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Ampeg Question

GoLeafsGo

GoLeafsGo

Not Quite Right!
Oct 25, 2013
1,371
3,951
Ajax Ontario
#1
Okay, sorry in advance for lengthy question, but here goes...
Wife and I play almost every night, we play out (small parties, neighborhood get togethers) 3 or 4 times a year. She plays guitar (strat) and sings, I play (mostly) bass and some drums. We have a couple of folks (guitars and/or bass) who come over and jam a few times a month. I have a Jag SS with tapes, a Squier CV 60's P with chromes, and a Gretsch Junior Jet with chromes. We have our own small-mid size PA. I am using a Micro CL stack, and really like it. We play mostly classic rock (Eagles, CCR, Turtles, Hollies, etc) and some older country, (we aren't called Lookin' Back for nothing) and everything was good.

Now here is the problem....wife upgraded from Mustang II to Mustang III amp (think you can see where this is going....). The CL now struggles (actually it farts a bit trying to keep up, especially with the P. I know, I have only been playing bass for a year, technique still leaves a bit to be desired).

Have tried a few options, (Fender Rumble, GK) but still prefer the sound of an Ampeg. So, I have kind of narrowed it down a bit. Ideas so far are:
1) Ampeg Micro VR stack with 2x10. (it just looks so cool...)
2) Ampeg Micro VR 2x10 with PF350 head. (it looks almost as cool...)
3) Ampeg Portaflex 2x10 with PF350 head.
4) Ampeg Portaflex 1x15 with PF350 head.

Any opinions on these or any other ideas gratefully welcomed....

Thanks,
Mark
 
#4
The PF350 with 2 210AVs (if you can swing the second cab) is a great combination, IMO. For the PF cabs, I prefer the PF210 slightly over the PF115. To my ears, the 210 has got a tad bit less low end but you may want some additional lows depending on if you've got your bass in the PA.
 
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#5
The Micro CL and Micro VR sound quite similar except the Micro VR sounds cleaner and goes louder. Sub out the Micro VR for the PF350 and it sounds the same but is a little tighter and has a bit more oomph. However, it's a medium duty rig, and depending on your wife's new volume, there's a possibility it could still struggle. The PF115he will take you more out of the realm of the 210av because it goes very low, lower than even an 810e. The PF210he is a tweener...doesn't go as low as the PF115he, but goes lower than the 210av. The PF cabs are also loaded with heavy duty speakers so they can take a good beating. That said, it's possible the 210av could work for you...I use one a lot with my medium volume 50's-60's-70's band with horns and I'll sometimes get asked to turn down because it can get loud enough to offend their delicate sensibilities...but the PF210he is more insurance.
 
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#8
If your wife pushes her Mustang III, you're going to need at least the pf350 into the pf115HE (a nice rig for small gigs). I seriously doubt that a single 210av would keep up, though a pair (driven by the pf350) would likely do the job, as long as you were going for a mids and upper bass dominant tone. If you like some depth to your tone, stick with the pf115HE. Unless your wife routinely drives her amp deep into overload, the pf350/pf115he will serve you well.
 
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#10
... the difference with the addition of a second 210AV is substantial .. it really is MORE than twice as good as using one alone, and with pretty much any of the heads mentioned (except CL), it should take away any question of being able to hang ... you may not need both all the time, but if you are doing the outdoor neighborhood thing, increased speaker surface is a very desirable thing ... especially if you are not in your small-mid PA with the bass ...

.. I love to spend other peoples money ... ;)
 
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#11
I'm not certain that your wife's purchase of a Mustang III necessitates your needing a larger bass rig. Did she purchase it because she needs more volume at gigs and/or practices? If so, then yes, you may need a larger rig to keep up. But if she bought it solely for the increased headroom and bells and whistles over the Mustang II, your current rig may be fine if your volume needs aren't changing.
 
#14
Thanks for the replies/info everyone. Yes, she got the III to run it through the PA as the II wont do that. Interestingly, she used to use a 50watt Marshall, I bought the Mustang II to practice for my guitar (which I still suck at) but she tried it one day and never went back to the Marshall. Never had an issue when she was using the Marshall, but she really enjoys letting loose on the Mustang.
 

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