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Ampeg SVT Micro Stack
- Thread starter Toffa
- Start date
For me it could easily be a gigging amp, but I would need two cabs, I think. Never did dig the sound of a single 210 for live work. But for you volume monsters who claim you can't get the job done with a B-15 (silliness), I could see where it would only be a monitor.
Chef
In Memoriam
Thanks to comments by some here--Jimmy, Markus, others--I took the plunge and bought this Ampeg.
I'm a guitarist converting to bass and realized I missed my calling. If only I had spent all my years playing bass instead of guitar. But enough about that...
So why did I pick the Micro?
Well, I long ago got rid of my guitard 4x12s and big heads. I had been using a POD XT for years now, and running it through an Atomic amp--a dedicated tube power amp in a ported 1x12 combo that lets you slip your POD into it. It works great.
I had been running my bass into a SansAmp Bass Driver (based on info found here) and then into the tube power amp of my Atomic and I love the sound (I use a compressor pedal by Digitec on the front end to smooth things out). I knew I wanted that classic Ampeg sound since I was loving what I was getting from my SansAmp and from the fact that it seems to be the gear used on many of my favorite records.
I was considering spending more on a Genz-Benz shuttle 3.0 and a 1x10. But with the $100 rebated on the Micro-VR, the GB would be 800 and the Ampeg 500. I wanted the Ampeg sound. I didnt want to just run my Sansamp through the power section of the Genz Benz. Didnt seem to make much sense to pay 300 more for a glorified power amp.
Anyway, I ordered it yesterday. Hope to get it quickly.
I cant wait to see how the Ampeg Micro (SS) stacks up against my Sansamp through the tube power amp.
My favorite bass I have is a 1984 4-string Ibanez Roadstar II PJ with EMGs. Sounds great.
Thanks for the discussion. Hope I made a good choice. If not, I will return it, slap down some more green and try out the Shuttle 3.0.
Clark
I'm a guitarist converting to bass and realized I missed my calling. If only I had spent all my years playing bass instead of guitar. But enough about that...
So why did I pick the Micro?
Well, I long ago got rid of my guitard 4x12s and big heads. I had been using a POD XT for years now, and running it through an Atomic amp--a dedicated tube power amp in a ported 1x12 combo that lets you slip your POD into it. It works great.
I had been running my bass into a SansAmp Bass Driver (based on info found here) and then into the tube power amp of my Atomic and I love the sound (I use a compressor pedal by Digitec on the front end to smooth things out). I knew I wanted that classic Ampeg sound since I was loving what I was getting from my SansAmp and from the fact that it seems to be the gear used on many of my favorite records.
I was considering spending more on a Genz-Benz shuttle 3.0 and a 1x10. But with the $100 rebated on the Micro-VR, the GB would be 800 and the Ampeg 500. I wanted the Ampeg sound. I didnt want to just run my Sansamp through the power section of the Genz Benz. Didnt seem to make much sense to pay 300 more for a glorified power amp.
Anyway, I ordered it yesterday. Hope to get it quickly.
I cant wait to see how the Ampeg Micro (SS) stacks up against my Sansamp through the tube power amp.
My favorite bass I have is a 1984 4-string Ibanez Roadstar II PJ with EMGs. Sounds great.
Thanks for the discussion. Hope I made a good choice. If not, I will return it, slap down some more green and try out the Shuttle 3.0.
Clark
I dont know how much help my comments will be to this audience. You guys are all way more versed in bass than I am. Hopefully I will be able to provide at least this: my current setup (compressor into sansamp into tube power amp) has some surprising "warmth". [I know, I know, not trying to start all that again]. It will be interesting to see how it all sounds when I switch to all solid state.
I'll try the several things at my disposal:
1. micro-vr straight, vs.
2. sansamp through tube power amp, vs.
3. sansamp into the front of the micro-vr, vs.
4. sansamp into the effects return of the micro-vr
Clark
I'll try the several things at my disposal:
1. micro-vr straight, vs.
2. sansamp through tube power amp, vs.
3. sansamp into the front of the micro-vr, vs.
4. sansamp into the effects return of the micro-vr
Clark
We're playing the Bronx next SundayDon't know where yet, though.
My friends have a gig on Saturday, but if you're really in the boogie down on Sunday, PM me with the detail & I'll show.
Chef
In Memoriam
I really thought the Micro head atop two 210AV's stacked vertically was a fun tasty gig rig.
It sure was easy to pack out at 2am too.
It sure was easy to pack out at 2am too.
I just got my micro-vr head and cab the other day. I ordered it from Musician's Friend.
I've been playing it for a few days now.
Bottom line: price is right and it gets even closer to that SVT sound than a SansAmp DI. I didnt think it would be that much better, but it is. Seriously, plug in, a few knob tweaks and you have that SVT sound.
