Update from my comment 2 months ago. I have recently lucked out and found an Ampeg V4 Head at a shop in NY 3 hours from me. I called the guy and said I want to buy it, I'm driving a long way to you. He was cool and when I got there I played through it and it didn't take long at all, I fell in love with it and I took her home lol. What a sound!! I will never let her go. Thanks, your video was an inspiration to me. It is either a 1971-73" year the time Magnavox put their stamp on it. It has no distortion knob or main knob, two volumes, treble, midrange, bass, reverb is terrific with the black metal slider EQ switches. Has 4) 7027A power tubes. Is it loud? that's an understatement lol. The clarity is really unmatched in my opinion. I can make it sound like The Stones or add my effects board to it and it can get really mean if I want. Best amp I ever owned and I've owned Marshall, Fender, Vox, Peavy, and Mesa Boogie. They all have their sounds, differences but not like the Ampeg. If anyone lucks out in finding an old 70's Ampeg, Just buy it they are amazing and take pedals really well.
I am the lucky owner of a pair - each one has its own personality! They are amazing amps, but as Mike indicated, you need to find a tech that understands them. I was lucky enough to have (the late) Dennis Kager fix mine - sad loss, as Dennis had been Ampeg's Service Manager. I originally discovered the VT-40 when I played in a bar band in the early 70's. Of course, I sold it and then had to find used ones later in life! They are quirky, but like many things in this world, if you're willing to put the time and effort into one, you will be richly rewarded. Nice playing, Mike!
Lucky you! I replaced my first bass amp in life, an Ampeg SB12, with a spot on 1966 model. And best part? It belonged to Dennis Kager who also totally refurbished this amp. How cool is that? Jess Oliver used to service all my Ampegs here in New York until he passed away. I got to know Jess pretty well. Unfortunately I never met Dennis. I bought the amp 4 years ago from a fella just outside NYC in New Jersey who bought it directly from Dennis. I’d love to add one of these VT40’s to my Ampeg collection. Especially an early model like Mike has in this video. Cheers 🍻 Mate from Woodstock, NY
The joy you have for your amp is infectious...I just obtained a decent VT-40 this summer, master volume version(no distortion) and it brings a smile to my face far more than the current amp offerings in my stable. What a great story and some really fine playing to boot!! Here's to years of enjoyment!!!
The distorted sounds you are getting are flat out wicked for you for sure. The lead tones in particular are very sweet and singing, violin like is the oerfect description, but I do also think you are a player who can coax tones out of an amp beyond what a lot of lower level players are capable of. Like when you grab a note and are really pulling on it with a wide vibrato, it just pulls that extra 5% out that just brings it up to the stratosphere. I have seen Jeff Beck pull some pretty not too bad tones out of an amp that looked an awful lot like yours on an old tv appearance where he demoed a wah wah pedal a Coloursound booster and a talkbox I think. Such a rudimentary setup but he didnt sound lacking through it. It filled me with pride because I started my playing journey on a late 50s i think, Ampeg Rocket (not your standard heavy metal fare for sure) which I played in my very first band, and I will keep forever, Im so glad none of my dads buddies were ever able to swindle it from me when I was just a little guy, and for a few years ending my high school times, i had moved up to an Ampeg V-4 until I went British in my ass amp tones and sold that high powered beast to fund what I lusted for, a Hiwatt Custom 50. Hey when you are young, you tend to need to sell what you got to get something new. I like your playing quite a lot. Im from Canada but I seem gravitate towards European guitarists for my tastes. Maybe Ill head over to I think a countryman of yours, (please forgive me if I am incorrect), Helmut Bibl, hr gets epic tones too. Cheers!
I really enjoyed your review. Back in the 80s a customer brought an amplifier in to the guitar shop where I was working. I think the tech was putting new tubes in it. As he started playing to test it I thought wow that’s the greatest sounding amp I’ve ever heard. The tech agreed with me and it happened to be an Ampeg VT 40. The warmth, the tightness of the distortion, the singing overtones, just amazing. I know why you love this amp. Thanks for doing this review.
Thanks Mike!!! What a great reunion story. I have two VT-40's buried in storage that I purchased in the nineties for peanuts. I will now, because of your video, make it a priority to restore these amps. My amp of choice has been for years my 1965 BF Fender Super Reverb. I was enamored with these because of the open back 4-10" speakers (like the Super Reverb) and the fancy EQ with the selectable Q switches. Wow! I'm excited. Thanks!
What a tone on that Ampeg! I will say something looking at all the amps out there this Ampeg is really starting to get out there. People are starting to realize how good it is now. The used ones are going up in price, I should have started out on that amp when I was 15 lol. The cleans, crunch, and distortion are so pleasing. I want a VT-40 or a VT-22 so bad. I have to save up for one. Early 70's like yours. Being a Stones fan this is what Mick Taylor used for his sound. I want one lol. Thanks for your video!
What a great story. To be able to find the exact amp that you let go all those yrs before is amazing. For those of us who are older and have been playing for a long time we all have a story of that one guitar or amp that we regret letting go. For me it was my first electric which was a 1965 Fender Music Master II. I got it in 1976 for about $35. It was that Fender candy apple red with a slim neck and the body was a very resonate piece of basswood. I needed the money so I sold it in 1989 for $500, which I now regret.
