The best amp nobody wants
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- Free guitar tone guide: bit.ly/toneguidePDF
My Ampeg VT-40 Kemper profile pack here: www.livingroomgearshop.com
Gear used (some affiliate links):
Dunable guitar here: bit.ly/dunablecyclops
D'Angelico at Sweetwater (affiliate link): sweetwater.sjv.io/m5O6gM
D'Angelico at Thomann (affiliate link): bit.ly/DExcelThomann
Boss SD-1 at Thomann: bit.ly/SD1thomann
Boss SD-1 at Sweetwater (affiliate link): imp.i114863.net/x1Q63
UAD Golden Reverberator at Thomann: bit.ly/Goldenthomann
UAD Golden Reverberator at Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0zWbL
Boss GE-7 at Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXn2N0
Boss GE-7 at Thomann: bit.ly/ge-7thomann
29 Pedals FLWR Fuzz: bit.ly/29pedalsflwr
Zvex SHO
Stuff I use at Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/P1KkY
Stuff I use at Thomann: bit.ly/mythomannstore
Mics used on amp in this video:
AEA KU5A Ribbon Mic: imp.i114863.net/XxJEYg
Lewitt MTP440 at Thomann: bit.ly/MTP440DM
Audio interface at Thomann: bit.ly/fluidsri2
Power supply at Thomann: bit.ly/cioksdc7
Headphones I use at Thomann: bit.ly/austrianaudioHIX65
In-ears at Thomann: bit.ly/shure215tho
Strings I use at Thomann: bit.ly/EBpara
Wireless in-ear system at Thomann: bit.ly/u4thomann
Cab: barefacedaudio.com/
0:00 The amp
0:29 First problem
0:50 Clean tones
1:21 Known users
2:12 Rolling Stones tones
2:59 Queens of the Stone Age
3:40 Qotsa tones
5:36 Not for everyone
6:30 Competition
7:31 Outro riff
Video gear (affiliate links)
Video camera: amzn.to/2OWclp1
Video monitor: amzn.to/2WZS4TT
Mac I use for music and editing: imp.i114863.net/e6omr
Best lens for video: amzn.to/3eZf639
Stills camera: amzn.to/2ElVo5e
Main lens for stills camera: amzn.to/30QF5Vo
Amazon affiliate links:
🎥EVERYTHING I USE FOR FILMING and RECORDING:
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/livingr...
#ampegvt40 #keithrichards #joshhomme
Please leave a like and sub! I'm trying to get 65 million likes on this video 👍🏻
Wow, 65M is a bit far fetched. You should aim a more humble 64,99M, that’s easier! Ultreya y Suseya!
Make sure you have the lock on the reverb tank unlocked . It sounded like it might be locked .
@@halbertking2683what? You have to unlock the reverb? I feel like there's a joke in there somewhere.
No, the reverb unit had a metal lever stuck out at the backside of the amp, which you could move to the side to lock it for transportation. No joke.
That reverb sound sounds like the reverb tank is locked. The v series heads with reverbs have a spring lock so that can make it sound like doo doo. I remember my v4 and v2 reverb sounding very lush
I presume the spring lock was ment to safe the springs,during transport.
The amp chassis were also shock mounted by a system which the amp chassis hanged into rubber isolation, on the sides.
I once had a VT 22 and I remember that re-tubing the amp was quite expensive due to some rare tubes only available from Groove Tubes back then. Especially the rectifier tube. Great feature was that the amp chassis was mounted softly on 4 rubber blocks to absorb shocks during transportation and that the wiring diagram was glued on the steel cover of the amp chassis, so that it does not get lost. Genius.
In my 20s, I played in a band with a guy who used the 2x10 version of the vt-40. It had an elastic and liquid quality that I've never heard since. This fellow was also an outstanding player with a great sense of melody. The reverb on that amp didn't sound bad, but a little went a long way. At the time, these amps were easy to find for around $300. The local music store had a few. I've often regretted that I didn't buy one back then. I thought it was a special amp.
