I think "B" stock items usually only have a factory warranty period of 30 days - so I would get it to an authorized tech quick - although I think I know what the problem is - the light is supposed to be purple , not blue
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Ampeg PF-800: First Impressions
- Thread starter jnammy
- Start date
Sorry to hear about the cutting out, Ernie. Never a good feeling to be on stage and have a gear failure.
Not sure about the PF500s crapping out with speaker load or combination.... I thought they just crapped out, period. But I could be mistaken.
Not sure about the PF500s crapping out with speaker load or combination.... I thought they just crapped out, period. But I could be mistaken.
Also, I hope that's not particularly the case as that is the way I'm playing mine (as a backup amp), with either one or two 8ohm cabs. I don't really want to have to worry about a backup for my backup...
yes blue,purple...it was lit. Website shows Ampeg gives these units 90 day warranty. Store gives 45 day return. I even called the Zzounds the day I was gona buy it and asked if they could say what kinda blem on this unit. Person on ph said, he looked into it and thinks it was just a customer return. They prolly just didn't care for the tone, he said.
I was just wondering if these stores actually inspect these returned units if previous customer returned due to shut downs or other tech issues? Or if they just restock em and sell em off again at a discount. If this was a unit that shut down on previous customer and they return it for that, I'd hope they'd look into any repairs before re-selling. Then again, like this one, maybe it wouldn't have shut down on them as they tested it. Lord knows I put this one thru its paces first few weeks I got it. Conditions with the two 8 ohm cabs were somewhat less taxing on the unit, I believe. And that's when the shut down started.
I'd like to keep the amp if Ampeg can fix under warranty, but it may not act up for them while they have it. Then again, I wont have a chance to gig this PF again for a couple weeks. What's to say this is not the start of more issues as the amp gets gigged more. Lets see what store says when I call. Still have about 2 weeks of trial time but may have to just send it back as I can't run it hard at a gig before return time runs out, not trusting it anymore as it is now.
I was just wondering if these stores actually inspect these returned units if previous customer returned due to shut downs or other tech issues? Or if they just restock em and sell em off again at a discount. If this was a unit that shut down on previous customer and they return it for that, I'd hope they'd look into any repairs before re-selling. Then again, like this one, maybe it wouldn't have shut down on them as they tested it. Lord knows I put this one thru its paces first few weeks I got it. Conditions with the two 8 ohm cabs were somewhat less taxing on the unit, I believe. And that's when the shut down started.
I'd like to keep the amp if Ampeg can fix under warranty, but it may not act up for them while they have it. Then again, I wont have a chance to gig this PF again for a couple weeks. What's to say this is not the start of more issues as the amp gets gigged more. Lets see what store says when I call. Still have about 2 weeks of trial time but may have to just send it back as I can't run it hard at a gig before return time runs out, not trusting it anymore as it is now.
Ok looks like this one, PF800, is heading back to the store for a full refund with free ship return; as it should be. But ya gotta love those 45+/- trial day periods Zzounds and others offer. Not that I ever planned to return this amp and I still had some thoughts of just keeping it since it worked so nicely with my single 4 ohm cabs.
But speaking with Nat @ Ampeg Co. helped me decide that returning this, slightly discounted ($100+), blemmed, model at this juncture was the best move. Man, I was quite impressed with the knowledge and very helpful suggestions Nat took time to walk me thru with the options at hand with this amp. Somethings I'd not even considered. Reminded me of times I dealt with Genz Benz folks like Roger, Andy and Jeff himself. Very helpful and patient to come to the best action to benefit the customer, again, as it should be with service based companies. Doesn't mean it always happens, Right?
But I'd have no qualms now of purchasing a new PF800 with the full 2 yr warranty. I'll see how the rest of my summer shakes out gig-wise and it just may justify me looking at a new PF800. Gona miss this amp for the next 5-6 or so gigs I planned to use it at. Its a big-sounding-funking-machine, very impressive. Once I learned how to set that is.
And now back to my GB Stm-900 or Shuttle 9.2 with my current cabs, I'll keep rocking/funking/country-westerning(?)/classic-rocking on. Thanks to jimmyM, lomo and others here for the helful posts and PM's that helped me to get to know and use the PF800 with good results. Not greatly disappointed; more experienced, TBer here. Peace, y'all. e.
