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Ampeg PF issues cutting out?
- Thread starter mbell75
- Start date
Not necessarily. My SVT 7 Pro would fail, but it was random. Sometimes I'd get 20 minutes out of it, sometimes I'd get through the entire gig. I wouldn't say it was broken, though. It just had a faulty part.
I run a PF800 now with no issues at all. I had a PF500 before with no issues at all. A lot of the issues, in my opinion, are people thinking they can crank the gain and volume to 10 without issues. These are solid state, class D amps and they can put out immense power. Follow the instructions for use from Ampeg and you won't have an issue.
I have avoided that line of amps because of this ongoing issue. my gk mb800 is going strong after several years of regular use.
People make fun of GC brand Acoustic all the time.
20 bucks says you'll have better luck with that lol.
To be realistic
Some guys need alot of power
Some guys don't.
Might take 3 years could be 7
Eventually they all die
Unfortunately my Really really heavy Peavey Tnt is still working. Likewise my 70s Acoustic 370 has never been repaired and absolutely tortured for 40 plus years.
So when Ampeg PF series death reports come about monthly or yearly. It's kinda hard to get over the pure amazing technology these days.
You know the old saying " drive it like you stole it" well a PF would just break and cops would get you a few blocks away.
Should have stole a Peavey. A really really old Peavey with no warranty lol
20 bucks says you'll have better luck with that lol.
To be realistic
Some guys need alot of power
Some guys don't.
Might take 3 years could be 7
Eventually they all die
Unfortunately my Really really heavy Peavey Tnt is still working. Likewise my 70s Acoustic 370 has never been repaired and absolutely tortured for 40 plus years.
So when Ampeg PF series death reports come about monthly or yearly. It's kinda hard to get over the pure amazing technology these days.
You know the old saying " drive it like you stole it" well a PF would just break and cops would get you a few blocks away.
Should have stole a Peavey. A really really old Peavey with no warranty lol
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,066
- 5
- 221,114
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Your Genz Benz head is still covered under a flat rate factor service program. This way you can get it repaired right the first time guaranteed. Failures are rare, but they can happen with any product.My PF-800 has been flawless, but my Genz Benz head crapped out on me three times. Maybe I should start a thread about how unreliable Genz Benz heads are.
I was being sarcastic. Nothing wrong with Genz Benz. I actually wound up selling it, unrelated to my issues.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,066
- 5
- 221,114
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
If I see another PF350 fro a good price on FB or CL, Ill buy it. Takes no space in the truck and should one fail (nothing lasts forever) I'll still be okay.
Actually I'll give props to Ampeg for actually designing a amp that turns on and off.
Using the older International Rectifier driver chips.
Complete turd of a chip lol.
Well actually it's okish but...
Little moody and can be a challenge.
After you finally get it to turn on without squaking or thumping.
6 months later it has even more gifts.
It just dies lol.
Iater of course international rectifier "improved the drivers. But ironically everyone talks poop about Beringer. But they actually had a better design that ran earlier international rectifier driver chips without issue.
Once you get past the chip issue. You get to move on to the next level. How long does it take to kill a cheap power supply
Using the older International Rectifier driver chips.
Complete turd of a chip lol.
Well actually it's okish but...
Little moody and can be a challenge.
After you finally get it to turn on without squaking or thumping.
6 months later it has even more gifts.
It just dies lol.
Iater of course international rectifier "improved the drivers. But ironically everyone talks poop about Beringer. But they actually had a better design that ran earlier international rectifier driver chips without issue.
Once you get past the chip issue. You get to move on to the next level. How long does it take to kill a cheap power supply
The PF issue is well documented.
From what I've read: it isn't that it breaks down and has to be repaired, it simply overheats. When this happens a built in fail-safe shuts it down to prevent damage. After a short amount of time it cools down and comes back on.
From my own experience: This has been true of my PF-350 and so I only use it at rehearsals of small groups that play at low volume. Even then it cuts out now and then so I've pretty much parked it even though I really like the tone.
I think it's unfair to say this is similar to other amps. I haven't had this problem with any other amp I've owned or played over a long career.
To be fair, I bought mine used a couple of years ago and the new ones may have dealt with this issue.
If you're a fan of the PFs and don't consider this a concern, come to Nashville and hand me $100 and you can have mine.
From what I've read: it isn't that it breaks down and has to be repaired, it simply overheats. When this happens a built in fail-safe shuts it down to prevent damage. After a short amount of time it cools down and comes back on.
From my own experience: This has been true of my PF-350 and so I only use it at rehearsals of small groups that play at low volume. Even then it cuts out now and then so I've pretty much parked it even though I really like the tone.
I think it's unfair to say this is similar to other amps. I haven't had this problem with any other amp I've owned or played over a long career.
To be fair, I bought mine used a couple of years ago and the new ones may have dealt with this issue.
If you're a fan of the PFs and don't consider this a concern, come to Nashville and hand me $100 and you can have mine.
For rehearsals, the Micro VR or PF350 head with a SVT210AV cabinet gives me plenty volume and beautiful tone.
(which is an improvement in tone and volume of the already very nice BA115)
With the given combination you can add (in time) another cabinet for move volume.
There are so many lovely Ampeg combinations to make IME.
Thanks. I’m not sure I consider 2x10 an improvement in tone over 1x15, I usually prefer a 15, and the 210 doesn’t seem any louder than the 115 despite the extra watts. However, having the option to add an additional cab makes the 210 a bit more attractive. I didn’t realize the 115 doesn’t have one. Stupid of Ampeg to not add one, the 1x15 Rumble has an extension speaker out.
Yea,it’s 150 watts. The Rumble is 140 but you get 200 with an external cab. No reason Ampeg couldn’t do the same, unless they weren’t capable of making more power out of a 1x15. Like the 210, it’s rated at 283 but you get 450 with an external cab. Should have done the same with the 115.
