Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head vs Ampeg V-4

The Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head and the Ampeg V-4 are both amplifiers sharing warm, transparent. The Ampeg V-4 leans mid-forward and full. Current prices: $1899.99 vs $599.

Similarity
citedBlended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.

53% moderately similar

Shared genres
citedGenres both listings are associated with.
  • Rock
  • Classic Rock
Shared tone character
citedDerived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.
  • warm
  • transparent
Citation fame
citedCitation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.
0%
0%
Price

$1899.99via Reverb

$599via Reverb

Description

The Ampeg V-4B is a 100-watt all-tube bass amplifier head, a reissue of the beloved 1971 original that earned a devoted following for delivering classic SVT-style tube warmth at lower wattages. Running four power tubes with a tube preamp section, it produces anything from clean, beefy tones to gritty saturated tube overdrive at volumes achievable in smaller venues and studios. Unlike the 300-watt SVT, the V-4B reaches its power amp sweet spot at moderate stage levels, making cranked all-tube sound more accessible. Modern updates include a post-master DI output, a -15dB input pad for active basses, and clearly labeled speaker outputs, while the core tube character remains faithful to the vintage circuit. It pairs particularly well with Ampeg SVT-series cabinets, notably the 212AV.

The Ampeg V-4 is a classic 100-watt all-tube guitar amplifier from the early 1970s, the guitar counterpart to Ampeg's V-4B bass head, known for a round, beefy Ampeg tube voice. It ranges from creamy and full to honky and ornery depending on how the gain and volume are set, and breaks up into a rich, textured overdrive more easily than larger Ampeg models. Joe Perry used a V-4 on the first Aerosmith album, and it suits classic rock and hard rock rhythm and lead. With its tube rectifier-era voicing it offers vintage warmth and midrange heft rather than modern tightness or pristine cleans.

Genres
citedGenres this gear is documented as being used in.
  • Grunge
  • Hard Rock
Tonal lean
  • mid-forward
  • full
  • edge of breakup
Good for
citedOccasions this gear suits — judged per model, or derived from its wattage, connectivity and category.
  • Live
  • Studio
  • Silent Recording
  • Live
  • Studio

Related searches

Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head vs Ampeg V-4 — Shared Character & Differences — NodeTone