I just got second cab, and have same issues, but most funny part, that i live faaaar outside US, and i waited for my Micro VR head for about a month... Hey, i dont want to send it back and wait another two month while my amp travel across the ocean there and back again. I REALLY hope that they will find easy fix for that, kind a few tricks with the screwdriver and hammer)) Thanks 'Hutz for solving this problem, man, you saved a lot of my time))) Very useful thread, waiting for updates!
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Ampeg Micro VR issues poll with new video
- Thread starter fenderhutz
- Start date
That's typical of companies to do that when they send you a new item without getting the first one back. Philips did the same thing with my MP3 player that developed problems under warranty.
Well, I don't want to wait for another broken amp to come, so I better will wait for the clear official response from Ampeg about this Micro VR problem, and what they gona do about it. Still hope for DIY... BTW, any ideas on how soon they will give an answer? I can play with one cab, even with pretty loud drummer, and i like the sound, but still it not enought power to satisfy my needs. And thanks again, guys, TB really helps!
All I was told is Ampeg is going to make an announcement on here when they have the fix ready for everyone. No time frame.
Hey everyone,
Sorry for the lack of communication. I am the only one who "officially" posts here on behalf of Ampeg and I was super busy at Summer NAMM, then catching up. Fenderhutz is working directly with support for his replacement unit and I can't speak to that. It's between him and the support people to deal with replacement and whatnot, I have no voice in that conversation.
Product management has assured me that they have a fix and that all the laborious paperwork is in process to get this fixed as a running change in manufacturing.
They have not, however, been able as of yet to supply specific information about the serial run that was affected, how we will handle people who own a unit in that range, and if there will be a service bulletin available for a DIY fix.
I assure you that, once I get more info, that I will update you guys. Working on fixes for stuff built overseas takes a lot of pencil pushing and a lot of time.
We truly thank you all for bringing this to our attention and hope you can hang in there while we figure out the best course of action.
We love the Micro and everyone who supports it and Ampeg.
Sorry for the lack of communication. I am the only one who "officially" posts here on behalf of Ampeg and I was super busy at Summer NAMM, then catching up. Fenderhutz is working directly with support for his replacement unit and I can't speak to that. It's between him and the support people to deal with replacement and whatnot, I have no voice in that conversation.
Product management has assured me that they have a fix and that all the laborious paperwork is in process to get this fixed as a running change in manufacturing.
They have not, however, been able as of yet to supply specific information about the serial run that was affected, how we will handle people who own a unit in that range, and if there will be a service bulletin available for a DIY fix.
I assure you that, once I get more info, that I will update you guys. Working on fixes for stuff built overseas takes a lot of pencil pushing and a lot of time.
We truly thank you all for bringing this to our attention and hope you can hang in there while we figure out the best course of action.
We love the Micro and everyone who supports it and Ampeg.
I got this info from support yesterday as well when I called for my monthly update. 
They said they were looking at the possibility of modding the head if anyone needs it replaced now (case to case basis) or the optimal solution is just wait for the "fixed" production units to come off the line and exchange. My fixed unit isn't 100% functional, but works for now. I am just going to wait for them to come off the line. I have seen what in house modding does to tolex lol.
They said they were looking at the possibility of modding the head if anyone needs it replaced now (case to case basis) or the optimal solution is just wait for the "fixed" production units to come off the line and exchange. My fixed unit isn't 100% functional, but works for now. I am just going to wait for them to come off the line. I have seen what in house modding does to tolex lol.
I got this info from support yesterday as well when I called for my monthly update.
They said they were looking at the possibility of modding the head if anyone needs it replaced now (case to case basis) or the optimal solution is just wait for the "fixed" production units to come off the line and exchange. My fixed unit isn't 100% functional, but works for now. I am just going to wait for them to come off the line. I have seen what in house modding does to tolex lol.
