Tube Preamp and Second Cab for Ampeg Micro VR

Tacopastorius · #1 01-19-2011, 05:22 PM

I have recently purchased an Ampeg Micro VR and the accompanying SVT210AV cab, but I want to get a tube preamp to warm the tone up a bit; I have been looking at the EBS Valve Drive and the Paia 9305HSR online, but haven't had a chance to try either. I am also going to add a second cab to increase my power. I am not sure whether I should get another SVT210AV, or go with a 1x15 for some extra rumble, but I have been looking at the Ampeg SVT15e and B115E. If anyone has suggestions about these items or some good alternate suggestions, I would love the input. Thanks a lot!

JimmyM · #2 01-19-2011, 05:44 PM

second 210 av for sure. no idea about tube preamps.

Tacopastorius · #3 01-19-2011, 06:18 PM

Why do you say that?

JimmyM · #4 01-19-2011, 08:13 PM

the results with two of the same cab are always good, while the results with mixed cabs can be unpredictable due to possible phasing issues. and i don't like to take chances with my money, so i always match cabs.

Tacopastorius · #5 01-19-2011, 08:23 PM

Do you actually have any experience with the Micro VR?

JimmyM · #6 01-19-2011, 08:39 PM

no, but my grandson does:

had one for about a month, played probably 15 gigs with it since i got it.

Tacopastorius · #7 01-19-2011, 08:49 PM

Ha ha... awesome pic. I assume you were pleased with its performance on stage; what size venues were they in, and what kind of music were you doing?

JimmyM · #8 01-19-2011, 09:24 PM

50's, 60's, 70's oldies in venues ranging from 150 seat theaters to outdoors in front of 5000 people. it's a great little unit. haven't got a second cab yet but when i do it'll definitely be another 210av.

Tacopastorius · #9 01-19-2011, 09:27 PM

Do you get sufficient low end rumble at stage volume? I am just concerned that with 2 of the 2x10 cabs I am going to get a lot of punch and growl, but be light on the really deep lows.

JimmyM · #10 01-19-2011, 09:40 PM

for me, all i have to do is boost the bass knob a tiny bit and i'm good to go. i don't really like cabs that go much lower than this one. my low end rumble occurs at 100-125 hz. i used a sealed 810 most of my life, so the 210av is up my alley. ymmv.

sorrowdemonica · #11 01-19-2011, 09:41 PM

as an owner of an ampeg micro vr stack.. my recommendation for a preamp is:

Buy a new stack.. The Micro VR stack is a joke.. unless your using it exclusively as a in-home use or quiet studio setting... however if you have to compete against a guitarist who uses distortion or any live or large room setting.. complete garbage.

But if you insist on a preamp.. you can't go wrong with Eden. They may be pricey buy you pay for quality and awesome tones... they even have a good pedal (under $200) version of a preamp.

JimmyM · #12 01-19-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sorrowdemonica

as an owner of an ampeg micro vr stack.. my recommendation for a preamp is:

Buy a new stack.. The Micro VR stack is a joke.. unless your using it exclusively as a in-home use or quiet studio setting... however if you have to compete against a guitarist who uses distortion or any live or large room setting.. complete garbage.

right. owen biddle really sounds like he's struggling with a guitarist who uses distortion in this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw3B8-2Hh-U

if you bought a micro vr to play loud rock and roll with guitarists who dime marshall 100w half stacks, then i might agree with you. but i'd think anyone with half a brain could see it's not a high volume rig.

dopejohnpaul · #13 01-19-2011, 09:47 PM

As usual, I'm with Jimmy. I just got my Micro-VR at the New Year, and have loved everything about it. I, however, did order a second 210AV after 3 weeks. There was something so alluring about the idea of two of those little cabs getting the full wattage of the amp. I'll let you know more about how it sounds when the second cab gets here. I will say that unlike Jimmy, I am a fan of mixing cab sizes to do different things with the sound. But you've got to equal out the air being pushed. A 15" pushes twice as much air as a 210, but 410s push about the same amount of air. That's why Ampeg, Mesa, and others have made cabs with that configuration sporadically over the past 40 years. As far as preamps, I'm at a loss. I really like the Micro-VR's stock sound. I think it's a fairly good representation of a literal "Micro SVT" sound. If you must add a pre, grab something simple with a single 12AX7 just to throw a little warmth. Doesn't need to be anything extensive.

