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Ampeg Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head

^# 45

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$500.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (7)

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Ampeg V4

3 community setups

5 wishlisted

22 saved

Page last updated Jun 19, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 19, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (21)

$500.00 12 available Used

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Average Price: $500

Standard/Professional

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Amplifier Heads category, Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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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

What kind of music genres is the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head best suited for?: 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.
Does the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head have built-in effects?: Yes, the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head features built-in spring reverb, adding depth and texture to your sound.
What are the power requirements for the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head?: The Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head outputs 100 watts and operates with 6L6 power tubes, offering robust power for various performance settings.
How many inputs does the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head have?: The Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head is equipped with two inputs, allowing for versatile connectivity with different instruments or setups.
Is the Vintage Ampeg V4 Amplifier Head suitable for gigging with a drummer?: 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

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Living Room GD

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

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PROS

Unbelievably loud, can outperform many 100-watt heads
Exceptionally durable, survives heavy impacts
Provides unique, fabulous clean tones with hi-fi quality
Vintage distortion appeals to classic rock enthusiasts
Handles pedals well, maintaining clarity and punch
Tonally versatile with ample bass, mids, and treble
Perfect for both bass and guitar, offering crunchy and robust tones
Built solidly like studio gear, yet provides powerful live sound
Breaks up nicely at high volumes for classic rock sound

CONS

Runs extremely hot, risking component damage
Heavy, challenging to transport without roadies
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.
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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.
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Comparisons

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The V4B and newer V4B reissue sound similar to the original V4 for guitar use, despite being labeled as bass heads.
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The V4 head paired with a Fender 4x12 pyramid cab is said to rival the SVT for low-end power, producing distinctive woolly overtones.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Build quality

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The V4's circuit uses a printed PCB board, which can be less reliable than point-to-point wiring, impacting maintenance and longevity.
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A clean, stock faceplate on a vintage V4 is considered a rarity, indicating careful preservation or fortunate acquisition.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star

4 star

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jlp97

almost 7 years ago

classic

PERFECT amp for bass and guitar. BIG crunchy and nasty tones

bigbadtonewolfatlanta

134

almost 7 years ago

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.