I had this amp too....it was LOUD!...and heavy too from what I remember....Unfortunately, I was in college at the time and couldn't afford to fix the amp, so I traded it. I was just thinking about this amp today and was shopping online for a used one... I asked myself "is there a good demo on TH-cam?". .... Well, this is an excellent demo.....I'm glad you were reunited with your original amp...Your playing highlights the tone very nicely! Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your VT-40 story. :) To my own surprise, while just a few years ago VT-40s were going for like 300 bucks, used prices meanwhile are in close proximity to 2,000 bucks! :eek: reverb.com/de/p/ampeg-vt-40-60-watt-4x10-guitar-combo-top-load-version?gclid=CjwKCAjwyMfZBRAXEiwA-R3gM1jj0o2e_IvwuhJiu_UO1ELxc-eC13BrPlG5GDO_ZmlQzEbzxTQ2IBoCMccQAvD_BwE&hfid=7126533
I notice that you have "two DA-88's behind you! Nice!!! My two are still humming along!!! I had a V4-B back in the day with a V-4 cab and I loved it !!! Time to RELOAD!!!! THANK YOU SIR!!!
Finally someone who knows! :))) Tascam DA-88 and DA-38 (hwich is the smaller machine in my rack) are built like tanks and have formidable sonic qualities.
Hello and greetings from Woodstock, New York! Congratulations! 🎉I am very happy for you Mike! I am an Ampeg freak. My first bass amp at 10 years old was an Ampeg B12 Fliptop. My first “real” bass was a 1964 Epiphone Newport. I, like you, “traded up” and I must say I did pretty good in the trades but always missed both of those pieces. And while I can’t trace either of my originals over the past handful of years I was able to replace these with both the exact same amp and bass and I have never been so happy. So that’s my story Mike and hearing your similar story warmed my heart. By the way, beautiful guitar work as well. I really enjoyed your playing and beautiful tones. Cheers 🍻 Mate PS, I’ve toured as a musician all over your great country many times and always had a great time.
Talented player. I have one with front facing controls. It's been sitting, needing new capacitors and other things. Your video has inspired me to start working on it. Interesting circuit. Almost like a console eq. Dare I say almost like a pultec eq in some respects. Great playing, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Danke!
Oh man why did I let that( ) Go. We all do that. I had an ampeg that was in a very similar enclosure but it was solid state and didn't overdrive at all. Great story glad you got it back. Sounds really good. Hello from America. Bye for now.
Great Story!.. I just picked up the same amp a few months ago.. a friend had one, I played it and was blown away... I paid $800. US.. and immediately took it to Bob Dixon in LA, for a service/checkout..(he was the guy who had worked on all the Stones' Ampegs...)It sounds great ...I am excited to use it more when some gigs come back... and by the way...your guitar jam is great and gave me some great ideas fo a jam of mine, I was kind of stuck... very inspiring...
I was researching the amp and your video came up. My gosh what a fabulous job Mike! I enjoyed everything about it. Great production/ sound quality and of course you are a very accomplished guitar player. Much respect and love from USA. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💪🏻
The frequency switches, and the range they have is reminiscent of the Music Man amps Jack Donahue did for Aerosmith. Amazing demonstration you did here.
Great Amps. The rocker switches with the Bass middle and treble controls give you an amazing Tone ,/ Sound Control Great Story too THANKS FOR the Video
Absolute Hammer-Demo! Hat wirklich das Zeug zur Referenz unter den mir bekannten Demos hier auf TH-cam. Vielseitiges und tolles Gitarrenspiel, das den Amp wirklich zeigen lässt, was man mit ihm anstellen kann und nebenbei auch supersympathisch kommentiert. Glückwunsch, dass ihr wieder vereint seid ;)
hey I got this same VT40 amp new in 1974 but it was the 71 model. got a Tom Scholz Power Soak and that let me crank it without getting kicked out of the house
Love this! Thank you and congrats on being reunited! Been looking for the possible amp that Wayne Perkins played on the Stones Black and Blue album. This sounds damn close!!
Hi Mike, just came across your video. I bought my VT-40 in 1974 used for USD225. In the 90s I did a complete refurbishment but sadly it's so heavy I haven't used it much. I understand you can add a pot to the preamp output jacks to get that great tone without blowing your ears out- I found it would start to get sweet about 4+ on the volume and I have to say back in the day I could easily hold my own against Marshall half stacks or Fender Twins. Anyway fantastic demo!!! Maybe I'll have to break my back and pull the old VT-40 out of the garage. But for now I have Carvin V3MC combo (1-12" Celestion) that sounds pretty darn good (check us out on old Cream song) but I don't think it's got the same soul as the VT-40!
After buying new in the early 70's I finally let go of my full stack V4. Just never really used it anymore, but it was certainly a "Marshall Killer" Mike...really like your vids. This one hit home
Mike, was für eine wunderbare Kombination aus Gitarre und Verstärker! Die Töne sind so fett und heiß, beliebt auch. Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Ihnen und dem Verstärker, der jetzt in das Haus des Vaters zurückgegeben wurde.
Hahaha, same here i owned this Amp in the mid seventies, 1976-1977 around that time, i was a teenager as well,loved the amp, but i also sold mine dirt cheap for a Marshall half stack ( which i also loved) but man i look back i was stupid selling this Amp...I miss it !!! Wow incredible story that you found your Amp that you sold ,these Amps are hard to find here in the US as well
Nice amp! I live in New Orleans, LA in the US. I was looking at my local FB MarketPlace 2 weeks ago, and found the second version…1974 the non distortion reverb same circuit as this but front load for $350! The one with the polarity switch. I also paired it with a Treble Booster and a Stone Deaf PDF1x pedal. A guy was moving to Paris and just had to dump it. A girl in a Rolling Stones cover band, bought it for $400. Way too loud for her, and saw she was 2min down the street and was only up for an hour. She was a bit drunk buying it, and it was too loud. I was honest with her, and she said she was ok with low price keeping it in the local music scene, as I have a studio in the area. So clear consensus and good deal! Just trying to work it in with my Sky King amp as an ABY thing. So of course I bought it! Only issues were two slightly microphonic V1/V2, but they are still holding on until replacement. The chord had been converted to 3 prong…but it’s got some tare….nothing bad, but electric tape is fine as the inner is not damaged. I will eventually put some money into it. But I was surprised all was working well! I love the amp by itself just cranked, and maybe an EQ and treble booster…nothing more needed! That’s how I’m going to use it and switch back and forth. I have access to a 70s Bassman and a 80s JCM 800. But I like this better! It’s hard to record correctly, but live it sounds like no other. Day I bought it recording! Sounded great! Excuse the iPhone sound quality. I have some API/Neve pres in a lunchbox and plan to record soon! th-cam.com/video/ZaXIDw4DR8k/w-d-xo.htmlsi=njUZIv937QFKU2qQ
Great clip Mike, the Amp sounds great, I am guessing you won't be selling it again !! I lived in Bamberg from 1984-86 and loved Germany, beautiful country and wonderful people. thanks again for making this video clip and your playing was great, tschuss Steve
Fantastic demo Mike! I acquired a VT-40 when I was 19 years old. Kept it all theses years (I'm 56!). You have have inspired me to get mine "surgically overhauled" as you did. I have kept it but have avoided playing through mine because it literally gives me a shock when I plug it in and then touch my guitar strings, etc. Of course this vintage amp doesn't have a grounded 3-prong plug. Did your guru need to replace the plug or have grounding issues with yours? Thanks... and congrats on your restoration!
