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Ampeg Micro VR issues poll with new video

If you own the Micro VR with TWO 210AV cabs do you:

  • Have zero issues with clipping or distortion.

    Votes: 47 32.2%

  • Experience the issues with clipping, distortion, or crackle.

    Votes: 30 20.5%

  • Have tried the head or cabs with other setups and they work fine.

    Votes: 23 15.8%

  • Have already swapped out gear with Ampeg for a fix and it didn't fix the issue.

    Votes: 8 5.5%

  • I have Micro Carrots

    Votes: 52 35.6%
  • Total voters
    146
#162
WOW! That truly surprises me. Sounds like they're having you field test it too, which is kind of cool IMO. You might be "the guy who fixed the Micro-VR".

Edit: Kind of curious what the "mod" is, and if it indeed fixes this, what the procedure will be for owners to get it done. Will authorized shops be able to perform it? Can it be DIY if you're out of warranty?
 
#163
Ray Salamon said:
You might be "the guy who fixed the Micro-VR".

Edit: Kind of curious what the "mod" is, and if it indeed fixes this, what the procedure will be for owners to get it done. Will authorized shops be able to perform it? Can it be DIY if you're out of warranty?
Click to expand...

I am sure an unnamed engineer will hold that distinction. How about "the guy that was a PITA to get the ball rolling" lol.

Well EVERY head should still be in the 5 year warranty period as long as you have a receipt and it's unmodded by the user. Warranty is based on receipt I believe.

Will they release a DIY mod or even announce what the problem was? Maybe not. Heck I wouldn't be surprised if they just threw a PF350 power section in it lol (if possible).
 
#164
Ampeg's warranties aren't transferable, though, so if you're not the original owner you could be SOL. If they don't offer something for people in those cases, I'm going to end up having to consider buying a new one, which in my current situation would basically mean that I wouldn't buy one.
 
#165
Ray Salamon said:
Ampeg's warranties aren't transferable, though, so if you're not the original owner you could be SOL. If they don't offer something for people in those cases, I'm going to end up having to consider buying a new one, which in my current situation would basically mean that I wouldn't buy one.
Click to expand...

Then eww. I stand corrected. They DID transfer with St. Louis Music I believe back in the day. At least I thought they did, I remember going to the local Ampeg dealer and on used gear a selling point was the leftover warranty. Hmmm.

This could really stink for anyone that bought a used one.

EDIT: Take a look here. Still on their site as of 7/5/2011

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Q17) I did not receive a warranty card when I bought my amp. What do I do?
Not to worry! As of January 1, 1996 your sales receipt is your proof of warranty. The warranty is transferable by simply passing the original sales receipt or a copy to the next owner.
Click to expand...

I can imagine this (if not true) won't be up for long. :D
 
#167
Ray Salamon said:
Here's where I was seeing it:
Ampeg : Support - Warranty Information

:hmm:
Click to expand...

Yup. It used to transfer. Not anymore I guess. :atoz:

To me that gives a big +1 to a company when they do this. Like Mesa, Genz Benz, and used to be Ampeg. Don't like that one bit they changed the policy. Also if you look the new PF heads only have a 2 year out of gate warranty, instead of the 5 that was always offered.

It is what it is I guess. I have been a firm believer a company should stand behind the product, not the original buyer. That's why I liked those policies.
 
#169
fenderhutz said:
Then eww. I stand corrected. They DID transfer with St. Louis Music I believe back in the day. At least I thought they did, I remember going to the local Ampeg dealer and on used gear a selling point was the leftover warranty. Hmmm.

This could really stink for anyone that bought a used one.

EDIT: Take a look here. Still on their site as of 7/5/2011

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


I can imagine this (if not true) won't be up for long. :D
Click to expand...




I bought mine used, but the original owner sent me the receipt....I sure hope it's true that they'll honor it.. I would be bummed.
 
#170
GaryLC said:
I bought mine used, but the original owner sent me the receipt....I sure hope it's true that they'll honor it.. I would be bummed.
Click to expand...

According to their website the answers are:

1: Yes, As of Jan 1, 1996 all you need if the receipt and we will cover the repair under the warranty period. The warranty is transferable by simply passing the original sales receipt or a copy to the next owner.

2: No, Warranty coverage does not transfer.

Hopefully with a design/manufacturing flaw on an amp that couldn't possibly be past the warranty period regardless of owner, it shouldn't matter in my opinion.
 
#173
Yes, it is probably a "design flaw." However, the Micro VR was NOT meant to be a Markbass direct competitor, nor to run with all the new super powerful nano-heads. If you read the description on the Ampeg website it refers to "for recording situates where the SVT is too powerful and bleeds thru". That tells me everything.

This one is optimized for the single 2x10 cab. I am sure that you don't have any problems with this setting running one cab. I've played through them at the stores, and the one cab is perfect for really small gigs or intimate jazz type stuff and of course using it in the studio, as they recommend. Trying to get Markbass performance out of the head is just asking too much.

