used mine for a little while, and found I REALLY preferred the warmth of my V4--the SVT sounded cold and sterile compared to it. V2 is my fave tho--these sound in-fucking-credible, glorious natural breakup at reasonable volumes. My band plays pretty loud, and my V2 alone broke up a little early to hang. Again, we play LOUD--for most projects, this amp alone would be the NUTZ.
I prefer the metal knob and black rocker to the later 70's Ampegs, and the "distortion" channel some of those later V's have just sux. If it's clean and the board's not warped (peek and see that the tubes point straight down), 6 bills is a good number.
And I've had a few that had their OG Magnavox power tubes in them, and techs told me they were still good...

[Zounds Perspex]

I wouldn't pay $650 for a master volume V4, not when you can get earlier, radder models for the same money.

V4 is much cleaner and ballsier than any Sovtek I've heard. Better constructed in my experience as well.

[SpaceFlunky]

Thanks gents! D.O.S., appreciate the detailed breakdown Exactly the advice I was seeking! It has all original tubes, 7207a's, and the guy selling is an amp tech so maintenance is all in order. He just called me saying $600 will get the deal done so I'm biting I suppose.

HIT THAT SHIT SON!

[gunslinger_burrito]

I wouldn't pay $650 for a master volume V4, not when you can get earlier, radder models for the same money.

V4 is much cleaner and ballsier than any Sovtek I've heard. Better constructed in my experience as well.

Thanks! I may plan on travelling with whatever I end up getting

[Narwhal-Industries]

Ampeg VT-22, Basically a V-4 212 combo.

[colin]

There's a VT-22 for $699 that's been on my local Craigslist for the last month. I've been tempted to hit it up and sell my Deluxe Reverb RI, but I suspect that the VT-22 would be a little too loud for me right now (I live in a basement suite).

[Gone Fission]

Never be afraid to lowball offer those VT-22s. Heavy and loud and clean tends to lead to a heavy discount on Craigslist. You never catch the same breaks on the heads.