But speaking with Nat @ Ampeg Co. helped me decide that returning this, slightly discounted ($100+), blemmed, model at this juncture was the best move. Man, I was quite impressed with the knowledge and very helpful suggestions Nat took time to walk me thru with the options at hand with this amp. Somethings I'd not even considered. Reminded me of times I dealt with Genz Benz folks like Roger, Andy and Jeff himself. Very helpful and patient to come to the best action to benefit the customer, again, as it should be with service based companies. Doesn't mean it always happens, Right?
But I'd have no qualms now of purchasing a new PF800 with the full 2 yr warranty. I'll see how the rest of my summer shakes out gig-wise and it just may justify me looking at a new PF800. Gona miss this amp for the next 5-6 or so gigs I planned to use it at. Its a big-sounding-funking-machine, very impressive. Once I learned how to set that is.
And now back to my GB Stm-900 or Shuttle 9.2 with my current cabs, I'll keep rocking/funking/country-westerning(?)/classic-rocking on. Thanks to jimmyM, lomo and others here for the helful posts and PM's that helped me to get to know and use the PF800 with good results. Not greatly disappointed; more experienced, TBer here. Peace, y'all. e.
Nat, eh? First I've heard of him. Sounds like a good dude. I'll have to keep my eye on him.
Glad it didn't turn you off the PF800, either. In all honesty, yours is only like the 3rd problem I've seen on here in about a year and a half that it's been out, and it sells pretty well, so I think that's a good track record.
Glad it didn't turn you off the PF800, either. In all honesty, yours is only like the 3rd problem I've seen on here in about a year and a half that it's been out, and it sells pretty well, so I think that's a good track record.
Ernie - I apologize for asking, especially if it was addressed already, but are you sure of the ohm ratings on your two cabs? I was wondering if there is a possibility of a cab being mislabeled or having and unoriginal speaker (with a different ohm rating).
Well, I didn't have any issues while using the PF800 with either of my single, 4ohm cabs, the amp was a beast. Seems the problem suddenly arose while I first tried this amp with my two, TC-E RS210 cabs; each 8 ohms this past weekend.
And I've read here where some say these cabs may even be more like 9-10 ohms or so as to being able to use 3 RS210's with the TC RH heads. Not sure on that, just what I'd read, plus I'm not quoting directly. And I doubt my cabs have been modded. I bought both of them new, about 2 weeks apart from the same online store. And both came factory wrapped and boxed.
Now, I suppose the possibility of something like you suggest could occur. But I've used both these RS cabs with my GB STM-900, Shuttle 9.2 and Markbass F1 heads and had no issues at all. So I've not felt any reason to suspect my cabs.
The fact that you did not have a problem with the 4 ohm cabs is why I asked. The amp has no idea how many cabs are under it - only the ohm load it feels. if you have access to an ohm meter (multi - meter) it might be prudent to check the load of your two 8 ohm cabs together and compare that result with your 4 ohm cab's readings.
It is possible your other amps are not as sensitive to a lower ohm load.
Or you just had a PF800 with a problem.
Well, the PF800 is going back to store for a full refund in couple days. One reason I thought of having this amp repaired was to see if they could figure out went wrong if anything with the PF800. At this point, the fact that all the cabs I own work well with all the amps I own, I prolly wont pursue checking my cabs as you suggest. I don't own a multi-meter but I have been thinking of buying one. If/when I get one, I will check all my cabs then. As of now, I still think it was an issue with the amp.
I actually thought of just keeping the PF head to keep using with any of my 4 ohm cabs. But wondered if this was just the beginning of more issues this amp might start with down the road. Or if I'd have to alter one or more of my cabs to work with the PF800, I doubt I'd would want to keep it anyway. As I have a few other amps that work with my cabs, still have a mostly new B1500 that I'm just too lazy to haul around, that may get back into my gear rotation just so it can get used at times. And I'll now dust off my still mostly new VT pedal to get some of that Peg' tone. So I'm good for now. My G.A.S. is quite shameful. Thanks for the suggest just the same. peace, e.
I actually thought of just keeping the PF head to keep using with any of my 4 ohm cabs. But wondered if this was just the beginning of more issues this amp might start with down the road. Or if I'd have to alter one or more of my cabs to work with the PF800, I doubt I'd would want to keep it anyway. As I have a few other amps that work with my cabs, still have a mostly new B1500 that I'm just too lazy to haul around, that may get back into my gear rotation just so it can get used at times. And I'll now dust off my still mostly new VT pedal to get some of that Peg' tone. So I'm good for now. My G.A.S. is quite shameful. Thanks for the suggest just the same. peace, e.
