Ampeg PF350/500 Part V - Page 45

GregT · #**881** 11-13-2012, 07:54 AM

I had two PF500s and although I never had a problem, I sold one and the other is probably sold on Thursday. I just don't feel the confidence I need to have in an amp. I have no idea what kind of amp I will replace them yet. I wish Ampeg would just get smart and reissue the B100 Rocket. Now those were what Ampeg is all about! Maybe i will just find another used one......

Stompin Tom · #**882** 11-13-2012, 08:56 AM

So, I've actually read much of this thread... and I'm wondering. Why are all the issues with the pf500 and not the pf350?

Steve Dallman · #**883** 11-13-2012, 09:55 AM

One thing I have found out is that this head will not tolerate even a momentary speaker short. Good cables and making sure speakers are plugged in securely before powering up is crucial. The amp needs better short protection. Many/most amps these days have it.

Steve Dallman · #**884** 11-13-2012, 10:14 AM

I ran a Sansamp BDDI Behringer knockoff into my GK1001RB, mostly because I didn't like the quality of the bass spectrum of the GK and the DI added the bass character I like. (I use a programmable Sansamp at church into their GKMB115.) With the PF500, I don't need the BDDI...the tone is fine without it and the DI on the amp works well.

Scramblur · #**885** 11-14-2012, 11:23 AM

I just received the pf500 with 115 cab. One of the motivating factors behind purchasing this stack is portability and it fitting in the trunk of my car. Before I mount the amp to the cabinet, I just have some concerns over the weight of this thing with a single handle, especially as I pull it in and out of my trunk.

I did some searching within the thread and found a couple of people who mounted side handles.

Was hoping for a little feedback as to who regularly travels with this setup and how the single handle is holding up and your experience with it.

**Bass 45** · #**886** 11-14-2012, 11:31 AM

I am glad I put side handles on mine. It is not a heavy combo - but holding it at my side was uncomfortable for my shoulder and I don't like going to the floor to pick it up either. With the side handles, it gave me the feeling that the weight had dropped 50%.

shredhead68 · #**887** 11-14-2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scramblur

Was hoping for a little feedback as to who regularly travels with this setup and how the single handle is holding up and your experience with it.

I lug mine up and down three flights of stairs twice a week. A little awkward, but I've never had any problems with the handle. It's pretty sturdy IMO.

GregT · #**888** 11-14-2012, 01:35 PM

I was probably one of the ones you read about who put the handles on. Mine came straight from Ampeg so they are an exact match. I put them right in line with the top handle so it is balanced. The difference when you carry it is night and day.

Dymond- · #**889** 11-14-2012, 05:38 PM

I think if this amp was any heavier it would need stock side handles, like the 410hlf version. Ive never had any problems with the handle, I think its sturdy enough, its just a pain to lug the amp with the pf500 in it up and down stairs. Just a tad too heavy.

Just got my pf500 back after 2 months (cut out issues). I'm kind of agitated with the low end , it just lacks the warmth that that yba200 all-tube head had. I let myself get used to tubes

Its only the low end (below the A) that really bugs me though, everything else sounds great. Ill get used to it though.

Also, I got some of the official Ampeg covers. Will post pics soon. Haven't used them yet, but they feel like a winter coat

Scramblur · #**890** 11-15-2012, 08:07 AM

GregT, sounds like we are on the same page. I even have the same cab rattle on the C note, an issue I saw you posted in the past. Going to work on getting rid of that tonight.

Those side handles look good. I'd be interested to exactly how you mounted them. Did Ampeg send you the hardware to mount (screws, etc)? Who did you contact to order them?

I'm going to see how it goes with the single handle for awhile.

GregT · #**891** 11-15-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scramblur

GregT, sounds like we are on the same page. I even have the same cab rattle on the C note, an issue I saw you posted in the past. Going to work on getting rid of that tonight.

Those side handles look good. I'd be interested to exactly how you mounted them. Did Ampeg send you the hardware to mount (screws, etc)? Who did you contact to order them?