Nice video! I’m a huge amped fan! My fave is the b25 with a 2X15 JBL 130f cabinet, just does that Stoney/ Faces thing perfectly. On a side note Brown sugar was definitely both using cranked fender twins. Exile on Main Street has the most use of Keith playing the ampegs, and you can hear mick Taylor using them on most of goats head soup and even Ronnie Wood on most of his parts for black and blue. Once that ampeg guitar sound gets hold of you it won’t let go. Sometimes I put on the Faces records just to hear the ampegs really cranking. Miss Judy’s farm is to me an amazing example of some serious ampeg tone. Anyways nice to see an underrated amp get some love!
Another VT-22 memory: A friend had a VT-22 with Altecs and I would convince him to bring it over for some jams. I lived in the basement and knew that after we jammed and maybe smoked a little, he would not dare try to carry that incredibly difficult to carry solid brick of an amp out of there and it would stay at my house for months at a time. Oh my god, as loud as it is heavy. Over the years I picked up some of the smaller ones, still have a GV 15 and a G 10, both early 70s. Still damn heavy and big and very loud for 35 and 22 watts. They really get that Rolling Stone sound when you just crank them, and again really really loud, but nothing like the king VT-22, which is hard to imagine unless you've tried it. Hard to imagine carrying it too until THAT hopefully never happens to you. You will think someone screwed it into the floor. The chassis on them is mounted on shock absorbers!
I used to work for AMPEG in the 1960's ( 1966-1969) lot's of stories. thank you for wonderful old memories. also, Ampeg had a strong reverb that you could turn down, Fender had a weak reverb you couldn't turn up.
I have a 1973 ampeg v2 60 watt head and matching 4x12 and it's spectacular.
Keith used VT-22 and GU12 Ampegs. The one wo loved the VT40s was Mick Taylor. I got him one in 2012. Mind you, there's an enormous difference in sound between the ones w the metal power switches (pre-1972 an top-loaded) and the later ones with the plastic power switches. I've owned quite a few of these, and there is another significant difference between the 55 and the 100 W version: for whatever reason the 55W (VT40 and V2) run on a higher voltage: 445 plate volts for the 100W and 495 for the 55W. IMHO the 55 sounds better because of it.
Re the 7027A tubes: I still have some, but stuck in 6L6 after adding a bias pot (which these do not have!) without any problem. The 7075A was a made in Japan STR version of the 6L6.
One of my favourite things about your demos is the ammout you use the good ole SD-1 - it doesn't get enough love these days
The distortion is smooth and velvety. Thanks for sharing this information, I’ve always wondered what qotsa use/used in terms of amps.
As an aside, I really hope Ampeg start making the AMG 100 guitar again 🙏
yeah, they are awesome
Awesome
Dude I’d love to own a white one
Glad to see some Ampeg love!
Your reverb sounds nothing like that on the vt40’s/v-2’s I’ve played through. They never sound drippy like a Fender, but they should shimmer a lot more than the sounds in this video? Could the travel lock stuck be stuck in the on position?
I have the VT-22 with the Altecs, and it does sound very similar to the VT-40
It is the loudest amp I have ever experienced and one of the heaviest amps I've ever picked up. Tip of the hat to this guy for making them both sound so amazing with the Queens sound
I've never owned an Ampeg, but in 1968, I was jamming thru the flip top Portaflex bass amp that belong to my drummers uncle and it was the most gorgeous sounding Jazz Amp.
And in the spring of 1972, We played for a Ruby Jones record release party in Toledo and the Ruby Jones band were using Ampeg stacks and let my band use their equipment and it was a great sounding setup.
My money and Ampeg are like polar opposites or I'd buy one. Gemini or V-4 type
Damn! Eirik playing The Rolling Stones tunes, what a mashup!
Lol, I'm getting closer to 40, so that's where we are heading
In 1973 I played my first Nevada casino lounge gig. I’d been playing dance clubs, and my amp was a tuck ‘n’ roll covered Kustom K-200 with a 3-12” Altec-loaded cabinet. Big and loud! Our bass player told me that if I went onstage with that amp, we’d get fired before we played a note! So I borrowed an Ampeg top-control panel VT-40, kept the volume on about 1…that’s One, folks-I figured if I could hear myself I was too loud. In those days the lounges were out on the casino floor, and management didn’t want the music to be loud enough to bring Mr. Gambler away from the machines and tables! We were basically a distraction to keep Mrs. Gambler from bothering Mr. Gambler until he’d lost his shirt. People hear with their eyes, and if they see a big amp, they automatically think you’ll be too loud, even if you haven’t played a note yet!
