VTypeV4

I had a bit of my own 'bass bash' the other night comparing these two heavyweights. The V6 is the one mentioned and pictured previously in this thread - it comes to live with me occasionally and somthing I very much welcome! The SVT is mine though, it's the setup I bought back in July. Ideally, I'd have took the V4 (and ran both amps through the same cabs - which I didn't) but the V6 has an almost identical core tone and in some ways, a closer relation to the SVT owing to the fact there's no drive channel or compressor on either. So, the V6 was ran through an Ampeg PR series 8x10" and the SVT through it's accompanying 410HE and 115E. I used both my Warwick Streamer and my VM Squier but I do wish I'd taken my Status with me too - it's been my 'go-to' bass since it arrived. In terms of power and volume, it's tricky to say as the PR cab is a probably a touch more sensitive than the both the Classic line cabinets and, no, I didn't dime either amp but it's definitely fair to say, both are capable of moving the drivers to the point of it becoming pretty uncomfortable! If we are to believe the ratings of each being accurate, there's only 1.5dB of theoritcal SPL difference in them anyways. I know there's the often banded about 'trace watts' in other thtreads on the forum but in reality, I don't think many have bought a full fat SVT and were disappointed in it's volume capabilities either. Being honest, in my experience at least, once you're up past 150 / 200w with a valve amp, there's rarely a night and day volume difference between them anyway - through the same speakers at least. Arguably, out of the two, the SVT has greater flexibility with it's 5-way mid control giving a different tonality / character for each position. The EQ generally on the Ampeg feels a bit more honest and does what it says with greater accuracy and less interaction than on the Trace. That's not to say one is 'better' or indeed, 'worse' but they really are quite different whether I'm using the external EQ and compression or not. The one thing they both have in common though is that 'deep' and 'ultra lo' switch - both seem to be a reasonably broad Q, low-mid cut rather than low end boosts of which I find of no use with my tonal preferences. If we are to get onto questionable terms, the Trace is a bit 'warmer' offering 'size and depth' with each note whereas the Ampeg retains the some of those qualities but is of a more 'bold and up front' nature generally offering a bit more low-mid in it's character which I feel is one of it's more endearing traits. All this is based on my opinion and less than perfect testing so, please make of it what you will but, I can't recall any V-Type reviews that have directly compared them to anything vintage or current. Does anyone have any comparative opinions they wish to share? For my next gig, I might well take the Ampeg and see how it goes - I have little doubt it'll be awesome but I bet for the show after that, It'll be the V4 making a trip out. 😀

Thanks! I'm sure you'll very quickly fall in love with it - they're truly awesome. ❤️😃 Keep an eye on those bias LED indicators as they do occasionally wander off and too long in the red will sometimes result in popped fuses. To be fair, mine hasn't done it for a long time but I do carry a tiny screw driver just in case. Enjoy!

Likewise man, looks like you've been smashing it! The SD12 is a great tool - you can't see it in the pic but there were two at the outdoor gig in Blackpool. I'm more than happy with a Digico and I can say, I've never had a bad show on one either. 😃 I used one at Notting Hill Carnival as a tracking console - overkill, yes but it happily got the job done. I've not done a show on the smaller frame A&H SQ although I've done plenty on the bigger (SQ 6/7) versions. There was one with the dinky Dlive but I can't really fault any of them. 💯

I've not spent much time on the home 02R during the last few months although I took this snap just before putting a test mix together for a friends new group. They loved it, I loved it - wins all round! 😃 I've used lots of Digico, Midas and A&H on shows such as this over the summer which has been lovely - this was Rebellion / RFest at Blackpool. ❤️

I can't tell you if these specific ones ae are any good but I did have an 'Ashton' branded BV300 (300w valve head) which also flies under the 'Fame' badge too. I was very impressed with it - it sounded great and was well built plus it was cheap

Respect to Rob and all those at Status that made these very special basses. It will be a great loss to the bass playing fraternity but hopefully (as suggested elsewhere), the company will be continued in some form - even if it will be different than the one we've come to love over the years. I foolishly sold my first one back in '06 but having recently picked up another, it's even more so a keeper now. 😃 ❤️❤️

Thanks for the info but I went for a 'full fat' variety in the end anyways. 💯

Thanks for the info Paul but the particular V4 in reference there is of the Trace Elliot rather than the Ampeg variety - I should have said. My V4 Mk2 is something of a rare 200w KT88 based amp - essentially a half power V8. 😃

I've had a closer look round the back and the valve compliment looks great too with JJ pre-amp / driver tubes and EHX 6550s in the engine room. I've had good service from both brands - my V4 is fitted with EHX KT88s and has them in for the last 5 years with no trauma and pretty much everything else - including the Fender Bassman has JJs throughout. 😃

I was debating over getting a V4BH for the studio during the last couple of months, I also put a post on here a few weeks back asking about those who'd owned both one of these and the CL. During this time, only one came up for sale on eBay (none on here or FB) but I hesitated and by the time I looked again, inevitably, it had gone. 😬 With no V4BH's to be seen, I thought I might as well go 'full fat' and got this lot instead. 😃 Clearly I've spent a bit more cash than planned but expect the SVT will see plenty of work at the studio..

Oh, that's rough - and painful by the sounds of things!

