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Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
- 5,455
- 4,234
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While I didn't opt for Ampeg, I have been watching posts and news about the PF series heads. It does appear that the PF500 early production issues got sorted out. If it's features, and sound are what you are looking for, go ahead and grab one. However, it IS a mass manufactured electronics item with a relatively short warranty period. You might want to consider throwing a service contract on it as well just to protect yourself....
I've had one for a couple of years with no problems. I doubt that statistically the PF 500 had many more issues than any other new amp on the market. It obviously sold in pretty good quantities because for a while it was hard to track one down, so I imagine for everyone who had issues and vented on a forum there were many thousands who were perfectly happy with it. Lets face it, Ampeg aren't exactly newcomers to building bass amps
I bought my PF-500 when my GK1001RB died. I never cared for the tone of the GK, but it got the job done and done well. The Ampeg is so different. In the mid 70's I switched from a Carvin head I really liked, to an SVT head. The change from the Carvin to the SVT was much like the GK to the PF-500. The Ampeg is much more a part of my instrument than other amps I have. I look forward to playing it and it's performance, tone and interaction with my bass just raises the enjoyment of playing.
I have thought of "upgrading" to a PF-800, but the PF-500 has never fell short. I usually don't go through the PA, except for outdoor gigs and I've never run out of headroom or volume. Although it can do clean, the slight "grind" I hear and feel at any volume just sounds good to me.
I have thought of "upgrading" to a PF-800, but the PF-500 has never fell short. I usually don't go through the PA, except for outdoor gigs and I've never run out of headroom or volume. Although it can do clean, the slight "grind" I hear and feel at any volume just sounds good to me.
There fine, doesn't give heaps of headroom for my 18 volt bass but when I put an Aguilar tone hammer in front of it it cleans up really well.
I've got one of the early ones with the rattle at certain freqs, only notice when it's very low volume, and I still use it. Some day I'll have to go fix that. Great sounding, small, easy to transport...
I've got the PF 500 and, knock on wood, it hasn't failed me with regular gigging and rehearsing over the last 4 years or so. Never had any volume or headroom issues with it either. I use the Portaflex 1x15 cab and get more volume than I need most of the time and never have had to dime it. And we're not known as a "quiet band".
I bought a pr-500 a few years ago and it didn't last very long before it started cutting in and out and then shutting off completely.
I could start another topic just telling my Ampeg story but here it is in a nutshell...about 5 years ago I tried with all my might to buy a new Ampeg Cl but after taking home three different ones I could not find one that worked for more then 24 hours. Because of my bad experience with newer Ampegs I have no faith in them...but like someone mentioned above, maybe things have changed. For the record, I have a 90s Svt-2 pro that has never given me the slightest problem, same with a 3 pro I have that was used, never a problem. Love Ampeg but after my bad experiences I have little faith.
I could start another topic just telling my Ampeg story but here it is in a nutshell...about 5 years ago I tried with all my might to buy a new Ampeg Cl but after taking home three different ones I could not find one that worked for more then 24 hours. Because of my bad experience with newer Ampegs I have no faith in them...but like someone mentioned above, maybe things have changed. For the record, I have a 90s Svt-2 pro that has never given me the slightest problem, same with a 3 pro I have that was used, never a problem. Love Ampeg but after my bad experiences I have little faith.
Probably a wire vibrating against the top. Had it happen, took a few minutes to fix - mostly spent turning screws.
I have an early 500, mounted on a pf115he. I like that rig and it was my main rig for 3 years. No issues. I have since moved on to smaller head and cab.
I was going to upgrade to the pf800 for the added headroom but at the volumes I play I didn't need it. Plus the 800 is significantly larger and heavier than the 500, which is just the opposite of the direction I needed to go.
I went for more power in a smaller box (not Ampeg) and a small lighter neo cab. Easy load in - plenty bass volume. Still have my 500/115 PF rig.
I was going to upgrade to the pf800 for the added headroom but at the volumes I play I didn't need it. Plus the 800 is significantly larger and heavier than the 500, which is just the opposite of the direction I needed to go.
I went for more power in a smaller box (not Ampeg) and a small lighter neo cab. Easy load in - plenty bass volume. Still have my 500/115 PF rig.
I posted this on 02/28/2015
"I called Ampeg tech support today to ask that question. He said that they had a bad batch a few years ago, maybe 50 units or so. He explained it this way....the amp threshold is to keep the amp from blowing up so it cuts off. In that bad batch it did what it was supposed to do but did it too good. In other words cut off too easily. He mentioned that it happened a lot with Slap Bass style because of the rapid peaks. He probably explained it better than I am explaining it but I was satisfied. He mentioned they sell 1000's and 1000's of these units. I then asked when mine was made and it was late 2014 so everything should be OK. Yes he worked for the company but I believe I got an honest answer. For my 2nd head I am getting the PF-800 just in case I would need the extra power."
I've had mine now for about 10 months, play loud with 2 PF-15HE. No problems. If you look at the Ampeg site they show different ways to set it for different
types of music.
"I called Ampeg tech support today to ask that question. He said that they had a bad batch a few years ago, maybe 50 units or so. He explained it this way....the amp threshold is to keep the amp from blowing up so it cuts off. In that bad batch it did what it was supposed to do but did it too good. In other words cut off too easily. He mentioned that it happened a lot with Slap Bass style because of the rapid peaks. He probably explained it better than I am explaining it but I was satisfied. He mentioned they sell 1000's and 1000's of these units. I then asked when mine was made and it was late 2014 so everything should be OK. Yes he worked for the company but I believe I got an honest answer. For my 2nd head I am getting the PF-800 just in case I would need the extra power."
I've had mine now for about 10 months, play loud with 2 PF-15HE. No problems. If you look at the Ampeg site they show different ways to set it for different
types of music.
PF800 head is capable of outputting 400 watt at 8 ohm or 800 watt at 4 ohm, whilst SVT210AV is only designed to handle 200 watt 8 ohm.
There's nothing holding you from combining them, especially if you are very strict in keeping the gain/volume knobs (maybe) not exceeding the noon, but I just don't think it wise, in single or dual cab configuration.
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If you go the 800 route, you might want to check out the 212AV or maybe 2-112AVs. To my ears, the 210AV and 112AV are fairly close tone wise, IMO a little more low end on the 112, and the 12s handle a bit more power.
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Two 210AVs would be fine but.... two 115s would be more robust for those bigger gigs.
I've used my Pf 500 with the Pf 15 cabinet for most gigs and, with a house system added, it's always plenty. Paired it with an added SWR 2x12 cabinet for an outdoor gig and it sounded amazing! I'd go with PF 15 since you can flip th amp in for transport!