Great video as always. I’ve got an Ampeg GVT and anytime I want to see someone talk about Ampegs I go to your channel.
Unrelated question- what are those shoes? I love them!
Very cool. Great video!
And this thing sounds great! And I see what you are saying, it’s not fuzz but it has some of those fuzz characteristics.
I used to have an Ampeg V-4, it was expensive to upkeep with all of the tubes, but you could really get a massive sound when plugged into a 4x12.
I miss my old VT-40. Such a beast of an amp.
I've played through one of these and loved it. Yeah, the reverb was nothing to write home about but I turned it down and used delay. It was very heavy. The closest I came go getting an Ampeg was when I almost bought this wonderful solid-state model at Guitar Center in Hollywood in '87. I just loved the amp.
Cool amp, you made it sound great! I love learning about funky gear that not everyone and their mom uses 🙂 I have a generally favorable view of Ampeg gear - my best friends has a few of their amps and they all sound great. He has a vintage B18 and it sounds absolutely killer with guitar too.
Nice job on your video! Greetings from Hungary.
I have a ‘68 V2, the head version, and it’s incredible
Always good to have more midrange than you think you'll need.
I had an early top control VT-40 and the reverb was great.
love that blue guitar
I love the QOTSA way to play and tone. Kind of a inspiration for me.
I had an early non master volume model probably from 69 or 70 incredible tones loved to use it with a closed back 2x12... so loud got those incredible Yaya's Stones sounds but too loud for the clubs I was playing in... got rid of it because one night I threw my back out putting it into the trunk of my car after a long night at the bar gig...the VT-22 is also a
twin killer too...great video
Plus Keith would add a small 1x10 tube combo like an Ampeg or tweed Fender for mids
Dude fucking outstanding playing. I never heard of this one, coming from a primarily heavy/death metal perspective its so refreshing watching over players of different genres killing it. you made this amp sing btw.
Absolutely ! This was an eye opener. Dude just changed the demographics of this amp. I was never into 10 inch Speakers but i love it and i have grown very fond of lower watt amps. Great Playing and subject matter. I have gone full circle from RnR, to Neo Classical, Punk Death Metal , Doom and Desert, back to the Psychedelic Genre and this amp is a Gem ! Thanks !
Comma after Punk of course.
Ampeg guitars amps are so underrated. I've got a GVT15, not a vintage model, it's from the 2010's, but man, it sounds GREAT !! It has his own character, tight and solid low end, beautiful clean sound... This series also not had a lot of success, and I don't understand why !
I bought a matching pair of heads with single 12 cabs for stereo and they rock!
I owned one in the late 70's. Great Amp.
I dig most Ampeg guitar amps. I have three amps from Ampeg: Ampeg VT-60 - Ampeg VL- 502 with the matching straight 4x12 cab - Ampeg SS-150.
Great tone. Enough said.
sounds like the reverb tank switch on the back is in the "locked" position
My first tube amp qas a VT-100 2/12. Loud and clean.
I've got the VT-22. It is a freaking monster. I've measured it at around 130dB-C @ 1 meter. It makes my Dual Showman look tame and quiet.
How do you like the Dual Showman?
@@LivingroomGearDemos I like it for playing my Bass VI or 9-string through a 2x15 cab. I like the Fender sound generally, but my Bandmasters and smaller ones just don't have the headroom. Downside is it doesn't sound as interesting on guitar to me as a smaller Fender amp, given it never hits that breakup point even when pushed hard. But like I said, good for bass-like instruments. I also have a Sunn 200S for similar, and split to a DI.
I wanted one since I saw pics of QOTSA live in the 2000s. But I couldn't ever find one which lead me to buyinga Fender Bassman 10. Which became my main amp for almost 15 years now. Stays pretty clean but it roars when you crank it.
I like the video title. 😉Big fan of your channel. Keep up the good work!
Thanks man!
