Amp poll (Ampeg, GK content)

**TheDude007** · #1 02-24-2011, 12:23 PM

Ok, so currently I am running a GK MB212 combo. I love it, it sounds great, etc. However, a couple of things have come up lately. First, I'd like more of a "vintage-ish" tone. I know the best cure for this would be to get a full on tube head, fridge stack and all of that...however, I don't want to lug that around. Second, I want to move towards a head/cab modular idea. My funds are somewhat limited, and every other Ampeg product I've heard rocks. So my options that I'm considering are as follows:
Micro-V stack, possible second cab, plenty of volume.
Wait for the new PF-500 to be released, go with the PF-210, possibly throw in the 115 or second 210 for all of the volume.
Keep the MB212 and take some GAS-ex.

Thoughts?

honeyiscool · #2 02-24-2011, 12:43 PM

I got a Micro VR stack. It sounds wonderful, I can't get any bass to sound bad through that thing.

It's also cheap and super light.

christw · #3 02-24-2011, 12:48 PM

Read what JimmyM says about the Micro VR.

armybass · #4 02-24-2011, 12:50 PM

I wanted to vote carrots but I voted "supress purchasing desires". But with full disclosure I cannot follow this advice so I would be a hypocrite to suggest it...but I did.

**TheDude007** · #5 02-24-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

Read what JimmyM says about the Micro VR.

Yeah, I was kind of hoping he would drop by and provide an opinion. I know he's a big Ampeg fan, and loves his Micro-V, but I've heard him say good things about the potential of the new PF series, so I was interested in his thoughts on which to go with.

Stupid GAS...

4-string · #6 02-24-2011, 01:04 PM

I'd take anything GK over anything Ampeg every time.

Keep the GK. Or carrots.

tdub0199 · #7 02-24-2011, 01:07 PM

GK!!!

GaryLC · #8 02-24-2011, 01:17 PM

I have both the MB212 and a Micro VR, so don't know what to tell you. The Ampeg is super cool, but the GK rocks (IMHO)! It's light, loud, can get a pretty decent "vintage" tone if set right.
I think you should keep the GK, and go ahead & pick up the Ampeg too! (Except I seem to recall that funds are limited....darn).

JimmyM · #9 02-24-2011, 01:29 PM

tough one to decide without direct experience with the pf series stuff, but the micro vr is great. not the highest volume amp i've ever owned, but it isn't shy by any means.

philter25 · #10 02-24-2011, 01:40 PM

keep the GK if you are happy with it....... and maybe pick up a VT pass pedal.

kosmicwizard · #11 02-24-2011, 01:43 PM

I vote stick with what you have until you at least save up enough money to be able to sell what you have and buy what you want. I would also try to not get caught up in hype ... Oh this new thing is coming out and it is going to slay everything is great, but until you hear one in a music store and make that decision for yourself try not to get too excited about it ... By the time you have your money saved up you can go listen to both the Micro stack and the new fliptops. Okay now I need to give you gas. Why do you think Ampeg is the ultimate choice for you? Check out Ashdown's all tube fliptops and Genz Benz Streamliner 600 with a Uber 1288 cab. Cheers.

ButtUglyJeff · #12 02-24-2011, 02:55 PM

I haven't heard a Micro VR through 2 of the 210's yet. But I'm assuming it'll sound better, but still not fill a room. I'm hoping the PF350/PF500 has similar tone with even more room filling punch. But going 410 by any combo has to be the way to go...

**TheDude007** · #13 02-24-2011, 02:59 PM

I guess I should have clarified, if I went with either Ampeg, I'd still keep the GK. I guess maybe I'd think about selling it if I just weren't playing it, but basically one or the other would stay home for practice and the other would stay at the practice space so I don't have to haul one back and forth.

allexcosta · #14 02-24-2011, 04:18 PM

The Micro VR I tried at GC sounded like a tiny practice amp...

The little Acoustic 260 blew the VR away in every aspect...

ButtUglyJeff · #15 02-24-2011, 04:46 PM

^^^^ I tried both, and Ampeg won on everything, except a slight volume edge. I do mean slight...

kosmicwizard · #16 02-25-2011, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allexcosta

The Micro VR I tried at GC sounded like a tiny practice amp...

The little Acoustic 260 blew the VR away in every aspect...

It doesn't surprise me to see you say this. I have no idea why but you hate Ampeg. Fine you are entitled to your opinion, but I just need to let you know that you sound retarded when you say things like the SVT 4 PRO isn't as loud as a 150 watt amp. Didn't your mom teach you that if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it? Cheers.

allexcosta · #17 02-25-2011, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosmicwizard

Didn't your mom teach you that if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it? Cheers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosmicwizard

you sound retarded

Hmmmm... First thing, that's another thread... No SVT4-Pro's here... Second, I'm a member just like you and just like you I try stuff out and guess what, I like to talk about it... I have hands-on experience with the Ampeg Micro-VR amplifier. Jeesh, I even made a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfGkz85DbUY

It farts out quickly and doesn't handle the low frequencies well...

I, me and myself put the Micro-VR and the Acoustic 260 together, SIDE BY SIDE in Hallandale's Guitar Center, asked a friend to record both amps, brought the stuff home, listened, compared, asked to friend that's also a bass player and CAME TO THE CONCLUSION that the Acoustic is a better amp. Here's the Acoustic 260 video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMvAxaq0t7o

It's MY OPINION and AFAIK I'm entitled to have it. If you listen with your eyes and seeing a logo with an "A" makes an amp sound like God's voice, that's fine... I listen with my ears, and MY ears are different from yours and from everyone else's...

Too hard to understand?

sevenyearsdown · #18 02-25-2011, 06:49 AM

You are entitled to your own opinion, and I haven't played either.

However - those videos are far from an apples to apples comparison. The acoustic is basically slap played on a four stringer, and the ampeg gets 20 seconds of fingering on a fiver. It's not an "all things equal" but the amp itself presentation.

allexcosta · #19 02-25-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

You are entitled to your own opinion, and I haven't played either.

However - those videos are far from an apples to apples comparison. The acoustic is basically slap played on a four stringer, and the ampeg gets 20 seconds of fingering on a fiver. It's not an "all things equal" but the amp itself presentation.

Makes sense...

Didn't really made the videos as a comparison, no real method there... While in the store, I switched amps and basses for around 30 minutes and now I have a formed opinion about both amps. Didn't measure the sound that was coming out of these amps with oscilloscopes, SPL meters or fancy equipment. I used my ears and my ears tell me that if I had to buy one of these amps, I'd buy the Acoustic 260. I put links to the videos as an evidence that I do have hands on experience with both amps and can share my experience, which is only, solely, mine...

Hnz · #20 02-25-2011, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

You are entitled to your own opinion, and I haven't played either.

However - those videos are far from an apples to apples comparison. The acoustic is basically slap played on a four stringer, and the ampeg gets 20 seconds of fingering on a fiver. It's not an "all things equal" but the amp itself presentation.

Apart from that, the gain on the Ampeg is at 1 o'clock and on the Acoustic at 11...