Ampeg V4 4x12 cabinet v.s. Ampeg 810e

Mr.Sharkfist

Mr.Sharkfist

Nov 8, 2015
105
53
4,551
Holland, MI
#1
Hi everyone.There are two local Reverb listings showing an Ampeg 810e bass cab and an Ampeg V4 4x12 bass cabinet. I'm trying to see which one I'd rather have since they are both the same amount. Things I'm wondering about are sound quality, reliability, and whether they overall good cabinets. Anyone who's had experience with either please come and share your experience.
 
#4
Are we talking a newer slant cabinet like a V412 a vintage silver cloth V4 or a 412he

the 412he is desirable its a somewhat rare bass cab, vintage V4 cabs are ok i had a pair but didnt take long to replace the drivers, after replacing the drivers it was one of my favorite cabs or cabs had a pair it was crushing.with factory drivers okish a newer guitar slant cab no id pass on that.
 
#5
BogeyBass said:
Are we talking a newer slant cabinet like a V412 a vintage silver cloth V4 or a 412he

the 412he is desirable its a somewhat rare bass cab, vintage V4 cabs are ok i had a pair but didnt take long to replace the drivers, after replacing the drivers it was one of my favorite cabs or cabs had a pair it was crushing.with factory drivers okish a newer guitar slant cab no id pass on that.
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Yeah for sure definitely not the slant guitar cab. You must know the bass cab I'm referring to... it's silver grillcloth with diagonal handles and horizontal handles on it's sides. The handles would be similar to what you see on a tube head.
 
#6
that is a vintage V4 cab then. i had a pair and then eventually toasted the factory drivers. lined the cabs and replaced them with beta12a2 speakers sounded amazing. cabs are well built for the most part. handles freaking suck usually broken. replaced those 2 no biggy really. if its cheap enough you could push the factory till they go and get new speakers. i really miss those cabs. a sealed 8x12 stack is something to be reckoned with. but a single one id be happy if it had the betas in it. i want the sealed 12 sound again and just waiting for a pair of 412he to pop up. for most part its very similar eminence drivers to the 12a2. vintage factory driver isnt horrible nothing amazing either.
 
#7
BogeyBass said:
that is a vintage V4 cab then. i had a pair and then eventually toasted the factory drivers. lined the cabs and replaced them with beta12a2 speakers sounded amazing. cabs are well built for the most part. handles freaking suck usually broken. replaced those 2 no biggy really. if its cheap enough you could push the factory till they go and get new speakers. i really miss those cabs. a sealed 8x12 stack is something to be reckoned with. but a single one id be happy if it had the betas in it. i want the sealed 12 sound again and just waiting for a pair of 412he to pop up. for most part its very similar eminence drivers to the 12a2. vintage factory driver isnt horrible nothing amazing either.
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Yeah if I were to go with the V4 I'd absolutely replace the stock speakers. Unfortunately, it'd cost a fair chunk of $$$ but fortunately it makes a significant tonal difference.
 
#8
The V4 cabinet is a guitar cabinet and you will absolutely toast the stock speakers playing bass through it. In all the many Ampeg literature I have looked at, I have never seen this enclosure represented as being for bass, keyboards or anything but guitar. And from my own experience, for good reason.
 
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#9
Chris 'Wighat' Jordan said:
The V4 cabinet is a guitar cabinet and you will absolutely toast the stock speakers playing bass through it. In all the many Ampeg literature I have looked at, I have never seen this enclosure represented as being for bass, keyboards or anything but guitar. And from my own experience, for good reason.
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Much of the 70s product lit (you can find it in the portaflex wiki) did suggest the V4 heads and cabs for use with guitar, bass, or keyboard, but they're pretty wimpy drivers for bass use in the stock configuration. The specs are for 20 oz ceramic magnets with 1.5" aluminum voice coils. They aren't something I'd trust for bass use.
 
#10
coreyfyfe said:
Much of the 70s product lit (you can find it in the portaflex wiki) did suggest the V4 heads and cabs for use with guitar, bass, or keyboard, but they're pretty wimpy drivers for bass use in the stock configuration. The specs are for 20 oz ceramic magnets with 1.5" aluminum voice coils. They aren't something I'd trust for bass use.
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You're right, there it is in V4 brochure in the Portaflex Wiki: "Guitar, keyboard instruments and bass". The marketing department strikes again!
 
#11
Chris 'Wighat' Jordan said:
You're right, there it is in V4 brochure in the Portaflex Wiki: "Guitar, keyboard instruments and bass". The marketing department strikes again!
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Well, this is also 50 years ago. Plus, I'd imagine that the sealed cabinet supported the suspension of the drivers enough to keep excursion in check for the most part, I'd also imagine that four of those drivers could handle decent power. Of course, I really can't say anything, and other perigee are already saying otherwise, so I'm taking that thought with a grain of salt.

I've thought about building a v4 412 replica and using betas though...
 
#13
Mr.Sharkfist said:
I just got the ampeg SVT 8x10e, probably next time I come into some money I'll pick up the V4 4x12 bass cab. Make a monster stack :)
Thanks for the replies everyone!
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Nah, I have both and I use one or the other.

I've realized I like using one cab @4ohms. No phasing issues, lots of power. Sounds amazing. All my cabs are 4ohm cabs, all my heads are either 4ohm ('68 Bassman) or have switches (SVT-VR or V4-B)...you'll never have a need to use an 810 and a 412 together; anywhere big enough to use both would invariably have FOH and monitors, so you'll either be mic'ed or using a DI (or, as in my case, both)...
 
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