The 7027A is on a performance level is pretty much the same as a 6L6, the 7027A has different internal connections. I'm rebuilding my VT40 atmo and fitting 6L6's and will be running a 2 x 12 Celestion box, my original box was a 2 x 10 so it will be interesting! Got mine in 1985.
Had one of these and deeply regret selling it. Probably the best sounding amp I ever owned. Just quite heavy to move around.
Ben playing 70’s Ampeg for years. Check out the GV15 or GV22. But only the V2/V4/VT40/VT22 have the switch to change the EQ point.
Great job, and great amp !!!! 👏👏 Did you try the Catalinbread sft v2 and what do you think about it ? Thanks !!
Thanks! I've tested the SFT, but that's a long time ago. Would be fun to revisit
Since acquiring my GV-15 (seems to be around '68) I've been watching whatever I can find on these nifty combos. One thing I've noticed is that each different older model I see demoed is "the one Keith Richards/Josh Homme used/uses". I guess the GV-15 was specifically Richards' 'Exile' amp(?), but as for Homme's 'Songs' amp.........? Nice amps, though, and I do like the reverb in mine. On the fence over fixing the trem unit. Supposedly quite a spendy undertaking. I'm looking for a cleaner clean anyway lol Shout out to Dutch at VinTone for the re-cone!
Definitely fix the trem/vibrato. It's one of the few pitch-shifting vibratos.
About the reverb, have you tried to replace the spring tank in it ? Or is it a circuit related issue...?
Good stuff 👌
I had a GVT 12 around 2012ish. they were short lived but sounded good.
I really want to try one of those. Impossible to find!
@@LivingroomGearDemos they only lasted a few years. i guesss they didnt sell well
Maybe it's because I never use reverb but I didn't mind the amps reverb
Doyle of the Misfits used the V4 heads with Ampeg V2 cabs which are like two oversized ported 2x12 cabs bolted together. He usually ran three of them at once too with an MXR Distortion Plus. I think his were non master volume as well but I'm not sure
awesome. I’ve gotten similar tones with the black rooster cypress tt-15. Free plugin that nails that boxy/nasally sound
I still use my Catatlinbread SFT to get somewhere in the ballpark
Long time since I've tried that pedal. Need to get one again and compare it to the amps
A friend of mine had a VT-22. It was crazy loud.
That amp is a later distortion model VT40 which is quite a bit different from the ones used by all the artists mentioned in this video.
I’ve tried the old top loaded model and I’ve tried mine. As long as I don’t use the distortion channel they are the same amp. What am I missing?
@@LivingroomGearDemos The preamp on the non-distortion channel is different in the distortion models and the active mid control is implemented differently. Its just a different design compared to the other models. Probably sounds similar in practice but they made a lot of revisions for that model. You might consider having that amp serviced if it hasn't been. I don't know if they changed the reverb on those later models but the reverb in my V4 is killer.
All right, I hear people say they are physically different, but also some saying they sound the same. Even the master volume version of the VT-40. That AB-test I did in the video was actually with my old V4 head (just wrote VT-22 in the video since that's the same amp), and as you can hear, they sound identical when they go through the same speaker.
@@LivingroomGearDemos The master volume models are real close to the first versions. Cool video btw
Thanks, and thanks for the input!
I've had the v40 and v4 with 2x15 cab. Awesome amps but now I play a jazz chorus haha 😂
A fellow sparkling clean enjoyer I see
I've used ampeg for years. I use the clean channel with pedals. Of course I got mine in the 90s I think, I don't remember not having it. I was in a kiss cover band for years. And used my ampeg exclusively, with the right petals, you can perfectly match Ace Freely sound.
Ampeg tube amps are a sleeper. They can be modified and even stock they can get that Marshall creamy drive through them.
What model of 10" speakers were in these? I see lots of mention of either CTS or Eminence brands, but not specific model, much less if there is a modern near equivalent made today. Screen grabbed these numbers from the video, but googlin' these hasn't led me to anything yet:
580168-1
6910002
8 ohms
28262
2857607
I'm trying to approximate VT40 with what seems to me a more practical/less back breaking V4B reissue head and DIY 4x10 cab. But which 10s? Funny how "the thing that actually moves the air" is often an afterthought part of tone hunting in guitarland.
