I'll second those heads being unwieldy as fuck. They sound good.

V4 head with 6550s in it is The Ticket for bass if you want a full-spectrum sound with some power-amp guh at a high-but-reasonableish volume.

Not all of them can take 6550s, IIRC. I think only 70s on? maybe.

As to orig question...4x12 box cab is OK for grindy Lemmy-style bass sound without a lot of lows, or something where you're playing fairly clean, mid-range bass.

You'd probably want to replace the speakers if you want to play very loud thru an older V4/V2 cab. Otherwise, you might be forced to replace them if/when they blow up.

I do not much like sealed or rear-firing enclosures for bass, in general. Much prefer having a long, tuned port in the front so you get all the air moving in the right direction. I think as noted the V2 cab is ported, little ports though.

The one exception on sealed cabs for me: a good Ampeg 8x10 fridge, which develops nice low end at 10-15 feet and is impossible to blow up (big plus!). You have to trust the sound guy if you play in a bigger place, though--miked signal is nothing special.

Anyone tried out the recent reissue V4-B? It's a little smaller the the original and weighs about 20 lbs less. Stock w/ a MV and doesn't have the 2nd channel thing.

This review says it's pretty comparable to the 70s ones: https://www.bassgearmag.com/ampeg-v-4b- ... -bass-cab/

Looks like it might be closer in size to an old V2 head.

tallchris wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 2:15 pm Anyone tried out the recent reissue V4-B? It's a little smaller the the original and weighs about 20 lbs less. Stock w/ a MV and doesn't have the 2nd channel thing.

This review says it's pretty comparable to the 70s ones: https://www.bassgearmag.com/ampeg-v-4b- ... -bass-cab/

Looks like it might be closer in size to an old V2 head.

Yes, this is what my buddy has, both cab and head (I have had a couple 70s V4s and currently have the 2x12 combo), they honestly sound really great. To my ears it sounds like a V4B, can't say if it is EXACT, but when I played it it had the familiar sound I was used to. The size was a little weird to me, but it looks good and is noticeably lighter.

Owen wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 5:04 pm

tallchris wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 2:15 pm Anyone tried out the recent reissue V4-B? It's a little smaller the the original and weighs about 20 lbs less. Stock w/ a MV and doesn't have the 2nd channel thing.

This review says it's pretty comparable to the 70s ones: https://www.bassgearmag.com/ampeg-v-4b- ... -bass-cab/

Looks like it might be closer in size to an old V2 head.

Yes, this is what my buddy has, both cab and head (I have had a couple 70s V4s and currently have the 2x12 combo), they honestly sound really great. To my ears it sounds like a V4B, can't say if it is EXACT, but when I played it it had the familiar sound I was used to. The size was a little weird to me, but it looks good and is noticeably lighter.

Rad! Would love to A/B one of the reissues w/ my 70s one once it's back from the shop. Definitely intrigued if I can get that sound w/ a smaller footprint and shave 20 lbs off it!

Anybody in the Chicago area want to buy a nice V4 cab loaded with Altecs? Would make an excellent crossover cabinet used for guitar/baritone/bass. Could work out a cheaper deal for PRF peeps.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/msg/ ... 74621.html