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#1 2012-06-21 17:13:50
- rikipu
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- Registered: 2012-06-21
- Posts: 3
Ampeg V4 Cabinet
Hi guys,
I just acquired a vintage Ampeg V4 Cabinet from a studio today. I was intending to use this cab for a bass, which I have been now told is a bad idea...
The amp I'm planning to use is either a Sovtek MIG-50 or Fender Bassman. Not planning on gigging with it, but just for jam/practice sessions with the band against a loud drummer and 2x12 cab guitars.
Would I risk blowing up the speakers? I've heard of people modding their V4 cabs with bass speakers, but since I've spent most my dosh on this amp, what would be a cheap way to prevent me from destroying the speakers? I know it sounds great on guitar, and would hate to waste the original speakers AND have to spend more money to replace them.
Help!!
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#2 2012-06-21 17:40:52
- hangman
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- From: Seattle Washington
- Registered: 2006-09-04
- Posts: 1848
Re: Ampeg V4 Cabinet
What kind of speakers does the cab currently have?
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#3 2012-06-21 17:46:10
- rikipu
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- Registered: 2012-06-21
- Posts: 3
Re: Ampeg V4 Cabinet
Stock speakers. I have yet to open them up to check but from what the seller says all 4 are original except 1 which had the cone serviced a few years back.
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#4 2012-06-21 18:36:02
- hangman
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- From: Seattle Washington
- Registered: 2006-09-04
- Posts: 1848
Re: Ampeg V4 Cabinet
the V4 cab came with either CTS speakers OR they could be upgraded to Altec 417s from the factory.
its kind of a big difference. if you've got the altecs, you could probably sell them for a good deal of money and then buy whatever speaker you wanted.
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#5 2012-06-22 03:49:49
- rikipu
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- Registered: 2012-06-21
- Posts: 3
Re: Ampeg V4 Cabinet
Thanks hangman.
I've read that the Altec speakers were rare and desirable. Taking your advice in mind I opened the grill today.
2 speakers on top have square backs and read 5801 511 67 7501. 2 of the speakers at the bottom however have different cones. They read 220745 (serial number I'm guessing) 550-26 C12NA,C8445-2. From what I've read online the square-backs are either Eminence or CTS and the bottom two are Jensens.
Do Ampeg V4 cabs come with mismatched speakers? I'm assuming these have been replaced and would just like someone to confirm this with me. Also are the square-backs Eminence or CTS speakers?
I found the bottom 2 Jensens to have a crack along the radius of the cone, which probably contributed to the reason why they were buzzing a fair bit. However after sticking some folded paper on with some masking tape, the buzz seems to have been minimised, but I know this isn't a long-term fix to the damage. Is there anyway I can repair these?
The first 2 are the Jensens and the last picture is the original square back.
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#6 2012-08-26 21:30:43
- nitraus
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- Registered: 2012-02-22
- Posts: 55
Re: Ampeg V4 Cabinet
For use with bass you should try Celestion G12H-80 or G12H-100. These speakers from late 70s/early 80s were stock mounted on Marshall JCM800 Bass Series cabinets (the same Lemmy uses still nowadays) and they sound HUGE!
Plus, they are suitable for use with guitar too.. give them a try!
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#7 2012-09-25 22:00:30
- teledeluxe
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- From: Chicago, IL
- Registered: 2008-09-24
- Posts: 467
Re: Ampeg V4 Cabinet
SCORE!!!!! Those 1967 Jensen C12NA speakers are worth $$$. I'd pull them an put them in any old Fender you have laying around -- or ebay them. Great speakers.
Those Eminence square backs, eh, notsomuch. Though Orange cabs shipped to the US from the same era were loaded with them too.
2 wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do!
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#8 2012-09-26 03:41:14
- hangman
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- From: Seattle Washington
- Registered: 2006-09-04
- Posts: 1848
Re: Ampeg V4 Cabinet
Can you take a close up pic of the crack? Often times tears in speakers can be repaired, but it really depends on where/how bad they are.
-Steve
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