New bass amp Hartke vs Ampeg

[goformickey]

My Hartke HA3500 has died. (Hopefully should be able to get fixed!)

It got me thinking about a new amp though, because I came across the ampeg portaflex range. Obviously the brand ampeg caught my eye, but are they any good?

Every video I find of them, they're set suuuuuper quiet and I find it hard to tell if the tone is actually any good. I've also heard people say they're too quiet.

I've been using the hartke 350watt head, and I was looking at the portaflex 350watt head. People say the portaflex is way too quiet for a gig. Yet I use my Hartke head in gigs with 200ish people regulary, and even once with 1500 people with no issue. Will I get the same result with the ampeg? Which sounds better?

I play through a hartke vx410 cab, with 400watt handling.

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by goformickey

My Hartke HA3500 has died. (Hopefully should be able to get fixed!)

It got me thinking about a new amp though, because I came across the ampeg portaflex range. Obviously the brand ampeg caught my eye, but are they any good?

Every video I find of them, they're set suuuuuper quiet and I find it hard to tell if the tone is actually any good. I've also heard people say they're too quiet.

I've been using the hartke 350watt head, and I was looking at the portaflex 350watt head. People say the portaflex is way too quiet for a gig. Yet I use my Hartke head in gigs with 200ish people regulary, and even once with 1500 people with no issue. Will I get the same result with the ampeg? Which sounds better?

I play through a hartke vx410 cab, with 400watt handling.

Of all the micros that I have currently tried, the PF-500 is my favorite.

[goformickey]

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

Of all the micros that I have currently tried, the PF-500 is my favorite.

Can it definitely push out a ton of volume?

[tekdiver500ft]

The PF-500 is an outstanding head, and plenty loud. It also has a fair amount of that certain something that makes Ampeg Ampeg.

With that being said, a lot (maybe even most) of your tone comes from your cab, so even the PF-500 will sound somewhat like a Hartke.

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by goformickey

Can it definitely push out a ton of volume?

I didnt try it with my 4 Ohm cab. With my 15/6 fEARful it was loud enough to have the GC manager tell me to turn it down.

[goformickey]

Has anyone used the 350watt version? because that's what I'd most likely get, since I don't want to risk 500watts into my 400watt cab.

Anyone tried both the HA3500 and the PF-350?

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by goformickey

Has anyone used the 350watt version? because that's what I'd most likely get, since I don't want to risk 500watts into my 400watt cab.

Anyone tried both the HA3500 and the PF-350?

Thats an 8 ohm cab so you would only be getting 300-350 watts.

[tekdiver500ft]

The PF-500 puts out 300 watts at 8 ohms, so you're fine with your cab. The PF-350 puts out 200 watts at 8 ohms. This is a noticeable, but not huge, difference in volume. The main difference is the character of the two. They each have a distinctive voice, so try them both to know which you prefer.

[gjbassist]

Originally Posted by goformickey

Has anyone used the 350watt version? because that's what I'd most likely get, since I don't want to risk 500watts into my 400watt cab.

Is your cabinet 4 or 8 ohms? If it's 8 then the PF350 is only 250 watts at 8 ohms. The PF500 is 300 at 8 ohms. Either will be fine. I had the PF350. It was a very good sounding little amp but I had to crank it pretty hard to be heard at gig volume. If I were going that route again I would go ahead and get the PF500 for the extra power and extra features.

[stevoo01]

Ok, I think I can help you with this one. I have the same Hartke head you have, HA3500 great amp! Thought I would like to try the PF350 and use the Hartke as a backup. Well I just sent the #2 Ampeg PF350 back to AMS and ordered the Hartke LH500. The Ampeg PF's sound great if you can get one to function more than one night! First one cut out at half volumn settings right out of the box, sent it back got a second new one, performed well one night although 3:00 volumn was about 10:00 on my old Hartke. Last night at practice the PF350 volumn dropped in half and would not recover. I have had enough, Ampeg/Loud industries need to pull these things off the market, they have serious defects in the design or manufacture! Shame on them. For me it's HARTKE all the way now, and Larry Hartke is here if you have any problems! Sorry Jimmy' I tried but Ampeg needs to fess up and admit their mistake with the class d PF series and correct it.

[JimmyM]

Sorry you had problems, bro, but my PF350 has been a tank since I got it and hasn't cut out once, and I've tried. I do see the stuff in the other threads, but what can I tell you? I've had good luck with mine.

I see this as very much an apples oranges thing. Hartke has their thing, Ampeg has theirs. Have nothing but good to say about both of them. I will say, though, if you're planning on being balls loud with a micro style amp, I would consider getting as much wattage as you can afford. That seems to work better for really loud bass players no matter what micro you get.

[dirtytone]

If you upgrade get the HA5500 and some good ampeg cabs.. Change out your stock tube in the pre amp. I use a jj tesla hg. Kills for everything. Hahaha. Just IMO.