Just came across this video. I totally understand. I worked in a guitar shop in 1987 called Guitars Afire. A customer brought his vt40 in for service. That is the best sounding amp I’ve ever heard. It blew away all the other amps I’ve ever played. What a great tone and crunch. I was hoping the owner would sell it but he was very happy with it. Thanks for this video. It brought back a great memory.
Excellent demo, Mike. You did a nice job at capturing the many nuances of what these amps do very well - definitely not a one trick pony. Question: Do you have info on the speakers? Are yours the originals? (Very nice playing, as well! Made this demo very pleasant listening.)
Hello. I have this very same amplify. I got it from my grandfather. I was just trying to find some info on it. So I know what I have. But I will never sale it. It is sentimental and I am also a guitar player and singer songwriter. Good video bro.
Great demo and more greater story. I'm really happy for you. I have an Ampeg v4 (one of the first series). Also gone through bad times with it. Once it went up in fire one stage in holland while we were on tour.... I almost had put it in the thrash... but I had it fixed and now I will never sell this amp. It's a part me. One time my son will get it. (And he will sell it for sure for the newest smartphonepieceofshit ;)
"rode it like a dead horse"! lol! I once bought a 50w valve Marshall plexi from a friend for £12 and a Seiko tuner! it was awesome but missing a logo so I contacted Marshall to be told that it was the 189th 50w plexi made!! a few years ago I saw my same amp on Ebay for £5000 !?
Hi Mike ! Living in Belgium here. I saw that you mentioned the 6q11 tube. Do you know where I could find one of these in Europe ? I recently bought a vintage V2 that has a lot of similarities with your amp, and the tube seem to be dead. But I can't find anybody selling this tube in Europe.
I feel your pain. :) These tubes are very rare in Europe. Myself I was buying a replacement in the U.S. The tube has the name "6K11" from General Electric (GE) and you can find them still 'new' for reasonable prices in the U.S. like here in this example: reverb.com/item/3189300-general-electric-electron-tubes-6k11-compactron-triple-triode-new-old-stock-for-ampeg-tested
im so glad you got YOUR amp back,, and that you where able to get it running properly,, you where in the zone from 18:00 on,, any amp that can get you there is a great thing. so have you put a tube screamer in front of it yet to get distortion at lower volume? or go speaker out to another closed back 4x12?
Am I hearing Exile on Mainstreet? Or was that a V22? Did Bobby find a power transformer? Is this the same tech who revives those old Klemt Echolette’s? Any experience with the Klemt m40’s? Seems like a solid piece of gear. I have a 65’ GS12 R reverberocket-wonderful cleans but doesn’t like dirt pedals. Going to try an eq pedal and see if I can tame it a bit . There just isn’t much love for them here in the states. Can’t figure as my Rocket is a Deluxe killer.
Hey Mike Thank you for this. I was fortunate enough to buy an Ampeg vt 40 back in 1973 and was lucky enough that I never had to sell it. Question: For your lead solo at the end from about 16:00 to 20:30 did you use any other special effects or was that just the amp with it's own reverb?
@@MikeBurn Digitech TSR-24 May have to get me one of those. Just out of curiosity... Have you ever tried using a power attenuator between the amp and the speaker so that you could keep the VT-40 in the same room with you when you played? If so how well does it work?
I had a mid sized Ampeg combo I bought in Nyc in the 80s and it sounded alright but I associated it with a Line 6 type cheapo name brand!Now theyre "classics" hunh?!?DOH!
I didn’t have this model. I was given one that came in a half-stack whose head collapsed into the cabinet for transit. I was sorry to let it go, but I didn’t have the facility to care for it.
Hi there, my name is Joshua and I’m from Canada. I have an early Ampeg VT-40 but I’m having a terrible time figuring it out. Yours for example has what looks like a fuse in red Color on the top next to the standby switch and mine does not have that, instead there is a push/pull knob and I’m not sure I fully understand what it is or what it’s for exactly since I am only just starting to deep dive my amp. I bought this in 2008 and it was in my storage until recently and I really want to get it running as nice as yours. But there’s some differences such as the push/pull knob next to the standby, and then like yours, mine has the black rocker switches up top but mine does not have the readouts like yours for example the midrange with 0/300/3000. So again, mine does not have any of the read out numerals on the top with the black rocker switches at all and yours has all. The serial on the back of mine is reading 107425 and is the top loading model like yours and seems to have the same tubes as yours as well. I’m hoping you might be able to help me to figure something out and I’m wondering if what you said in your video about yours being a 1971, and the top loader model changing around 1972 until 1975 if my VT-40 might fall to this second time bracket possibly with the 107xxx serial. I was also hoping to ask you if you knew what exactly Bobby did to make her sound so good and clear and more quiet? Any help would be great my friend!! I’ve watched your video a hundred times as it’s for me the very best example online of this beautiful amp we share love for. My last question is do you happen to know what speakers you have for your 4 10 inch speakers and if they are the original or aftermarket? Sorry for the long note but I feel you may know best and I absolutely love your video and also playing is great! Thank you so much in advance!
