Ampeg V4

[Muff_Diver]

Due to the search function requiring 3 characters, I'm at a loss for really digging around and most of the other threads that mention v4s are pretty brief.
That being said, I miss my Bassman a lot and am back on the hunt for a super clean guitar amp.
I really want something with reverb, and under a grand, so the Bassman is out, leaving me with a twin (or showman, preferably) and the v4.

What's the deal with these things?
How different is it from a fender clean?
Is it going to blow up even if properly serviced?
Does it only sound good when it's too loud or is it good from 1-10? My bassman didn't come alive until around 4/5.
Does the twin's reverb kill the v4's?
Am I just jumping on the hype train?
The one I'm currently looking at is a 73 for around 500.

This is meant to be more of a "Why should I buy a v4" thread, than a "what clean amp should I buy" thread.

Please share all your stories and experiences.

[chillerthanmost]

A '73 for $500 is a great deal. To me (I've had two v4's and a twin, a bassman, as well as Traynors and sound city's and Marshall's), v4's are dark, slightly muddy with shitty tubes or shitty pickups, and they don't have cleans like Fenders, in fact I find them quite dirty by the time you reach 3 on the volume (specially with a hot pickup), and lastly the reverb isn't that great. With all that said, they are loud, great with pedals (special bright pedals that can use a hair of darkening ((like some fuzz pedals)).), and they have a nice EQ section. They do require good maintaince but there are good batches of v4's and shitty batches. Out of both I had one was great all the time while the other always let me down. Regardless, $500 is a great deal. I'm just not the biggest fan of them on guitar unless they are paired with the right rig. Good luck.

[BoatRich]

I went from a Bassman to a V4 and I have no regrets about it. I loved my bassman to death, but the V4 is overall a better amp. More headroom, better breakup, killer reverb, I just can't recommend it enough.

[revancha]

I've had a Twin, and I own a V4. I agree that $500 IS a solid fucking deal. I wouldn't say mine (also 73) gets dirty until you get past noon.; though it is a dark sounding amp. I like them through Vintage 30s to brighten them up a little.
I actually like the reverb on it a little better than the Twin's but I'm not really a Fender kind of guy. The reverb may have actually been better by most people's standards, but I just can't get over the Fenderishness of a Twin. Just not my thing so you're getting a totally biased opinion with me.
The EQ on the V4 is fantastic and I love it for pedals. As far as reliability goes, I've never had issues with my V4. Ever. I have had plenty of issues with other AMpegs that I've had or still have. I think it all has to do with how well it was cared for before you got it.

[Muff_Diver]

Thank you, all. I think I have a fairly good picture of what I'm getting into.
Updates will follow if/when I take the plunge.

[higain617]

You may also want to look at a Dual Showman or a Music Man HD130. MM amps are really loud and clean.

[grygrx]

The only problem I have with my V4 is that it weighs more than a small pony.

[BoatRich]

You may also want to look at a Dual Showman or a Music Man HD130. MM amps are really loud and clean.

You should definitely just get both. Or run both a V4 and a Bassman

[Muff_Diver]

It always comes back to the bassman, haha.

Currently I'm leaning towards a super six reverb that has been put in a head shell. Its the same price as the v4 and I really want something that's going to stay clean the whole way up. Plus the reverb is footswitchable..and tremolo! But I still want to try out the v4 for the sake of knowledge.

MMs have spiked in price recently, so I'm not trying to go down that road.

[higain617]

MMs have spiked in price recently, so I'm not trying to go down that road.

That's interesting. I have had mine for a while, but bought it because it was much cheaper than a V4 in similar condition.

[rot gut]

It always comes back to the bassman, haha.

Currently I'm leaning towards a super six reverb that has been put in a head shell. Its the same price as the v4 and I really want something that's going to stay clean the whole way up. Plus the reverb is footswitchable..and tremolo! But I still want to try out the v4 for the sake of knowledge.

MMs have spiked in price recently, so I'm not trying to go down that road.

You can also use a footswitch on the V4's reverb.
Super six's in a head shell makes me sad.
Think of the Music Man as an investment.