Ampeg PF350/500 Part VI - Page 9

shredhead68 · #**161** 02-04-2013, 11:18 AM

An old friend of mine invited me to rehearse with the new band he's putting together (streetpunk/oi! music) last Sunday. I took the PF500 and PF115HE, wondering all the while if I should have brought a second cabinet. The rehearsal space is really small so space is a bit limited. Guitarist plays a 100W Marshall through a 412 cab and likes to play LOUD and I gotta say, my rig hung right in there ! I'm still getting used to my new G&L L2000 - it's quite a bit more powerful than the MIM P I'd been playing. I was surprised at how much more volume is available when I switched to playing with a pick too ! I think I'll take the PF210HE as well once we start playing gigs but for practice, the 115 did just fine. I'll admit, I had to crank it on up (both the volume and the gain knobs) pretty high, but no farting, no cutouts, and no difficulty hearing myself at all. These little Portaflex rigs kick some azz !

fivestringgecko · #**162** 02-05-2013, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredhead68

I'll admit, I had to crank it on up (both the volume and the gain knobs) pretty high, but no farting, no cutouts, and no difficulty hearing myself at all. These little Portaflex rigs kick some azz !

They certainly do. Something to remember is that I'm not the only one who has reported the experience that the 500 likes to have it's knobs turned. Overall volume seems to go up slower before 12:00 and quite a bit quicker after. I've found this amp to really sing at about 2:00.

5sg.

Bethelbass1 · #**163** 02-05-2013, 09:29 PM

Just ordered a pf-500 an 2x10he. I'm picking it up on Saturday. I'm very excited, but also happy I purchased to comprehensive warranty from GC.

JvN · #**164** 02-06-2013, 09:23 AM

Good choice. Congrats!

96tbird · #**165** 02-06-2013, 05:19 PM

Oh boy! Just ordered a PF350 head for 199.99 and free shipping! I've needed something for rehearsal so I can leave it there. Didn't want to take my v4b and cabs there and leave them, so I was using my 80 watt living room amp; back and forth. Now I'll just take my 210 down that basement and leave it. Ill take the head home to keep it outta the hands of his kids. Psyched! I hope it's a good unit like JimmyM says; I'm such an Ampeg fanboy 8p

JvN · #**166** 02-06-2013, 11:12 PM

It is, though I must admit it weirdly takes some dialing to take out the overkill of lows when used with a '71 straightback 810. Funny to say about a SS amp, but that's the only moment with my PF500 when I dearly miss the directness, clarity, cut-through tone and control of my '71 SVT or V-4B. Through the headphones and with the more modern cabs/combos of my rehearsal studio it directly has a clear tone of its own.

JimmyM · #**167** 02-07-2013, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96tbird

Oh boy! Just ordered a PF350 head for 199.99 and free shipping! I've needed something for rehearsal so I can leave it there. Didn't want to take my v4b and cabs there and leave them, so I was using my 80 watt living room amp; back and forth. Now I'll just take my 210 down that basement and leave it. Ill take the head home to keep it outta the hands of his kids. Psyched! I hope it's a good unit like JimmyM says; I'm such an Ampeg fanboy 8p

As always, YMMV, but I think it's a killer little amp that's pretty easy to use. But I guess you know that already

MyDogSkIp · #**168** 02-07-2013, 09:08 AM

Ampeg PF500 fault indicator

Still waiting on prepaid shipping label from GC Service

Spleenface92 · #**169** 02-07-2013, 03:51 PM

Mine works extremely well and I flat out love it. My only complaint is the height of the thing...I can't hear it that well on stage. Everyone in the audience tells me they hear it, though, so I'm happy. I want to add a second 115 just to bring it up to full 500 watts.
Here's it at my most recent show:

VanillaThundah · #**170** 02-07-2013, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spleenface92

Mine works extremely well and I flat out love it. My only complaint is the height of the thing...I can't hear it that well on stage. Everyone in the audience tells me they hear it, though, so I'm happy. I want to add a second 115 just to bring it up to full 500 watts.
Here's it at my most recent show:
[pic]
[pic]

Nice Ric!....and shoes too!

fivestringgecko · #**171** 02-07-2013, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spleenface92

Mine works extremely well and I flat out love it. My only complaint is the height of the thing...I can't hear it that well on stage.