Hi Joshua, first of all congratulations for your VT-40 and welcome to the rare top loader family! :) Unfortunately dating by serial number does not work for these models, but the black rocker switches do indicate any year before 1975! Another medium safe indication is the "A" plate on the front. If it is made from plastic your amp may not be earlier than 1973. By the way... my amp has the plastic "A" logo, but Bobby told me that on my amp the metal "A" logo had been replaced when he serviced it. I cannot be sure, since I was a young boy when the amp was made and I bought it already used back in the day. Bobby told me that he was sure it was a 1971 model, since he found that year somewhere marked on the circuit board. Well, we all are "swimming" because of the lack of really proper documentation. My amp has the orginal speakers with the code 2857515. Don't ask me what the push-pull poti you were describing does. Maybe it is a later modification. Unfortunately I cannot ask Bobby what he exactly did on my amp, the best tube amp expert here in Germany in my area who serviced amps from Gary Moore and Jeff Beck for these guys personally. He passed away last year. :( But I remember for sure that he recapped some (not all) of the capacitators, did some resoldering magic and the main thing was that he replaced the original power supply not (!) with a original replacement. He used a fitting power supply from his stash which was not designed for this amp. Before the amp did a lot of noises and radio stations broadcasting LOL. After he switched the power supply all of these symptoms were gone, the amp way louder and dynamic. Many modern amp techs will refuse to service a VT-40 because it is so hard to work on, but here is a very important document you should have at hand when finding a experienced tube tech: ampeg.com/support/files/Schematics/V%20Series/VT-40/VT-40%20Service%20Manual.pdf
I'm in Connecticut. My 1973 Ampeg VT-40 was just serviced. This is a top-loading VT-40. The original speakers for this amp were 10" CTS. At the time of purchase, Altec Landings we're available from Ampeg as an option. The Stones' Ampegs we're all outfitted with Altec Landings. Mick Taylor used a VT-40 when he teamed up with Jack Bruce in 1975. He also used it when he recorded his 1979 solo album. To note, if you ever need to replace your transformer, don't use just any transformer. Get a boutique transformer that's similar to the one you're replacing, and that's your best bet at retaining the original tonality of this unique amp. I also have two V-2 heads. I use all three at the same time.
:) No attenuation, raw power was used. :) These VT-40 beasts are VERY loud and for the video I turned it up in the recording room and closed the door. HAHA
I’d love to chat with your amp tech to get that schematic! Mine also has a hum and we need to resolve the hum. Please contact me! Peace from Seattle WA USA
@@MikeBurn I have the chance to purchase this same amp in mint condition for $600 I was going to ask you if you think its a good amp but I can see you love it. I've been told there is a lot of maintenance on these old tube amps is that true in your experience? Do you think this Amp in mint condition is worth $600? Thanks
@@kennethmeese For this money it is a no brainer!!!! And yes, tube amps, vintage tube amps in particular, do need proper maintenance, the reward is a sound from heaven. :)) Best scenario would be to have a tube-amp expert checking the amp in advance for improper modifications and other problems, just to rule out a "expensive" buy.
I noticed you are german, why at this point people has this kind of loud amps when normaly in EU ppl cant take loudness like...at all, i was at rock im park this year and i saw ppl using earplugs at 90 dB lol
Update from my comment 2 months ago. I have recently lucked out and found an Ampeg V4 Head at a shop in NY 3 hours from me. I called the guy and said I want to buy it, I'm driving a long way to
you. He was cool and when I got there I played through it and it didn't take long at all, I fell in love with it and I took her home lol. What a sound!! I will never let her go. Thanks, your video was an
inspiration to me. It is either a 1971-73" year the time Magnavox put their stamp on it. It has no distortion knob or main knob, two volumes, treble, midrange, bass, reverb is terrific with the black
metal slider EQ switches. Has 4) 7027A power tubes. Is it loud? that's an understatement lol. The clarity is really unmatched in my opinion. I can make it sound like The Stones or add my effects
board to it and it can get really mean if I want. Best amp I ever owned and I've owned Marshall, Fender, Vox, Peavy, and Mesa Boogie. They all have their sounds, differences but not like the Ampeg. If
anyone lucks out in finding an old 70's Ampeg, Just buy it they are amazing and take pedals really well.
Congratulations!!! :) VT-40's are not a myth, they are simply very special! I wish you lots of fun with your VT-40! :)
It’s been a while since I’ve last listened to this video. I am once again blown away by the sound of this amp. Thanks again.
I am the lucky owner of a pair - each one has its own personality! They are amazing amps, but as Mike indicated, you need to find a tech that understands them. I was lucky enough to have (the late) Dennis Kager fix mine - sad loss, as Dennis had been Ampeg's Service Manager. I originally discovered the VT-40 when I played in a bar band in the early 70's. Of course, I sold it and then had to find used ones later in life! They are quirky, but like many things in this world, if you're willing to put the time and effort into one, you will be richly rewarded. Nice playing, Mike!
Lucky you! I replaced my first bass amp in life, an Ampeg SB12, with a spot on 1966 model. And best part? It belonged to Dennis Kager who also totally refurbished this amp. How cool is that? Jess Oliver used to service all my Ampegs here in New York until he passed away. I got to know Jess pretty well. Unfortunately I never met Dennis. I bought the amp 4 years ago from a fella just outside NYC in New Jersey who bought it directly from Dennis. I’d love to add one of these VT40’s to my Ampeg collection. Especially an early model like Mike has in this video.
