Ampeg V4-B Head vs Hartke LH500 Bass

The Ampeg V4-B Head and the Hartke LH500 Bass are both amplifiers sharing transparent, warm, mid-forward. The Ampeg V4-B Head leans edge of breakup. Current prices: $1519.94 vs $517.49.

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.

44% — somewhat different

Shared tone character
citedDerived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.
  • transparent
  • warm
  • mid-forward
Citation fame
citedCitation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.
0%
0%
Price

$1519.94via Reverb

$517.49via Reverb

Description

The Ampeg V4-B is a 100-watt all-tube bass amplifier head using four 6L6 power tubes, originally introduced in 1971 as a lower-wattage alternative to the 300-watt SVT. It shares the SVT preamp circuit in a lighter package, delivering Ampeg's characteristic warm deep low-end, slightly scooped mids, and SVT harmonic richness at volumes more manageable than its larger sibling. At 100 watts it enters power-tube saturation earlier, producing natural tube compression and creamy overdrive when pushed. It suits rock, blues, and studio players who want full SVT character without the weight and maintenance demands of a six-tube power section.

The Hartke LH500 is a 500-watt tube-preamp bass amplifier head from Hartke, combining a 12AX7 tube preamp stage with a 500W solid-state power amplifier. The LH500 provides tube preamp warmth and harmonic character over the clean, punchy Hartke solid-state power section for stage-capable bass amplification at medium-to-large venue volumes. It is the mid-power version of the LH series, positioned between smaller Hartke heads and the flagship LH1000.

Genres
citedGenres this gear is documented as being used in.
  • Soul
  • Blues
  • Alternative Rock
  • Rock
  • alternative
  • rock
  • blues
Tonal lean
  • edge of breakup
—
Good for
citedOccasions this gear suits — judged per model, or derived from its wattage, connectivity and category.
  • Live
  • Studio
  • Live
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Ampeg V4-B Head vs Hartke LH500 Bass — Shared Character & Differences — NodeTone