Ampeg pf-800 update: shut down!

[EatS1stBassist]

I just bought a Pf800 and two Pf115 cabs (Jan. 2021). Took it to jam, and it shut down right away (2/3 volume 1/3 gain). Came back on a minute later. Shut off a second time. Then no probs for the next hour and a half. Needed to get broken in??

I also noticed it fades in and out at low volumes at home.

IDK. Like others here, tone and portability are great. But that doesn’t matter if it’s going to shut down at a show.

What would be close to the Portaflex series with generally much better reviews on quality? Which Ampeg heads/cabs have the fewest complaints?

Regardless of whether or not some people (or most) have had no issues with these, there are still “loads” of similar complaints about shutting down — enough to make me want to look elsewhere :-(

Send it back if you can!!!

 

[Zooberwerx]

I’m talking with Sweetwater now about returns. They’ll take the head back for the cutting out issues. Not sure if they’ll take the two PF115 cabs “just because” they sound terrible at high volume. We’ll see.

I would push this along the lines of "...I want a matching set which is why I bought the PF amp and PF cabs to start with".

Riis

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Hey all. Well after my glowing review of the Ampeg pf-800 and 410/115 I've decided to return the pf-800 head. Since my review it has gone into shutdown numerous times and as much as I like the tone and sound of it I cant justify a $600 800 watt head shutting down randomly when pushed or when really digging in. At first I assumed it was cutting out due to the gain/volume being set too high but it has gone into shutdown multiple times even with it set at what I would consider to be very reasonable levels. I hate the feeling that it might cut out and I don't think that should be a worry. So after spending the day researching, I've decided to send it back and exchange it for a Peavy mini mega. I'd love to stick with an ampeg head to go with my ampeg cabs, but after experiencing the same thing with my pf-350, which is one of the reasons I went all out and bought the pf-800, I feel like I need to go in another direction now. I can't find even one issue with the min mega cutting out. It's the same price as the Ampeg, is 1000 watts rms @4ohms and from what I can see is rock solid. I have no hate for Ampeg. I still love the cabs and the tone of the amp heads. I just can't see spending $600 and having to deal with that issue. Comments and thoughts are welcome. Feel free to chime in. Thanks guys.

I recently had to return an Ampeg tube head and cab. It was horrible sounding nothing I could do with any bass could make it sound good and I’ve owned Ampeg before. I sent it back to Sweetwater They charged me $55 for shipping on my card because they could not find anything wrong with it!!

 

[bdplaid]

I’m talking with Sweetwater now about returns. They’ll take the head back for the cutting out issues. Not sure if they’ll take the two PF115 cabs “just because” they sound terrible at high volume. We’ll see.

I sent back two 212 cabs and all I had to do was pay shipping, which I bought through them and was reasonable.

I’m not sure how Ampeg-y I can get the Subway 800, but they seem to have far fewer quality issues than Ampeg’s stuff. Hopefully my Tech21 VT would get it close.

The tube driven subway are supposed to be the shizz. You owe it to yourself to at least look in the subway forum ask about ampeg vs the new TT.

And I don't think the ampeg scrdi sounds like an svt, but it definitely brings the ampeg tone. Note this is only true of the scrdi, not the classic preamp. I think the pre alone sounds nothing like ampeg.

 

[bdplaid]

Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club

 

[Nighttrain1127]

Just going to throw this out there . When I got my MiniMega the fan did not run all the time or at all and the amp would overheat after about 10 min of very low level use. I called Support and they said just take the cover off and make sure the connector had not come loose from the fan. Well that was the issue . I pushed the connector together and the Fan came on when I turned the unit back on . It has not been an Issue since. Otherwise it is a great amp