Ampeg PF-500 vs. SVT7PRO

onosson · #1 12-01-2011, 08:19 AM

I've been looking at these two heads online, and wondering if anyone here has compared them in real life? I don't have access to them in my city, but I've got a PF-500 on order right now (with a great return policy if I don't like it).

I'm just wondering, aside from the preamp tube in the SVT7PRO, if there are any substantial differences between these two amps, aside from output power of course. I have never used a 500 watt amp that hasn't been more than enough volume for me, so I'm hoping the PF-500 will cover me there - I've never used a Class D amp before either, so I don't know from experience, at least.

These two heads seem to be the same as far as the front panel layout goes, so I'm wondering if they are voiced pretty much the same? I generally like an Ampeg tone, though I like it pretty clean with just a little bit of dirt for the funky stuff (plucking, but not slapping). I've found with tube heads it's harder to get the clean sound at the volume I like, so I've always been a solid-state guy, but my Eden and Hartke heads have preamp tubes (they're not there for drive anyways).

So, anyone who has compared these two heads and would care to comment on them, please do so!

christw · #2 12-01-2011, 10:09 AM

My PF500 certainly comes from the same tone school as a SVT, V4BH, among others. Is it the same? Not exactly. Close enough for being 70 lbs lighter? You bet! The controls feel quite familiar, as do their EQ points. For an Ampeg user, it felt right at home.

JimmyM · #3 12-01-2011, 10:14 AM

PF500 is excellent sounding, but the 7 Pro, while having a somewhat similar preamp + a tube, steps it up to a noticeable degree. Totally worth the extra $400 IMHO, but quite a bit of overkill for my purposes, so I happily stick with the PF350 until they come out with the PF350 Tube

onosson · #4 12-01-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

PF500 is excellent sounding, but the 7 Pro, while having a somewhat similar preamp + a tube, steps it up to a noticeable degree. Totally worth the extra $400 IMHO, but quite a bit of overkill for my purposes, so I happily stick with the PF350 until they come out with the PF350 Tube

I'm thinking it would be overkill for me too - I only run a 410 cab rated at about 600 watts (4 ohms) so I don't need the power of the 7PRO. Are they planning to put tube pres in the PF series, or is that just wishful thinking?

tombowlus · #5 12-01-2011, 12:48 PM

I have both units in for review (the 7Pro will be in our next issue, and the PF500 in the following issue), and I did compare them (along with some other Ampeg heads). From the middle to upper mids on up, the 7Pro and the PF500 have a lot of tonal similarities, but from the low mids on down, the 7Pro really does stand out as being more thick and full (even at the same volume). From a strict performance perspective, it's the 7Pro all the way, and the extra cash is money well spent, IMHO. But if the weight or form factor is an issue, or if you simply don't have the extra funds to step up the 7Pro, the PF500 has nothing to be ashamed of whatsoever. Two great options, in my book.

Here's a little teaser photo from my comparison:

christw · #6 12-01-2011, 01:04 PM

The 7Pro seems to have been what I really should have bought considering how much juice my Bag End rig can take but I have no regrets with the PF500. I'll mate it to two PF115 or my Bag End 610's of doom and smile.

JimmyM · #7 12-01-2011, 11:51 PM

That's a healthy looking stack of amps! Still haven't got to try the 8 Pro, dang it! Oh well, not like I'm in the market.

shredhead68 · #8 12-01-2011, 11:59 PM

OP states that he's wanting to run a 4ohm 410 cab rated at 600W. Will the PF500 be adequate Jimmy ? (IYO) I had someone tell me that it would likely not be loud enough to hang with 2 guitarists with half-stacks. Thoughts ?

JimmyM · #9 12-02-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredhead68

OP states that he's wanting to run a 4ohm 410 cab rated at 600W. Will the PF500 be adequate Jimmy ? (IYO) I had someone tell me that it would likely not be loud enough to hang with 2 guitarists with half-stacks. Thoughts ?

Sure, it'll be adequate and then some. It's a 500w head.

