Ampeg V4 with or without distortion?

[jwojtysiak]

So there seems to be two guitar models out there. One with distortion and one without. Correct?

What are you experiences with these head? I'd really like to get one with distortion but they seem like they are harder to find.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

[Holy Schnikes]

You're talking late 70's V4s which are cool for sure but I've never heard much good about the distortion model. The one you really want is the early 70's with the aluminum knobs. Either the V4 (includes reverb) or V4B will work out very nicely.

[MEC]

You're talking late 70's V4s which are cool for sure but I've never heard much good about the distortion model. The one you really want is the early 70's with the aluminum knobs. Either the V4 (includes reverb) or V4B will work out very nicely.

Pretty much this. If you don't care about the reverb, the V4B can be had for less cash.

If you can't find one local hit me up, I may be interested in selling one of mine.

[theavondon]

Deff look for one's without distortion knob.

[chillerthanmost]

I've had both and much preferred the non distortion, non master, early 70's version.

[benjuro]

Early models are more desirable, sound better and supposedly used better quality transformers The late 70's models can also sound quite good, but the distortion channel absolutely sucks.
In addition to having no reverb, V4B's have an "ultra low" eq rocker switch, and lack the sensitivity switches to knock a couple dB's off....

[D.o.S.]

Also, the VT-22 is the combo version of the V4, so you may want to look out for one of those, too.

[Holy Schnikes]

I love the V2 as well, prefer it actually. Still loud as fuck but not quite as head crushingly loud as a V4. If you desire ultimate volume and headroom, V4 is the ticket tho.

[benjuro]

I love the V2 as well, prefer it actually.

[colin]

I have a VT-40 (4x10 combo version of the V2), which I love. Mine is an early 70's non-distortion model, but it was modded long ago with a master volume. Having the master volume really helps to allow it to be useable at home volume levels, but the distortion I can get by backing it way down and cranking the volume is definitely mediocre.

[jwojtysiak]

I have a lead on one locally. Early 70's v4. The guy had it modded to take el34's now. The price is right, so I'm going to pick it up. If I don't dig the el34's I'll just switch it back.

[jwojtysiak]

This looks like its a v4/vt-22 head. I thought only the combos were the vt-22 and the heads were the v4.

Any insight into this?

[chillerthanmost]

This looks like its a v4/vt-22 head. I thought only the combos were the vt-22 and the heads were the v4.

Any insight into this?

They are the same amp.


If you're gonna swap tubes might as well make it accept 6550's. You'll go through a lot less tubes that way. My early 70's v4 ate a quad of modern 6L6GC's every 6 months. Either that or spend a good penny on some nice, USA made 6L6GC's that will take the voltage rating. 6550's sound great in that amp though. I always felt standard V4's sounded a bit lifeless. I did bring some life into mine when replacing the PI tube with a black plate 12BH7... That gave it a sexy tone. Face, neck, and chest sexy.