I'm going to see how it goes with the single handle for awhile.

The handles had no hardware. I measured and remeasured before drilling. I only used deck screws because they really don't get much stress when you divide the weight by 8 screws. I do have t-bolts and nuts sitting here for it also. All I did to get them was call the Loud parts department and they got them to me. The top handle is really just fine, I just wanted it to be easier to lift and it really is. My cabinet rattle was just a loose baffle. The screws were inside.

seamonkey · #**892** 11-15-2012, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Dallman

One thing I have found out is that this head will not tolerate even a momentary speaker short. Good cables and making sure speakers are plugged in securely before powering up is crucial. The amp needs better short protection. Many/most amps these days have it.

What's this mean?
They head suffers permanent damage if you short the speaker wires?

I don't think LOUD would make that mistake.

Scramblur · #**893** 11-15-2012, 12:36 PM

I trust the top handle will hold, its more a matter of lifting and having the leverage to get it into my trunk, up/down stairs etc. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the info!

JimmyM · #**894** 11-15-2012, 01:25 PM

I've had speaker shorts through half-plugged in plugs on my PF350 and Micro VR, and have not had any problems related to it. They actually DO think of that stuff before they design it these days.

EDIT: I should rephrase this...I've never had any damage from a speaker cord halfway plugged in. Whether I had a speaker short, I don't know, but I've done it and had no damage.

okcrum · #**895** 11-15-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonkey

What's this mean?
They head suffers permanent damage if you short the speaker wires?

I don't think LOUD would make that mistake.

I didn't think they could; short proof and RFI control is built into the chipsets for class D now, from the ones I've seen. These cheaper heads' power amps have to be pretty much app note designs.

Scramblur · #**896** 11-16-2012, 06:36 AM

I'm still getting some rattle on the B,C notes. I tightened everything down, some of the screws were a bit loose. Is this normal? I feel as though the cabinet should be nice and clean. At the same rate, the bass makes everything in the room rattle anyway, so am I being over anal?

Once again, I'm new to playing and have only played through smaller practice amps, and just don't know if this is something that comes with the territory.

samjazz · #**897** 11-16-2012, 08:57 AM

I've had a PF-350 for about a year now, I leave it at my Church and use it twice a week as a loud(ish) monitor, I have had no problems with it. I use the Sansamp BDDI (bypassed) to channel to the house and to the PF-350. I use it with the matching 15" PF-115HE and it has a wonderful tone. If I could afford it I would buy the SVT-410HLF to go with the PF-350 as I have never heard anything sound better at those prices than those two together.

Has anyone ever done a statistical analysis of the failure rates of the PF-350 or 500 compared with other brands? Are they really that unusual? What are the actual failure rates (initial, after a year, etc)?

GregT · #**898** 11-16-2012, 05:22 PM

Now that is really a great question SAMJAZZ! I don't think a lot of the failures have been with the PF350. I wonder if I shouldn't keep the cabinet and get a PF350 to replace my PF500. I am one of the people who has never had a failure, but does the PF350 actually have a much better track record?

JimmyM · #**899** 11-16-2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scramblur

I'm still getting some rattle on the B,C notes. I tightened everything down, some of the screws were a bit loose. Is this normal? I feel as though the cabinet should be nice and clean. At the same rate, the bass makes everything in the room rattle anyway, so am I being over anal?

Once again, I'm new to playing and have only played through smaller practice amps, and just don't know if this is something that comes with the territory.

Making stuff in the room rattle is cool. Your cab rattling isn't. Screws will sometimes work themselves loose a little in transit, but it's no big deal and easily fixed.

Frankjohnson · #**900** 11-17-2012, 07:11 AM

Sometimes, moving it to another room to try to figure it out helps.

I had my stuff upstairs in a guest room to practice, and every time I played my fender guitar amp - it would rattle like BBs in a Jar -I just KNEW it was tubes.

It turned out to be something in the room.