The reverb is fantastic on mine. But I love spring, and I had my reverb boosted a bit. I wish you would demo the distortion channel to see if it sounds like mine. My distortion channel is very bad, it sounds like a hint of diode clipping under the clean signal… I’ve always wondered if that’s what they all sound like on channel 1
The reverb is phenomenal on the Ampeg V-Series amps. There's something wrong with this guy's amp. It's 47 years old. The reverb is capacitor coupled (as opposed to Fender which used a little transformer for the reverb), so if it still has the original caps yeah it will sound like shit. As for the distortion circuit, keep in mind it was designed to simply add a bit of extra hair to the amp when CRANKED. The "Distortion" knob is the ratio of the "regular" signal to the "diode" signal. So if you're playing at bedroom volume, it will sound like some buzzing behind a still clean tone. So yeah, unless you're turning it WAY up, it's not really useful. The upside is the power amp in this model has no negative feedback so you can get power amp distortion a little easier than the "regular" models without the distortion circuit. Honestly these are the best amps in the world for pedals, and thats what you should use for distortion, but I would strongly suggest Channel Two for that.
That’s a monster amp! I have the big brother V4. Killer tones and almost endless headroom. Complex circuits though, so expensive to maintain. Great vid, thanks!
I had a V4 with the matching 4-12 cabinet (refridgerator sized, like an SVT cab). What a MONSTER both physically and sound-wise!
1:04 CBjr - Só por uma noite
that outro riff slapped fr
They are still expensive on Reverb and shipping is high of course. Curious about him using WEMs with Epiphone cabs too now. Weird combo.
So dope! What speakers are in yours?
Celestion Rola from 1976
which tubes does it use? i couldnt understand what you said
5:56 Emotion Sicknes 🙌🤘🔥🎸
I have the gvt15 combo. I got it on sale new because they just couldn't move it. I don't get it. It sounds so, so good ...even the reverb. Tons of head room and the most powerful eq I've seen on an amp.
It's that Baxandall tone control. Fenders just cut; Baxandall actually boosts when the knob is past middle.
I don’t have anything but I do love the ampeg stuff.
Is the reverb notoriously horrible on all 40’s, because the reverb is killer on my vt-22?
I’m surprised your amps reverb is so bad. My V4 head has GREAT reverb. Wonder if they used a short tank in the combo or if yours might be broken?
How loud does this amp need to be to get those QOTSA tones? I’m interested in purchasing one but I don’t wanna deafen my band
Lenny Kaye uses Ampeg (along with other amps fender tweed etc) in his rig
And that was the day the vt-40 become stupidly expensive. great vid, love the channel, keep it up man!
I just bought mine for $350…bit I was lucky. Local buy and through friends of friends secured it. I love mine! It’s the no distortion master volume one, and does all these tones…love it with a Treble Booster!
i'd bet it would work well with harp.
No, Keith Richards did NOT use Ampegs to record "Brown Sugar". Mick Taylor and he, both, used Fender Twin Reverbs for that recording.
Mick Taylor DID use the Ampeg VT-40 in the studio to record his first solo album. He used an Ampeg VT-22 for his John Mayall1982 Bluesbreakers Reunion Tour.
Live with The Stones, Taylor and Richards used Ampeg SVT's. The SVT used 6550 power tubes, not the 7027a tubes that the VT-22 and the VT-40 have in them.
A LOT of people have wanted this amp... for a LONG time
I bought one of these for $300 a few years ago, glad I did!
Can you put up HX IRS?
so great!!! its killing me, what is the name of the outro song?? sounds so familiar but I'm at a loss right now
Hey! Thanks! It's a tune I made for a video a while ago. You can hear it in a full mix here: ua-cam.com/video/JrEFgfJOwQ8/v-deo.html
@@LivingroomGearDemos thats it wow!! just watched that video recently, really good song and tone!!
Really fascinating video. Definitely a different thing than Marshall, Fender or Vox as regards the mid character and voice of the breakup.
I remember investigating Ampegs about 10 years ago when I was looking for maximum clean headroom amps. I think they made one that was about 200 watts. I was concerned about the long term availability of the rarer power tubes (obviously we know now that more common types can become rare pretty quickly.)
