Thinking about going back to a small head - ampeg pf500 vs Carvin bx500

[NickfromSOS]

My current rig has a BBE Bmax preamp into either a crown xls1000 or qsc plx1804 amp into a bag end sx15-d and a s15-d cabs. Both are rated at 200/400 watts at 8ohms. I love the lightweight and portability of the set up, but I'm thinking the tone is alittle sterile for my tastes. I used to own a little mark 2 and I loved it's warmth. I was thinking of picking up either an ampeg pf500 or a carvin bx500. I've read good and bad about both. I play cover rock in small to medium bars.

[cableguy]

I think out of the box the PF-500 would have a warmer tone. I've never played the BX500 (but I do want one) and I hear it's more of a transparent sounding amp. The ampeg also has a pre/post DI where the Carvin has pre only.

[MyMusic]

No experience with the Ampeg, but I've been using the Carvin BX500 for the last 11 mos. and I love it. It has a lot of eq options so it should be easy to find a sound you like. Try both and see which works for you.

[u84six]

Why not keep the power amp and look for a warmer sounding preamp? That's the whole Idea of being modular and it looks like you already have enough power.

[::::BASSIST::::]

My guess is that the Ampeg would likely be more reliable than the bx500. I've read numerous accounts of the bx500 having problems. That said, I have its bigger brother the bx1500 and its never given me a problem... I like it alot.

[NickfromSOS]

I've tried the ampeg and I liked it a lot. No place to try the carvin around here unless someone on long island has one I could try.

[jeff7bass]

I have the Ampeg PF-350 and a Carvin BX250 and like them both. The Ampeg has “that” tone which is big on the bottom and crispy in the highs. Works well with my Bass Lines equipped Peavey Scorpio bass EQ’d for ballsy rock.
The Carvin responds quickly with punch and more going on in the mids. The Carvin seems louder, but it seems to be a GAIN stage thing for the Ampeg. They want you to turn up the gain on the Ampeg to get THE tone. The gain (or DRIVE) on the Carvin sounds great at 12:00. The Ampeg sounds great around 2:00.
I like the 5-way selector on the Ampeg but the Carvin has a switchable graphic (in addition to semi-parametric) EQ which also makes it very versatile. Your best bet may be to buy them both and keep the one you like better. The Carvin is light enough so sending it back would be cheap. Guitar Center offers a good extended warranty on the Ampeg, price is somewhat negotiable. I basically got the 3 year warranty for half price because I told them to throw in some DR strings to complete the deal. Both heads are great for 400 bucks, that’s for sure.

[NickfromSOS]

I can get the pf500 for $329 new, the carvin for $379

[jeff7bass]

I would grab the Ampeg for that price.

[NickfromSOS]

I've decided to hold onto my current rig for now... But I do have a price of $329.71 on a new pf-500 with free shipping from zzounds if anyone wants it. The link is good until Friday. Pm me and I'll send the link