Ampeg pf-800 update: shut down!

[bdplaid]

Yeah it's a great sounding head. At first I thought oh well I'll just be sure to never have the gain and volume set very high. But then I thought, no way, I should be able to crank this thing without having to be concerned about it shutting down. I'm not even really pushing it and I have to be careful. It's too bad. I wanted to be able to keep this thing.

You're right.

I really like the SCR-DI as it has tons of Ampeg tone and gives me the option to use whatever amp i want to drive the sound.
Also, the PF800 is just stupid big. A very awkward size for moving and such, it doesn't fit into a backpack, and don't even think about a bass bag pocket.

 

[versicolor]

You're right.

I really like the SCR-DI as it has tons of Ampeg tone and gives me the option to use whatever amp i want to drive the sound.
Also, the PF800 is just stupid big. A very awkward size for moving and such, it doesn't fit into a backpack, and don't even think about a bass bag pocket.

I think I saw your post about the pf-800 and the problems you had. Sounds like exactly what's happening to mine. So frustrating. This was a major purchase for me and I was so excited to be free of the problem that I experienced with the 350. When I pulled the 800 out of the box I actually said out loud...now THIS is the real deal. No more messing around. My heart sank when it cut out. What a bummer.

 

[versicolor]

At least with the 350 I could press the limiter button and not have to worry about it.

 

[2saddleslab]

I've run my PF500 into 4 ohms for four plus years and never have had a shutdown. -

Me too with my PF800. Last summer it ran on a late-July Saturday in Ohio under a 4-ohm load from 9:00 AM until around 4:00 PM at moderate volume I'd say. It may be apples and oranges, and I'm not disputing the op, but mine has been flawless, especially with the Portaflex cabs.

Same with my pf800. Two years of constant use, inside, outside, hot environments, running 1-12 or 2-12 cabs and never a problem.

 

[Mugre]

Well this is a brand new unit that I just ordered last week and received Thursday. How would I find out if it is new old stock. Is there a number on it or something that would indicate?

Ampeg/Loud or whatever they call themselves these days might be able to tell from the serial number. An authorized repair station with access to the eco's can tell by looking for the changes in the amp. In any event, if the amp is new, a warranty service center is where it should be. My point is that these are now stable, reliable amps and it's entirely possible and probably that yours can be too.

 

[Bim1959]

I have a PF800 that i had srnt to me brand new from Guitar Center's warehouse somewhere down south (I live in Naples Florida). I was playing an intimate gig in a smallish restaurant that Ive played at numerous times without incident until recently (i normally run the head into an Acoustic B210neo cabinet) when the audio cut in and out and finally died. No fault lights, no clipping lights, fan would run occasionally but the amp wasnt even warm. The authorized tech Im sending it to that LOUD recommended says theyve been having problems with the output modules. As much as I love the sound I now wont be able to trust it and will put it up for sale once I get it back.

 

[Basstigator]

Are you proof positive that you're at 4 ohms?

 

[JimmyM]

Sorry you're having problems, but honestly, it's a fluke. I know plenty of folks who have had zero problems with their PF800's. Mine is 4 years old now and never shut off like that. Every now and then a bad one slips through, but you can say that about any amp made.

 

[faulknersj]

Are you playing a 4 or 5 string bass? My guess is that you like to crank the lows up a bit?

 

[faulknersj]

Are you playing a 4 or 5 string bass? My guess is that you like to crank the lows up a bit? Do you have to compete with a really loud drummer that hits hard and/or a loud distorted guitar?

 

[Nighttrain1127]

Slight Derail The Mini Mega had Issues early on but they have the bugs worked out now.

 

[Calebmundy]

I've had the same trouble with three different PF800s. I hate it, because I have really come to love the sound, but I am going to have to get something else.

 

[quickfix]

Mine isn't reliable at 4 ohms. Won't take my two PF115 cabs at the same time as it likes to cut out. It's all right with just one cab though.
As much as I like the sound of the PF 800...it's a bit of a lame duck. But, I'm stuck with it for now.

 

[mellowgerman]

I had reliability issues with my PF-500 as well. Loved the tone and portability, but before long it shut down without me pushing it much at all and eventually burned out completely. Granted I bought it used and don't know how the previous owner ran it, though it was practically in mint condition when I got it

 

[jertravis]

I was in the market for a new amp head to go with my 410 4ohm cab and strongly considered the PF500. I have a friend in a local band and he was using the PF500. He had to replace the board at his own expense. Reliability is an issue with this PF series (made in China) and I just don't need the the hassle and purchased a GK MB500 and am very happy!

 

[versicolor]

4 string jazz bass. I usually have the bass knob on the amp set to 1 or 2 o'clock. Nothing crazy. No loud drummer because I mostly just play for fun in my studio. Nothing I'm doing should cause the amp to shut down. I don't feel that any of the settings are drastic. It has cut out with gain at noon and volume at 1, bass at 2, mid at noon and treble at noon. There is no way that should happen. The amps not even being pushed at those settings..

 

[squeakyd]

I owned a PF-500 that sounded great through my two 8 ohm cabs, but wanted more headroom for some of the gigs I play, and moved to a (previously owned) PF-800. I experienced lots of shutdowns, and had to move on. I now use a LittleMark Tube 800 with no issues. Great sounding amp, but those potential shutdows are risky.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

My pf-350 did the same thing when I had it hooked up to the 410 and a 210. I had emailed Ampeg about that issue but the guy just told me to back off on the gain/volume. IDK it seems like I should be able to utilize the functions available on the amp. I've never set the dials too extreme but it seems to me like you should be able to push it at least a little. I don't want to seem like I'm bashing Ampeg. It's frustrating. $600 might not be an extreme amount in the context of the bass amp world but it's a huge purchase in the context of mine. I feel like in that range it shouldn't be an issue at all.

All amps should work as described!!

 

[bdplaid]

Why would anyone suggest that a brand new, out of the box amp, with problems as severe as a shutdown, be taken to a warranty center rather than returned? I can see getting another one on the idea that it's one-off problem, but trying to fix something that made it past QC, still malfunctions, and also has numerous reports of major problems, is a fool's errand.

 

[Treebeard]

Never had any issues with the 500 over many years