The Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head is an Ampeg amplifier, currently around $1899.99. Close alternatives include the Ampeg SVT-CL and the Ampeg GV-12UK. It pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea and the MXR Distortion+.
Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head
Ampeg · amplifier
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.
What stands out
“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”
— from the listing
“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”
— from the listing
“The V-4B delivers a character squarely in classic Ampeg territory: warm and round in clean mode, gloriously gritty when pushed”
— from the reviews
“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”
— from the listing
“Primary use case is rock and classic rock, though the versatility suits studio recording and smaller live venues where a full SVT would be overkill”
— from the community notes
- tube
- gritty
- overdrive
- bass
- warm
- studio
- di
- vintage
Good for
- Live
- Studio
- Silent Recording
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head is commonly used in
- Grunge
- Rock
- Classic Rock
- Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head
EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea
EarthQuaker Devices
27% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Goes in front of the amp
MXR Distortion+
MXR
26% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
MXR Distortion+ leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Goes in front of the amp
Catalinbread Formula 55
Catalinbread
26% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Run Catalinbread Formula 55 after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Goes in front of the amp
IdiotBox Effects End of Line
Idiotbox Effects
20% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run End of Line's experimental, noisy pulse after the V-4B's own gritty overdrive settles, so the modulation moves a defined tone.
Goes in front of the amp
JHS 3 Series Compressor
JHS Pedals
19% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Run the 3 Series Compressor ahead of the V-4B for bright, even attack before the amp's own gritty overdrive reacts.
Goes in front of the amp
Chase Bliss Automatone CXM 1978
Chase Bliss Audio
13% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Chase Bliss Automatone CXM 1978 in Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head's effects loop, clear of Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Sits in the amp's effects loop
Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal
pedal
13% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal in Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head's effects loop, clear of Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Sits in the amp's effects loop
Alchemy Audio HBE Detox EQ
Alchemy Audio
tonal matchGoes in front of the amp
Run Alchemy Audio HBE Detox EQ after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar character
Ampeg SVT-CL
Ampeg
59% similarityShared character: reissue, live, recording
Ampeg GV-12UK
Ampeg
46% similarityShared character: studio, round, recording
Sunn 100s
amplifier
43% similarityShared character: recording, bass, clean
Marshall Super Bass
Marshall
43% similarityShared character: sweet, bass, warm
See all alternatives to the Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head?+
The closest matches in character are the Ampeg SVT-CL, the Ampeg GV-12UK, the Sunn 100s. Budget picks: Ampeg SVT-3PRO Bass Amplifier Head, Mesa Boogie Subway WD-800 Bass Head, Ampeg V-4. Boutique upgrades: Ampeg All-tube SVT.
What pairs well with the Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea, MXR Distortion+, Catalinbread Formula 55 — EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea leans bright right where the warm tone needs it.
How much does the Ampeg V-4B 100w Bass Head cost?+
Around $1899.99 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).