The head is spec'd so close at 8 and 4 ohms that I'm sure the switching power supply is definitely causing some of the issue. I've seen this on lots of other equipment outside of the music world.

Women are right, size matters. Small package, high power anything will have more problems and do weirder things in general then larger ones. I've resolved myself to the fact that lugging a 1X12 and 4X10 around for most of my gigs is still best, and my LH500, even though it has significant weight, has sound and overhead to spare.

Bravo to Ampeg for working this with you.
 
#174
TRichardsbass said:
Yes, it is probably a "design flaw." However, the Micro VR was NOT meant to be a Markbass direct competitor, nor to run with all the new super powerful nano-heads. If you read the description on the Ampeg website it refers to "for recording situates where the SVT is too powerful and bleeds thru". That tells me everything.

This one is optimized for the single 2x10 cab. I am sure that you don't have any problems with this setting running one cab. I've played through them at the stores, and the one cab is perfect for really small gigs or intimate jazz type stuff and of course using it in the studio, as they recommend. Trying to get Markbass performance out of the head is just asking too much.

The head is spec'd so close at 8 and 4 ohms that I'm sure the switching power supply is definitely causing some of the issue. I've seen this on lots of other equipment outside of the music world.

Women are right, size matters. Small package, high power anything will have more problems and do weirder things in general then larger ones. I've resolved myself to the fact that lugging a 1X12 and 4X10 around for most of my gigs is still best, and my LH500, even though it has significant weight, has sound and overhead to spare.

Bravo to Ampeg for working this with you.
Click to expand...

FWIW, I have the Micro VR with one cab and it's fine. Love it, in fact. I agree with all you say in your post but I would add that Ampeg needs to take some of the heat here since they are marketing this amp as being usable with 2 cabs. Clearly, there is a problem with that setup. I don't think fenderhutz is asking the amp to replace an SVT/810 combination...he just wants it to work as advertised.
 
#175
I hope this isn't treated as a "normal" warranty repair. I bought mine used and don't have the receipt. I was thinking about getting a second SVT210AV cab at some point, but been keeping up with this thread (thx Fenderhutz!).

I realize second buyer and all, but an unfortunate inherent issue doesn't seem to fall under a normal warranty repair for a part that fails during that period. I hope they handle this in a different manner. Otherwise, seems like so far Ampeg has done a great job of working with Mr. Hutz.
 
#177
TRichardsbass said:
Yes, it is probably a "design flaw." However, the Micro VR was NOT meant to be a Markbass direct competitor, nor to run with all the new super powerful nano-heads. If you read the description on the Ampeg website it refers to "for recording situates where the SVT is too powerful and bleeds thru". That tells me everything.
Click to expand...
Can't run one 210av with an SVT. Well, you can (Johnny A from Staind did it), but it's an 8 ohm cab and not the best match in the world with a 4 ohm output transformer.

Also, when they put a second speaker out on the head, and they tell you that you can use two 210av's with it, it should work, don't you think? That setup isn't exactly a cheapo setup. Sure, it's not a Heritage SVT and two 810e's expensive, but it's still about $900.
 
#178
JimmyM said:
Can't run one 210av with an SVT. Well, you can (Johnny A from Staind did it), but it's an 8 ohm cab and not the best match in the world with a 4 ohm output transformer.

Also, when they put a second speaker out on the head, and they tell you that you can use two 210av's with it, it should work, don't you think? That setup isn't exactly a cheapo setup. Sure, it's not a Heritage SVT and two 810e's expensive, but it's still about $900.
Click to expand...

+10 It should work as advertised.
 
#180
JimmyM said:
Can't run one 210av with an SVT. Well, you can (Johnny A from Staind did it), but it's an 8 ohm cab and not the best match in the world with a 4 ohm output transformer.

Also, when they put a second speaker out on the head, and they tell you that you can use two 210av's with it, it should work, don't you think? That setup isn't exactly a cheapo setup. Sure, it's not a Heritage SVT and two 810e's expensive, but it's still about $900.
Click to expand...

Jimmy, it does work as advertised. Having some issues at particular and specific settings, even in the non-musical electronics industry does not negate that it works every other way. We are computer augmented humans, and even we still can't be perfect.

You can run the second cab with the amp, and just for giggles I ran over to the local Ampeg dealer this morning and we tried to duplicate the issue. We got some clipping but not as Fender guy is having, however on just about every other setting it was fine.

I can run any 8 ohm or 4 ohm cab with my LH500 and as long as I have enough RMS power handling, it should work. It won't sound like it does with my perfectly matched HyDrive cabs, but it works. I have an old Cerwin Vega cab that farts a lot with my LH500 head, but hey, it still works.

Not everything can be all things to everyone....
 

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