See, this is why the Micro CL is so intriguing to me. Plus.it looks so damned cool...
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New Ampeg Venture Series
- Thread starter Jtown690
- Start date
Seems more reasonable to get a larger cab then, because more speaker area makes more difference than more amp power.
Edit: Or rather; you can probably get higher volume with a larger cab since your smaller speakers will bottom out and start sounding like crap if you push them harder with a more powerful amp.
/opinion
If your goal is to use a small cab, then using a bigger cab isn't really an option, is it?Seems more reasonable to get a larger cab then, because more speaker area makes more difference than more amp power.
Edit: Or rather; you can probably get higher volume with a larger cab since your smaller speakers will bottom out and start sounding like crap if you push them harder with a more powerful amp.
/opinion
We (at least I) were talking about power of amplifiers. I don't understand your post though; why would you need a more powerful amp if you want to run smaller speakers? Makes no sense at all.
The fan in the VR seems like a problem, at least according to the internet.
I keep flipping between the pf-20t, venture v3 (either one with a Svt-210 av cab), and the micro CL. The latter is cheapest but arguably the least versatile. As Mick Jones said, “This indecision’s bugging me.”
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I looked at more or less the same amplifiers as you do. The PF-20T had me drooling the most, but then I knew I would never get that thing to break up in even mild overdrive at home (20 Watts is LOUD in a small room without ear protection). So what's the point of tubes then?
The Micro CL seems to be the same amp as the older Portaflex solid state series, just with a fancier packaging. And I thought; "would I even consider it if it wasn't for the nice look"? Probably not.
So, left was the V3. Seems like a reasonable compromise, even if it might look a bit silly. As if that should matter at all.
I think this was what made me finally decide, mostly the B15 sounds:
So was I. I assume you're intentionally being dense at this point because you don't want to admit there's a reason to use 700w.
Nope, I just don't understand why there seem to be more people thinking they need 700 or 1200 Watts than 300. If the price difference was minimal, sure. But it isn't.
Me? I'd do fine with 50, but I'm sure 300 would be more than enough if I was still in a band.
Seriously though, there are SO MANY complaints about fan noise. I’m happy to hear that it’s a nothing burger.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,978
- 5
- 220,735
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Different players have different needs. Choose an amp that has enough power to satisfy your needs.
This is true.
I was looking for a small bedroom amp. maybe 50-100 watts. But I ended up with a 800-watt amp and I have be very depressed since
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Got the V3 and have played for an hour or so, and I'm very happy. I run it through an SVT-15E (not the Venture one!) and it gives a great "honk" in the midrange.
I can also conclude that I have zero use for my parallel loop distortion setup with an MXR Timmy and a separate EQ for the clean lows, since the inbuilt "SGT" function sounds really, really good. We're talking tube-like overdrive here, not aggressive distortion. Perfect for adding a bit of "saturation" and hair, but it's not enough for chainsaw distortion unless you drive it with something (boost, active bass, or similar). The character is very natural an pretty smooth. Really sounds like tubes, which is uncommon.
The only real drawback is the sweepable mid control, because you obviously can't affect low mids and high mids in different directions at the same time. A parametric 5 band EQ or similar would have been better and easier to use. However, there are plenty of those that you could get in pedal form and run either in front of the amp, or through the FX loop if necessary.
Interestingly, I like the SVT mode better than B15 mode, even if I definitely felt the opposite when listening to example clips. Maybe it's my woofy 15" cab that needs a bit more top end grit and scooped mids compared to DI or a 410.
As for power, I could probably blow the windows out in my small room. I tried cranking it almost to max, and I bet that would cope with a LOUD drummer, no problem. Maybe not outdoors, but for rehearsal and small club gigs, definitely.
I can also conclude that I have zero use for my parallel loop distortion setup with an MXR Timmy and a separate EQ for the clean lows, since the inbuilt "SGT" function sounds really, really good. We're talking tube-like overdrive here, not aggressive distortion. Perfect for adding a bit of "saturation" and hair, but it's not enough for chainsaw distortion unless you drive it with something (boost, active bass, or similar). The character is very natural an pretty smooth. Really sounds like tubes, which is uncommon.
The only real drawback is the sweepable mid control, because you obviously can't affect low mids and high mids in different directions at the same time. A parametric 5 band EQ or similar would have been better and easier to use. However, there are plenty of those that you could get in pedal form and run either in front of the amp, or through the FX loop if necessary.
Interestingly, I like the SVT mode better than B15 mode, even if I definitely felt the opposite when listening to example clips. Maybe it's my woofy 15" cab that needs a bit more top end grit and scooped mids compared to DI or a 410.
As for power, I could probably blow the windows out in my small room. I tried cranking it almost to max, and I bet that would cope with a LOUD drummer, no problem. Maybe not outdoors, but for rehearsal and small club gigs, definitely.
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Does the V3 have the same taper thing going on with the master control where most of the volume lies beyond the 1-2 o' clock range? I know from experience that the V12 is like that so just wondered if the V3 and potentially the V7 are the same.
You get most apparent gain in volume at the end, so somewhat similar to your description. This is perfect IMO, since it makes it very easy to dial in moderate volumes. On some amps it's almost too loud for home use if you even breathe at the dial when it's at zero.
Now I've played a bunch more and I'm still very happy. I think the V3 was the perfect choice for me even though I only play at home. Some more insights and conclusions since last post...
– The "ultra hi" option is a lot more useful than I though, because it seems to move the working frequency of the treble control upwards. So, if you engage it, you can still tame the treble with the dial and get something that sounds quite different than with ultra high off, without too much top end. This made me begin to use the B15 mode a lot more.
