Ampeg V4BH User Manual

Owner’s Guide

for the

V4BH

Bass Amplifier

Made in the U.S.A. by

V4BH Bass Amplifier

2

Table of Contents

Important Safeguards and Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

The Front Panel Controls and Their Use . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

The Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Some Suggested Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Changing the Tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cove

r

Important Safeguards and Precautions

All Ampeg products are designed for continuous safe operation, as long as common sense is used and steps are taken to help avoid certain prob­lems. Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage to your amplifier, yourself and others.

• The amplifier is equipped with a three-prong AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, NEVER remove or otherwise attempt to

defeat the ground pin of the power cord.

• Connect the amplifier ONLY to a properly grounded AC outlet of the proper voltage for your amp. If no grounded outlet is available, use only

an approved method of adapting to a two-prong AC source.

• Avoid sudden temperature extremes, rain and moisture. Also, avoid sudden and intense impact. (If the unit has been subjected to any of the

preceding abuses, have it looked at by an authorized service center.)

• NEVER set the amplifier on a support that might give out under its weight.

• Always keep the total impedance at or above the rated load.

• Unplug the amplifier before cleaning it. NEVER spray liquid cleaners onto the unit. Wipe the unit with a slightly dampened, lint-free cloth to

remove dirt and film.

• Don’t use the amplifier if it has sustained damage to the chassis, controls, or power cord. Refer the unit to an authorized service center for

inspection.

• Amplifiers capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inflicting permanent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure to such

levels is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and irreversible! Caution is advised and ear protection recommended when playing at

extremely loud levels.

The chart below shows the U.S. Government Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations which were in effect at the time of
this publication for permissible noise exposure, per 29CRF1910, Table G-16.

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of those listed above could result in some hearing loss.

SOUND LEVEL dBA DURATION PER DAY

SLOW RESPONSE IN HOURS

90 8
92 6
95 4
97 3

100 2

SOUND LEVEL dBA DURATION PER DAY

SLOW RESPONSE IN HOURS

102 1-1/2
105 1
110 1/2
115 1/4 or less

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

• READ, FOLLOW, HEED, AND KEEP ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.

• DO NOT OPERATE NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCE AND DO NOT BLOCK ANY VENTILATION OPENINGS ON THIS APPARATUS. FOR PROPER OPERATION, THIS UNIT REQUIRES 3”

(75CM) OF WELL VENTILATED SPACE AROUND HEATSINKS AND OTHER AIR FLOW PROVISIONS IN THE CABINET.

• DO NOT USE THIS APPARATUS NEAR SPLASHING, FALLING, SPRAYING, OR STANDING LIQUIDS.

• CLEAN ONLY WITH LINT-FREE DAMP CLOTH AND DO NOT USE CLEANING AGENTS.

• ONLY CONNECT POWER CORD TO A POLARIZED, SAFETY GROUNDED OUTLET WIRED TO CURRENT ELECTRICAL CODES AND COMPATIBLE WITH VOLTAGE, POWER, AND

FREQUENCY REQUIREMENTS STATED ON THE REAR PANEL OF THE APPARATUS.

• PROTECT THE POWER CORD FROM DAMAGE DUE TO BEING WALKED ON, PINCHED, OR STRAINED.

• UNPLUG THE APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

• ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS, ACCESSORIES, STANDS, OR BRACKETS SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR SAFE OPERATION AND TO AVOID INJURY.

• WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK OR FIRE, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

• SERVICE MUST BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

• OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMA-

NENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME.

• WARNING: THIS UNIT REQUIRES A SAFETY GROUNDED OUTLET WIRED TO CURRENT ELECTRIC CODES HAVING THE LINE SUPPLY VOLTAGE, POWER, AND FREQUENCY
IDENTIFIED ON THE REAR OF THE UNIT. THE OUTLET MUST REMAIN ACCESSIBLE TO DISCONNECT THE UNIT IF A FAULT SHOULD ARISE WHILE IN USE. THIS UNIT SHOULD
BE UNPLUGGED WHEN NOT IN USE.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

PRECAUCION

RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO

NO ABRA

PRECAUCION: PARA REDUCIR EL RIESGO DE INCENDIOS O DESCARGAS ELECTRICAS, NO PER­MITA QUE ESTE APARATO QUEDE EXPUESTO A LA LLUVIA O LA HUMEDAD. PARA DISMINUOIR EL
RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO. NO ABRA LA CUBIERTA. NO HAY PIEZAS ADENTRO QUE EL USARIO
PUEDO REPARAR DEJE TODO MANTENIMIENTO A LOS TECHNICOS CALIFICADOS.

ATTENTION

RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION

NE PAS OUVRIR

ATTENTION: PROTÉGEZ CET APPAREIL DE LA PLUIE ET DE L'HUMIDITÉ AFIN D'ÉVITER TOUT
RISQUE D'INCENDIE OU D'ÉLECTROCUTION. POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS ENLEVER
LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE
REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.

"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
“ES NECESARIO QUE EL USUARIO SE REFIERA AL MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES.”
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"

EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:

EXPLICACION DE SIMBOLOS GRAFICOS:

EXPLICATION DES SYMBÔLES GRAPHIQUES:

"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
“VOLTAJE PELIGROSO”
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"

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V4BH Bass Amplifier

3

An Introduction to your new Ampeg V4BH Bass Amplifier

The harmonically rich sound and legendary performance of the classic AMPEG SVT are redefined in the V4BH.
This dynamically powerful bass amp delivers a thunderous 100 watts of unsurpassed quality, reliability and tonal
flexibility. It also provides the classic vibrance of tubes as well as contemporary features. The features and controls
of your V4BH are covered in detail within the pages of this owner’s guide. We recommend going over them before
you use the amplifier.

Features

In true Ampeg tradition, your new V4BH offers you more power, performance and flexibility than any other bass ampli-

fier in its class. Below are some of the outstanding features of your new amplifier – features which set it apart from the
competition! Additional information on these features can be found on the pages indicated.

• -15dB INPUT: This feature is perfect for “active” basses (page 4)

• ULTRA LO AND ULTRA HI SWITCHES: These enable you to tailor your sound in many different ways at

the touch of a button (page 4)

• 5-POSITION FREQUENCY SELECTOR: Take your pick from the five center frequency points to get just the

right midrange voice (page 4)

• SLAVE OUT: Use for powering another amp from the V4BH’s preamp (page 5)

System Block Diagram

0dB INPUT

GAIN

ULTRA

LO

MID

FREQUENCY

MASTER

BUFFER

PREAMP

OUT

PWR AMP

INPUT

SLAVE

OUT

BAL

OUT

SPEAKER

OUT

EXT.

SPEAKER

OUT

POWER

AMP

PWR/STDBY LED

ULTRA

HI

-15dB INPUT

BASS TREBLE

4 OHMS8 OHMS

IMPEDANCE

SPEAKON*
JACK

1+

2+

1- 2-

*Speakon is a registered trademark of Neutrik U.S.A.