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Average Price: $500
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$300
$801+
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Description
The Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head is a testament to the golden age of rock and roll, designed for musicians who crave that classic tube-driven tone. Originally introduced in the 1970s, this amplifier head has become a staple in the arsenal of discerning guitarists. Renowned for its powerful output and dynamic tonal range, the V4 is equipped to handle everything from the softest blues licks to the most aggressive rock riffs.
Its all-tube design delivers a warm, organic sound that modern digital amps often struggle to replicate. The V4’s preamp section is built with three 12AX7 tubes, ensuring a pristine signal path, while the power section boasts four 7027A tubes, delivering a robust 100 watts of output. This combination offers musicians a legendary clean tone, alongside the capability to push into rich, harmonic distortion when cranked.
A versatile control layout includes bass, mid, treble, and presence knobs, allowing you to sculpt your sound precisely. With two channels and a flexible EQ, musicians can easily switch between clean and overdriven sounds, making it ideal for live performances and studio sessions alike. Whether you're looking to capture the spirit of vintage rock or seeking a reliable powerhouse for your gigs, the Vintage Ampeg V4 remains an enduring choice.
Key Features:
- All-tube amplifier head with a 100-watt output
- Preamp section: Three 12AX7 tubes
- Power section: Four 7027A tubes
- Two channels with flexible EQ controls
- Bass, mid, treble, and presence control knobs
- Known for its legendary clean tones and rich harmonic distortion
Product specs
| Brand | Ampeg |
| Model | V-4 100-Watt Guitar Head with Reverb |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1970 - 1980 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Built-In Effects | Built-In Effects |
| Color Family | Black |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 2 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 1 Channel |
| Number of Inputs | 2 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 100 |
| Power Tube Type | 6L6 |
| Reverb | Spring Reverb |
FAQs
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What kind of music genres is the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head best suited for?
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The Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head is highly versatile, making it suitable for rock, blues, and jazz. Its 100-watt tube power delivers rich, warm tones that cater to a wide range of musical styles.
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Does the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head have built-in effects?
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Yes, the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head features built-in spring reverb, adding depth and texture to your sound.
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What are the power requirements for the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head?
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The Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head outputs 100 watts and operates with 6L6 power tubes, offering robust power for various performance settings.
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How many inputs does the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head have?
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The Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head is equipped with two inputs, allowing for versatile connectivity with different instruments or setups.
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Is the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head suitable for gigging with a drummer?
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Yes, with its 100-watt tube power, the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head is loud enough to perform alongside a drummer in live settings.
Videos
Living Room GD
Ampeg V4: Loud, Heavy and Unique!
Ampeg V4: Loud, Heavy and Unique!
Living Room GD
Tweaking the mighty AMPEG V4 Guitar Amp!
Johan Segeborn
Ampeg V4 / VT-22 Demo
Low Head Room
Vintage Amp Repair - Ampeg V4
Low Head Room
Reviews
PROS
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Unbelievably loud, can outperform many 100-watt heads
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Exceptionally durable, survives heavy impacts
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Provides unique, fabulous clean tones with hi-fi quality
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Vintage distortion appeals to classic rock enthusiasts
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Handles pedals well, maintaining clarity and punch
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Tonally versatile with ample bass, mids, and treble
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Perfect for both bass and guitar, offering crunchy and robust tones
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Built solidly like studio gear, yet provides powerful live sound
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Breaks up nicely at high volumes for classic rock sound
CONS
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Runs extremely hot, risking component damage
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Heavy, challenging to transport without roadies
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Eats cheap output tubes quickly, requires vintage RCA tubes
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head.
Features and functionality
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The reverb hold locking mechanism secures the reverb tank, requiring release for functionality, which can be a common troubleshooting step.
Source -
The Ampeg V4 provides a clean tone with notable flexibility due to its EQ notch switches, accommodating both deep low end and twangy highs.
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The mid knob is crucial for tonal shaping, allowing attenuation at 300Hz for an SVT-like sound or boosting at 1000Hz for a Marshall-esque tone.
Source
Comparisons
Mods and upgrades
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Replacing original tubes with NOS 7027s in a V4 improves sound quality and maintains vintage tonality.
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Tung-Sol reissue 7027A and 7581A tubes are recommended for replacements, providing reliable performance at high plate voltages.
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Installing an adjustable bias in place of the fixed resistor can optimize performance with different tubes, enhancing tonal flexibility.
