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Ampeg Micro VR Stack - Will I be underwhelmed?

C

christopantz

Sep 16, 2015
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#1
Hi everyone.
I currently use a Kustom KXB500 (500W class D amp) on top of an Ampeg 410hlf cabinet. The lows are thunderously low but I feel that it's a bit too much for what I need. I'm considering selling my current rig and buying one of those Ampeg Micro VR stacks used. I tried one at Sam ash yesterday and it sounded good, pretty much like an ampeg fridge would. My main concern is loudness. Will it be able to hold its own against a band of a loud drummer, 2 guitarists, and a singer? Thanks a ton!
 
#3
Some folks find that some(?) heads don't like some(?) 4 ohm loads - seems to be somewhat related to your tone settings. Awesome tone into 8 ohms though! I had two - one went into a trade for a '67 Bassman I stole ;) , the other I sold after getting my Aguilar TH-350 which I much recommend over the Micro VR head. The latter was reported to have issues with the new owner's 4 ohm cabs even though it was bought long after Ampeg had supposedly "fixed" the 4 ohm issue :( - I had sold it with a single SVT210AV.
 
#5
The heritage micro puts out more power than the standard. I've tried them both out and prefer the heritage, I think it has a fuller sound. You could probably use it for outdoor shows or with a band and drummers that is in control of his dynamics, but for indoor gigs with a heavy handed drummer you would be lacking. I do some lighter weight jazz gigs occasionally with a lighter hitting drummer, Where this rig would be perfect for that.

Edited, because I just realized you are talking about the vr. If the 500w kustom and a 410 cab is too much, this might be enough.
 
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#9
I recently downsized from a 500W rig to the Ampeg Micro Vr head and 2-SVT 210 AV cabs and I absolutely love the sound.

I agree with basscooker, if you are playing with a band you will need to have 2-SVT210AV Bass cabinets. According to Ampeg: Output power rating- 150 watts rms @ 8 ohms, 5% THD 200 watts rms @ 4 ohms, 5% THD. A second cabinet will definitely give you more flexibility and should be able to allow you to cut through the mix.
 
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#10
I had one for about 20 minutes. 2 scratchy pots on the head, the cab was not square and wouldn't sit level, tolex peeling off both. Reminded me of a cheap transistor radio I had as a kid in the 70s and left me with no desire to try another, given the price.

That said, I'm clearly in the minority here as most owners really dig theirs.
 
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#13
You definitely need two 210AV's if you want to keep up with two guitars and a drummer. I have done practices with just the Micro-VR pushing two 210AV's and it was okay, but that setup would not cut it on a gig. However, swap out the Micro-VR for a Mesa/Boogie WalkAbout, and now it's a giggable rig. More powerful heads would likely also work, but I have direct gig experience with the WalkAbout.
 
#14
I've tried both Ampeg mini stacks, at different times, and was personally underwhelmed. The notion that the Micro VR is somehow a wee SVT seems a bit of an overreach, in my opinion, and I cannot say I detected any sort of characteristic Ampeg tone coming out of this amp. It is a generic SS practice amp in a cute enclosure, with a cab to match. I felt that both were basically only good at reproducing mids. Quite punchy sounding, but fairly limited low-end reproduction. At the same time they lacked a certain fidelity in the treble range. I think Phil Jones, to name but one manufacturer, does much better work in squeezing quality bass reproduction out of a small footprint. The Phil Jones amps that I have tried seem a degree more credible, whereas I consider the small Ampeg stuff a novelty, and somewhat overpriced at that. Cute amps, but not the best sounding or best performing small-footprint amps available to the modern bassist.

For reference my regular amp is around 100 watts of Rumble combo, and my small amp is a Yamaha THR10. I downscaled from 400 watts of (pretty blah) Ashdown when my last band folded. Larger amps are of no use to me at the moment; for home practice the Yamaha gets the job done. When I went small amp hunting I tried both Ampeg mini stacks and, if anything, I was impressed by Ampeg's smaller SS combo offerings. I also tried a few Orange bass combos and was put off by the aggressive always-on compressor. I arrived at the Rumble and Yamaha amps having tried a fair number of other options.
 
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