BassmanPaul

All amplifiers get hot in use. As @Downunderwonder says it's what the fan is supposed to dissipate. Make sure there is clear air around the amp so the cooling can occur.

Can't help with the schematics but as a temporary work around drop the volume to zero before engaging the EQ.

Sorry Stub but I find Piezo tweeters harsh and unmusical. I would never use them.

8 minutes ago, Mickeyboro said:

Don’t bring pugs into it… let’s concentrate on diminutive humanoids!😂

Fixed!

Y'know I find Basschat somewhat bizarre! I remember all the gigs I played in England and Wales using 50W amps. I was never at a loss for volume! Now here are you guys saying that you need 500W in order to be heard in an average British pub. I find that incomprehensible. Back in the day I would have died for an amp as powerful as an Elf!

If an Elf is not enough for your needs add a second one with its speaker system to increase your volume. I can only imagine how loud your band must be.

On 05/07/2025 at 06:44, Jackroadkill said:

 

I'm running a 4ohm 2x15, so I think that should be sufficient!

Depends on the cabs impedance. If it is 8Ω the amp will be giving much less than it's 4Ω capability.

2 hours ago, The fasting showman said:

I found that really interesting. The valve ( tube) compliment on the old version doesn't mention the 6k11 compactron valve that drives the mid circuit. 

 

What valve does that job in the new model?

 

I've owned a couple of v4Bs, of the valve amps I had they worked well for me, paired with a Marshall vbc412 in particular. 

I used a Marshall 4x12 in the past whilst I still lived in the UK. It worked very well for me too. I was using a Marshall 45W amp (KT66) and a Blonde Black face Fender Bassman (6L6GC). With the Marshall amp reading the data books I concluded that the KT66 tubes could be substituted by a 6L6GC without any modifications. I swapped in a pair of the 6L6GCs and the amp worked better to my ears so I left them in there. All these years later I still have those two KT66s in my tube caddy.

I too remember the 6K11 tube from the schematics I have seen. It was somewhat of an odd ball even back then. I don't know the complement of the new V4B but I see no reason why the mid circuit couldn't be handled by a 6SL7. 

1 hour ago, neepheid said:

 

No-one was complaining because it was a six string - merely commenting on how said six string was used.

I know, I was just so happy to see a six being used it is somewhat rare.

I loved that clip exactly because it was played on a six string! I have been using instruments with six strings, both fretted and without, for a long time. It is so strange how some folks view these basses. They seem OK with a five string but a six gives them pause. For me, a six gives me a wider range of fingerings but it is still primarily a BASS!!

Yes it would have been better if she had dropped down to the lower strings - possibly played the passage an octave down to demonstrate the handling of the amplifier but many 'soloists' on our instrument chose to play in the upper registers. I don't know why as the last thing I am is a soloist!

Please let us know how the gig went. We're interested!

54 minutes ago, police squad said:

I actually have a Police gig end of next week, so it'll get a good thrashing then

Break a string!! LOL

I agree it was an interesting read but only that. The older Version was well able to keep up with the new. In essence the old and new are two completely different amplifiers. The

'magic' of the old units may not translate to the new ones. Just because an amplifier is old doesn't mean that it is a pile of crap!  It is, after all, the older units that created the reputation

of the V4B in the first place.

I hope the unit gives you a long and happy life of pleasure.

I have to admit that if I was in need of a 100W amp and had to buy one it would be the V4B. I have never had the pleasure of using an Ashdown product. 

In reality though, I would just go to my workshop and build such an amplifier from the parts stored there. LOL

21 hours ago, VTypeV4 said:

 

The reissue Ampeg V4B models run a quartet of 6L6GC rather than the lesser spotted 7027.. Ashdown went the other way and did it with a pair of '88s..

Thank you for correcting me. I did look online for the tube complement and got the wrong information.

I miss Genz Benz who were always so helpful on line, thanks @agedhorse among others. I'm happy that Jeff Genzler is continuing that tradition.

My power amp gives me 500W per channel driving a pair of 4Ω Acme B2 speaker cabinets. That's more than enough to push them to their best.

If I need to go full out I can add a second pair of B2 cabinets and run the amp at 2Ω which it is quite capable of doing. 

My speaker cabinets of choice are Acme B2 three way 2x10. They are a bit inefficient so require a lot of power for them to sing at their best. I use a 2KW capable Class D power amp but, loving tubes, I designed and built a two channel full tube pre-amp to drive it. Together they sound wonderful!

If I could procure a stereo tube power amp with 400W per channel I'd use it in a heartbeat - IF I could lift it! LOL

2 hours ago, ghostwheel said:

https://www.jjtubes.eu/power-tubes/matched-Paired-four/7027-a-matched-quad

I'll bookmark that site for future use.

I can only say: ENJOY!!  

I don't know what the tube complement of  the Ashdown but the 7027 tubes used in the V4B are very very expensive. up to a thousand bucks for a set of four from Fliptops. They mention the British KT88 are an alternative.

Schroeder is  name I haven't seen used for many, many years. I have never seen one out in the wild.

On 29/10/2016 at 04:22, Quilly said:

Top Tip: replace the 12ax7 tubes wiry 12at7 tubes. They're not as gainey and give a cleaner sound.

AKA: replace the ECC83 tubes with ECC81 tubes. They're not as gainey and give a cleaner sound.

20 hours ago, Bolo said:

But it's a toy you said?

No validation for studio volumes? 

Something with a marvellous tone that can be micced on stage?

Don't we all consider a brand new purchase as a bit of a toy to play with?  I know I do! LOL

As I said: Enjoy! I hope you get the same pleasure I get from playing through my B15NF 

1. I must admit that I consider the Ampeg B15NF that sits at the bottom of the stairs to my basement studio about as sexy as amps come.  I love that thing!
2.