I have had pf 800 about 2 months am using it with a hartke 8x10 at the moment and it sounds awesome I sometimes use it with an orange 4x10 and ampeg 4x10 . I also have an orange terror bass 500 , and a trace 500.The ampeg in my opinion sounds better than both the other two
The one gripe I do have with the ampeg is the D.I is way way to hot however there is a dB cut switch and a post pre switch but the dB cut cuts the signal too much that said the sound I'm getting is as some I have the midsweep on preset 2 and the midsweep rotary about 10 ocklock
The one gripe I do have with the ampeg is the D.I is way way to hot however there is a dB cut switch and a post pre switch but the dB cut cuts the signal too much that said the sound I'm getting is as some I have the midsweep on preset 2 and the midsweep rotary about 10 ocklock
Anyone using the Ampeg carry bag, please? If so, is it well padded and worth the money?
I'm looking for a bag for my PF800 but I'm not sure I like the open side tops of the Ampeg bag, here in UK is quite rainy
...any other bags out there for this amp?
I'm looking for a bag for my PF800 but I'm not sure I like the open side tops of the Ampeg bag, here in UK is quite rainy
...any other bags out there for this amp?
I presume the Ampeg bag is perfect for the job. I don't have one of those, but I do have Ampeg covers for the Portaflex cabs.Anyone using the Ampeg carry bag, please? If so, is it well padded and worth the money?
I'm looking for a bag for my PF800 but I'm not sure I like the open side tops of the Ampeg bag, here in UK is quite rainy
They are rugged and can withstand rain with ease.
Invalid Link Removed
Here's an example of where to buy one of those bags.
I got a Gator 15" x 15" bag for mine because I didn't know Ampeg made one, otherwise I certainly would have gotten theirs and saved me some jack. But I can't complain about it.
What I meant is that the Amoeg bag doesn't have a closed top, the sides are open and the amp stick out a little bit and rain protection won't too good I think.
See pic attached
Thanks, I'll look into one of those.
Attachments
As stated the bag offers little in the way of padding or protection and the top flap does leave the amp exposed to the elements. If it wasn't for the fact Sam Ash included it for free with the purchase of my PF-800 I wouldn't have purchased it separately. There are definitely better options out there.
Thanks! That's exactly what I thought.
On the pics it doesn't look like a very padded bag and the top flap leaves a bit of the amp exposed...not good, I'll look into other options.
So I just made the splash and bout the PF800 stack with the 4x10 and the 1x15.. I practiced with it twice for about 3 hours per practice, volume set to 5.5 / 10, gain at 5/10, sounds beautiful I love it. It filled the room and improved our bands sound instantly. On our first gig with the new rig , I didn't change any of my volume knobs from when we practiced. The first two sets were thumping, kickin' ass. When I turned my amp on for the third set I noticed the volume was only coming out at about 20% of what I was playing with previously. My first thought was that somebody messed with my knobs during break but I checked everything and came to the realization everything was as I left it. Turned it off and back on, realized that the fault light came on for about 2 seconds then shut off.. I told the guys I had a problem but we just kept rolling for a few songs with a hardly existent bass. After a few songs my sound quality and volume came back to where it was for the first 2 sets. It stayed nice and juicy for 2 songs, went away again for a few, came back on for a couple.. pretty frustrating but luckily it was the 3rd set, everybody was drinking and feelin it so it wasn't a catastrophe. My threshold/peak light never came on once throughout the night.
Reading up on it as much as I have so far, I'm wondering if it just overheated. I turned my amp off between sets, and with the warm stage lights maybe I should have left my amp on to leave the fan running enough to keep it cool. Considering an additional fan as well if they make such a thing.
Any insight in this department?? I'm not an experienced gigger, but my bands picking up a head of steam and I obviously don't want equipment failure. The next morning when I woke up I headed right for my gear and turned it on, no lights, sounded great again.
Reading up on it as much as I have so far, I'm wondering if it just overheated. I turned my amp off between sets, and with the warm stage lights maybe I should have left my amp on to leave the fan running enough to keep it cool. Considering an additional fan as well if they make such a thing.
Any insight in this department?? I'm not an experienced gigger, but my bands picking up a head of steam and I obviously don't want equipment failure. The next morning when I woke up I headed right for my gear and turned it on, no lights, sounded great again.
considering a laptop cooling board or something to set my head on.. cheap fix?
Turning it off or leaving it on between sets shouldn't be any different. You could have had a problem with dodgy venue power, cooking your 115 or an amp problem.