– If I was to run the amp without SGT, I'd definitely want a compressor, because it's very dynamic. SGT adds quite a bit of compression though, so since I use that, the need for an additional compressor is more or less gone (could still be nice for certain sounds). However, it doesn't sound like a compressor. Instead you get only a bit higher volume when you dig in, but more overdrive. Very faithful to what happens when tubes, output transformer and speakers are starting to hit their limits.
This makes it a joy to play dynamically; you can go from sweet, clean tones when playing gently, but without changing any settings you'll get quite far into overdrive by just playing harder. And it's really seamless, with no harsh breakup "threshold" or anything.
– SGT is a different type of overdrive/distortion than I'm used to from pedals. It distorts the low frequencies much more, which makes it "bark" or "snarl", or "growl". On the other hand, sometimes I feel there's not enough sparkle at the top end. Especially when playing basses with flats. This can be remedied with a mild overdrive in front of the amp, in addition to SGT. I think I got one of the best bass sounds I've ever heard or played with, this way (MXR Timmy with clean low end blended in). It's organic and "alive" just like a pushed tube amp. Lovely!
– My SVT 15E clearly has a hump in the frequency response that corresponds to where the "barkiness" is most prominent, so I have to dial out a bit of mid at ~750 Hz to tame it. I suppose the amp could be a better combination with 10" or 12" speakers, but that's just me guessing (based on comparisons of cabs I've heard).
Maaaaaybe I should try it with a 210 AV cabinet instead. Just maybe.
– Based on what I've heard so far, I think this is a great amp if you want an "old school" sound, and a gritty one of those. It sure can do modern too, but that's not its forte. The SGT really makes it into something else than most solid state amps. And most pedals, actually.
– The "ultra hi" option is a lot more useful than I though, because it seems to move the working frequency of the treble control upwards. So, if you engage it, you can still tame the treble with the dial and get something that sounds quite different than with ultra high off, without too much top end. This made me begin to use the B15 mode a lot more.
– If I was to run the amp without SGT, I'd definitely want a compressor, because it's very dynamic. SGT adds quite a bit of compression though, so since I use that, the need for an additional compressor is more or less gone (could still be nice for certain sounds). However, it doesn't sound like a compressor. Instead you get only a bit higher volume when you dig in, but more overdrive. Very faithful to what happens when tubes, output transformer and speakers are starting to hit their limits.
This makes it a joy to play dynamically; you can go from sweet, clean tones when playing gently, but without changing any settings you'll get quite far into overdrive by just playing harder. And it's really seamless, with no harsh breakup "threshold" or anything.
– SGT is a different type of overdrive/distortion than I'm used to from pedals. It distorts the low frequencies much more, which makes it "bark" or "snarl", or "growl". On the other hand, sometimes I feel there's not enough sparkle at the top end. Especially when playing basses with flats. This can be remedied with a mild overdrive in front of the amp, in addition to SGT. I think I got one of the best bass sounds I've ever heard or played with, this way (MXR Timmy with clean low end blended in). It's organic and "alive" just like a pushed tube amp. Lovely!
– My SVT 15E clearly has a hump in the frequency response that corresponds to where the "barkiness" is most prominent, so I have to dial out a bit of mid at ~750 Hz to tame it. I suppose the amp could be a better combination with 10" or 12" speakers, but that's just me guessing (based on comparisons of cabs I've heard).
Maaaaaybe I should try it with a 210 AV cabinet instead. Just maybe.
– Based on what I've heard so far, I think this is a great amp if you want an "old school" sound, and a gritty one of those. It sure can do modern too, but that's not its forte. The SGT really makes it into something else than most solid state amps. And most pedals, actually.
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Advocated for this concept for years … now let’s see this in a Fender Bassman, or Sunn version
About the master volume: The V7 is just like the V3 and V12 (most volume in the second half of the dial.) Gain and SGT Level (if using SGT modes) can add a lot of volume, getting those up makes a big difference in master volume available.
I sometimes wish there were a pair of sweepable mids, Lo and Hi, but alas, it is what it is, an emulator of classic Ampeg designs with the small (but very cool) tweak of making the mid control sweepable. If Ampeg made a Deluxe version of the Venture amp, a pair of sweepable mids and 2 ohm or at least 2.6 ohm stable would be my wishlist. And maybe some cab sims on the line out. I tried a v2 Aguilar AG500 bc it had similar specs but the sound just wasn’t happening for me, way too attenuated in top end, even with Hi boost and treble dimed. Venture amps have all that great top end available if needed.
Btw I noticed recently the B15 mode, besides attenuating some high end, also trims the lowest frequencies a little bit for a bit tighter low end, so if maximum lows is your bent, try no B15 engaged.
I sometimes wish there were a pair of sweepable mids, Lo and Hi, but alas, it is what it is, an emulator of classic Ampeg designs with the small (but very cool) tweak of making the mid control sweepable. If Ampeg made a Deluxe version of the Venture amp, a pair of sweepable mids and 2 ohm or at least 2.6 ohm stable would be my wishlist. And maybe some cab sims on the line out.
I tried a v2 Aguilar AG500 bc it had similar specs but the sound just wasn’t happening for me, way too attenuated in top end, even with Hi boost and treble dimed. Venture amps have all that great top end available if needed.Btw I noticed recently the B15 mode, besides attenuating some high end, also trims the lowest frequencies a little bit for a bit tighter low end, so if maximum lows is your bent, try no B15 engaged.
