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Ampeg PF 800 issues

mwbassace

mwbassace

Jul 26, 2010
737
722
N.W. Ohio
#1
I bought a used (I'm the 2nd owner) PF 800 several years ago. I've had virtually the same issue on & off since getting it. With the problem happening alot for a time & then it works fine for a long time, only to come back.

It just stops making sound. Then, sometimes it starts right back several seconds later. And even when it does make sound again inevitebly it stops once more. I then have to turn it off & back on. And even then it has contiued to happen (note - turning it off/on does always bring it back). Early on owning it the fault light would come on sometimes, but not lately. But over the last week or 2 it's happened alot.

I will add that it has been very humid & rainy here for a few weeks. But can't remember if it was like that the other times this was going on. Just an FYI on settings & such:
cabs - Ampeg 8x10 classic & BFM Omni 12
passive basses, so pad is not on
compressor - 10 o'clock
gain - noon
ultra high - on
ultra low - off
bass - noon
mid - 2 to 2:30
mid freq - #3
high - 1
no fx
volume - 10 to noon
I will add that when i have to crank it (when using my BFM Omni 12 with one of my louder guitfiddlers) the gain & volume both sometimes go up a notch. And if both are above noon it seems to happen.

Any suggestions before i take it to my repair guy?
 
#2
mwbassace said:
I bought a used (I'm the 2nd owner) PF 800 several years ago. I've had virtually the same issue on & off since getting it. With the problem happening alot for a time & then it works fine for a long time, only to come back.

It just stops making sound. Then, sometimes it starts right back several seconds later. And even when it does make sound again inevitebly it stops once more. I then have to turn it off & back on. And even then it has contiued to happen (note - turning it off/on does always bring it back). Early on owning it the fault light would come on sometimes, but not lately. But over the last week or 2 it's happened alot.

I will add that it has been very humid & rainy here for a few weeks. But can't remember if it was like that the other times this was going on. Just an FYI on settings & such:
cabs - Ampeg 8x10 classic & BFM Omni 12
passive basses, so pad is not on
compressor - 10 o'clock
gain - noon
ultra high - on
ultra low - off
bass - noon
mid - 2 to 2:30
mid freq - #3
high - 1
no fx
volume - 10 to noon
I will add that when i have to crank it (when using my BFM Omni 12 with one of my louder guitfiddlers) the gain & volume both sometimes go up a notch. And if both are above noon it seems to happen.

Any suggestions before i take it to my repair guy?
Click to expand...
 
#5
Nighttrain1127 said:
Setting the Vol and Gain that high may be pushing the amp to max vol earlier than you might expect And with the bass at noon you are asking for even more power. Knob position is no indication of how much power your amp is putting out.
Click to expand...

The bass at noon is flat, no boost or cut. That may be true of knob position, but problems at the noon/1 o'clock position seems very odd. Especially for an amp known to provide nice OD when pushing the gain.
 
#6
Are you running it into a 4 or 8 ohms? Are you sure the cabinets haven’t been messed with, modified or incorrectly marked?

Otherwise, my suggestion it to have your amp serviced by an Ampeg AUTHORIZED service center that has experience with the PF series amps. If you give Ampeg’s customer service a call, they will be able to refer you to a qualified shop.

This is not an amp that a typical local tech is likely to be successful troubleshooting. If you are going to spend money on a repair, you should have the best odds of getting your amp repaired right.
 
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#7
It's happened with both my 8 ohm BFM Omni 12 & with my SLM Ampeg 810E (always use this cab full on). Like I said in the OP it's an on/off problem with it working fine for long periods of time. I do like this head when she's not being finicky. :crying:

I appreciate all the help & suggestions by the way.
 
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#8
There's been a well documented history with the PF series, especially the PF-500 for some particular reason, which is why I suggest a REALLY QUALIFIED service shop with EXPERIENCE with these products. I have seen average techs struggle with these kinds of problems because they simply do not have the knowledge, education and experience to know what they are looking at of how the amps are supposed to work. In the end, you shouldn't have to pay for their lack of ability.

An Ampeg authorized shop experienced with this line of amplifiers will have a much better chance of getting to the root cause of the problem, and also have access to factory support that will help get this sorted out quickly and reliably.
 
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#9
agedhorse said:
There's been a well documented history with the PF series, especially the PF-500 for some particular reason, which is why I suggest a REALLY QUALIFIED service shop with EXPERIENCE with these products. I have seen average techs struggle with these kinds of problems because they simply do not have the knowledge, education and experience to know what they are looking at of how the amps are supposed to work. In the end, you shouldn't have to pay for their lack of ability.

An Ampeg authorized shop experienced with this line of amplifiers will have a much better chance of getting to the root cause of the problem, and also have access to factory support that will help get this sorted out quickly and reliably.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much Mr. Horse, or may I call you aged? :angel:
Next move is an authorized Ampeg service guru!
 
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