**jmattbassplaya** · #10 12-02-2011, 12:10 AM

Personally, I found the PF's to sound really thin and weak compared to basically every other Ampeg head.

onosson · #11 12-02-2011, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredhead68

OP states that he's wanting to run a 4ohm 410 cab rated at 600W. Will the PF500 be adequate Jimmy ? (IYO) I had someone tell me that it would likely not be loud enough to hang with 2 guitarists with half-stacks. Thoughts ?

There's no way I'm taking any gigs with 2 guitarists with half-stacks!

onosson · #12 12-02-2011, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Personally, I found the PF's to sound really thin and weak compared to basically every other Ampeg head.

Guess I'll see when I get it - thankfully, Long & McQuade has a pretty fantastic return policy, usually no questions asked.

JimmyM · #13 12-02-2011, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Personally, I found the PF's to sound really thin and weak compared to basically every other Ampeg head.

I'm guessing you put all the knobs straight up and had the gain too low.

Blah114 · #14 12-02-2011, 07:29 AM

I have compared the two and to me, there's little comparison. The PF500 is really well-priced. However, it did not have enough power for me and was very noisy because I had to crank up the gain and volume. For a coffee house band or a band with a good PA, where you ALWAYS do DI, the PF500 is fine.. but on its own, the PF500 does not compare to the SVT7 PRO.. but look at the pricing.. The SVT 7 can be had for $650 new.. the PF500 is around $400.. for what it is, the PF500 is a steal, but it does not cut through a mix on its own, in a live band setting. Plus it was noisy.. I returned it.

Blah114 · #15 12-02-2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I have both units in for review (the 7Pro will be in our next issue, and the PF500 in the following issue), and I did compare them (along with some other Ampeg heads). From the middle to upper mids on up, the 7Pro and the PF500 have a lot of tonal similarities, but from the low mids on down, the 7Pro really does stand out as being more thick and full (even at the same volume). From a strict performance perspective, it's the 7Pro all the way, and the extra cash is money well spent, IMHO. But if the weight or form factor is an issue, or if you simply don't have the extra funds to step up the 7Pro, the PF500 has nothing to be ashamed of whatsoever. Two great options, in my book.

Here's a little teaser photo from my comparison:

to me, the 4 blows all of them away, combined..

rummy · #16 12-02-2011, 07:33 AM

I have the 7 and a 410. I keep up just fine with two half stacks.

onosson · #17 12-02-2011, 08:01 AM

Glad I opened this thread, lots of good info here ....

How do you guys find the gain on these two amps? I like a fairly clean tone - most of the "grind" I get is just the natural sound from my strings which are rounds and with fairly low action. I don't like to get much dirt from my amp at all, so how much clean headroom do these two have?

christw · #18 12-02-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blah114

The SVT 7 can be had for $650 new.. the PF500 is around $400.. for what it is, the PF500 is a steal, but it does not cut through a mix on its own, in a live band setting. Plus it was noisy.. I returned it.

I've never seen an SVT 7 for that price without special sales. I could've had one for $640 on "black friday" or "cyber monday" but that's all I know of.

JimmyM · #19 12-02-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onosson

Glad I opened this thread, lots of good info here ....

How do you guys find the gain on these two amps? I like a fairly clean tone - most of the "grind" I get is just the natural sound from my strings which are rounds and with fairly low action. I don't like to get much dirt from my amp at all, so how much clean headroom do these two have?

Obviously the 7 Pro has a lot more, but I got plenty out of the PF500.

sevenorchids · #20 12-02-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

I've never seen an SVT 7 for that price without special sales. I could've had one for $640 on "black friday" or "cyber monday" but that's all I know of.

I got mine new in box for $550, so it can happen from time to time. I'll admit that was one of the best deals that I have ever had on new gear, though.

Paired it with a couple of PF-15HE's. Very, very nice.

I had a PF500 at one time but I jumped the SVT-7 PRO deal when it came up and that made the PF500 expendable. They do cover a lot of the same ground. If you can swing it, the SVT-7 PRO just has a bit "more" of everything. The PF500 is a GREAT value though!