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Ampeg SVT Micro VR Stack
- Thread starter jwbIII60
- Start date
I have two of the cabinets, the Micro VR Head, and the PF-350 head (I've used both with them). Originally I got the single stack for upright use, which the cabinets are great for (the head not so much). I used this setup for years with my upright gigs.
Recently I've been using the 2 cabinets with the PF-350 head for my rock band. The PF-350 is the same pre as the Micro VR, but with a bigger power amp. It gets good tone, but for my liking it doesn't move enough lows to make me happy in a loud rock band. If you're band is really loud, or you are used to feel of a ported bass cabinet - they may not be ideal. It really depends on what you plan on using them for.
Having said all of that, it is a great small setup. Tonally it's old school Ampeg, nice and punchy, cuts easily. Obviously not as rich as the real thing, but still very musical. Great with a P-bass running through it. The features of the head mate nicely with cabinets. The two were designed to work well together. Oh and uh, they look so damn cool.
In summary, it really depends on the scenario you are going to be using it in.
Recently I've been using the 2 cabinets with the PF-350 head for my rock band. The PF-350 is the same pre as the Micro VR, but with a bigger power amp. It gets good tone, but for my liking it doesn't move enough lows to make me happy in a loud rock band. If you're band is really loud, or you are used to feel of a ported bass cabinet - they may not be ideal. It really depends on what you plan on using them for.
Having said all of that, it is a great small setup. Tonally it's old school Ampeg, nice and punchy, cuts easily. Obviously not as rich as the real thing, but still very musical. Great with a P-bass running through it. The features of the head mate nicely with cabinets. The two were designed to work well together. Oh and uh, they look so damn cool.
In summary, it really depends on the scenario you are going to be using it in.
Ampeg sound in miniature.
Plan on having PA support for use with guitar players who won't control their volume.
Plan on having PA support for use with guitar players who won't control their volume.
The Micro VR head is a pretty capable 260 watt at 4 ohm class AB amplifier if you use a big enough cab. The 210AV cabs however are only for moderately low volume situations, with no real deep bass. I used to own a Micro VR and two of the 210AV cabs, and really wanted the rig to work live for me, but the lack of low end meant I got lost in the mix. Noisy fan means it's not great for bedroom or quiet studio use.
I have a GK MB200 head on an SVT-210AV cab next to my desk. It's a super fun combination but it's important to keep in mind that these cabs only go down to about 60hz. They ARE NOT full range bass cabinets.
Lots of threads on this amp.
I used to have the head alone, and used it with either a Mesa 212 or 215, and it was pretty darn loud.
I used to have the head alone, and used it with either a Mesa 212 or 215, and it was pretty darn loud.
The photo above was taken when I compared the Micro VR with a V-4B through an Ampeg 810. Whilst the V-4B had that lovely tube tone, the Micro VR came darn close and was definitely more powerful.
The few responses thus far very succinctly summarize the last 15 or so years of Talkbass threads on this topic, which may be the single most discussed bass rig in Talkbass history, and OP could well save themselves hours of research right now. 
That said, I'm here to Talk Bass (rigs): I have a pair of the 210AV cabs and have used them fairly successfully as a stack with a Venture V7 amp, in a loud-ish 7 piece yacht rock cover band. The volume was sufficient (and I never had to push them to fart-out limits with the V7), but the low end just couldn't quite get there to be totally satisfactory to me on stage in most situations. I think out in the room it was usually fine (PA support always), but I just wanted that little bit more oomph next to me on stage. I'm using one 210AV cab with V7 on my very mellow church gig, it gets by pretty well there. Still could use a little more depth in the lows, but the cabs have a limit and it is what it is.
They sound so cool, within their own limits, it makes you wish you had a band / gig that would suit the rig better. I did try one cab alone for acoustic bass, very cool with the EQ dialed in (judicious mid cut necessary). Would love to try the stack with a loud upright bass gig, but I don't really have a viable (ie loud) scenario for using that currently.
Never tried the micro head. Love the looks and Ampeg sound but tales of unreliability and loud fan put me off.
That said, I'm here to Talk Bass (rigs): I have a pair of the 210AV cabs and have used them fairly successfully as a stack with a Venture V7 amp, in a loud-ish 7 piece yacht rock cover band. The volume was sufficient (and I never had to push them to fart-out limits with the V7), but the low end just couldn't quite get there to be totally satisfactory to me on stage in most situations. I think out in the room it was usually fine (PA support always), but I just wanted that little bit more oomph next to me on stage. I'm using one 210AV cab with V7 on my very mellow church gig, it gets by pretty well there. Still could use a little more depth in the lows, but the cabs have a limit and it is what it is.
They sound so cool, within their own limits, it makes you wish you had a band / gig that would suit the rig better. I did try one cab alone for acoustic bass, very cool with the EQ dialed in (judicious mid cut necessary). Would love to try the stack with a loud upright bass gig, but I don't really have a viable (ie loud) scenario for using that currently.
Never tried the micro head. Love the looks and Ampeg sound but tales of unreliability and loud fan put me off.
