Ampeg PF-115lf cab alternatives

[MP87]

Short version: Are there any suggestions for better value alternatives for a PF-115lf that are light?

Long: I have a PF-500 head. I like it. Has worked flawlessly for 8 months. I currently have an old yorkville 410 cabinet (it says "Stage 410B", 8 ohm, 300 watts) that I bought used for cheap. I find it heavy and awkward at 85 pounds. It barely fits in the front seat of my two door car, doesn't fit in trunk. This has been my first real rig.

I run the PF-500 at these settings: compression usually 9 o'clock,gain at noon, bass at 1-2, mid at 2-3, treble 10 o'clock. For practices with the band I have the master volume usually at 1, sometimes 2 o'clock. The guitarist uses a 40watt fender 112 tube combo, sometimes with an additional extension cab.

I want a new cab(s) to make use of the PF-500 full wattage, maybe some more volume at no PA gigs, and definitely something smaller and lighter. Also don't want anything that would fart out if the master volume gets pushed up to 75%. My current 410 sounds funny if I crank the PF-500 past 3 o'clock at the settings I mentioned.

I'm thinking two PF-115lf. I just want to know if these are all hype, or are they really worth $350 a pop? I think two of these cabs will meet my criteria above. I have checked the measurements and I think I could stuff one in the back seat with my guitar and amp, and the other in the front seat.

However, if they are a product of slick marketing (they do look really cool), is there a better value alternative cab or pair of cabs that I could go with? I wouldn't mind spending a bit more. A pair of 115lf would be $700+, I think I could convince the wife to go as high as $1000. I would also love to find a good deal on a used cab, but it would be a miracle to find a used pair of portable/light matching 115 or 210 s.

Thanks be to talkbass for wisdom and patience.

[CL400Peavey]

The PF 115 LF is my favorite Ampeg cab currently. Two of those with a PF-500 would be pretty slick. I would not recommend pairing a 210 and a 115 for a multitude of reason that are covered in about 300 threads already. For $350 new you would be hard pressed to beat the PF-115LF.

[lokikallas]

Sounds like a nice rig, but the 15s have a distinctly different sound than a 410. If its the sound you want then you'll have a perfect setup. 1 cab will get you by in most situations. If you look carefully you might find a killer deal on used gear, even a pair of 15s.

[MP87]

Thanks for the input so far. I've found lots of info on the 115he but not so much on the 115lf. I definitely want to play it first to get a hands on idea of the sound compared to the 410. And I don't plan on mixing 15s and 10s.

[Grateful]

My rig is 2 of the 115LF cabs that I power with a PF500. I've not yet needed to/had a chance to run them both together yet, but I haer used a single cab a few times, including a gig. I dig the cab a lot. It handles my low B just fine and with plenty of volume.

Despite being a 10" speakers guy for the last few years, I wasn't wowwed by the 210he when I played it at Guitard Center, especially with a 5 string. But they did not have a 115he or a 115LF to demo (big shock there ). Seeing as I usually roll the tweeters off on my cabs anyway, I figured the 115LF was worth a shot, with a return policy. It's been great. It replaced a non-Ampeg 4x10 that I was hauling around.

Note: as mentioned in previous posts, this is a great cab if you are not a slapper or in need of tweeters. For me, it has plenty of brightness and delivers that older school tone that I am after.

[MP87]

I am not much of a slapper. Is the vintage old school sound really noticeable? Can the 115lf do modern rock sound? Based on my limited experience with 15" I am still not sold on these. The problem is the stores in my area only have these on special order. I want to like them.

I am now thinking a pair of Avatar B210. Modular, light (neo), mighty loud, and I know I like 10s....

[JimmyM]

The speaker size has nothing to do with the sound of any cab. If it did, all cabs with 10"s would sound alike, all cabs with 15"s would sound alike, etc.

[Thundar]

I also have 2 of the Ampeg 115 LFs, and I have to say I am really pleased with them. I power mine with an SVT 7Pro and they hold down the low end very well, as well as the highs too...which surprised me since they have no tweeter. Yes, they can do modern rock or any other sound...I have used 810's, 410's, 210's, 12's, 212's, 15's, 215's, etc and never really found that one cab does a particular sound or genre better than another...I think its just what your ear gets accustomed to. Of course there are some cabs that out-perform others. If youre looking for lightweight cabs, how about two 12" cabs? However, if youre wanting 2 relatively lightweight cabs that will compete on-stage then I dont think you can go wrong with the 115 LFs.

[MP87]

Cool. Thanks for the advice guys. Called the store today. They are ordering some pf115lf in so I'll test them out soon.

I think the Avatar route is a no for now since shipping to Canada puts a big dent on cost savings there.

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by MP87

I think the Avatar route is a no for now since shipping to Canada puts a big dent on cost savings there.

That's a shame...Maybe you can find them used and shipped to you and save big time. Avatar 210 cabinets come up for sale in the T.B. classifieds at times.

I've two Avatar Neo 210 cabinets, I've also a PF-115 cabinet.
The Avatar's I use at gigs, the PF is used at rehearsals.
I "really" like my PF-115 cab (especially since I've made some changes to it).....I "REALLY LOVE" my two 210 Avatar cabs.

[RadioRob]

What about pairing a 115HE with the 115LF?
I have the HE and want another cab for more sound when needed.
For the fun of it I had my 115HE and added my crate 410 400w with my PF-500 and it had allot of punch but is impractical because of size and weight.