JimmyM · #14 01-19-2011, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dopejohnpaul

As usual, I'm with Jimmy. I just got my Micro-VR at the New Year, and have loved everything about it. I, however, did order a second 210AV after 3 weeks. There was something so alluring about the idea of two of those little cabs getting the full wattage of the amp. I'll let you know more about how it sounds when the second cab gets here. I will say that unlike Jimmy, I am a fan of mixing cab sizes to do different things with the sound. But you've got to equal out the air being pushed. A 15" pushes twice as much air as a 210, but 410s push about the same amount of air. That's why Ampeg, Mesa, and others have made cabs with that configuration sporadically over the past 40 years.

aw, dope jp, i feel bad saying this since you were so complimentary, but actually the 210 and 115 are comparable in volume and a better match if you want to mix than the 410 and 115. and i'm not saying that adding a 115 wouldn't work with it. might actually work well with the 210av. but it's something you'd have to try before you buy. me, i couldn't hang with the look of the 210av and a 115e. fortunately i don't need the extra low end of the 115e

Quote:

As far as preamps, I'm at a loss. I really like the Micro-VR's stock sound. I think it's a fairly good representation of a literal "Micro SVT" sound. If you must add a pre, grab something simple with a single 12AX7 just to throw a little warmth. Doesn't need to be anything extensive.

agreed. i use a vt deluxe with mine to get some distortion, but to me it sounds so svt-like that i really don't feel the need to add tubes. won't front, though...a tube in the circuit would probably be cool, but i'm doing fine with it as is.

Tacopastorius · #15 01-19-2011, 09:59 PM

I have been hearing magnificent things about this EBS Valve Drive everywhere I read, but they don't have them at Guitar Center or anything, and I am really hesitant to shell out $300 without testing it out first. What kind of basses do you guys use with your Micros?

Tacopastorius · #16 01-19-2011, 10:02 PM

And I don't mind the look, really... I mean having matching cabs is super neat, but the two Ampeg 1x15 cabs that I am looking at don't look bad at all. Pretty much just basic black with white trim...

dopejohnpaul · #17 01-19-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

aw, dope jp, i feel bad saying this since you were so complimentary, but actually the 210 and 115 are comparable in volume and a better match if you want to mix than the 410 and 115. and i'm not saying that adding a 115 wouldn't work with it. might actually work well with the 210av. but it's something you'd have to try before you buy. me, i couldn't hang with the look of the 210av and a 115e. fortunately i don't need the extra low end of the 115e

agreed. i use a vt deluxe with mine to get some distortion, but to me it sounds so svt-like that i really don't feel the need to add tubes. won't front, though...a tube in the circuit would probably be cool, but i'm doing fine with it as is.

I don't know Jimmy, as far as most literature on the issue and having experience building cabs, I tend to feel the 10s have better directionality with the air their pushing, but the 15 just pushes more. 410s have always sounded pretty complimentary to a good 410 cab. Whether or not these cabs are ported has a lot to do with the issue as well. Like I said, the combination has been used for decades to make some really awesome sounding cabs . The VT was a good idea, and one that I had considered myself. But like you said earlier, I just kicked the bass up a bit on the EQ and give it a little gain boost and i can get that perfect crunch in my harder dynamics the same as I can from my SVT-VR. I'm still running natural, but that may all change with the new cab addition.

dopejohnpaul · #18 01-19-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacopastorius

What kind of basses do you guys use with your Micros?

I'm using a modified Jaguar Bass mostly.

JimmyM · #19 01-19-2011, 10:09 PM

so far i've used a modded p lyte, a danelectro longhorn, and a jay turser beatle bass copy with it.

Tacopastorius · #20 01-19-2011, 10:12 PM

I am in the middle of building a J Bass.... I got a swamp ash body from Warmoth with natural finish, Bad Ass III bridge, Lindy Fralin Vintage Jazz pickups, Hipshot tuners with the D-Tuner on the E string, a bunch of random Fender parts, and I routed the body for a Stratocaster jack plate so I don't have to deal with the stupid cable sticking straight out. I am putting a toggle switch in the extra control plate hole to switch between series and parallel wiring, and I am about to get a bird's eye maple neck from Warmoth with the black block inlay and black binding like the 70's J's.