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A modified V4 with a master volume and a "Marshall channel" mod on input two achieves gain levels similar to a JCM800.
Source
User experience
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Owners report that the V4 head is easier to transport than the VT-22 combo due to its more manageable weight distribution.
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Owners find the amp to be exceptionally loud and suitable for genres like stoner and doom, with it taking pedals well and maintaining clarity at high volumes.
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Owners describe Ampeg watts as particularly loud, emphasizing the amp's ability to project sound effectively over a powerful drummer.
Source
Use cases and applications
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A V4 can match the volume of amplifiers like the Matamp GTL 140 and is only slightly less loud than a Sunn Model T or Hiwatt Custom 100.
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The V4's massive headroom and dynamic EQ allow it to achieve both scooped Fender cleans and overdriven Marshall tones, making it versatile for different genres.
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Known for its use in 70s rock, the V4 produces iconic tones reminiscent of early Stones and Aerosmith tracks, offering a historical sound profile.
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While used successfully in gigging contexts, some owners have transitioned the V4 to home use due to its weight and size considerations.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Parasitic oscillation is a potential issue due to poor layout, primarily affecting older models and requiring experienced techs for repairs.
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The bias circuit uses a fixed resistor (R49) set at 75k, resulting in a cold bias that extends tube life but may require checking with new tube sets.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 7 Ratings
The loudest thing you've ever heard
The most tonally versatile amp ever, IMO. More bass, mids, and treble thana madman would ask for and, loud enough to break glass and kill small children.
Artist usage
Add artist
Mix engineer Tommaso Colliva on recording Drones : "For the final guitar sounds [...] we ended up with two Mills cabs, one with a modified Ampeg V4, which originally was a bass amp and has a very deep sound, or with the modified Marshall 1959 head, or sometimes a Marshall Plexi amp from the studio."
In an article by Ward Meeker in Vintage Guitar® magazine, J Mascis mentioned his experience with a Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head, stating, "I had an Ampeg V4 first, and it blew up three times the first month (laughs)." Subsequently, he replaced it with a Yamaha G100 head.
"Jones relied on a Les Paul Jr. with P-90s plugged into an Ampeg V4 head and 4x12 cabinet." - Premier Guitar.
In this MusicRadar article, Robert DeLeo mentions using an Ampeg V4 head.
"Efrim has on at least one occasion been seen using a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Trem-O-Verb head (more than likely it is a rental because it's very costly). Most of the time he uses Ampeg V-4 heads into 4x12 or 8x10 cabinets (usually Marshall and a few times Orange)."
Easton spoke with Vintage Guitar about the reissues and recounted the gear he used to help create the band’s first music. His setup for The Cars was simple – a Les Paul Standard, Telecaster, and a D-35. He plugged the Les Paul and Tele into a Fender Twin and one of three Ampegs – a VT-22, V2, and V4 – and recalls how at the time there was a limited aftermarket for hardware and pickups.
At 19:44 in the video titled "Jeff Rosenstock 'Scram', 'Beauty of Breathing', 'Old Crap', '80's Through the 50's' guitar lesson" on YouTube, Jeff Rosenstock mentions that he recorded with a Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head. This video was provided by latas recicladas de LMBECIL and originally aired live on Paste Magazine's Instagram.
In this photo from the Punk Turns 30 page hosted on Flickr you can clearly see Lloyd plugged into an ampeg V4 guitar amp with tis matching V series 4x12 cabinet. Wow that must have been loud!
David Bryant uses a Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head, as detailed on The Pines Recording website, where it's noted as part of their gear collection.
The Daily Event's Blog posted an entire article from the "Shake IT Up" album era talking about The Cars gear
http://dailyeventsbookpagethree.blogspot.com/2007/04/cars-musician-magazine-shake-it-up-1982.html
"He has a Dean guitar that he uses in concert, but not in the studio "because I think it's too bright." He has a 55 Les Paul double-cutaway that he uses a lot, and also an SG and a regular Les Paul, but "not a heavy one, because I can't hold 'em up. I'm too skinny." His strings are D'Addario mediums, and his amp is an Ampeg V-4, "because I can twist the midrange up a lot. I like midrange in a guitar.""
Rodrigo Amarante is confirmed to use a Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head, as seen prominently during the Live at Cine Iris concert. This information is corroborated by Marcelo Durham's video on YouTube titled "Dicas de Como Soar Como Los Hermanos VOL. 2," specifically at the 29:58 timestamp.
Album Usage
The Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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