Cheers 🍻 Mate from Woodstock, NY
The joy you have for your amp is infectious...I just obtained a decent VT-40 this summer, master volume version(no distortion) and it brings a smile to my face far more than the current amp offerings in my stable. What a great story and some really fine playing to boot!! Here's to years of enjoyment!!!
The distorted sounds you are getting are flat out wicked for you for sure. The lead tones in particular are very sweet and singing, violin like is the oerfect description, but I do also think you are a player who can coax tones out of an amp beyond what a lot of lower level players are capable of. Like when you grab a note and are really pulling on it with a wide vibrato, it just pulls that extra 5% out that just brings it up to the stratosphere. I have seen Jeff Beck pull some pretty not too bad tones out of an amp that looked an awful lot like yours on an old tv appearance where he demoed a wah wah pedal a Coloursound booster and a talkbox I think. Such a rudimentary setup but he didnt sound lacking through it. It filled me with pride because I started my playing journey on a late 50s i think, Ampeg Rocket (not your standard heavy metal fare for sure) which I played in my very first band, and I will keep forever, Im so glad none of my dads buddies were ever able to swindle it from me when I was just a little guy, and for a few years ending my high school times, i had moved up to an Ampeg V-4 until I went British in my ass amp tones and sold that high powered beast to fund what I lusted for, a Hiwatt Custom 50. Hey when you are young, you tend to need to sell what you got to get something new. I like your playing quite a lot. Im from Canada but I seem gravitate towards European guitarists for my tastes. Maybe Ill head over to I think a countryman of yours, (please forgive me if I am incorrect), Helmut Bibl, hr gets epic tones too. Cheers!
I really enjoyed your review.
Back in the 80s a customer brought an amplifier in to the guitar shop where I was working. I think the tech was putting new tubes in it. As he started playing to test it I thought wow that’s the greatest sounding amp I’ve ever heard. The tech agreed with me and it happened to be an Ampeg VT 40.
The warmth, the tightness of the distortion, the singing overtones, just amazing.
I know why you love this amp.
Thanks for doing this review.
Great stuff Mike! We have two Ampeg VT 40’s in our studio. Always fun to have two players working both. Happy you got your amp back Mike! Cheers!
Two? :)))))) That's VERY loud when both are running together. HAHA
I own this amp. Bought one in 1980 off a university student for $200 Canadian and have kept it in excellent condition since.
Thanks Mike!!! What a great reunion story. I have two VT-40's buried in storage that I purchased in the nineties for peanuts. I will now, because of your video, make it a priority to restore these amps. My amp of choice has been for years my 1965 BF Fender Super Reverb. I was enamored with these because of the open back 4-10" speakers (like the Super Reverb) and the fancy EQ with the selectable Q switches. Wow! I'm excited. Thanks!
this story is incredible!
What a tone on that Ampeg! I will say something looking at all the amps out there this Ampeg is really starting to get out there. People are starting to realize how good it is now. The used
ones are going up in price, I should have started out on that amp when I was 15 lol. The cleans, crunch, and distortion are so pleasing. I want a VT-40 or a VT-22 so bad. I have to save up
for one. Early 70's like yours. Being a Stones fan this is what Mick Taylor used for his sound. I want one lol. Thanks for your video!
What a great story. To be able to find the exact amp that you let go all those yrs before is amazing. For those of us who are older and have been playing for a long time we all have a story of that one guitar or amp that we regret letting go. For me it was my first electric which was a 1965 Fender Music Master II. I got it in 1976 for about $35. It was that Fender candy apple red with a slim neck and the body was a very resonate piece of basswood. I needed the money so I sold it in 1989 for $500, which I now regret.
I feel your pain! :)
I had this amp too....it was LOUD!...and heavy too from what I remember....Unfortunately, I was in college at the time and couldn't afford to fix the amp, so I traded it. I was just thinking about this amp today and was shopping online for a used one... I asked myself "is there a good demo on TH-cam?". .... Well, this is an excellent demo.....I'm glad you were reunited with your original amp...Your playing highlights the tone very nicely! Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your VT-40 story. :) To my own surprise, while just a few years ago VT-40s were going for like 300 bucks, used prices meanwhile are in close proximity to 2,000 bucks! :eek: reverb.com/de/p/ampeg-vt-40-60-watt-4x10-guitar-combo-top-load-version?gclid=CjwKCAjwyMfZBRAXEiwA-R3gM1jj0o2e_IvwuhJiu_UO1ELxc-eC13BrPlG5GDO_ZmlQzEbzxTQ2IBoCMccQAvD_BwE&hfid=7126533
I notice that you have "two DA-88's behind you! Nice!!! My two are still humming along!!! I had a V4-B back in the day with a V-4 cab and I loved it !!! Time to RELOAD!!!! THANK YOU SIR!!!
Finally someone who knows! :))) Tascam DA-88 and DA-38 (hwich is the smaller machine in my rack) are built like tanks and have formidable sonic qualities.
Hello and greetings from Woodstock, New York! Congratulations! 🎉I am very happy for you Mike! I am an Ampeg freak. My first bass amp at 10 years old was an Ampeg B12 Fliptop. My first “real” bass was a 1964 Epiphone Newport. I, like you, “traded up” and I must say I did pretty good in the trades but always missed both of those pieces. And while I can’t trace either of my originals over the past handful of years I was able to replace these with both the exact same amp and bass and I have never been so happy. So that’s my story Mike and hearing your similar story warmed my heart. By the way, beautiful guitar work as well. I really enjoyed your playing and beautiful tones.
Cheers 🍻 Mate
PS, I’ve toured as a musician all over your great country many times and always had a great time.
