Ampeg PF 350 for gigs

I recently got a PF-350 and also use mainly for stage volume (into a 115) + PA, and I'm very happy with it. The tone is classic Ampeg, and I like the simple, musically intuitive controls. If you worry that 250 watts at 8 Ohms (350 at 4) won't be enough, the PF-500 or the Peavey MiniMax would be good alternatives (both delivering around 300 W at Ohms or 500 at 4).

 

I use the PF-350 and I love it. I'll run it through either a single 210AV or a pair of them. Plenty of volume.

 

350w isn't exactly quiet. Just seems like it would be in these days of regularly seeing 1000w amps. Still very much a fan of my PF350.

 

What was that bass combo Ampeg built around 15 years ago with like a 15" speaker, a 6 or 8 inch speaker, and a tilt-back handle and wheels? Might have been like 200w or so.
I wanted to buy one, then they went away...
Update, found it.
Ampeg B3158 - Reviews Ampeg B-3158

 

I have a PF-350 I'm looking to sell. PM me if interested.

 

I wasn’t very impressed personaly with the volume of my PF-350. It did the job, but I had to push the volume pretty hard to be heard over drums and 2 guitars (both through small combo amps, not half stacks or anything). I had to run the gain at about 6/10 and the master at about 8/10 (with 2 SVT210AV cabs) to compete in a relatively low volume roots/rock band. For comparison, I have a 200 watt Overton Flyweight head I use as a backup head that is noticeably louder than the PF350 was, with the gain and vol knobs at only 1/2 way.

 

Knob ppsition means nothing. Some amps give their volume early, some give it later.

 

Well that's true. Just didn't feel like it had much headroom to spare. I liked the tone ok for what it was, but I'd definitely go with the 500 or 800 if I was going to buy another SS Ampeg.

 

That I can't argue with. I do like the 800 best out of the PF line. But I still dig the sound of my 350...and I don't have to push it on my gigs

 

The benefit of pushing the gain and/or volume, to my ear, is that the tone opens up more than at low volume (while remaining clean). I borrow an 800 W GK head at my band's practice space, and the gain/volume are in the first quarter of their rotation. Plenty of headroom, to be sure, but I'd rather have the amp sing than know I can crank the volume far beyond a hearing-safe level.

The other factor is how much wattage one's cab(s) can take; my 115 is nicely matched to the PF-350's output; I'd have to be careful (or add more cabs) with a significantly higher wattage amp.

 

It wouldn't be the first perfectly functional amp rated at around 300 watts

 

I own a PF-350. I don't gig it but can't imagine it not being loud enough to gig. I've gigged my GK MB200 just fine at just 200 watts.

 

I love the tone of my pf350 but your right it doesn’t seem to be real loud, I have used it at an outside gig with my Carvin 410 and and 1 18 cab and was really sweet but we don’t play real loud.

 

I had the PF-500 and it was great while it lasted; I am using the peavey MiniMax everywhere and it has taken a beating throughout all our outdoor Florida gigs

 

I have the PF-500 and I have had great success with it! I haven't been at a gig were it doesn't have enough volume and the tone is awesome!

 

This. Jimmy assured me this was normal ( I have a pf350 ).
Don’t be scared about where the knob ends up. I seem to remember my Genz Benz Shuttles doing the same thing.

 

Love to see an updated, lighter version of this amp.
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