Ampeg Micro-VR Head

Preamp: Solid State
Power Amp: MOSFET
Power: 150watts @ 4ohms
EQ: 3-Band
Direct Output (Balanced)
Pad-15dB
Limit
Effects loop

UTILIZATION

the handling is direct and intuitive, adjust an amp can not be simpler.
Once connected, your bass sound no matter what.
the head is small but we are at Ampeg, round sound characteristic of the brand is alive and well.

SOUNDS

it is very versatile, you can both play Funk, Rock Hardrock that (it's live!) you will never be disappointed with the result.
I try with a 15 inch speaker in addition, the sound becomes even more thick.
you can saturate the sound by increasing the drive of the amp (typed his overdrive, not distortion).

OVERALL OPINION

I for 2 years, this little head was in the belly!

believe not get the sound of Ampeg amps worth 2500th, of course, but in this price range, I often spent my money for nothing and for once there is not.
I am highly satisfied with what his issues.

you will find hard to beat in this price range, in terms of practice, handling and sound (Ampeg!!)

Price / Quality unbeatable

It's just an amp transistor 150 w into 8 ohms and 200 W into 4 ohms (or two 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel). The connectiquer: the minimum but sufficient: one input, two outputs HP an effects loop, an XLR DI out. And I think that's all!
Settings: 3-band Equa ==> bass / medium / high.
add a gain and volume and ... That's it!
I was looking for something simple, that captures exactly the sound of my bass. I have used! It's really simple: it connects, you touch a couple of knobs and forward equa Guingand!
The trick cool and useful: the DI! It will serve me so big concert! I plug into the sound system!

The great thing is the weight: a light weight! It is very small, very compact, but it sends really good!
"Detail" more annoying: I find the format "bastard" say it is too large to enter into a laptop bag or tote, and one for the impossible on a fly box type 1 U rack It's a bit negative ...
I love this retro / neo and this side very small and cute ... Too bad that bag is not offered as a bonus!
9 I put aside for this less convenient than other heads (Promethean, GK-200 mb, etc. ...).

UTILIZATION

The manual?! on 2 pages. I flew because it is so simple that the manual is secondary if you know an equation set!
the limit: interesting! It protects your speakers when sending too much power to them. For me it will remain engaged all the time!

Sound: From Ampeg pure juice! It connects and immediately found the grain of SVT. Magic! Of course it is the transistor, but it's good stuffing!
To build quality: the head is beautifully received over! No vinyl or ripped off, no screws that can be unscrewed ... very well finished, it exudes strength. I read in one of the first notice that the sound was not very powerful ... Not true! Connected with two cab sends it seriously! I think it is enough to practice, rehearse and concerts!

Just for info: what is important in an amp, it's not the power of the amp in itself! This is the sensitivity of the / of HP (in dB). Namely, for a difference of 3 dB, the impression of sound reproduction is twice as powerful! So remember to choose HP in good yield (around 100 dB it will nickel!). If you play it in a cab with 8 ohm given for 91 dB SPL (type GK 115 MBE memory) you'll have a little sound! I think that was the case for the person who said play 10 repeated volume!


SOUNDS

For me the following oriented Pluto "old school" music (blues, rock, pop ...) is impeccable! It is not at all on the TC Electronic sound very modern. Here is the "growl" at all stages! I can have sounds very "dub" sound until mid / high to play the plectrum and send! In its register is spot on! Of course he excelled with a good P bass 70's: we had a good back instantly!

If you are looking for a "hi fi" (Markbass, TC Electronic ...) is just the opposite ... though! It is very versatile. The slap: really not bad! For the jazz / rock / blues / funk / punk: the TOP in sound!
The grain is really what Ampeg nine more!

