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Ampeg Micro VR Strange Problem

BulbousMoses

BulbousMoses

Jun 26, 2008
1,412
142
Ottawa, Canada
#1
Ok so I've discovered a strange problem with my Ampeg Micro VR. When I turn the gain knob, the amp makes a scratchy "dirty pot" type of noise. As a little experiment, I zeroed all the other control knobs on the amp and fiddled with the gain knob again...no noise. Then, I tried putting one knob (didn't matter which one) at 12 o'clock. Still, the gain knob makes no noise when I turn it. After a few iterations, I was able to discover that the gain knob will only make this sound when all the other knobs are engaged to some degree. Anyone else have this problem and if so, anyone know why it would do this?
 
#3
Hmmm...I'd assume a dirty pot but I'm no tech. If you have any Deoxit laying around, you could try pulling out the head and spraying the pot. Don't use just any contact cleaner on it, though...some of them can ruin the pot. If that doesn't work, call Ampeg.
 
#4
As Jimmy said, try deoxit first to see if the pot is the source of the problem.

If that doesn't fix it, one possibility is that there is a DC offset on the pot. This could cause a scratchy sound. Perhaps there is a leaky capacitor in the signal path or a short somewhere. A tech would have to examine it.
 
#9
TRichardsbass said:
Well, Jimmy is the Ampeg guy, but Fenderhutz here has had problems with his Micro VR, so it could be related. Reach out to him as well.

tom
Click to expand...

Thanks, Tom. I'm pretty sure it's just a dirty pot (although the head is only 6 months old and never gigged so how it gets dirty in that amount of time is a mystery). Anyway, I'm taking it to the service center tomorrow and I'll see what they say. It's all under warranty.
 
#11
TRichardsbass said:
Well, Jimmy is the Ampeg guy, but Fenderhutz here has had problems with his Micro VR, so it could be related. Reach out to him as well.

tom
Click to expand...
Nope, not related. The other problem was a bizarre reaction some of us were having to using two 210av's with the Micro VR that only happens with that particular combination of cabs and no other. This just sounds like a dirty pot.
 
#13
Well there is a fix Ampeg can do for it, but I haven't done it because I've got a PF350 that I use with them now, and Ampeg was nice enough to invite me to be an endorser, and I don't want to be a schnorrer when the PF350 works great.
 
#14
JimmyM said:
Well there is a fix Ampeg can do for it, but I haven't done it because I've got a PF350 that I use with them now, and Ampeg was nice enough to invite me to be an endorser, and I don't want to be a schnorrer when the PF350 works great.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I'll have to go back and re-read hutz's thread. I can't remember offhand if playing style had any effect on the clipping. I play with a light touch with low action. I'd like to pick up a second cab.
 
#15
BulbousMoses said:
Fair enough. I'll have to go back and re-read hutz's thread. I can't remember offhand if playing style had any effect on the clipping. I play with a light touch with low action. I'd like to pick up a second cab.
Click to expand...
Then it may not affect you. Playing style does affect it. Owen Biddle used to use two 210av's with a Micro VR on the Jimmy Fallon show and I never heard his rig do that. But if it does, they have a fix for it so you won't be up a creek without a paddle in any event.
 

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