Ampeg Micro-VR vs PF 350?

[zaten]

Hello there!

Got the amp buying itch again! I'm currently plugging thru an Eden DC112XLT and very happy with it but I miss the classic Ampeg tone (started out with a BA115 which I regretted selling a few years back).

I was delighted to hear Ampeg has 2 new contenders in its line-up: The Micro-VR stack and the PF350/500 combo.

I love the Micro styling and SVT-inspired tone (don't care much about it being tiny) and the PF looks wonderful and higher quality. Both are SS which is ideal for me. Unfortunately, I haven't heard either live since they are not available where I live (planning to buy online).

I don't really care about the money or power difference btw the 2 and I'm planning to use my new amp for rehearsal and jam sessions. I've narrowed my decision to this:

I know the PF is versatile but if it can readily produce a similar tone as the Micro, and by association the SVT, I'll go for it. Otherwise, I'll pick-up the Micro. I want that trade-mark Ampeg tone back (albeit in SS form)

I'll be grateful if you those who have heard/played these 2 amps can shed some light on the subject!

Thanks for the feedback

zaten

[username1]

Both amps should sound very close to each other as they share the same preamp with the pf350 having more power. Personally i would go for the pf350 for the extra headroom and its the same price.

[JimmyM]

I have both and I love both, but while the Micro VR looks absolutely badass, the PF350 is probably the most efficient choice. They sound the same to me, so not to worry about that.

[zachreh]

I AB'ed them at GC. the 350 sounded better overall and was louder. ended up walking out with this

[zaten]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! (Cool setup zachreh, congrats! )
PF it is! Now I almost made up my mind on the 350 but after reading the humongous thread "PF350/500", I got tempted to go full board with the 500!! Main reason is the 5 mid-range selector, I love tuning the knobs and experimenting with the sound..

Do both amps sound the same? I've been reading opposing views on the subject :S

How much power does the PF350 give out on 8 Ohms? I'm guessing 200W? I'm planning to use the amp + 115HE for bedroom practice AND for jamming (loud drummer and guitarist). Should I be concerned about low volume tone quality when practising on the 500?

Almost there in my choice thanks to your help

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by zaten

Thanks for the feedback, guys! (Cool setup zachreh, congrats! )
PF it is! Now I almost made up my mind on the 350 but after reading the humongous thread "PF350/500", I got tempted to go full board with the 500!! Main reason is the 5 mid-range selector, I love tuning the knobs and experimenting with the sound..

Do both amps sound the same? I've been reading opposing views on the subject :S

How much power does the PF350 give out on 8 Ohms? I'm guessing 200W? I'm planning to use the amp + 115HE for bedroom practice AND for jamming (loud drummer and guitarist). Should I be concerned about low volume tone quality when practising on the 500?

PF350 does 250w at 8 ohms. They have the same basic sound quality, but the PF500 does have an extra bit of versatility not in the PF350 because of the mid control and ultra-hi and lo switches. But the PF350 has my favorite sounds so no problem for me. And no, you shouldn't worry about low volume tone quality. Sounds as good at a low volume as a high volume, although the high volume is more fun

[gjbassist]

I actually had a harder time dialing in the tone I liked on the PF-500. Not saying it didn't sound great too but the PF-350 is IMO easier due to the simpler EQ section.

[zaten]

Finally went for Micro and 210AV!!

Reason: I found the stack at the music shop for a mere $350 right here in Dubai!! Grabbed it immediately! What luck!!

Except for 2 very minor scratch in the tolex on one of the lower sides, the thing is in mint condition! The shop keeper told me it was brand new but I'm guessing it might have been used as a demo for some time (I got it and its carton separately).

Everything is in working perfectly, the pots are smooth and noise-free and the tone surpassed my expectations by a long shot! WOW Can't believe the sound on this tiny beast!! I've had the opportunity to play through a SVT-CL a few times (lucky friend owner) and this gets WAY too close for its size and price! LOVE IT!

The power limitation is the only con as far as I'm concerned but the tone and the price I paid for itmore than make up for that!

I'm really great that Ampeg is back with such amazing products! Wish it was made in St Louis though but it the quality holds-up (fingers crossed) I'm gonna be a very happy bassit for a long time!!

So happy in fact that I'm gonna re-post this on the Micro thread

[pgk]

i just plugged a micro vr into a kustom 2-15 loaded with jbl d140's and all i can say is WOW. this thing is most definitely not a toy. i am really really impressed with the sheer tone and volume of that little thing. in fact it just became my weekend rig. big room tonight, small room tomorrow, both unmic'd and no di. this will cover both no problem. i've been way dissapointed with the 3 fleaweight heads i've tried so far in backline situations (all markbass) but this micro vr is another thing entirely. again wow!

[JimmyM]

My Micro VR has held up for 9 months now of fairly heavy one-nighter usage. Even dropped it once. Good call on that rig...of course I'd have said that either way but a Micro VR and 210AV has been my workhorse rig since I got it. The cabs are insanely good. It'll put out some juice onstage, too. I've been asked to turn down with it.

[pgk]

that rig Rocked last night, and we were hitting it hard. the combination of cab and head is so That 70's sound. nothing else sounds like a pair of d140's. it reminded me of the early jeff beck group bass sound. in fact we did "i ain't superstitious" as the last tune and i was grinning like an idiot. one very cool head!

[Freddels]

Originally Posted by drummer5140

I was playing my VR in my bedroom last night and lost about 60% of my volume. was using to cabs at the time..anyone have this same problem?

Did you lose the volume when you connected the second cab? If yes, then the two cabs are out of phase and you need to switch the wires in one of them.

[zaten]

My Micro VR has held up for 9 months now of fairly heavy one-nighter usage. Even dropped it once. Good call on that rig...of course I'd have said that either way but a Micro VR and 210AV has been my workhorse rig since I got it.

Awesome to hear JimmyM! Now that I've gotten used to that sweet tone, reliability is of even greater concern to me!

I've noticed that the finishing on the amp and cabs is impeccable, possibly better than SLM. That said, the tolex seems thinner and flimsier and is already pealing off on the back of my cab. I'm not sure about the quality of the wood used either (hoping its same as SLM standard). Either way, I'm OK with all of this as long as the electronics are robust enough. Everything else is cosmetics.

Online quality reviews has been somewhat mixed:
I've read several complaints about scratchy pots, power loss/failures, misalignment of the amp rubber legs etc..
This has been attributed to earlier production runs by some while others said it was the latter models. Dunno what to make of it

To make things more confusing, I'm not sure what model I have (year of make). The back of the amp says something like "registered trademark of Loud Technologies 2008" but I'm not sure that is the year of make. It also says "A00" in the white box marked "revision".

Does anyone know if this is one of the earlier models? Should I be concerned if so?

[Alex1984]

The Micro VR, VR, and AV use a different textured tolex.