Talented player. I have one with front facing controls. It's been sitting, needing new capacitors and other things. Your video has inspired me to start working on it.
Interesting circuit.
Almost like a console eq. Dare I say almost like a pultec eq in some respects.
Great playing, I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Danke!
Oh man why did I let that( ) Go. We all do that. I had an ampeg that was in a very similar enclosure but it was solid state and didn't overdrive at all. Great story glad you got it back. Sounds really good. Hello from America. Bye for now.
Bobby is a special being. So fortunate to have him fix this amp. Lovely 🤙
Great Story!.. I just picked up the same amp a few months ago.. a friend had one, I played it and was blown away... I paid $800. US.. and immediately took it to Bob Dixon in LA, for a service/checkout..(he was the guy who had worked on all the Stones' Ampegs...)It sounds great ...I am excited to use it more when some gigs come back... and by the way...your guitar jam is great and gave me some great ideas fo a jam of mine, I was kind of stuck... very inspiring...
I had one when i was kid. I know how you feel. I dream for that sound always.
If you are still interested in getting one or similar, Check out the Reverb Website. I really lucked out in buying one there.
I was researching the amp and your video came up. My gosh what a fabulous job Mike! I enjoyed everything about it. Great production/ sound quality and of course you are a very accomplished guitar player. Much respect and love from USA. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💪🏻
This whole channel is phenomenal,crystal clear recording, excellent amp and guitar info! Definitely subscribing!
Lovely, that cruch example, Nice tone and excellant playing
The frequency switches, and the range they have is reminiscent of the Music Man amps Jack Donahue did for Aerosmith. Amazing demonstration you did here.
Great Amps. The rocker switches with the Bass middle and treble controls give you an amazing Tone ,/ Sound Control Great Story too THANKS FOR the Video
Absolute Hammer-Demo! Hat wirklich das Zeug zur Referenz unter den mir bekannten Demos hier auf TH-cam. Vielseitiges und tolles Gitarrenspiel, das den Amp wirklich zeigen lässt, was man mit ihm anstellen kann und nebenbei auch supersympathisch kommentiert. Glückwunsch, dass ihr wieder vereint seid ;)
Danke fürs Vorbeischauen! :)
what an amazing Story MIke..im so glad you got reunited with your favourite amp..excellent demo..the ampeg /Gibson tones sound wonderful
hey I got this same VT40 amp new in 1974 but it was the 71 model. got a Tom Scholz Power Soak and that let me crank it without getting kicked out of the house
Love this! Thank you and congrats on being reunited! Been looking for the possible amp that Wayne Perkins played on the Stones Black and Blue album. This sounds damn close!!
Hi Mike, just came across your video. I bought my VT-40 in 1974 used for USD225. In the 90s I did a complete refurbishment but sadly it's so heavy I haven't used it much. I understand you can add a pot to the preamp output jacks to get that great tone without blowing your ears out- I found it would start to get sweet about 4+ on the volume and I have to say back in the day I could easily hold my own against Marshall half stacks or Fender Twins. Anyway fantastic demo!!! Maybe I'll have to break my back and pull the old VT-40 out of the garage. But for now I have Carvin V3MC combo (1-12" Celestion) that sounds pretty darn good (check us out on old Cream song) but I don't think it's got the same soul as the VT-40!
Amazing story of a rare legendary AMP!
After buying new in the early 70's I finally let go of my full stack V4. Just never really used it anymore, but it was certainly a "Marshall Killer" Mike...really like your vids. This one hit home
Mike, was für eine wunderbare Kombination aus Gitarre und Verstärker! Die Töne sind so fett und heiß, beliebt auch. Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Ihnen und dem Verstärker, der jetzt in das Haus des Vaters zurückgegeben wurde.
Thanks for sharing this amazing story. Congrats
Great story, great sound, and great playing! Thanks for sharing
What a great amp! Love your playing. Thanks for a superb review.
Amazing playing
Thank for sharing. Great demo of the amp! Great playing all the best
Thats the jeff beck blow by blow era anp!
Hahaha, same here i owned this Amp in the mid seventies, 1976-1977 around that time, i was a teenager as well,loved the amp, but i also sold mine dirt cheap for a Marshall half stack ( which i also loved) but man i look back i was stupid selling this Amp...I miss it !!! Wow incredible story that you found your Amp that you sold ,these Amps are hard to find here in the US as well
Nice amp! I live in New Orleans, LA in the US. I was looking at my local FB MarketPlace 2 weeks ago, and found the second version…1974 the non distortion reverb same circuit as this but front load for $350! The one with the polarity switch. I also paired it with a Treble Booster and a Stone Deaf PDF1x pedal.
A guy was moving to Paris and just had to dump it. A girl in a Rolling Stones cover band, bought it for $400. Way too loud for her, and saw she was 2min down the street and was only up for an hour. She was a bit drunk buying it, and it was too loud. I was honest with her, and she said she was ok with low price keeping it in the local music scene, as I have a studio in the area. So clear consensus and good deal!
Just trying to work it in with my Sky King amp as an ABY thing.
So of course I bought it! Only issues were two slightly microphonic V1/V2, but they are still holding on until replacement. The chord had been converted to 3 prong…but it’s got some tare….nothing bad, but electric tape is fine as the inner is not damaged. I will eventually put some money into it. But I was surprised all was working well!
I love the amp by itself just cranked, and maybe an EQ and treble booster…nothing more needed! That’s how I’m going to use it and switch back and forth.
I have access to a 70s Bassman and a 80s JCM 800. But I like this better! It’s hard to record correctly, but live it sounds like no other.