I've had the same issue, but not just with my PF setup... it can happen with any smaller amp. With my PF115 in particular, I've taken the back wheels off and it tilts back, which definitely helps. Adding a second cab underneath solves the problem of course. lol

5sg.

Spleenface92 · #**172** 02-07-2013, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanillaThundah

Nice Ric!....and shoes too!

hah thanks! People are often disappointed when I don't bring the Ric to gigs....and fun story on the shoes: I was working at a fast food place in the mall and my girlfriend visited me. I gave her my debit card and pin, told her "pick me up new shoes. I want high top converse, black or green, size 9". She came back with those. Best girlfriend ever.

bassguppy · #**173** 02-07-2013, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyDogSkIp

Ampeg PF500 fault indicator

Still waiting on prepaid shipping label from GC Service

You may have better luck letting GC know your still waiting for that label.

MyDogSkIp · #**174** 02-07-2013, 10:02 PM

They notified me today that I could have it repaired myself for a reimbursement or wait ANOTHER 24 to 48 hrs for a PP shipping label to be emailed. Wow, I wonder how long it would take to get reimbursed??? In the mean time, the Gallien-Krueger MB200 I ordered as a new back-up amp 2 days ago, will be here sooner than this damn shipper. So far GC Pro Coverage is turning into another epic FAIL, and the PF500 H/S is becoming more and more costly.

60bass · #**175** 02-07-2013, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyDogSkIp

They notified me today that I could have it repaired myself for a reimbursement or wait ANOTHER 24 to 48 hrs for a PP shipping label to be emailed. Wow, I wonder how long it would take to get reimbursed??? In the mean time, the Gallien-Krueger MB200 I ordered as a new back-up amp 2 days ago, will be here sooner than this damn shipper. So far GC Pro Coverage is turning into another epic FAIL, and the PF500 H/S is becoming more and more costly.

Have you contacted Ampeg rather than going thru GC? I'd think Ampeg would be better and possibly faster for warranty service.

JimmyM · #**176** 02-08-2013, 12:24 AM

GC warranty service blew when I tried to get a Markbass combo I used to have repaired 4 years ago. Said they'd call me with a number and UPS location the next day to drop it off, and 5 days later I ended up calling them. They did come up with a location and number the next day after that, but still, was not happy. I never do extended warranties. Legalized gambling.

MyDogSkIp · #**177** 02-08-2013, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60bass

Have you contacted Ampeg rather than going thru GC? I'd think Ampeg would be better and possibly faster for warranty service.

No I haven't, but maybe I should.

60bass · #**178** 02-08-2013, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyDogSkIp

No I haven't, but maybe I should.

Yep do it :thumbup:

PrietoBass · #**179** 02-08-2013, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyDogSkIp

No I haven't, but maybe I should.

Well, you paid for "pro coverage", and IMO, you should hold them accountable for their end of the deal. Give them heck if you have to, but don't forsake your rights.

I had problems with an Acoustic B450, and GC was giving me the runaround. To make a long story short, the local GC manager just told me to bring it to the store and gave me a credit. That is how I got my PF-350.

The folks at my local GC are great people and I won't hesitate to buy there. However, for major purchases I have found Sweetwater to be head and shoulders above GC, both in terms of quality of merchandise and in customer service. And with Sweetwater you get 2 years extended warranty free.

I don't buy extended warranties anymore either. I let others be beta-testers, and if the product has too much negative buzz ("failures") I won't buy it.

Used to be quality was a "given", now they want to sell you crap, and you have to pay for QA in the form of an extended warranty... >:-(

96tbird · #**180** 02-08-2013, 06:51 AM

Extended warranties are how big box stores extort full retail out if you. Uncle Jerry's music shoppe ltd. just charges a fair price without telling you a horror story about imploding gear and your need for protection. The fact with discrete electronic components is that they are good or they're not. Some are manufactured with internal flaws. Usually the flaw exhibits itself very rapidly in the life of the product; we are talking electricity and either dead shorts or loss of conductivity in a tiny capacitor, resistor, etc. flaws like that exhibit in a very short time. Well within the manufacturers warranty period, unless you just don't turn it on much. How often do you hear of electronics that are frequently used suddenly not working after someone has had it two years? I don't mean a smoke job, I mean just not working? Not often because the components are all up to snuff with no internal Manu flaws so the thing works great. After that, modern SMT micro components are extremely reliable.

Extended retailer warranties are bunk and are a waste of your cash. Just deal with Ampeg service center directly.