First gig last night with new Ampeg rig.

gjbassist · #1 07-23-2011, 11:09 AM

Last night was the first time out for my new PF-350 head and PF-115he cabinet. Very happy with how it performed. The tone was tight and punchy. Still plenty of bass without being too thick and boomy. One of the guys in the band said it sounded "crisp" and he really liked it. The other guys in the band were really wowed when I undid the flip top and flipped it over to reveal the amp head.
I can already tell I'm gonna need a second cabinet to keep up with the guitar player's Marshall and the fairly loud drummer. I had the amp cranked pretty full on both gain and volume. I wasn't drowned out by any means but I didn't have much headroom left to play with.

shoot-r · #2 07-23-2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjbassist

Last night was the first time out for my new PF-350 head and PF-115he cabinet. Very happy with how it performed. The tone was tight and punchy. Still plenty of bass without being too thick and boomy. One of the guys in the band said it sounded "crisp" and he really liked it. The other guys in the band were really wowed when I undid the flip top and flipped it over to reveal the amp head.
I can already tell I'm gonna need a second cabinet to keep up with the guitar player's Marshall and the fairly loud drummer. I had the amp cranked pretty full on both gain and volume. I wasn't drowned out by any means but I didn't have much headroom left to play with.

gj,

Do you think that if you'd had the PF500 head running through your single PF115 cabinet it'd have been enough to give you what you wanted or do you think you'd still need another cabinet?

I'm thinking of picking-up the 500 and a single 115 cabinet.

gjbassist · #3 07-23-2011, 11:28 AM

It will really depend on your situation. It would be nice to have the extra power of the 500. I got such a good deal on the 350 I couldn't pass it up though. I think the 500 and a single cabinet would be plenty loud for most gigs.

Dustin Teel · #4 07-23-2011, 11:32 AM

I played the PF-350 head through the SVT-410HLF cab and it was loud enough for gig volume.

allexcosta · #5 07-23-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjbassist

Very happy with how it performed.

(...)

I had the amp cranked pretty full on both gain and volume.

I think it's funny how we all see things in different perspectives. If I ever have to go past 5 on a bass amp I'll buy something else the next morning...

gjbassist · #6 07-23-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin Teel

I played the PF-350 head through the SVT-410HLF cab and it was loud enough for gig volume.

That's a 4 ohm cabinet right? Then you are going to get the full 350 watts. The PF cabs are 8 ohms.

gjbassist · #7 07-23-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allexcosta

I think it's funny how we all see things in different perspectives. If I ever have to go past 5 on a bass amp I'll buy something else the next morning...

Full was a bit of an exaggeration. Probably more like 7. My previous amp was 700 watt so I never had to have the volume higher than 3 or 4. It was a trade off going from a 30lb head in a rack case to an 8lb head that mounts directly to the cabinet.

Buster Brown · #8 07-23-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allexcosta

I think it's funny how we all see things in different perspectives. If I ever have to go past 5 on a bass amp I'll buy something else the next morning...

+1

Pushing it to the limit night after night will not end well........

ButtUglyJeff · #9 07-23-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoot-r

gj,

Do you think that if you'd had the PF500 head running through your single PF115 cabinet it'd have been enough to give you what you wanted or do you think you'd still need another cabinet?

I'm thinking of picking-up the 500 and a single 115 cabinet.

At 8 ohms the PF350 is rated 250 watts, and the PF500 at 8 ohms is rated at 300 watts. So, with one cab, I wouldn't get your hopes up for a gigantic volume boost...

shoot-r · #10 07-23-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtUglyJeff

At 8 ohms the PF350 is rated 250 watts, and the PF500 at 8 ohms is rated at 300 watts. So, with one cab, I wouldn't get your hopes up for a gigantic volume boost...

Yes sir, agreed.

But sometimes alittle more power through the same speaker cabinet will give ya that little extra boost/clean tone that you maybe looking for, if not a huge increase in volume.
I was wondering if that might be the case between a PF 350 head and a PF 500 head.

gj,

Where you able to play through a PF210 cabinet also?
I was wondering how you'd compare the PF115 to the PF210 cabinet.

gjbassist · #11 07-23-2011, 12:24 PM

No I have not played through the PF210. I would like to hear how it sounds as well.

ButtUglyJeff · #12 07-23-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoot-r

Where you able to play through a PF210 cabinet also?
I was wondering how you'd compare the PF115 to the PF210 cabinet.

I have, and thou not exaggerated, all the stereotypes of comparing 10"s to 15"s apply. The 10"s had a bit more mid punch, and the 15" has a bit more bottom, but not by a ton either way. I liked the evenness of the 15"s so much, I got two of them...

gjbassist · #13 07-23-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtUglyJeff

I have, and thou not exaggerated, all the stereotypes of comparing 10"s to 15"s apply. The 10"s had a bit more mid punch, and the 15" has a bit more bottom, but not by a ton either way. I liked the evenness of the 15"s so much, I got two of them...

I am probably gonna go with two of the 15's as well. But I would still like to hear the 210 for comparison.

Scott549 · #14 07-23-2011, 01:46 PM

I've got the PF-115HE -- I think if you've got a loud drummer, a second cabinet is pretty much necessary. Mine sounds quite good paired with an Avatar SB112.

shoot-r · #15 07-23-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtUglyJeff

I have, and thou not exaggerated, all the stereotypes of comparing 10"s to 15"s apply. The 10"s had a bit more mid punch, and the 15" has a bit more bottom, but not by a ton either way. I liked the evenness of the 15"s so much, I got two of them...

With the PF cabinets being sealed designs do you think the PF115 cabinet has a fast transient response similar to the usual quick response associated to a 10" loaded speaker cabinet?

prd004 · #16 07-23-2011, 02:07 PM

Extra headroom is nice, but nothing will give you higher volume like more speaker surface.

I would however, be VERY interested in hearing a PF500 with the single 15 cab. If it sounded anything like a louder version of my B-100R I would buy one in a heartbeat!

ButtUglyJeff · #17 07-23-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoot-r

With the PF cabinets being sealed designs do you think the PF115 cabinet has a fast transient response similar to the usual quick response associated to a 10" loaded speaker cabinet?

From my limited experience, I think so. I played a 410HLF, the same day as my side by side test, and that felt slow by comparison...

shoot-r · #18 07-23-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtUglyJeff

From my limited experience, I think so. I played a 410HLF, the same day as my side by side test, and that felt slow by comparison...

This is what I was hoping to hear!!!

I've a older, blues, bass playin' friend who uses a, (bought new by him), "1960's ?", sealed, 15" E.V. 15L speaker loaded, Portaflex as a speaker cabinet only. He powers it with a old GK 800 head...it sounds huge and fast.
If the PF 115 sounds anything close to it I want two of em' also!!!

JimmyM · #19 07-23-2011, 10:54 PM

Doubling up is the way to go. My Micro VR through the 810 will take your head off. And through my two B-15 cabs, it will also take your head off, though not quite as loud as the 810. Personally, I don't buy into the whole "slow/fast" thing. I play a note, I hear it immediately no matter what cab I use

UncleDomino · #20 07-23-2011, 11:43 PM

I've been playing the PF-350 and PF210 cab, and I get awesome tone and crazy harmonics out of it. But I've read that the 115 would be more bassy? Is there truth to that? And would it still handle harmonics as well as the 210 does?