Before I say more, you should know some things about me that will limit the effectiveness of this review. I am not a bass stud. I am a guitarist who just recently switched to bass. That said, I know what sound I want. I want that classic rock bass sound. I want the thump-thump-thump from the intro to Van Halen's Running With The Devil. I dont have great gear. I have a mid 80s Ibanez Roadstar II P/J with EMGs and a low end Ibby 5 string with soapbars. I was playing bass through my SansAmp DI (recommended on these boards, with settings as recommended here too), into the return of a tube power amp and an ported 12 " open back cab. The micro-VR sounds way better (though damn if that SansAmp doesnt sound really really good still, it just doesnt have that SVT sound as much as the micro does). I dont have the chops to tell you how it handles super fast playing or slapping. I dont have and havent played all the epic gear and cant compare that. I've had pleny of good guitar amps, cabs, stacks, and combos, so I know good construction. I've played in a band so I know what sounds I want to hear and the relative volume levels needed.
All that said, this thing really gets that sound I hear and that I want.
Here are some pros and cons:
The sound: This is why we buy bass amps, right? Well, this thing has "that sound." I dialed gain at about 2:00, bass at 2:00, mid at 2:00, treble and master at noon and this thing gives me that sound. I play along with various tunes and damn if I am not nailing that sound. Dial it down and use my P and I'm Walking on the moon. Dial the grit up a bit and I'm Running with the Devil. Dial it way back and I'm in Sade land. Yeah, I'm a beginner at bass, but I;ve played rock for 25 years. I know that sound.
The size/Its a toy: Its actually bigger than it looks. As I was awaiting its arrival, I was having second thoughts. I should have gotten the Shuttle I said to myself. This thing will just be a toy. But when I got it, its not a toy. Is it high end construction? No. But its not a toy. This thing will be legit on stage. It does have some quality issues though. I thought the pots were cheap. There was some crackliing when you turned the gain knob for instance. This was intermittent and seems to have gone away now that I have used it for a few days.
The volume level: It's definately not enough for gigs that are not in a quiet setting. It could do church or a coffee house gig. I dont think it would cut a bar gig for a cover band or more. And, to me, its the power of the head that is lacking, not the cab. I only have one cab, not two. It was actually a reminder to me that watts does not equal volume. In fact, running my SansAmp Bass Driver DI into my 50 watt tube power section and 12" speaker was as loud as the VR.
Clipping/Limiting: Seemed relatively useless to me. I have active pickups in both basses and neither required me to use the pad. The limiter also seemed to be marginally useful, though I keep it engaged.
The fan: Yes, it hums and you can hear it. BUT once you are more than about 8 feet away you cant hear the fan over the sound of your playing. Its most annoyinig if you are standing right beside the bass and playing. That is when you hear it. Otherwise you dont. Of course, that doesnt help the amp when people are demoing it as they are likely standing right by the bass. If there was any other ambient noise you wouldnt hear the fan. To me, this isnt an issue.
Versatility: It provides a spectrum of sounds. But I wouldnt call them "modern" sounds. Its classic all the way. But that is what I am looking for. Literally, I'm not even using my SansAmp Bass Driver right now and that thing was a staple for me.
VT Pedal: I dont have one so I cant compare, but the micro is way closer to the real thing than the SansAmp Bass Driver DI, which is loved around here (and at my house).
Functionality/Connectors: No speakon. Lame, but not a deal breaker. No dedicated tuner out. No mute. MP3 input and headphones on front. That sort of says "practice amp" to me. I'd rather that stuff be on the back. Not sure this is as well thought out of a head and designed for a gigging bassist as, say, a GB Shuttle for instance.
I got this set (cab and head) for 599, with the -100 rebate (I have till the end of the month to send it in). Its hard for me to argue with that price. It achieves my goal. I'm not actively playing now. It makes a great bedroom amp. My guess is it would do small, quiet gigs fine as is. Not sure if the second cab would be the solution. I would likely keep it as a head/cab and simply DI out the sound if possible. The head is a bit underpowered.
Here is my plan: I have ordered a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 head. I should have it in a day or two. I am going to run the Shuttle through the Ampeg cab (I have to admit, I love that little 2x10) to compare. I'll post my thoughts after I have done that.
Hope that helps. There is a surprising lack of info out there on this thing. I would think we would have a bunch of reviews on it by now. So I figured I would do one, for what my opinion is worth.
I've been playing it for a few days now.
Bottom line: price is right and it gets even closer to that SVT sound than a SansAmp DI. I didnt think it would be that much better, but it is. Seriously, plug in, a few knob tweaks and you have that SVT sound.
Before I say more, you should know some things about me that will limit the effectiveness of this review. I am not a bass stud. I am a guitarist who just recently switched to bass. That said, I know what sound I want. I want that classic rock bass sound. I want the thump-thump-thump from the intro to Van Halen's Running With The Devil. I dont have great gear. I have a mid 80s Ibanez Roadstar II P/J with EMGs and a low end Ibby 5 string with soapbars. I was playing bass through my SansAmp DI (recommended on these boards, with settings as recommended here too), into the return of a tube power amp and an ported 12 " open back cab. The micro-VR sounds way better (though damn if that SansAmp doesnt sound really really good still, it just doesnt have that SVT sound as much as the micro does). I dont have the chops to tell you how it handles super fast playing or slapping. I dont have and havent played all the epic gear and cant compare that. I've had pleny of good guitar amps, cabs, stacks, and combos, so I know good construction. I've played in a band so I know what sounds I want to hear and the relative volume levels needed.
