The new V8 is kind of a cross between a '60s Ampeg B15 Portaflex bass preamp section and a blackface Fender tone-stack style preamp stage. The best of both worlds. The pair of 6SL7 octal tubes impart a very special kind of dynamic/harmonic sound and feel compared to a 12AX7. The EQ stage offers more range and flexibility with the Fender tone circuit over the Ampeg "baxandall" shelving style. I still may release the true Ampeg circuit at some point for the die-hard Ampeg lovers.
The V8 preamp is VERY clean, and what's wild is how these octal tubes grab up and reveal low level, softly-played nuance and touch information. Very rich harmonically in the mids. When I dial in the EQ jerry style, bass off, treble cranked, it's pretty awesome as a Jerry preamp. I can imagine he would have loved what it does for that clean, dynamic approach. It's killer on pedal steel guitar and bass which are its target markets.
Currently Byron House (bass for Sam Bush, Emmylou Harris, and others) is touring and recording with one. John Stirratt and Pat Sansone of Wilco recently reported that it's fantastic on bass.
B
