Ampeg PF-20T vs Ampeg Venture 3

[positronbomb]

I’m getting back in to playing bass again to play along with my daughter who plays upright piano.

I noticed the Ampeg V3 has a B15 switch on it, so my question is how does this compare with an Ampeg PF-20T with regards to tone.

I don’t need a lot of power for home use, so I think 20 Watts will be adequate.

The V3 obviously has more features and more headroom but which one is going to put a bigger smile on my face.

I’m a big fan of Sean Hurley and his tone and I noticed his amp of choice for recording and even quiet gigs seems to be an Ampeg B15 so that’s what I’m looking to get close to.

The Ampeg PF-20T seems to be close or at least similar to a B15.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I’m getting back in to playing bass again to play along with my daughter who plays upright piano.

I noticed the Ampeg V3 has a B15 switch on it, so my question is how does this compare with an Ampeg PF-20T with regards to tone.

I don’t need a lot of power for home use, so I think 20 Watts will be adequate.

The V3 obviously has more features and more headroom but which one is going to put a bigger smile on my face.

I’m a big fan of Sean Hurley and his tone and I noticed his amp of choice for recording and even quiet gigs seems to be an Ampeg B15 so that’s what I’m looking to get close to.

The Ampeg PF-20T seems to be close or at least similar to a B15.

It doesn't really compare to the 20t. The b-15 switch is just the overdrive circuit. B-15 or SVT. The b-15 setting has less gain, and the SVT setting has more of a mid forward tone. Like a tube screamer

 

[Neon Blues]

I think the cab is important too. They will both sound different and not quite B15 through the DI.

Venture has the flexibility if you need more volume etc. Personally, for home use and low volume it's hard to beat the PF20 and Portaflex Cab.

Alternatively, can I recommend an Adam Clayton ACB50?

 

[positronbomb]

Regarding the cabinet.
I was potentially going to build a 15” cab with the 15” Eminence Cannabass driver.
If I decide against building my own cab then probably a Portaflex 15” or 2x10” or Ampeg VB115.
I noticed in the Ampeg portaflex product video they demonstrated it with a 2x10” portaflex and it sounded “better” than I would have imagined - not sure if better is the right word to describe what I mean - it sounded like a genuine vintage tone more than I would have expected.

I know the amp here is the 50W version, the point being, even the 2x10 sounds pretty authentic.

 

[positronbomb]

Alternatively, can I recommend an Adam Clayton ACB50?

I will try and find some demo videos. My recollection was that it seemed to be more for people that wanted an overdriven distortion tube sound.

I will look into it again.
Thanks

 

[iagtrplyr]

I think the cab is important too. They will both sound different and not quite B15 through the DI.

Venture has the flexibility if you need more volume etc. Personally, for home use and low volume it's hard to beat the PF20 and Portaflex Cab.

Alternatively, can I recommend an Adam Clayton ACB50?

This. My budget studio rig (20T and 112 cab), both with DI and microphone. Give it a try before you buy.

 

[positronbomb]

This. My budget studio rig (20T and 112 cab), both with DI and microphone. Give it a try before you buy.

Have you tried it with other cabinets?

 

[iagtrplyr]

Have you tried it with other cabinets?

My other cabinet is a Rumble 115 and I gave it a spin, but wasn’t quite as pleased as I was with the 112. My son owns the Portaflex 210 and 115 cabs so I might try bumming those off him in the future. As said, it’s not a loud amp and I wouldn’t gig with it, but for jamming and studio recording, it’s a tough little amp to beat.

 

[_Obra_]

Here is a Pf-50T (same sound as 20T, just louder) with PF112 cab


And here is with different cabinets


Both 20T and 50T are full tube amps, competely different than Venture series.

 

[DuluthDank]

Some people were saying that it's easier to coax pleasing overdriven tones out of the PF-50t than the PF-20t, that the 20 watt one is pretty much just a clean amp. Anybody have experience with both?

 

[positronbomb]

I will check those videos out now.

Everyone has been super helpful.

If I did a DIY 12” bass cab. I like the frequency response and sensitivity of the Faital Pro 12PR300.

Maybe buy an ampeg 12” cab then diy build a second cab so I have something to compare it to.
Just verbalizing ideas at the moment, nothing is set in concrete.

 

[positronbomb]

Here is a Pf-50T (same sound as 20T, just louder) with PF112 cab


And here is with different cabinets


Both 20T and 50T are full tube amps, competely different than Venture series.

The sound coming out of that 112 in the first video is awesome.
That’s a serious contender.
Thanks for the video.

I’ll watch the second video now.

 

[positronbomb]

This. My budget studio rig (20T and 112 cab), both with DI and microphone. Give it a try before you buy.

Looks like Ampeg aren’t making the portaflex 112 cab anymore.
I will look at the other 12” cabs from Ampeg.

 

[positronbomb]

The VB212 has some nice specs.

 

[Rev_Slinky]

Some people were saying that it's easier to coax pleasing overdriven tones out of the PF-50t than the PF-20t, that the 20 watt one is pretty much just a clean amp. Anybody have experience with both?

I've got both, and I specifically bought the 50 to gig with because I had used the 20 to record an album and loved the sound that I got out of it! They have their own personalities, but you can dial-in a comparable tone. You can get the PF-20T wooly, if you try. It's also nice clean. If you want to hear it in action, check out Violet Palms - Compassion Fatigue on any of the streaming services.

 

[positronbomb]

Some guy used his PF-20T as a preamp to a drive a solid state power amp for gigging and got great results.

The Line Out after the transformer sounds really good.

 

[Chris Wilke]

Some people were saying that it's easier to coax pleasing overdriven tones out of the PF-50t than the PF-20t, that the 20 watt one is pretty much just a clean amp. Anybody have experience with both?

I have played through both, and own the PF20T. It is a pretty clean amp. I have used it in my last two recording sessions with great results if that holds any weight. Ironically.... I normally use it with a Tech21 VTBass pedal, which is a sort of preamp/overdrive/B15/SVT SansAmp. It's odd to use a tube amp with a pedal to mimic a very similar version of that same tube amp, but it works for me!

I have never gigged with the PF20T and don't really plan to as I have other options.

 

[positronbomb]

My other cabinet is a Rumble 115 and I gave it a spin, but wasn’t quite as pleased as I was with the 112. My son owns the Portaflex 210 and 115 cabs so I might try bumming those off him in the future. As said, it’s not a loud amp and I wouldn’t gig with it, but for jamming and studio recording, it’s a tough little amp to beat.

Since the PF112 is no longer available, I would be interested to know what you might suggest.
The portaflex 210 and 115 are still available but would you choose something different?

 

[txhawaii]

lots of the portaflex guys and reviews say the 20t is more true to sound to a vintage b15 over the 50t. Some state the 50t is more akin to a V4B.

if you go to about the 13th min you can hear a demo of a vintage b15 to a 50t

 

[Stylee Mousse]

A lot of people focus on the distortion characteristics of small tube amps. Not me. I really like my Ampeg SB-12 portaflex in its cleaner range much more than in dirty.

Except for when I record guitar through it. That has been my go to on all albums I’ve done on guitar.