Day I bought it recording! Sounded great! Excuse the iPhone sound quality. I have some API/Neve pres in a lunchbox and plan to record soon!
th-cam.com/video/ZaXIDw4DR8k/w-d-xo.htmlsi=njUZIv937QFKU2qQ
Great clip Mike, the Amp sounds great, I am guessing you won't be selling it again !! I lived in Bamberg from 1984-86 and loved Germany, beautiful country and wonderful people. thanks again for making this video clip and your playing was great, tschuss Steve
Fantastic demo Mike! I acquired a VT-40 when I was 19 years old. Kept it all theses years (I'm 56!). You have have inspired me to get mine "surgically overhauled" as you did. I have kept it but have avoided playing through mine because it literally gives me a shock when I plug it in and then touch my guitar strings, etc. Of course this vintage amp doesn't have a grounded 3-prong plug. Did your guru need to replace the plug or have grounding issues with yours? Thanks... and congrats on your restoration!
Just came across this video. I totally understand. I worked in a guitar shop in 1987 called Guitars Afire. A customer brought his vt40 in for service. That is the best sounding amp I’ve ever heard. It blew away all the other amps I’ve ever played. What a great tone and crunch. I was hoping the owner would sell it but he was very happy with it.
Thanks for this video. It brought back a great memory.
I so miss that sound I had 3 Ampegs in the 70s they all sounded like yours so so good
Yea baby Sounds GREAT clean and crunch tones
DUDE, you must have been SH&#**ing your pants when you were re-acquainted with your old friend! Good on you Mate!!! Fantastic!!!
Excellent !! Imagine finding your ex baby again. WoW !
Such a beautiful sound ♥
Great Playing- As Always- Thank you Mike
Jeff Beck set up! Nice.
Great hardware, amazing fingers !!!
Excellent demo, Mike. You did a nice job at capturing the many nuances of what these amps do very well - definitely not a one trick pony. Question: Do you have info on the speakers? Are yours the originals? (Very nice playing, as well! Made this demo very pleasant listening.)
Hallo. Greetings from the U.S. nice video and what a nice amp. Sounded like some Steely Dan influence in your playing. Cheers
Mensch, mein lieber Mike .......H A M M E R.... das ist DIE Mega - Story. Echt geil. Klasse
DAMN that sounds good.
Hello. I have this very same amplify. I got it from my grandfather. I was just trying to find some info on it. So I know what I have. But I will never sale it. It is sentimental and I am also a guitar player and singer songwriter. Good video bro.
Great demo and more greater story. I'm really happy for you. I have an Ampeg v4 (one of the first series). Also gone through bad times with it. Once it went up in fire one stage in holland while we were on tour.... I almost had put it in the thrash... but I had it fixed and now I will never sell this amp. It's a part me. One time my son will get it. (And he will sell it for sure for the newest smartphonepieceofshit ;)
Great story and a very nice amp!
I feel your pain, brother. 😱 Haha. But it all works out in the end. Rock that thing 🤘
Beautiful, beautiful story :-)
That’s a great sounding amp!
Also man your playing sounds great. Rock on
"rode it like a dead horse"! lol! I once bought a 50w valve Marshall plexi from a friend for £12 and a Seiko tuner! it was awesome but missing a logo so I contacted Marshall to be told that it was the 189th 50w plexi made!! a few years ago I saw my same amp on Ebay for £5000 !?
I have avt 40 everyone wants it it's the bang !
Geile Story, wie immer mega Solis :-)
Great video!
Hi Mike ! Living in Belgium here. I saw that you mentioned the 6q11 tube. Do you know where I could find one of these in Europe ? I recently bought a vintage V2 that has a lot of similarities with your amp, and the tube seem to be dead. But I can't find anybody selling this tube in Europe.
I feel your pain. :) These tubes are very rare in Europe. Myself I was buying a replacement in the U.S. The tube has the name "6K11" from General Electric (GE) and you can find them still 'new' for reasonable prices in the U.S. like here in this example: reverb.com/item/3189300-general-electric-electron-tubes-6k11-compactron-triple-triode-new-old-stock-for-ampeg-tested
@@MikeBurn Impossible to find these under 80 dollars on Reverb nowadays unfortunately :( But thanks for your help !
An alternative would be to look for a "6K11" from Sylvania as offered here: www.tundtmusic.com/Roehren/NOS-Roehren/6K11-6Q11-Roehre-NOS::277.html
I had 3 Ampegs I so miss that tone. I like it better than a Marshall,
Ich hab noch einen von 1976/77. Spielt noch wie am ersten Tag( hat neue Röhren). Und hat Mastervolume.
Grüße aus Wiesbaden
Herzlichen Glückwunsch! :)))))))
im so glad you got YOUR amp back,, and that you where able to get it running properly,, you where in the zone from 18:00 on,, any amp that can get you there is a great thing. so have you put a tube screamer in front of it yet to get distortion at lower volume? or go speaker out to another closed back 4x12?
Am I hearing Exile on Mainstreet? Or was that a V22?
Did Bobby find a power transformer? Is this the same tech who revives those old Klemt Echolette’s? Any experience with the Klemt m40’s? Seems like a solid piece of gear.
I have a 65’ GS12 R reverberocket-wonderful cleans but doesn’t like dirt pedals. Going to try an eq pedal and see if I can tame it a bit . There just isn’t much love for them here in the states. Can’t figure as my Rocket is a Deluxe killer.
Hey Mike
Thank you for this. I was fortunate enough to buy an Ampeg vt 40 back in 1973 and was lucky enough that I never had to sell it.
Question: For your lead solo at the end from about 16:00 to 20:30 did you use any other special effects or was that just the amp with it's own reverb?
Congrats for your 1973 model!!!! :) Regarding your question: In addition to the VT-40 Reverb I used a Digitech TSR-24 for adding some delay. :)))
@@MikeBurn Digitech TSR-24
May have to get me one of those.
Just out of curiosity... Have you ever tried using a power attenuator between the amp and the speaker so that you could keep the VT-40 in the same room with you when you played? If so how well does it work?