I agree with your interest in these amps, they are very good, almost hi-fi in their circuitry design. Having owned one for some years however, I appreciate your running cost concerns. Tubes and maintenance on these can be costly. Over the years I´ve probably put 3-4 times more into running it than I paid for it.😎
Were there sounds of the amp by itself in here. Maybe it was the stones parts? Just trying to hear the amp and not the pedals.
If you don’t want to buy an amp Tech21 has VT Bass Preamp in their catalgoue for years now. I love mine for cleans
The thing about Ampegs is no 2 were exactly alike. Rarely what was going on in the chassis matched the schematic.
Bob Welch used it too I think.
I have an early V-4. There’s nothing like it. One of my favourite amps. Great, unique, clean sound. Start dialling up the volume, turns to this creamy, wooly, fat sound that maintains tons of tight bottom end. SUPER versatile EQ as well. No one seems to like the reverb, I don’t hate it. It’s weird. Hell yes to vintage Ampegs.
@living Room GD what is the outro riff?
I've had mine for close to 3 decades now. If it wasn't so ridiculously heavy, I would use it everywhere.
can anyone send me a link where to buy
These's at least one of these old Ampeg amps that use a tube, or tubes that are now unavailable.
A buddy of mine picked one up a few years ago and got rid of it after he searched everywhere for the tubes, to no avail.
The tubes are out there if you look for them, but yes the 7027 is far less common the the 6L6. In 20 years of using my b25 I’ve only had to replace them once, so I wouldn’t let them scare you off of buying an amp with odd tubes, fwiw
@@Nigel_Shortpants It wasn't this amp I was referring to, I don't remember the model, but it was a combo of some sort.
It had a tube, or set of tubes starting with an "O" (as in "Owe", not zero) and they were nowhere to be found.
Even some Ampeg guru in the states didn't have them and had no source for them.
what's the name of that amp ?
Add Greg Sage of Wipers to the list of of players (first few studio albums)
I’ve been looking to find and buy one of these for years - almost impossible to find in Australia
Bummer. How is the vintage marked in Australia in general?
@@LivingroomGearDemos generally terrible! haha
Is this the model that was later released as a Crate gtx100? I bought a 4x10 Crate for $60 a few years back and was super surprised by how good it sounded. I read something about it being a repackaged popular Ampeg amp, but can't find much info at all
Not that I know. It that's true, I'll need a Crate gtx100!
@@LivingroomGearDemos I was thinking of the crate gx130 being an ampeg vht140 under another name. Now there's even less information about the gtx hahaha
Do you/someone think swapping the 7027s for 6L6s would change the sound/tone that much? I have heard that 7027s are very close to 6L6s and maybe a bit cleaner.
I think I read recently that Homme has modded his to take 6L6's instead, so can't imagine it doing that much to the tone.
Interesting to hear that. It makes a lot of sense considering the challenge of finding good pairs of 7027s. @@LivingroomGearDemos thx!
Some of the more classic Ampeg combos had a wonderful reverb sound; very different from Fender's version, but very musical all the same. Seems as though they may have thrown out the baby with the bath water in the design stage here...
Ampeg guitar amps are the BEST!!!!
Great amp! I have a MusicMan 112 RD 50 from 1980 -another great amp nobody wants. Ampeg and MusicMan are examples of great vintage bargains.
Those musicman amps have increased in value quite a bit actually unfortunately lol
@@benjaminfowler4513 I guess it was bound to happen!
Have you looked at prices recently? I want a 130 HD, but not paying 1K+ for a dinosaur that needs hundreds more in servicing.
Your 112RD will probably bring $600.00 +
@@bradrock7731 I think I will hang onto it-it smells great (and sounds great too)
@@Barry101er I highly recommend the book; Musicman-The other side of the story' by Frank W/M Green. For company history & other cool product info.
I was hoping he'd play channel 1 with distortion.
I had one in the early '80's, but didn't like it. This brings back memories though.
I didn’t think the reverb sounded that bad
that wasn't a horrible reverb?
One man’s “horrible” is another man’s “vibey”
@@N_A_Lund no, it literally sounds the same as the pedal
I've seen 5 vintage VT amps in my lifetime......
Every single one spends more time in the shop than in the practice room. How's yours holding up?