Thanks! 😃

These monsters were collected over the weekend from a lovely chap near Southport. Barely used, I now have an SVT CL, 410HE and 115E! Really, I've bought it all for the studio but always kinda fancied an Ampeg rig and is something of a contrast to my usual Trace Elliot setup(s!). Initial impressions are very good both in terms of build quality (these are chinese examples) and performance - the biggest surprise is that EQ being very powerful and flexible - I had no issue dialling my usual noise. Whilst I've not yet used it at 'stun' or 'kill' volumes, power certainly doesn't feel like it's going to be an issue! 😀

I decided to give the little SMX a quick once over yesterday and it seems all is well inside. It's good and reassuring to see the Clive Button power amplifier section in there as I had suspected it might have the somewhat more troublesome bi-polar bear - I assume the CB was factory fitted judging by the date stickers and gobs of hot glue. It didn't really need it once I saw how clean it was but I felt better giving the old girl a quick dust out by the fan / heat sink and a squirt of contact cleaner.. 😀

We had this very setup at college back in 2000 / 2001 - it replaced an A&H GS3/V and a 16-track, half-inch tape machine. The only addition to the we had to the Mackie setup there was a TC Finalizer which was usually inserted at the end of the chain via the mini patch bay. I always thought it was ok - it certainly seemed capable and stable although as a teenager who was more interested in being the next Marcus / Stanley / Mark (etc!), I only ever really used it when I really needed to. Today, as someone who regularly uses Yamaha 02Rs (with TC Electronic cards) of the same era, this old stuff still can sound awesome in the right hands and very much capable of running with modern systems - as we all know, it's usually the operator that makes the difference!

My setp-dad built 'Beavis' back in 1996 as part of an electronics course he was doing at the time and a couple of years before I picked up playing. Heavily rebuilt from a burned out Linear L50 chassis with the transformers and chassis being the only retained items, it essentially became a hot-rodded 50w Marshall using 3x ECC83 and a pair of EL34. I've had it modified a few times over the years including the addition of a master volume plus a change of output valves - it's had 6550s and KT88s although now, it has JJ KT77s and apparently makes about 60w. Beavis is very musical and I have gigged it on many an occasion with it offering (just about!) enough power / volume for my needs before heading into 'Lemmy' territory. To be fair, in terms of power, it doesn't really feel like it was much less clout than my Fender 135. It became my first bass amp as my step-dad never really got on with it - he was a Fender / clean guitar player and Beavis didn't really do the 'chimey' thing particularly well although, looking back, it was probably the speakers he used it with more than anything. I made use of it with a pair of Goodmans Audiom loaded WEM 1x15" for bass duties although these days, it's paired with a JBL K140 loaded Ashton 1x15"..

Brilliant! 🤣

Hi Mike, I thought the V4BH was the one with the same pre-amp and cosmetics of the SVT CL but with the smaller, 4x 6L6 100w power stage rather than the the 'full fat' 6x 6550 300w?

I'd not considered an SVT 2 - it's an option..

I feel I've been a long time contributer to this wonderful corner of the internet - nearly 11 years if I'm not mistaken. To me, this site is still the best place to chat bass. 🤣 Most of my posts are waxing lyrical about the virtues of those old green / grey / black boxes emblazened with the words 'Trace' and 'Elliot' and I get even more excited if they have those magical, glowing glass bottles in them. Talk of mixing consoles, outboard gear and mixing are sometimes equally up lifting too.. Enough of my indulgence, anyways - I want to talk Ampeg. 😃 At the studio, I'm expanding our range of amplification and whilst my Trace 400SMX and associated cabs have done the lions share of the work (and continue to do a great jpb) since I moved into the Sun Street building, I want an Ampeg setup. I foolishly hesitated on a V4BH a few weeks back but am keeping an eye out for SVT CL too.. My question is, are the V4BH and SVT CL tonally similar? I'm aware they have the same pre-amp and that main difference is the output stage. The power deficit isn't an issue - I've gigged with 60w (just about) and have also used my Fender Bassman 135 on many an occasion too - it's the character that is more important. I don't much fancy the current re-issue V4 or SVT VR nor do I like the idea of the 350 / 450 or hybrid models, I'm pretty set on either a V4BH or an SVT CL.. Any opinions, experiences or thoughts welcome. 😃

Sadly not, only Kirk Brandon with Theatre of Hate (Friday afternoon) and Spear or Destiny (Saturday early evening). Lovely festival with a very relaxed feel. I particularly enjoyed Jo Boxers - super tight group. 😃

One for the V-Type fans - my new phone has a fancy camera and thought this came out rather well. 😃

No 02R or DM in todays reply but this good old M7 was still doing the business at the 'Sign of the times' Festival (Hertfordshire) over the weekend. An identical console on-stage was running the monitors also. Many years ago, it was suggested to me that the M7 was a bigger, more user friendly version of the LS-9 - all these years later, I'd still agree. 😃

The last few months, it's all been about that wonderful Status Energy but I took the Yamaha on the job today - it's such a solid tool. Versatile and capable, a very useful member of the clan. 😃

This is my latest purchase, a DM1000 - a close relation of my much larger DM2000. It came from eBay at a very reasonable price as it needed a new screen and some of the faders sorting but it's all fixed now and ready to go. I've not done any shows with it as yet but given it's packed with features and compact dimensions, I'm reasonably sure it'll see plenty of work in the coming months. 😃