What will happen if....

gimmethelowend · #1 05-01-2011, 04:44 PM

I run a solid state head at its peak point consistently? I know if you do that with a tube head, eventually your gonna hafta replace tubes, but what will happen to a solid state head? the specific head im talking about is the PF500 from ampeg. its pretty much brand new, and i love this amp, so i really don't want to screw it up from doing something stupid like that. advice?

saustindavis · #2 05-01-2011, 04:47 PM

I've heard that if you need to run your amp at more than half on a regular basis you should upgrade to something with more umph. I've never been in that situation because I've always been able to go DI or mic it. I think you would run the risk of damaging something if you always play it so loud.

lbwdog · #3 05-01-2011, 05:13 PM

By "peak point" do you mean with the volume at it's maximum?
Didn't you just get a 500w head and a 210 cab?

I can't see a 210 being able to take a 500w head at max volume for very long.
Other than speaker damage, about the only thing that would happen with the head, is heat buildup if running full tilt for extended periods. Excessive heat will affect the head's components over a period of time, but if you have to run the amp that hard, you really need a bigger rig.
You can only get so much out of a 210 cab, so more speakers would be the place to start. A 500w head is usually more than adequate for most any gigging situation.

billfitzmaurice · #4 05-01-2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimmethelowend

I run a solid state head at its peak point consistently? :

What will it bother? Nothing. It doesn't bother tubes either. If it did guitar players would change tubes daily.

Quote:

You can only get so much out of a 210 cab, so more speakers would be the place to start. A 500w head is usually more than adequate for most any gigging situation.

Word.

gimmethelowend · #5 05-01-2011, 05:58 PM

yeah, i did just get the new rig, which is why im trying to be so careful

but the only reason i ask is because i simply wanna experiment with the tone i get when i really push it.

Also, when i say "peak point", i mean the point to where the head is distorting by having the gain up, and the master volume down, so that the cab isn't distorting, only the head.

at this point, i haven't gotten to take it to my bands rehearsal yet, so I don't know whether or not ill need to crank it to hear my self, but if I do, i figure I'll go get another 8ohm cab so that i can get all 500 watts outta the head

oh, and the cab is rated at 450 watts at 8ohms, and the head is rated at 300 watts at 8ohms, 500 watts at 4ohms

billfitzmaurice · #6 05-01-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimmethelowend

Also, when i say "peak point", i mean the point to where the head is distorting by having the gain up, and the master volume down, so that the cab isn't distorting, only the head.

If you don't like that sound turn the gain down and the master up. If you want it dirtier turn the gain up even higher, turn the master down. That's why it has gain and master controls.