I had a mid sized Ampeg combo I bought in Nyc in the 80s and it sounded alright but I associated it with a Line 6 type cheapo name brand!Now theyre "classics" hunh?!?DOH!
I didn’t have this model. I was given one that came in a half-stack whose head collapsed into the cabinet for transit. I was sorry to let it go, but I didn’t have the facility to care for it.
the 6k11 tube is called a compactron.
I KNOW that exact pain!!!!
Just bought one for $80
😯
Cool!
Hi there, my name is Joshua and I’m from Canada. I have an early Ampeg VT-40 but I’m having a terrible time figuring it out. Yours for example has what looks like a fuse in red Color on the top next to the standby switch and mine does not have that, instead there is a push/pull knob and I’m not sure I fully understand what it is or what it’s for exactly since I am only just starting to deep dive my amp. I bought this in 2008 and it was in my storage until recently and I really want to get it running as nice as yours. But there’s some differences such as the push/pull knob next to the standby, and then like yours, mine has the black rocker switches up top but mine does not have the readouts like yours for example the midrange with 0/300/3000. So again, mine does not have any of the read out numerals on the top with the black rocker switches at all and yours has all. The serial on the back of mine is reading 107425 and is the top loading model like yours and seems to have the same tubes as yours as well. I’m hoping you might be able to help me to figure something out and I’m wondering if what you said in your video about yours being a 1971, and the top loader model changing around 1972 until 1975 if my VT-40 might fall to this second time bracket possibly with the 107xxx serial. I was also hoping to ask you if you knew what exactly Bobby did to make her sound so good and clear and more quiet? Any help would be great my friend!! I’ve watched your video a hundred times as it’s for me the very best example online of this beautiful amp we share love for. My last question is do you happen to know what speakers you have for your 4 10 inch speakers and if they are the original or aftermarket? Sorry for the long note but I feel you may know best and I absolutely love your video and also playing is great! Thank you so much in advance!
Hi Joshua, first of all congratulations for your VT-40 and welcome to the rare top loader family! :) Unfortunately dating by serial number does not work for these models, but the black rocker switches do indicate any year before 1975! Another medium safe indication is the "A" plate on the front. If it is made from plastic your amp may not be earlier than 1973. By the way... my amp has the plastic "A" logo, but Bobby told me that on my amp the metal "A" logo had been replaced when he serviced it. I cannot be sure, since I was a young boy when the amp was made and I bought it already used back in the day. Bobby told me that he was sure it was a 1971 model, since he found that year somewhere marked on the circuit board. Well, we all are "swimming" because of the lack of really proper documentation. My amp has the orginal speakers with the code 2857515. Don't ask me what the push-pull poti you were describing does. Maybe it is a later modification. Unfortunately I cannot ask Bobby what he exactly did on my amp, the best tube amp expert here in Germany in my area who serviced amps from Gary Moore and Jeff Beck for these guys personally. He passed away last year. :( But I remember for sure that he recapped some (not all) of the capacitators, did some resoldering magic and the main thing was that he replaced the original power supply not (!) with a original replacement. He used a fitting power supply from his stash which was not designed for this amp. Before the amp did a lot of noises and radio stations broadcasting LOL. After he switched the power supply all of these symptoms were gone, the amp way louder and dynamic. Many modern amp techs will refuse to service a VT-40 because it is so hard to work on, but here is a very important document you should have at hand when finding a experienced tube tech: ampeg.com/support/files/Schematics/V%20Series/VT-40/VT-40%20Service%20Manual.pdf
I'm in Connecticut. My 1973 Ampeg VT-40 was just serviced. This is a top-loading VT-40. The original speakers for this amp were 10" CTS. At the time of purchase, Altec Landings we're available from Ampeg as an option. The Stones' Ampegs we're all outfitted with Altec Landings.
Mick Taylor used a VT-40 when he teamed up with Jack Bruce in 1975. He also used it when he recorded his 1979 solo album.
To note, if you ever need to replace your transformer, don't use just any transformer. Get a boutique transformer that's similar to the one you're replacing, and that's your best bet at retaining the original tonality of this unique amp.
I also have two V-2 heads. I use all three at the same time.
Are those Tim Shaw pickups on that guitar?
That would be nice HAHA, but they are ordinary Burstbuckers. :)
How are you atenuating it here, I have one and want to get it to distort without my ears bleeding
:) No attenuation, raw power was used. :) These VT-40 beasts are VERY loud and for the video I turned it up in the recording room and closed the door. HAHA
I’d love to chat with your amp tech to get that schematic! Mine also has a hum and we need to resolve the hum. Please contact me! Peace from Seattle WA USA
Ever thought of demo'ing a Marshall Code 100 Combo?
Sound of Steve Morse :)
when playing the crunch tones were you using a pedal or was that just the amp?
Of course no distortion pedal involved, just the beauty of the amp. :)
@@MikeBurn I have the chance to purchase this same amp in mint condition for $600 I was going to ask you if you think its a good amp but I can see you love it. I've been told there is a lot of maintenance on these old tube amps is that true in your experience? Do you think this Amp in mint condition is worth $600? Thanks
@@kennethmeese For this money it is a no brainer!!!! And yes, tube amps, vintage tube amps in particular, do need proper maintenance, the reward is a sound from heaven. :)) Best scenario would be to have a tube-amp expert checking the amp in advance for improper modifications and other problems, just to rule out a "expensive" buy.
13:26 are you using a distortion pedal? Thanks!
NO! Guitar, cable into the VT-40. :)
Great amp! Nice video ...but ja = yes ; )
I noticed you are german, why at this point people has this kind of loud amps when normaly in EU ppl cant take loudness like...at all, i was at rock im park this year and i saw ppl using earplugs at 90 dB lol