Ampeg PF-500? Do I need 500 watts at all?

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

Its important to take a step back. The OP was asking about the volume difference between a 350 and 500 watt amp, and has gotten suggestions for even more wattage.

Wattage is not as important as the capability of your cab. If your cabs are the limiting factor, it doesnt matter how powerful your amp is. A 210 with a 350 watt amp is going to be as lout as a 210 with a 1,000 watt amp.

Now compare that with two 810's. A 300 watt amp into those cabs will be loud, really loud. A 1,000 watt amp amp will be louder.

So to the OP's initial question: Do you need the more powerful amp? I would say yes, but not specifically for the additional power. The features of the PF-500 outshine the PF-350 imho. Will you make use of the additional power? That depends on the cabs you use.

All good points, my post was somewhat tongue-in-cheek (as I'm selling my SVT7), but the gist of the comment was sincere. Yes. You can't separate the discussion of the amp and cabinet(s) completely.

Loud is relative. What you may consider a "loud" situation, I may not. Even with a description of the band configuration and their gear, it can be hard to pin down.

I've had a small range of amps over the last year, including a couple of 200 watters (GK and Overton) and a PF500. I played them all out, and they all worked in the situations I used them in. I was playing with a guitarist with a Marshall half-stack and a beat-the-crap-out of the drums and cymbals drummer. The guitarist claimed he couldn't get "his sound" without cranking it.

I didn't keep it long, but the PF500 and one 212 was fine in some situations and with two 212s or a 410, it was probably capable of giving anything I could ask of it in the situations I had. It also delivered great middle-of-the-road tone...unremarkable by itself, but just a beautiful thing, in the mix. I could also see feeling like I was pushing it, which just as a personal preference, I don't feel completely comfortable with.

All things being equal, my preference would be to have a more than capable cabinet or cabinet pair and a more than capable head, so that I can feel comfortable that I can easily meet any need I have. For me, I never felt so prepared for anything as with the SVT-7 PRO and GB Uber 410. I can't say exactly what role the overhead plays in the ultimate "feel" there (I don't gig enough to make that many comparisons), but while the PF500 would have been able to be as loud as I've actually gigged with the SVT7, I can't believe that parts of the feel would have been the same. Maybe that's a false speculation ¯\(°_°)/¯

And someone else can come along and say "I play loud and a 410 doesn't cut it for me."

[mattbass6945]

all good points and i'll take that svt 7! let me see......i have $8.67. let me check under the couch, i'll be right back.......

[CL400Peavey]

Dr. P Im right there with you on relative loudness. My main rig is either a 400 watt tube head, or a 1600 watt pre/power set up with a fEARful 1515/66. The PF-500 isnt enough for me to gig with, but it is a nice amp none the less.

[mattbass6945]

there is a lot to learn about "relative loudness" and it can be an expensive experiment at times. good thing this community is here. i've learned a lot here.

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by mattbass6945

all good points and i'll take that svt 7! let me see......i have $8.67. let me check under the couch, i'll be right back.......

Ha, I didn't say the price was that good

[mattbass6945]

can't blame a guy for tryin'!

[KrisHayes]

To be honest, I've played gigs to hundreds with a PF-500 and just the 1x15" cab with no problem, never run it past 7. Plenty of push.

[RickenBoogie]

The OP is now talking about a GK1001RB head paired with a couple of 2x10's. My opinion is, the amp will be perfect, but I'd not waste time with 2x10's if loud is the goal. The idea to look into an 810 is a good one, as would a 215, or equivelant. Key here is speakers, and plenty of 'em. Their diameter is less important.

[mattbass6945]

+1

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

The OP is now talking about a GK1001RB head paired with a couple of 2x10's. My opinion is, the amp will be perfect, but I'd not waste time with 2x10's if loud is the goal. The idea to look into an 810 is a good one, as would a 215, or equivelant. Key here is speakers, and plenty of 'em. Their diameter is less important.

+1

[IPYF]

Originally Posted by borderwang

So I came across a GK 1001RB 750W head, Neo 210 cabinet with horn, and an extra 210 combo cabinet for cheaper than the rig described in the original post. Definitely a better deal, but I'm not too sure if I can get a good sludge sound on a GK. Anyone have any experience? Thank you very much for the suggestions and tips, I'm definitely steering away from the SVT18 cab

Just buy this. I play driven metal on a 1001 and I'm a happy devil. If you can actually get a used 1001 + a neo + another 210 for less than a Portaflex and a 118 you should pounce on this before some other clever cat does.

[Downunderwonder]

If it's not dirty enough you can dirty it up with a pedal as much or as little as you like. If your band is over the level you can get from a vertical ten stack your band is too damn loud, frequently the case.

[mattbass6945]

1001rb, 8x10, vt pedal. problem solved.

[stiles72]

For sludge rock I would go with a pair of PF410HLF cabs over the PF115's, or look for a good used 810 fridge.

[vishuddha]

Please don't put a 410 on a 115. Please. Unless you plan on buying TWO heads.

Get a 215 cab for sludge... 810s are definitely an option as well. Probably gonna want between 600 and 800w for sludge. Match cab sizes... 2 410s or 2 115. Go Ampeg if you don't feel like building a fEARful/nEARful/BFM and spending a grand or so. I saw an Ampeg 215 fridge at GC for $400, and I've seen 810s go for $450 on CL in Austin. Go figure.