It is very punchy, provides a good reserve of power for most scenes (certainly for the Parc des Princes it will be hot!). Let's face! Let's not take head w 1200 to play in bars!
To give you an idea: with the gain at half the volume and 1 / 10 I was already very strong in me ... Repeated in a cab in 8ohms is 5 / 10 to gain even a little more and 5 / 10 in volume! If you are 10/10 by repeating I think everyone is deaf!
The only concern I have with: beyond 5 / 10 treble cause a "buzz" when I play at home (I have no land, my bass is not shielded). But since the sound is very clear, I leave the treble at 10 or 11 am and I increase the bass and mids: this sound too good!

OVERALL OPINION

For a few days of use. I'm very happy! I had a lot of amp: GK (nice but typed) Trace Elliot (powerful but heavy and very expensive!) Markbass (the worst I've tried: it is very typical, especially the one " deaf "to reserve the Dub only!), Ashdown (very nice but heavy for the Mag 300 (12kg), Hartke (Super! Cheap, powerful, but its a very" cold "incidentally.)
What I like:
versatility / Price (ben for the Ampeg it's still affordable) / The plug next year play / the main strength: weight (4.5 kg) of happiness for the lug / The look (j'adorrrrre!) / Power and punch.
What I like about it: no rack, no cover available for transport / the buzz that has not taken on the ground (I will confirm trying in another room) / I wish I w 250-300 but this is more the psychological side that the real need for power (in fact by dint of playing heads powerful, you get used to play with the volume to 1.5 or there must still turn the ... So it surprises a few!)

Ratio Q / P: Well, in the standard of competition.
I would see in a few weeks so I can confirm all this after a few more repeated and a date.

It's a bass amp transistor, 150 W. Front, came a jack, a mini jack output for headphones and a mini-jack for audio in. Useful if you want to work at night! Behind I do not know too much but is the Line Out XLR.

UTILIZATION

Very few knobs (Gain, Bass, Middle, Trebble, Volume) which really simplifies things. By pushing the gain slightly, we get immediately a warm sound. Two little buttons useful, one that reduced by 15 dB and the other, if it is active you indicate there is a risk that damage your speakers (and if you play with headphones to your ears the way!)

SOUNDS

This little gem very light and handy can really meet a lot of bass player who begins to level. It can be considered a mid-range sound. I, who played in several different styles and my little Ampeg follows me everywhere and I am very satisfied. We can do well and go to hard punk and a little metal. Can be drawn from a warm to the funk and very cozy if there is need. I play with an ESP LTD B154 (a low metalleu, something I'm not playing I do very little) and it goes really well. I use it a Big Muff Pi and Bass Wah Dunlop 105Q Bass and both could really show me what she's capable thanks to the versatility of Ampeg. I take out the low of this gear may be very deep.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for about 6 months and I am satisfied. I spent a lot of hours in the store before falling on it and I really accorché for the price! A quality / price ratio really good. This small and powerful convenience seduce me a lot. The sound is very versatile which is really cool. I probably reffer this choice because it is really a quality product!

transistor
150W into 4 homs
200w 2-homs
basic settings
taken keg
XLR line out

UTILIZATION

configuration very simple and very effective, turn a knob and it affects the sound
English manual, but need not, we understand very quickly

SOUNDS

style = Blues compositions (the Louisiana bayous to the shores of Lake Chicago)
different sounds in the style of the song: sound dry and precise low cons close to his bold and precise to boogie
I play with:
- Fender Deluxe Series - Precision Bass Special
- Fender JazzBass FRETLES
- Yamaha BEX 4C (electro acoustic half case)
- Effects of Hartke Bass Attack


OVERALL OPINION

I just got it
I also own a Hartke 3500 with 4x10 and a Hartke 2500 with 1x12
I like the Ampeg but too heavy to bear, so the microphone SVT a real treat and very easy to add sound.

I know, hardliners will say is no lamps, only 150W ... nanana nanana and ... I let them say it's not bringing my gear and bought it for me.

A bit expensive in my opinion but it is entering the world Ampeg.Je prefers to combos, so I would take a second baffle 2x10.