The Ampeg V4-B Head is an Ampeg amplifier, currently around $1519.94. Close alternatives include the Ampeg Rocket Watts and the Hartke LH500 Bass. It pairs well with the Colorsound Overdriver and the Wren and Cuff Box of War OG.
Ampeg V4-B Head
Ampeg · amplifier
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.
- tube
- preamp
- natural
- creamy
- warmth
- blues
- compression
- organic
Good for
- Live
- Studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Ampeg V4-B Head is commonly used in
- Soul
- Blues
- Alternative Rock
- Rock
- Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Ampeg V4-B Head
Colorsound Overdriver
pedal
18% matchThe Overdriver's transparent, treble-boosted British drive cuts through the V4-B's creamy warmth instead of muddying it.
Wren and Cuff Box of War OG
Wren And Cuff
17% matchThe Box of War OG's sustaining Muff fuzz gives the V4-B's creamy warmth somewhere heavier to land.
Catalinbread Katzenkonig
Catalinbread
17% matchKatzenkonig's massive, octave-shimmering distortion pushes the V4-B's natural, creamy warmth into real heaviness.
Fuzzrocious Cosmic Bull Shark
Fuzzrocious
9% matchRun Fuzzrocious Cosmic Bull Shark after Ampeg V4-B Head in the signal chain, clear of Ampeg V4-B Head's own gain stage
Wren and Cuff Gold Comp
Wren And Cuff
7% matchRun the Gold Comp's germanium-flavored compression ahead of the V4-B for character before the amp's own creamy warmth reacts.
Fjord Fuzz Mime
Fjord Fuzz
6% matchRun the Mime's dark, metallic boutique reverb in the V4-B's loop, past the amp's own natural, creamy warmth. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Strymon El Capistan
Strymon
5% matchRun El Capistan's bright, tape-voiced echo in the V4-B's loop, beyond the amp's own natural, creamy warmth. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchBlack Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Ampeg V4-B Head gives it exactly that
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
See all alternatives to the Ampeg V4-B Head (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Ampeg V4-B Head?+
The closest matches in character are the Ampeg Rocket Watts, the Hartke LH500 Bass, the Ampeg SVT-CL. Budget picks: Hartke LH500 Bass. Boutique upgrades: Ampeg SVT-CL, Ampeg 50th Anniversary SVT Head.
What pairs well with the Ampeg V4-B Head?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Colorsound Overdriver, Wren and Cuff Box of War OG, Catalinbread Katzenkonig — The Overdriver's transparent, treble-boosted British drive cuts through the V4-B's creamy warmth instead of muddying it..
How much does the Ampeg V4-B Head cost?+
Around $1519.94 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).