• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg PF-500 & 210HE VS Fender Rumble 500 Combo

#41
I play neither of those (so far). I play a big old Ashdown ABM with a 410, or a friend's Aguilar TH500 with two SL112s on some gigs. I have tried other bands' PF500s many times during soundchecks though, and I like it a lot. Not a big fan of the cabs, imho the head sounded better with either of my cabs. Some of my favourite players, including Les Claypool and Juan Alderete, tour the world with a PF500 and don't complain about tone or reliability. I tried the older Rumble extensively too, and it never impressed me tone-wise. Now, I only tried the new Rumble 500 combo twice, but this time I am well impressed. Sound great, is loud, very light and very inexpensive. If no reliability issues come up in a couple of months, I'm buying one plus an extension cab. There is a major design flaw though - the master volume knob affects the DI, which is plain stupid and casts a bit of a shadow over my confidence in the internal design of the amp.
 
#42
I have a PF-500 and also a Rumble 350 head that I had the opportunity to buy cheap because I wanted a backup.

I prefer the tone of the PF-500 and have been gigging it regularly (twice a month) for two years and am extremely happy with it. I also prefer the on-board compressor of the Ampeg as well as the mute button and pre/post for the xlr out.

That being said, I am was pleasantly surprised with the Rumble 350 and would have no issue with gigging it if my Ampeg was unavailable. Having both side by side and using the same cabinet, the Rumble 350 has as much volume as the PF-500. And that volume is plenty for the country band I play in.

I realize the Rumble 350 head is not the Rumble 500 combo. However, if I were to give you advise, having a head and a cabinet it much more versatile.
 
#43
JimmyM said:
More BS from a Fender fan. You get commissions or something? Yes, the PF500 had some rough goings in the beginning, but let's not pretend that Fender's never had a rough product rollout, either. But Ampeg's problems with the PF500 are by and large over thanks to a handful of revisions, and I also know plenty of folks with an older PF500 who haven't had a single problem with theirs. I've not played the new Fenders yet, so I can't comment on that, but if you get a PF500 made in the last year or so, you really shouldn't have a problem with it.

Also, please show me a Baxandall tone stack with a 5-position mid switch. Baxandalls are treble and bass. Not that there's anything wrong with the Baxandall...it's actually one of the flattest and easiest to use EQ's ever made, but they certainly don't have 5-position mid controls.
Click to expand...

Jimmy,

Do you know if there is a model number or version # or something that would denote which ones had problems?
thanks.
 
#47
Hey guys! So my little rig arrived today! The tone is sweet, I have one question though: how loud should I realistically expect this cabinet to go?

I live in an apartment so I really can't crank this thing very high but even at a reasonable level I'm getting distortion. It might just be me but it seems to be only the bottom speaker....

ImageUploadedByTalkBass1402612758.253552.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using TalkBass
 
#48
I'd take the grill off and do a visual inspection and gently push around the dustcap with even pressure. If you feel rubbing, the speaker is blown, but if not, it's usually OK. I was getting a similar thing happening with my 210av's once, and tightening all the screws fixed it. You don't want to overtorque the speaker screws, but they should be in tightly. If that doesn't fix it, then you might want to get a local expert opinion.

As for how loud they should get, the 200w power handling rating is the absolute max it'll take before they blow, and while I can usually get a good head of steam in them, I'd never try to dump 200w worth of juice into them.
 
#49
Thanks for the advice jimmy, how do I get the grille off? There's only two tiny straps at the bottom (not even able to get a screw driver through one to get any leverage). Also, 'dustcaps'?

The distortion is occurring at even very very low volumes, I was just playing around a little bit more with it. And it defo seems to be coming from the bottom speaker.


Sent from my iPhone using TalkBass
 
#50
Pry the loops apart with your fingers, then stick the screwdriver through. Also, I recommend using a towel to keep the screwdriver from damaging the tolex or wood...learned that one the hard way. They're a PITA to get off because the velcro is super strong, but it will come off.

And the dustcap is in the center of the cone:

Link Removed
 
#54
Good to see this debate here on Ampeg v. Fender Rumbles. I cannot say that I would slight any of these. My SVT-210AV with the VR200 gets a lot of love from me, but I still occasionally swap the head for my ultra-cheap Rumble 350 head. Vive-la-frickin-difference, eh? Then again, I will likely couple my Rumble 350 with a different (dedicated) cab as the opportunity arises.

JohnnySee said:
Just got back from vacation, Sweetwater did a straight swap on the cabinet while I was away. I got it home and tested it out, sounds great! All sorted. Will have to have more of a play around on it and see what I think & hear what it sounds like going through my pedals!
Click to expand...

I am also glad you have that issue resolved!
 
#55
Now that they've been field tested a bit longer, how are you guys feeling about the V3 rumbles, for those who have them?

I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on the 500 combo, as weight can make a difference for me regarding the frequency at which I'll probably play out, so that's a bonus, but as for volume, when I tried the PF500 with the 115 cab, I think the cab wasn't rated high enough wattage for that head. Farted pretty easily. I only could compare it to the Rumble 200 though (I love the tone of the 15" fender, but I'm worried it won't be loud enough eventually. Got pretty damn loud in the store, though! Sales guy loved that!)

I will probably be happy with whatever I end up with, but are there any real reasons to *not* get either one?

For the record, the Rumble 200 (15") with the "vintage" button pressed, that thing sounded seriously old school with a fretless P with flat wound strings (the only bass with flats on the wall at Sam Ash that day!)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back