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Ampeg bummer

whitespikebass

whitespikebass

Boy Orbision
Feb 19, 2013
205
37
Austin, TX
#1
I bought a used PF-500/210HE combo very recently from Guitar Center. First show, it started cutting in and out. I just picked it up from repair yesterday and went straight to a gig. It happened again but worse! The repair center is an authorized Ampeg shop. They replaced the circuit board.

I'm at a loss. I'm an Ampeg guy. I've always used the older stuff. This thing is a lemon. I want to get another, but I don't trust it anymore. Bummer city.
 
#3
whitespikebass said:
I bought a used PF-500/210HE combo very recently from Guitar Center. First show, it started cutting in and out. I just picked it up from repair yesterday and went straight to a gig. It happened again but worse! The repair center is an authorized Ampeg shop. They replaced the circuit board.

I'm at a loss. I'm an Ampeg guy. I've always used the older stuff. This thing is a lemon. I want to get another, but I don't trust it anymore. Bummer city.
Click to expand...



I hate to say this..... but.... do a search on the PF-500 problems.
Your gonna find LOTS of threads on this head and it's woes.....
I personally had two of them burn out on me.
 
#4
Hope it ends well for you OP but LOUD did a good job of souring me on Ampeg products. I had a BA300 that was in and out of repair before I finally demanded my money back. Replaced it with an SVT6-Pro... until it developed issues. I bought an American SVT after that, it served me well until I got rid of it. I wouldn't even consider owning another LOUD Ampeg product unless something seriously drastic changes there.
 
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#5
whitespikebass said:
I bought a used PF-500/210HE combo very recently from Guitar Center.
Click to expand...

You said cutting out. Does this mean that the fault light was coming on and the amp cutting out or the sound was coming out the speaker intermittently and the fault light didn't come on. If it's the fault light, they clearly didn't fix the issue properly. It could be the board that they changed or an issue with the connection to or from it. If the fault light isn't going on, I would test the amp with a different cabinet and cable.

In any event, I would return the amp and cabinet so that they can see it running as a unit.
 
#7
Linnin said:
Tales of Ampeg woe are rampant. Many of the disgruntled former Ampegers are now happy Fender Rumble owners.
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I'm a disgruntled Ampeger and I'm now a Genz Benz owner.. and a Traynor owner.. and a Roland owner.. but certainly not a Fender Rumble owner. I'd be interested in seeing how many people actually switched from ampeg to fender. I bet its waaaay less than you allude to.
 
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#11
Well, I would like to point out that the OP bought a used PF500 / 210HE.
That might have something to do with it.
By the way, if the OP stated a used Genz Benz, Trace Elliot or XYZ, it wouldn't have created so much commotion, is my humble guess...
 
#17
Had the same situation with PF 350 and the 500. Found that the output transformer or transistors kept popping. I have found that they like running into the speakon connector OR the 1/4"- not both. :( The PF had many cold solder joints and has since been traded out. Knock on wood I still use the PF500 even outside in 50-60 degree weather, although it does get unhappy when the temps fluctuate.
 
#18
Bought the same setup a few months after they came out and they've worked for me since. I agree with Jimmy's suggestion if you have the available funds and like the sound of the PF-500 get a PF-800, they seem to have far fewer reported issues. They're great sounding amps for the price but I wouldn't buy one used unless it came with a solid warranty.
 

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