I have been wondering about a setup like this. I have the amp and have been debating on the cab.
Do tell!
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baby Ampegs! Micro CL vs Micro VR
- Thread starter Papazita
- Start date
Do tell!
Ummm.... I really really like it?
I can't talk tone like so many others here can. I've just found this to be a solid and giggable bass rig with all I need and nothing I don't.
And FWIW I didn't come up with this combo, I saw it on a "Mini Rigs of Doom" thread.
I own a Micro VR stack and a PF350 and have owned a Micro CL.
My advise to go for a SVT210AV (the speakerbox that goes with the Micro VR) and either a PF350 or a Micro VR head, they're oh so lovely.
In this case, you really get what you pay for.
The Micro CL is allright for the money and does have the Ampeg tone, but the above mentioned are significantly better in all areas.
My advise to go for a SVT210AV (the speakerbox that goes with the Micro VR) and either a PF350 or a Micro VR head, they're oh so lovely.
In this case, you really get what you pay for.
The Micro CL is allright for the money and does have the Ampeg tone, but the above mentioned are significantly better in all areas.
Same here. Never tried the amp's DI though, we have a SansAmp Bass DI (one of the original DI boxes, not the bass driver) which delivers tone for ages. This rig is loud and sweet sounding.
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I use the same set up. Love it. I play out every weekend. Indoors and out.No problems at all.
I was in the same conundrum a couple months ago @Papazita. I, however, was looking for a gigging amp – really loved the Ampeg sound but was trying to save $$, so I was leaning away from the Micro VR set. The Micro VR head is widely reported on here to have terrible DI and a very loud fan, so I thought of getting an SVT 210AV cab (the one that comes with the Micro VR) but with a different head. I settled on the TC Electronics BAM200 and I'm so glad I did! For around $500 total new, I got a fantastic setup that is great for practice but also PLENTY loud for small and medium gigs with my rock band. The TC head paired with the Ampeg cab sounds absolutely fantastic – very close to the Ampeg sound, but with a bit more clarity and mids. If you play with a pick, it is an especially great tone IMO. I received a bunch of compliments on my sound from the audience and the other band on our gigs, talking about how big, punchy and warm it sounded. I HIGHLY recommend you try this setup for what you're looking for – for the $$ you will even get a more than capable gigging setup. Considering that it's only $500 new, you can even return either/or if you don't like them. (I bought the head from Sweetwater and the cabinet from GC, but Sweetwater might have the cab back in stock now).
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
I've never tried the VR, though I'd like to. Didn't know it has a fan. That would be a problem for me, as I use my CL at home a lot.
I have also gigged the CL in small venues and found it quite adequate. I also use the cab with a Vox tube guitar head for the treble side of my Rickenbacker.
Lack of a gain function means the CL never gets super clean, it has a bit of that Ampeg grind baked into the sound. This is fine for me, but I can see it being an issue. Also, it's tough to find that sweet spot between "too quiet" and "my neighbors are calling the cops" volume setting. For a little 100W amp it can get pretty loud.
One feature that comes in useful at times is the external audio input jack with its own volume knob for practice with an mp3 player or whatever, though to be honest I don't use it as much anymore.
It's light weight, sturdy, easy to load in and move around, and even looks cool. They both look cool. I got my CL cheap as it was a floor model on clearance so I can't complain.
If you can handle the fan, the VR sounds like a better choice.
I have also gigged the CL in small venues and found it quite adequate. I also use the cab with a Vox tube guitar head for the treble side of my Rickenbacker.
Lack of a gain function means the CL never gets super clean, it has a bit of that Ampeg grind baked into the sound. This is fine for me, but I can see it being an issue. Also, it's tough to find that sweet spot between "too quiet" and "my neighbors are calling the cops" volume setting. For a little 100W amp it can get pretty loud.
One feature that comes in useful at times is the external audio input jack with its own volume knob for practice with an mp3 player or whatever, though to be honest I don't use it as much anymore.
It's light weight, sturdy, easy to load in and move around, and even looks cool. They both look cool. I got my CL cheap as it was a floor model on clearance so I can't complain.
If you can handle the fan, the VR sounds like a better choice.
Does anyone here have any experience with the Ampeg Micro CL Stack? I am looking for a small practice amp for home use and the occasional travel to friend's house / studio. Will the Micro CL Stack keep up with a drummer?
I bought a new CL stack a few years ago and did not care for it all (odd since I'm a huge Ampeg fan).
Not enough output and the tone was just OK. Sold it after about a month. Wish I had bought the VR instead.
I gave my Micro-CL away to a friend, young bass player who would make use of it. The tone was okay but always a little gritty built in and I wanted something that could do clean too. I got a PF-350 instead.
It will absolutely keep up with a drummer. I have played this at small gigs with no PA support. If you like a little baked-in grind it sounds great; it does not do super clean.
For home practice it's nice because it has no fan. I have a pf-500 which is a nicer amp but I don't like to leave it on in my house because that fan drive me nuts and I know it's sucking in dust the whole time it's on.
My CL Stack from Sweetwater is due to arrive tomorrow, man I really hope I like it... my review to follow soon.
I hope you like it, I feel like I've helped talk you into it and that's not something I like to do lol.
No worries.. I'll blame you if I don't. jk.
I did it backwards I ordered the CL before I read and posted on TB. Was looking for reassurance that I made the right decision well I hope I did.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on it as I'm toying around the idea of a micro stack.
I returned it the following day after noddling around for a good few hours. It had an unbearably loud hum/buzz similar to the 60 cycle hum which I do not hear when using my fender rumble 800 head and 4x10 cab or my ampeg ba110. Also was not a fan of its tone . Received my refund from Sweetwater and purchased the Rumble 100. No buzzing or humming from the R100 and love its tone! Guess I am a true Rumbler!
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So much good information here. I have a CL and I think it is the coolest looking mini stack ever. Like others have said, there is definitely some baked in distortion/grit/dirt that is baked in and you aren't getting rid of it. I thought my unit was defective until I read some treads on TB and realized that is normal.
My CL is a practice rig, and my favorite tone includes slight distortion so this works fine for me. I have a drum machine plugged into the AUX, that is a nice feature.
I agree with most on this thread- I have played the VR and find the fan noise annoying. It is more powerful and cleaner, but I don't think the price hike is worth it.
If you like clean and quiet the modular components recommended are a much better option, even if they cost more. But my CL is going nowhere.
My CL is a practice rig, and my favorite tone includes slight distortion so this works fine for me. I have a drum machine plugged into the AUX, that is a nice feature.
I agree with most on this thread- I have played the VR and find the fan noise annoying. It is more powerful and cleaner, but I don't think the price hike is worth it.
If you like clean and quiet the modular components recommended are a much better option, even if they cost more. But my CL is going nowhere.
Glad you liked your CL Stack. Mine, I just wasn't able to get past the annoying loud buzzing 60hz cycle hum. I really wanted to like it especially bc is looked so cool. Maybe the one I received was defective or internal damage occurred during shipping, I will never know. The R100 I purchased in its place has not hum or buzzing.
I'm looking into picking one of these VR stacks up locally. I see a lot of complaints about the fan, has anyone ever tried swapping the fan for a quieter one? There are a lot of super quiet high end PC fans out there that move just as much air as the cheapo fans most companies use.