I'm up here in Canada and I'm waiting to see what they plan to do. Here's my problem...I have just one cab at the moment but I'd like to get a second cab. I'm hoping that they just do a replacement deal so I can get the "fixed" head and then once I have it, buy the second cab..
I held back on the Micro and the GK MB212 and am glad I did. Anything new that hits the market is almost sure to have some kinks that need to be worked out, especially these days. Much like buying a car, I'd rather buy used, well-made items that have a great track record.
Another gig tonight with the fixed head in about an hour and a half. I got here before the band and setup. I HAD to get a photo of the stack with the Pabst logo in the back lol.
Chef
In Memoriam
I *love* the footprint of that rig on stage.
Tiny.
Great big classic sound though!
Have a great show;
alan
Tiny.
Great big classic sound though!
Have a great show;
alan
Chef
In Memoriam
Chef
In Memoriam
It's the weekend...this is when Ryan does his best Facebooking...don't make us miss that for this 
No more news from the product team. I will chat with them today and see if I can get any more info.
I don't know if this has been mentioned before, and I'm by no means writing this to bash Ampeg.
I'm sort of surprised that these amps are still being listed as being "in stock" on the GC, MF, and Sweetwater websites.
I would've suspected that these units had been pulled from distribution as soon as they found out that they definitely had an issue.
I would think that it would make more sense to pull all the questionable units instead of having to deal with the "damage control", like all the time and money spend on swapping out the heads for every disgruntled customer after the "fixed" heads are released.
Sure, not everyone is going to try the two cabinet setup, but don't you think that Ampeg would want to assure that ALL the heads that they are shipping can support that option?
I'm sort of surprised that these amps are still being listed as being "in stock" on the GC, MF, and Sweetwater websites.
I would've suspected that these units had been pulled from distribution as soon as they found out that they definitely had an issue.
I would think that it would make more sense to pull all the questionable units instead of having to deal with the "damage control", like all the time and money spend on swapping out the heads for every disgruntled customer after the "fixed" heads are released.
Sure, not everyone is going to try the two cabinet setup, but don't you think that Ampeg would want to assure that ALL the heads that they are shipping can support that option?
Well, my SVT Micro has been acting weird for a few months.....on and off. Some days it seems fine, while other days I get (what sounds like) some kind of clipping or overdriver distortion. I can't piece together any type of pattern or sole contributing factor. It just seemed completely random.
Yesterday, it was completely distorted. No matter how high or how low I turned the Gain, Volume and Bass settings; it just kept distorting horribly.
I don't have another head or cabinet in the house to do any comparisons.
So yesterday, I called Ampeg and the woman I spoke to, after less than 5 minutes, stated they would replace the head. So while I'm not exactly happy that this problem exists, I am very happy with Ampeg's customer service and their help. She was very polite and helpful.
I don't want to mention her name, in case she would object. But she's doing a great job handling this.
Yesterday, it was completely distorted. No matter how high or how low I turned the Gain, Volume and Bass settings; it just kept distorting horribly.
I don't have another head or cabinet in the house to do any comparisons.
So yesterday, I called Ampeg and the woman I spoke to, after less than 5 minutes, stated they would replace the head. So while I'm not exactly happy that this problem exists, I am very happy with Ampeg's customer service and their help. She was very polite and helpful.
I don't want to mention her name, in case she would object. But she's doing a great job handling this.
Alright everyone,
Thanks so much for your patience. While we here at Ampeg have been working hard to be a better and faster-moving company that understands what you guys need (and want) there is still a good deal of procedural stuff that goes into making a design change, regardless of how small it is.
We are really happy to have been able to work directly with you all (fenderhutz, in particular) to create a better product. fenderhutz is working directly with support to get a suitable replacement, as his test unit was experiencing unrelated issues.
As for the rest of you that own a Micro-VR and two SVT-210AV cabs and have been experiencing any issues...here is the official statement.
