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Ampeg Micro VR versus Rocket Bass
- Thread starter butterfingers1
- Start date
The micro VR is known for loud fan noise and the rocket bass has more features, like ultra hi and lo, and a distortion blend. I see recommendations for the PF350 amp head instead of the micro VR. It has more power and is silent, for a similar price.
Also impression I’m getting. The Rocket Bass is definitely more modern, has more features, and comes out less expensive. Just that there is no dedicated Rocket Bass cabinet. Maybe Ampeg will launch such a lineup, there seems to be a demand.
Only demoed the RBs, but have tried multiple sizes on multiple occasions. I think they’re fab! If my rumble dies, that’s what I’d get to replace it.
Haven’t tried the Micro, but the 200w strikes me as odd. Seems like a novelty, but maybe I’m wrong. I suppose it depends on what you’re using it for, but for the price I’d rather have the 500w RB.
I suppose the PF cabs are the logical extension choice, but I get the annoyance of not having an aesthetically matched cab. But then again, I don’t do anything these days where a 210 isn’t enough!
Haven’t tried the Micro, but the 200w strikes me as odd. Seems like a novelty, but maybe I’m wrong. I suppose it depends on what you’re using it for, but for the price I’d rather have the 500w RB.
I suppose the PF cabs are the logical extension choice, but I get the annoyance of not having an aesthetically matched cab. But then again, I don’t do anything these days where a 210 isn’t enough!
I had the Rumbles a few years ago, 200 500 and 115 cab. I found them boomy woolly clanky almost no matter the settings, although they always sound ok in stores.
I’ve had my eye on that Micro for years but always found it suspicious.
The Rocket Bass in stores sound like a Thunderbird, articulate with deep clean growl and clear high end.
Ampeg should launch a matching cabinet, simpler and less expensive than the Portaflex. I would get that in a heartbeat.
I’ve had my eye on that Micro for years but always found it suspicious.
The Rocket Bass in stores sound like a Thunderbird, articulate with deep clean growl and clear high end.
Ampeg should launch a matching cabinet, simpler and less expensive than the Portaflex. I would get that in a heartbeat.
I voted for the micro VR only because I have one and I love it. I have no experience with the Rocket.
I want to love the VR because it looks so damn cool but every time I've plugged into one I haven't liked it (subjective).
I really dig all of the Rockets I've played
I really dig all of the Rockets I've played
The Micro cabs are sealed, not ported. This supposedly gives a tighter more articulate tone, at the cost of volume and low end. I was always really curious to try one though.
I played through the Micro VR rig in a studio not long ago and thought it sounded great. Did not notice a fan noise problem, but it may have been modded.
Both!
In all seriousness, they aren’t really the same. Sealed vs ported is a different low end extension. The 210av is supposed to replicate the 810 voice and rolls off at like 58hz, at least that’s what I’ve read. I’d guess the RB goes lower. I’d also guess you could make an RB sound like a VR but maybe not be successful going the other direction.
I had to make this decision literally yesterday and went RB.
The biggest caveat here is that I’ve never played a micro cause they’re never in stock anywhere. I was going to buy and try mainly off the reviews on here being VERY positive but also the same number of people say otherwise.
In all seriousness, they aren’t really the same. Sealed vs ported is a different low end extension. The 210av is supposed to replicate the 810 voice and rolls off at like 58hz, at least that’s what I’ve read. I’d guess the RB goes lower. I’d also guess you could make an RB sound like a VR but maybe not be successful going the other direction.
I had to make this decision literally yesterday and went RB.
The biggest caveat here is that I’ve never played a micro cause they’re never in stock anywhere. I was going to buy and try mainly off the reviews on here being VERY positive but also the same number of people say otherwise.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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Yeah, I think the next step is the pf500
I bought the PF350 & 2 X 10 combo when it was introduced - Gigged with it a few times as I do mainly lo-vol affairs. Sold it 6 weeks later as just didn't bond with it.
Picked up a B stock RB115 last month & it's night/day compared to the PF setup. It's a keeper -sounds great in a trio setting & I'd p/u a cab if Ampeg offered them. No experience with the Micro VR
Picked up a B stock RB115 last month & it's night/day compared to the PF setup. It's a keeper -sounds great in a trio setting & I'd p/u a cab if Ampeg offered them. No experience with the Micro VR
Very happy with my RB210. I would buy a matching 115 cabinet if they offered, even though I don’t need it.
The amp sounds great, but is killer when sitting on top of my Joe’s 15. If I needed to be stupid loud, I’d use the 15, but I don’t, and the RB hasn’t flinched yet at gigs.
The amp sounds great, but is killer when sitting on top of my Joe’s 15. If I needed to be stupid loud, I’d use the 15, but I don’t, and the RB hasn’t flinched yet at gigs.
More speaker also improves sound quality even at low volume. Even when I play alone at home I much prefer using a two-speaker stack, 2 115 or 2 210 or similar. Even 212 I find lacking a bit depth and breadth. I’m referring to tonality, not volume. A 110 is plenty loud enough, but sounds small and pinpointed. A big stack feels more like a sound immersion even at soft volumes.
Have a VR. Used to have an older Rocket Bass combo. Both are great for solo at-home practice.
love the VR cab. the head, not so much. I used to gig with an Acoustic Image or Genz Benz Shuttle head on top of the cab or cabs. great live sound - BG or DB
If the plan is to gig seriously, get the Rocket. If the plan is to futz around at home, the VR is pretty cool. The 210AV cab can't handle really big low end at stage volume (or even rehearsal volume IME), and the DI on the head clips ridiculously easily. Like, well below stage volumes. Which made it unusable.
I have the Traynor 800W 2 115 stack for serious stuff. The Ampeg is to try something new for myself. I tried the Fender Rumbles a few years ago for same reason, didn’t like them.
The Rocket Bass is less expensive than the VR in any combination, and just seems better or more functional. But the VR is intriguing and unusual. I wonder if it is about to be phased out like the BA line.
The Rocket Bass is less expensive than the VR in any combination, and just seems better or more functional. But the VR is intriguing and unusual. I wonder if it is about to be phased out like the BA line.
@butterfingers1 I also don't love the Rumbles too much; have the R40 combo for a rehearsal space, and it's definitely underwhelming (although the DI/line out is perfectly fine). Have played a couple others, and yeah they are all boomy, and overly crisp. Lacking guts, you might say.
The VR for some messing around is totally fine; the amp actually sounds pretty great at home. Just doesn't have any really serious booty at gig levels, even with a second 210AV cab. Your Traynor rig means that's not a problem, though, in which case I'd give the VR a real look. I liked it, but wanted it to be my gigging rig, and it couldn't handle that, so had to sell.
The VR for some messing around is totally fine; the amp actually sounds pretty great at home. Just doesn't have any really serious booty at gig levels, even with a second 210AV cab. Your Traynor rig means that's not a problem, though, in which case I'd give the VR a real look. I liked it, but wanted it to be my gigging rig, and it couldn't handle that, so had to sell.