All that said, this thing really gets that sound I hear and that I want.
Here are some pros and cons:
The sound: This is why we buy bass amps, right? Well, this thing has "that sound." I dialed gain at about 2:00, bass at 2:00, mid at 2:00, treble and master at noon and this thing gives me that sound. I play along with various tunes and damn if I am not nailing that sound. Dial it down and use my P and I'm Walking on the moon. Dial the grit up a bit and I'm Running with the Devil. Dial it way back and I'm in Sade land. Yeah, I'm a beginner at bass, but I;ve played rock for 25 years. I know that sound.
The size/Its a toy: Its actually bigger than it looks. As I was awaiting its arrival, I was having second thoughts. I should have gotten the Shuttle I said to myself. This thing will just be a toy. But when I got it, its not a toy. Is it high end construction? No. But its not a toy. This thing will be legit on stage. It does have some quality issues though. I thought the pots were cheap. There was some crackliing when you turned the gain knob for instance. This was intermittent and seems to have gone away now that I have used it for a few days.
The volume level: It's definately not enough for gigs that are not in a quiet setting. It could do church or a coffee house gig. I dont think it would cut a bar gig for a cover band or more. And, to me, its the power of the head that is lacking, not the cab. I only have one cab, not two. It was actually a reminder to me that watts does not equal volume. In fact, running my SansAmp Bass Driver DI into my 50 watt tube power section and 12" speaker was as loud as the VR.
Clipping/Limiting: Seemed relatively useless to me. I have active pickups in both basses and neither required me to use the pad. The limiter also seemed to be marginally useful, though I keep it engaged.
The fan: Yes, it hums and you can hear it. BUT once you are more than about 8 feet away you cant hear the fan over the sound of your playing. Its most annoyinig if you are standing right beside the bass and playing. That is when you hear it. Otherwise you dont. Of course, that doesnt help the amp when people are demoing it as they are likely standing right by the bass. If there was any other ambient noise you wouldnt hear the fan. To me, this isnt an issue.
Versatility: It provides a spectrum of sounds. But I wouldnt call them "modern" sounds. Its classic all the way. But that is what I am looking for. Literally, I'm not even using my SansAmp Bass Driver right now and that thing was a staple for me.
VT Pedal: I dont have one so I cant compare, but the micro is way closer to the real thing than the SansAmp Bass Driver DI, which is loved around here (and at my house).
Functionality/Connectors: No speakon. Lame, but not a deal breaker. No dedicated tuner out. No mute. MP3 input and headphones on front. That sort of says "practice amp" to me. I'd rather that stuff be on the back. Not sure this is as well thought out of a head and designed for a gigging bassist as, say, a GB Shuttle for instance.
I got this set (cab and head) for 599, with the -100 rebate (I have till the end of the month to send it in). Its hard for me to argue with that price. It achieves my goal. I'm not actively playing now. It makes a great bedroom amp. My guess is it would do small, quiet gigs fine as is. Not sure if the second cab would be the solution. I would likely keep it as a head/cab and simply DI out the sound if possible. The head is a bit underpowered.
Here is my plan: I have ordered a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 head. I should have it in a day or two. I am going to run the Shuttle through the Ampeg cab (I have to admit, I love that little 2x10) to compare. I'll post my thoughts after I have done that.
Hope that helps. There is a surprising lack of info out there on this thing. I would think we would have a bunch of reviews on it by now. So I figured I would do one, for what my opinion is worth.
By the way, I posted my comparison between the Micro-VR and a GB Shuttle 3.0 in this new thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585158
I'd love to hear people's thoughts.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585158
I'd love to hear people's thoughts.
Had to read through 4 pages of posts before I found the first person to have really played through this amp. Negative comments from the people who have not tried and positive ones from those who have. I wish people on here would see that they are not qualified to post on a thread concerning a piece of gear they've never tried.
I absolutely love the Ampeg VR - SVT micro stack because the weight has been kept extremely light without sacrificing power or Ampeg tone. Yes it is solid state because a tube amp would be excessively heavy thus defeating the intended purpose of creating a portable stack. Still with MOSFET technology this bears a striking resemblance to the tone as well as the looks of the old SVT stacks. I own the 2x10 cab and may get a second one to get more power if needed. However, the balanced line out XLR allows me to go thru the PA for larger gigs if more power is necessary. This stack is ideal for recording where size or raw power isn't an issue. The tone is incredible any bass player who has tried this will tell you the same thing!
I didn't see the girls or the bass amps...all I saw was my avatar in the ampeg display..next to Michael Anthony..stoked.
