Ampeg SVT vs. Micro

[Scott549]

I recently saw a band called Yuck play at the Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee. It's a big ballroom - I'm sure you could get 500 people in there, probably more. Yuck's bass player, Mariko Doi, plays a Fender '51 Precision and gets a great tone out of it. At the gigs I had seen on video, she used an SVT and a matching Ampeg cabinet. In Milwaukee, however, she had just a Micro setup on the drum stage with a single 2x10. The bass sound was still very good, which led me to a couple conclusions -- (1) the tone of the Ampeg Micro is quite good; and (2) as a more general proposition, the bass rig matters a lot less when you've got PA support.

I just found this to be interesting; I wonder if others have comments or similar observations.

[JimmyM]

I'd say you're right. I have an SVT and a Micro VR rig my own self. If you sit the two side by side and AB them, you will definitely notice a difference between the two. However, the Micro VR does an excellent job at copping SVT tones, especially when mic'ed into a PA. But for some, nothing else will do except the tubes and a big cab, and that's why Ampeg hasn't discontinued the SVT/810e. You should be able to plug into any amp on the market and get a good sound, but those two are especially big favorites of mine.

[Scott549]

The sound quality isn't very good, but you can get an idea of the tone in this video around the 2-minute mark.
‪"Shook Down" Yuck Live @ Turner Hall Ballroom - Milwaukee, WI - 07/18/11‬‏ - YouTube

[DanNowhere]

I play Southgate House (about 700 capacity) wiith my Micro and one cabinet. I can hear it just fine on stage, and the soundman does the rest. It's also a nice little conversation piece, especially when the other bass players see it after lugging their big rigs up and down the stairs in that place.

[dukeisdog]

Can the micro get a nice svt overdrive like the CL?

[NKBassman]

I played one at the local Long and McQuade for about 5 minutes a few days ago, and I was thoroughly impressed. I actually considered buying it on the spot, but my unforunate bank ballance was all that stopped me.

I went back there yesterday and it was gone! haha

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

Can the micro get a nice svt overdrive like the CL?

It'll do a light breakup but nothing past that.