Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

4stringnosing wrote:

bnyswonger wrote:I've found the V4B gives me plenty of clean power with headroom, but I'm playing through 2 very efficient single 15"s - JB K145s. Modern cabs are made to take huge amounts of power and generally need more.

I think that's exactly right. The more I play with the V4BH, the more impressed I am with the tone, but I don't think it can quite handle the cabinet. Perhaps I should consider one of the 300W Ampeg tube heads. Ah, decisions!

I use a V4B 100watt Ampeg head that is a reissue from 1996. I use it with 4x10 and 1x15 Ampeg cabinets ('Classic' series). Both cabinets are 8 ohms, so by pairing them with the head, I believe I'm getting all the juice she can muster. It's a great sound. Anything louder, and I don't think I'd want to stand in front of it. My bandmates love the sound so much, they've told me I'm doomed if I ever switch, and they honestly volunteer to help me carry the 4x10.

johnallg wrote:Another thought is to get a used SVT-2 Pro or CL and have 300W of wall shakin' thunder.

Ok John, you win the prize for 'best guess at what I'd end up doing'. I took the V4BH back and picked up a new SVT-3 Pro. It's absolutely perfect -- 450W with built-in tube pre-amp that makes it sound just like the V4BH when you want it to, just a heck of a lot louder! Plus only 26 lbs., so my back is grateful. VERY loud fan, though -- seems like only downside so far.

Bonus is I can even use my Speakon cables with my 410VLF. Woohoo!

Fred, I also have the SVT-3 Pro that I use for daily practicing. Not the punch of my 2 Pro, but the same preamp section and as you say, a lot lighter. I have NOS tubes in my 3 Pro, and if you want to play with "color", try different 12AX7 tube brands in the V1 input tube position. Also, for better drive of the MOSFETs, try replacing the 12AU7 driver with a 5963 (industrial 12AU7 with more output current capability). I also have the 410HLF.