Ampeg VT-22

[Superman]

I am thrilled to be the newest owner of a mid-to-late-seventies mater volume VT-22. Scored it this evening for $750. I will be using it as a bass amp. I may remove the amp and mount it in a rack, leaving the pristine cabinet alone for value purposes. It weighs a ton and I don't need to two 12" speakers. It does not hiss or hum. At 100 tube watts, this thing is LOUD. It was known, in the day, as the "Twin killer." Really.....too much power for a guitar amp. I am totally stoked.

[Rick Lee]

Very cool. I'm on my second Ampeg 4x12 cabinet. The old school tube amps are amazing. I don't know if that one has four power tubes, but if so, you can probably remove two of them and make it a 50W for more headroom and playability at home. My 100W Marshall is just ridiculously loud, as was my old Twin Reverb.

[Gogar]

Congrats! Beautiful amp!

It is at THIS POINT (as an Ampeg enthusiast) that I would strongly

Strongly

urge you to wait a moment and consider finding a similar vintage V4B. Please!

same wattage, and you'll end up happier with the selection of EQ frequencies, more tailored to bass. i have a great 1970 SVT and have been through my share of V4s and the other 100-watt amps trying for a slightly less monstrous alternative; Please consider trying to find a "B" amp.

If that doesn't interest you, I'd be happy to trade you straight across for my mint V4 (guitar) head of identical vintage, and you could get what you're looking for without having to do any surgery.

Either way, congrats!

(not my pic, but identical to this.)

[Superman]

It's loud alright. Yup, it has four 7027A's (like 6L6GC) for 100 watts. Tone options up the wazzu. Has that tube fullness/overtone thing going on. I need to pair it with two bass fifteens instead of these guitar 12s, so I've got some work to do but this thing has cajones.

The guy also had an Ampeg V4 cabinet with four 12" Celestions for $250. Looks like the top cabinet in a Marshall full stack, but says "Ampeg." I'm not a guitar guy, but I was tempted.

[Superman]

Interesting, Gogar. Might make some sense. The more I look at this thing, the more I see it as a museum piece. It's in very, very good shape. The 7027's are not original, Magnavox or whatever. They are Sylvania Groove Tubes. But this thing is fairly mint and original otherwise.

The EQ voicing difference, according to my understanding, is fairly simple to change. Coupla different caps or whatever. We bass guys......we're after the transformers. The big transformer on this thing is colossal.

Tube gear should arguably not be shipped, but I'll consider your proposal.

[Gogar]

Everything you said is pretty right on the money. if you want that identical amp in a head form you can use a V4, or if you want 'factory' EQ for bass, wait a minute and find a V4B. Even better, a blue face with the older-style knobs. You'll enjoy the 100lbs. of transformer with any of your choices!

[Superman]

It sure is fun playing with the tone stack, though. And....it smells good. Weird. It's got a really good smell, with the tubes warmed up.

[Superman]

I'm thinking it should have handles on the sides, and be just a head. And yeah, I know about the V4B. As you say, that's what I am after. That.....or an SVT. You got an old blueline SVT you want to trade? (wink)

[Gogar]

Oh, gosh. My SVT is a early 1970, Post-power relay tube, with standby and 6146s. You'll have to come up with 4 or 5 of those VT-22s for a trade.

[Superman]

I'll throw in a 10lb sack of flower and a 2lb sack of coffee. And a microphone cable that works if you don't move it.

[azasadny]

Beautiful! My son has a B3 for his bass and he loves it!