Orange VS the Ampeg V4 family & Solid State Sunn stuff

[heavenstreet]

So I have a dilemma.  I've got an Orange AD140 that I'm fairly reliant upon but thats just the problem.  I don't like being reliant on it and it has me fairly paranoid every tour... where each gig I'm scared it's not gonna work or is gonna get damaged, which is so cheesy and not my normal behavior. 

Selling this amp could put me in a very comfy place in terms of obtaining new gear.  I've heard people use V4's and similiar amps like the VT-22 and they were REALLY loud.  Volume is important, but I'm looking for something with a good amount of low end.  Does the V4 have that or can anybody suggest a amp solid state or tube that will give me volume plus oomph because it's usually one or the other.  I don't really want crunch, but thick is good.

The Orange sells for 1949 new.  I've seen some people sell theres for 1300-1500 used (mine is a nicked up so 1300 seems more realistic) and I'm seeing V4's for 400 or so dollars... thinking it might be smart to snatch one up?

What about solid state Sunn stuff like the Beta Leads?  Model T would be out of my range, but I'm intrigued by Concert Leads, Beta Leads, etc.  Would one of those give me that power?  What about adding a slave?  How much of a boost does the Slave give you?

[zhivago]

I switched from tubes to transistor amps for playing live a couple of months ago, and I'm not looking back for quite a while (if ever)

I got a HH head (UK made Mosfet 100 watt head)

a forumite here, Mjet is the HH Guru!


the HH is deafeningly loud through a Marshall 4x12...it always works (even after falling off the head face first due to cab vibrations! ) and it's lightweight.

I'd think that a Mosfet transistor amp would be plenty loud and would offer great performance...I'm not familiar with Sunn amps (we don't see many in the UK), but try and play through one...it might just kick arse.


don't get me wrong...I LOVE tube amps (I still have my '65 Tremolux), but for gigging all the time, I'd take the HH transistor amp ANY day of the year.

[heavenstreet]

I guess I'm frustrated because I've never been able to try out a amp in a store at the volume I play live... and then have drums and bass going with it to see if it can compete.  Looking for someone who is familiar with both worlds who can maybe give me a heads up?

[moonsocket]

I used to own an Ampeg V4 with matching cab and I regret selling it. Probably the best Ive ever used. Its also the loudest Ive ever used. Excellent tone also. I would love to get another someday!!

[StevenO]

I really need a clean amp and rather soon. I haven't seen any V4s show up around here so I think I'm going to have to just go for a twin reverb. I do want a V4 soon though, anyhow. Jimmy.

[heavenstreet]

Is there not a Gain knob on the V-4?  The Orange gets dirty but still remains clean and not chunky.  Thats kind of what I want with the V-4... I heard it can be similiar.

[monark]

i play a vt-22 in a band with a hiwatt custom 50 and an svt full stack and my vt never gets turned up past 2.5, 3 if I'm trying to be really obnoxious. i might get another 2x12 cab to stack in on top of purely for aesthetics

it's got a fair amount of tube sag, the tone is really really rich and deep with lots of low end and clean headroom and the rocker switches give it a really wide range. best $450 i ever spent on an amp, no question. i think people in the states at least have started to catch on that they're awesome vintage amps and their price has been rising accordingly but still, you can find them for cheap.

unfortunately however i have never played an orange

[heavenstreet]

Whats the difference between a V4 and a VT22 again?

[Pacafeliz]

ampeg V-series amps and sunn model T amps (as well as the old orange stuff - which is $$$$$) are cheap and great and indestructable. plus, if you're into stoner rock, those are a MUST.
i had a V2 with the HUGE refrigerator sized 4x12 cab. great stuff.
now about the solid state sunn stuff - i see them quite often here but have never played one - i've heard good things. same for the old accoustic solid state amps. i think zappa liked them.
all of them can be found for under $400 or so. get 'em all! 

Pat.

[monark]

Whats the difference between a V4 and a VT22 again?

they're the same amp. the vt-22 is the 2x12 combo version of the V4 head. A lot of them the back plate will say both vt-22 and V4