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Ampeg pf-350 and thermal protection

#41
Just an update for those interested... I ended up replacing the speaker cables just for the heck of it. It still cuts out with overly aggressive playing. Again, only with the 210 hooked up to it. I also hooked it up cab to cab just for the heck of it. Same outcome. I couldn't find my multi-meter so I haven't had a chance to check the impedance yet. As soon as I get that checked and verified I will post back. Thank you to everyone that has contributed to this. I sincerely appreciate your time.
 
#42
versicolor said:
I only hooked up the 210 because i had it just laying around and I thought...i wonder what that little 210 would sound like with the 410. Turns out it really sounded awesome. I know its not ideal but it sounds so good with it that I want to continue to use it if I can.
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Are you stacking the 2x10 on top of the 4x10? If you are your impressions may be skewed by the fact that it sits much closer to your ear level than that of the 4x10. If not, then disregard my statement.

Given the wattage ratings on the cab, I would advise against using it with your current setup. When you split the load from the amp, you're sending a potential 175 watts to a cab that is only rated for 100 watts. You are asking for trouble, especially with a very inexpensive cab with low grade components in it. Plus as you've stated, it's not playing nice in the chain.

The SVT-210AV's are micro 2x10's that are rated at 200 watts. I have a couple of them. A lot of guys around here use them with the PF-350. They pair very well and would give you a cabinet that's better suited for your rig than the current 2x10 you have.

The fact is that the 2x10 you are currently using is not a good choice to be paired up with your current rig.
 
#43
Jay Corwin said:
Are you stacking the 2x10 on top of the 4x10? If you are your impressions may be skewed by the fact that it sits much closer to your ear level than that of the 4x10. If not, then disregard my statement.

Given the wattage ratings on the cab, I would advise against using it with your current setup. When you split the load from the amp, you're sending a potential 175 watts to a cab that is only rated for 100 watts. You are asking for trouble, especially with a very inexpensive cab with low grade components in it. Plus as you've stated, it's not playing nice in the chain.

The SVT-210AV's are micro 2x10's that are rated at 200 watts. I have a couple of them. A lot of guys around here use them with the PF-350. They pair very well and would give you a cabinet that's better suited for your rig than the current 2x10 you have.

The fact is that the 2x10 you are currently using is not a good choice to be paired up with your current rig.
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I have been eyeing that svt-210. That is probably what I will end up doing. I've heard good things about that cab. Good price too.
 
#44
versicolor said:
Just an update for those interested... I ended up replacing the speaker cables just for the heck of it. It still cuts out with overly aggressive playing. Again, only with the 210 hooked up to it. I also hooked it up cab to cab just for the heck of it. Same outcome. I couldn't find my multi-meter so I haven't had a chance to check the impedance yet. As soon as I get that checked and verified I will post back. Thank you to everyone that has contributed to this. I sincerely appreciate your time.
Click to expand...

If you can’t find a multimeter you could always plug both cabs into somebody else’s 4ohm head and see if that breaks, too. ;)
 
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#45
I was able to check the impedance and both cabs are 8ohms. I also tested it running with just the 210 and it does not cut out. So the only scenario where it goes into protect mode is with both cabs hooked up, limiter not engaged, striking the strings aggressively. If I am playing what I would consider normally, it is fine, sounds great and does not cut out. I have sent an email to Ampeg explaining what is occurring. Just waiting for a reply to see what they have to say about it.
 
#48
versicolor said:
Both speaker cabs had a reading of around 6ohms
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That's typical of an 8 ohm (nominally) impedance. It sounds like you may have a defective amp, you might try you'd speakers with another PF-350 and if it works ok then you have a workable solution.
 
#49
agedhorse said:
That's typical of an 8 ohm (nominally) impedance. It sounds like you may have a defective amp, you might try you'd speakers with another PF-350 and if it works ok then you have a workable solution.
Click to expand...
I ended up buying a svt-210av to replace that cheap 2x10. Same result. I did contact Ampeg and they said i probably just need to turn down the gain and/or volume. It does only happen when it's cranked but seems to me that I should be able to crank it. I've just been engaging the limiter button.
 
#50
This is the response that I got from tech support:

Hi Paul,
Thanks for writing!
I’ve been following your thread on Talkbass, and agree with several of the members over there in their conclusions. My first thought when talking to your shop is that your gain is pretty high. That’s going to contribute to the protection circuit kicking in on aggressive notes.
The SVT-210AV will certainly be better, but I can’t say with 100% certainty that your problem will be solved. As I tell everyone who will listen: Play before you buy! Ideally, you would want a cabinet with speakers that are around the same power handling as your PF410HLF, as power is distributed relatively evenly to each speaker in your system.
All the best,
 
#51
I would think that an amp that was intended to emulate what the industry acknowledges as a trademark sound would be naturally more forgiving of such operation. Of course we don't know how hard you are overdriving your amp, but I encourage you to at least test your speaker rig with another.
 
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#52
agedhorse said:
I would think that an amp that was intended to emulate what the industry acknowledges as a trademark sound would be naturally more forgiving of such operation. Of course we don't know how hard you are overdriving your amp, but I encourage you to at least test your speaker rig with another.
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Thanks for all your help and advice. I will definitely give another amp a try.
 
#53
I don't feel that my settings are unreasonable. Gain is usually around 3 o'clock, bass at 1 or 2 o'clock, mid at noon and treble at 11 or noon. Volume set at 2 o'clock. Doesn't seem like that these are extreme settings. But they must be.
 
#55
You have plenty of speaker capacity, I would verify that the problem is specific to your amp first, then take appropriate actions.
 
#56
I know it's about two years later but found your post very interesting, in that I had virtually the same experience last weekend using my PF350 with two SVYT210 cabs (first outing with this setup). Limiter on, gain at @2 o'clock, Vol similar. What was maybe different was, I'm using two active basses- Ibanez BTB740 and SR1400. What was interesting, the 1400 had no problem, but the heavier 740 caused the amp to cut out. My solution was to simple back off on the gain to 12 o'clock....no further problem, even when digging in. I'm assuming you got your issue all sorted out by now?
 
#57
There is a point on those amps where turning up the gain does no good past a certain level. I've never had mine cut out by going past that level, but once you hear the Distortion stop getting heavier sounding , you've done about as good as you're ever going to do with cranking the gain.
 
#58
Crackle and cut out is the modern tone man!!

I wouldn't expect much duty cycle from the 350.

If you need to dig in and actually get 300 watts, just move up to the 500. then you actually get 330 turd watts
from these basic half bridge designs with the earlier international rec chips.

more a power supply thing. the 350 just doesn't have much balls

Everybody seems to not like the old lead sled SVT350H
im really not joking when i say its a better amp and wont fart and crackle.
runs my 810 without issue

if a amp cant run a basic 4x10 without issue at any setting. in the garbage it goes
 

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