"We have developed a circuit modification that will address some minor power amp clipping that some of you have experienced when running two SVT-210AV cabinets in parallel. This modification can be made by any authorized Ampeg service center under valid product warranty. Please contact Ampeg tech support at 800.898.3211, email [email protected], or refer to the original dealer where your Micro-VR was obtained for assistance or referral regarding servicing. Original receipts of purchase are required for obtaining warranty support. We want to be clear that not all Micro-VR units are affected. If you choose to go directly to a service center with your Micro-VR and the problem is not present in your unit, you may be subject to a bench fee from the service center that is not covered under warranty. For this reason, we advise speaking with Tech Support to adequately determine the existence of this issue before going to service.”"
The service bulletin for service centers is in process and should be delivered to all of them shortly for warranty work. We will not, at this time, have a DIY solution.
This is NOT a recall, as the use case under which this issue arises does not affect all players. It only happens when you use two cabs and is certainly dependent on playing style. There are indeed players that are more than happy with their dual cab setup. As such, Tech Support will handle these claims on a case-by-case basis to determine the best solution.
Once again, thanks to all of you for contributing. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer here, but your best bet is to get in contact with Tech Support to get the ball rolling, if you feel you are experiencing this issue.
Thanks so much for your patience. While we here at Ampeg have been working hard to be a better and faster-moving company that understands what you guys need (and want) there is still a good deal of procedural stuff that goes into making a design change, regardless of how small it is.
We are really happy to have been able to work directly with you all (fenderhutz, in particular) to create a better product. fenderhutz is working directly with support to get a suitable replacement, as his test unit was experiencing unrelated issues.
As for the rest of you that own a Micro-VR and two SVT-210AV cabs and have been experiencing any issues...here is the official statement.
"We have developed a circuit modification that will address some minor power amp clipping that some of you have experienced when running two SVT-210AV cabinets in parallel. This modification can be made by any authorized Ampeg service center under valid product warranty. Please contact Ampeg tech support at 800.898.3211, email [email protected], or refer to the original dealer where your Micro-VR was obtained for assistance or referral regarding servicing. Original receipts of purchase are required for obtaining warranty support. We want to be clear that not all Micro-VR units are affected. If you choose to go directly to a service center with your Micro-VR and the problem is not present in your unit, you may be subject to a bench fee from the service center that is not covered under warranty. For this reason, we advise speaking with Tech Support to adequately determine the existence of this issue before going to service.”"
The service bulletin for service centers is in process and should be delivered to all of them shortly for warranty work. We will not, at this time, have a DIY solution.
This is NOT a recall, as the use case under which this issue arises does not affect all players. It only happens when you use two cabs and is certainly dependent on playing style. There are indeed players that are more than happy with their dual cab setup. As such, Tech Support will handle these claims on a case-by-case basis to determine the best solution.
Once again, thanks to all of you for contributing. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer here, but your best bet is to get in contact with Tech Support to get the ball rolling, if you feel you are experiencing this issue.
Hmmmm...I'm a little concerned with this. They're saying that it's not present in all the heads, it depends on a person's playing style, and that if it's determined at a repair center that it's not prsent, we'll be charged a bench fee.
If I recall, Ampeg said they couldn't find anything wrong with Fenderhutz's unit until he posted the video of it happening! So I could very well take it to an authorized repair center, and they'll tell me there's nothing wrong with my head.....sigh....something still doesn't seem kosher here.
But I may be out of luck anyway. I bought mine from another chap, but I do have a copy of his original sales receipt. Sounds like it's not covered, because I'm not the original owner?
If I recall, Ampeg said they couldn't find anything wrong with Fenderhutz's unit until he posted the video of it happening! So I could very well take it to an authorized repair center, and they'll tell me there's nothing wrong with my head.....sigh....something still doesn't seem kosher here.
But I may be out of luck anyway. I bought mine from another chap, but I do have a copy of his original sales receipt. Sounds like it's not covered, because I'm not the original owner?
