Markbass 121h Combo vs Ampeg Micro VR stack

[Pier_]

Hi guys, I'm living a tremendous dilemma regarding the amps.

right now I'm happy with my Markbass 121h, one 12" speaker, 16kg in weight, tons of volume and a "modern" middy and precise sound.

I find it very useful with the Low B string, clear and full, and thick on the high register with the High C.
I love how it makes my Gibson SG sound "middy" and not muddy and I can use it outdoor without an extension and without DIing to the mixer (but I still prefer the DI and the fact that I have the separate volume for it).

However, a couple of weeks ago I bought a '78 Gibson Ripper, a wonderful beast, and tried it on an Ampeg Micro VR stack at the owner's house... you all can imagine, I fell in love with it, with the "grit" of the Ampeg growl.

now I can't get it off my head, buy my feeling are mixed:

1) the Markbass combo is an high quality combo with a wonderful sound and it transmits durability and quality in every inch. I know that I can do whatever I want with this combo and be sure it won't have problems.

2) the Ampeg has a beautiful sound, but I'm afraid it can be undersized for gigs, because of the small size of the cabinet and the "only" 200w @4ohm (I don't want to carry two cabs!).
also it seems a little fragile, like if it was just a toy or a design furniture for the house the Markbass seems much "stronger".

3) I can sell the Markbass at about 550€ (italian price is 830€ when new) and the Ampeg costs on Thomann 555€ new.


do you think that switching from Markbass to the Micro Ampeg can be a mistake?

PS: I don't like the PF350 and PF500 heads, I've tried them in the last years and they sound different from the Micro VR.

 

[JimmyM]

You might have an issue with the Micro VR's output if you're running your Markbass gear at its top clean volume. I used to have a 121p combo and I'm pretty sure it can go louder. But the Micro VR is not a slouch. I have run mine with a 5 before and it's always sounded good to me, and I rarely need to get any louder than I can get out of it cleanly.

I think a trip to Thomann to try both back to back is in order for you.

 

[Pier_]

I think a trip to Thomann to try both back to back is in order for you.

I was thinking of buying the Ampeg stack a try it at home for some days, and in case send it back

it's really hard to decide!

however I guess that I'll have to try both together to understand the actual possibilities.

 

[JimmyM]

I was thinking of buying the Ampeg stack a try it at home for some days, and in case send it back

it's really hard to decide!

however I guess that I'll have to try both together to understand the actual possibilities.

I forgot to tell you about the durability. Now the Ampeg's covered in tolex, which can get damaged easier than rat fur, but there have been a couple times where I dropped my Micro VR head and saw it roll a foot or two down a concrete sidewalk, and it still works after 9 years. It's actually quite a solid build if you ask me.

 

[Sparky Mark]

I have owned the CMD121H combo and still own a Micro VR stack. I wouldn't hesitate to gig the Markbass; it's much more powerful and will go deeper and louder than the Ampeg. With one cab the micro VR is running at 160 watts max: the Markbass combo on its own is 300 watts. I know watts doesn't mean volume but in this case it's a fair comparison. The Markbass is ported with a high quality horn and will outperform the tweeterless sealed medium duty Ampeg SVT210AV in all respects sonically. If you want the Ampeg sound add a tech 21 vt bass pedal in front of the Markbass. I know the vt bass works well for this as I use one with Markbass amps. Ampeg also make pedals that would help but I've never tried them. I love my Micro VR stack for home use and I'm sure it works in some live situations but it's not loud enough for anything I do. Once again I'm not knocking the Ampeg but these two set ups are very very different.

 

[Pier_]

thanks guys!