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Ampeg PF350/500 Part V

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I'm getting good vibes from your keyboard player. :D

attachment.jpg

At first glance, the reflection on the bottom of the top keyboard caught my attention. :D
 
I have a thread going elsewhere but just thought I'd mention that I bought the PF500 a couple of weeks ago. Played mostly by myself and did one rehearsal with it on Wednesday. On thursday morning I turned it on and nothing. No sound no nothing except the yellow fault light. Took it back to the GC and am trying to decide whether or not to replace it.

As I said I have a separate thread going discussing my comparisons between the PF500 and 115HE vs. a variety of my other gear including my Ampeg V4b and my TCE classic, etc. for those that are interested.

that is EXACTLY how mine went
 
first took it to the shop where I purchased it - they attempted to repair - ampeg sent them powerboard to replace - it was damaged - shop repaired board - installed ......worked a little for a week or two - began to cut out......(Had it initially 10 months - played A LOT of shows - maybe 45-50 can't remember - but its in my thread comments about it) I think two shows after repair with the cut out issues, then I called Loud. Ampeg offered to send out a replacement quickly at that point, I returned the original in the box the replacement arrived in - with return label. Very smooth.

I have not used the new one as much, have been using the Genz Shuttle 6.0 I bought as a replacement/backup and using the ampeg as home practice - once in a while taking it out for a run.

I honestly would get my money back and buy a more substantial replacement, if I were doing it over again. I am scared it will leave me hanging when I need it. I will say though - they were VERY responsive at Ampeg when I called to discuss issues, findings, and corrective actions.
 
first took it to the shop where I purchased it - they attempted to repair - ampeg sent them powerboard to replace - it was damaged - shop repaired board - installed ......worked a little for a week or two - began to cut out......(Had it initially 10 months - played A LOT of shows - maybe 45-50 can't remember - but its in my thread comments about it) I think two shows after repair with the cut out issues, then I called Loud. Ampeg offered to send out a replacement quickly at that point, I returned the original in the box the replacement arrived in - with return label. Very smooth.

I have not used the new one as much, have been using the Genz Shuttle 6.0 I bought as a replacement/backup and using the ampeg as home practice - once in a while taking it out for a run.

I honestly would get my money back and buy a more substantial replacement, if I were doing it over again. I am scared it will leave me hanging when I need it. I will say though - they were VERY responsive at Ampeg when I called to discuss issues, findings, and corrective actions.

I probably would have taken another chance if I wasn't already so satisfied with my TCE Classic. The real disappointment for me was having to return the 115HE. It was such a cool looking cab that I desperately wanted to like it but it just didn't have the tone I was looking for.
 
I probably would have taken another chance if I wasn't already so satisfied with my TCE Classic. The real disappointment for me was having to return the 115HE. It was such a cool looking cab that I desperately wanted to like it but it just didn't have the tone I was looking for.

Funny - I had gotten the 2-10 and wanted to like it. I was never sure if it was the cab or the head - but I didn't. the whole PF experience cost me hours of roadtime to/from shop - wait time - left a bad taste AND.....I had to buy a backup to cover gigs while it was out.

They pretty much lost me - but thats just me.
 
Funny - I had gotten the 2-10 and wanted to like it. I was never sure if it was the cab or the head - but I didn't. the whole PF experience cost me hours of roadtime to/from shop - wait time - left a bad taste AND.....I had to buy a backup to cover gigs while it was out.

They pretty much lost me - but thats just me.

Sometimes things just aren't destined to work out for everybody. I had a similar experience with the Peavy tube amp a few years ago. Ordered one and it died within the first day. Returned it and ordered another one. The second one lasted 2 days and that was enough for me.
 
Funny - I had gotten the 2-10 and wanted to like it. I was never sure if it was the cab or the head - but I didn't. the whole PF experience cost me hours of roadtime to/from shop - wait time - left a bad taste AND.....I had to buy a backup to cover gigs while it was out.

They pretty much lost me - but thats just me.

I am also using a PF500/115HE. I've had it for about 6 weeks. It's not my main gig rig at the moment (I use a Mesa WA 1x12 as my go-to system), but I am liking the sound of the PF rig and expect to use it more and more.

I have been watching this, and other threads about this amp and am somewhat concerned about the reliability of the amp. I have not had any issues at all with the one I am using now, and I do carry a backup amp to all gigs (currently a TC RH450). I just don't have any patience for gear failing on gigs.

I wonder if when you spoke to Loud CS, did they say that they had been having specific problems with one of the amp components or another. Like, maybe they got a bad batch of power modules or main system boards or something like that ?

sorry to hear about your hassle with the PF500. It does sound like Loud CS responded positively and quickly to the problem, but apparently you have moved on.
 
I wonder if when you spoke to Loud CS, did they say that they had been having specific problems with one of the amp components or another. Like, maybe they got a bad batch of power modules or main system boards or something like that ?

sorry to hear about your hassle with the PF500. It does sound like Loud CS responded positively and quickly to the problem, but apparently you have moved on.

Loud DID step up - but only after several trips back and forth to the shop (on the phone along this process with them). They said that this was not a problem with this series of amps, and they were not aware of others having these problems, even though I referenced others here.

I think If I hadn't had to purchase a back up during all of this, I may have been more confident - or at least less miffed.

I stand by what I have said all along though - it sounds good. Its light - I like it. i just wish I could trust it.
 
Loud DID step up - but only after several trips back and forth to the shop (on the phone along this process with them). They said that this was not a problem with this series of amps, and they were not aware of others having these problems, even though I referenced others here.

I think If I hadn't had to purchase a back up during all of this, I may have been more confident - or at least less miffed.

I stand by what I have said all along though - it sounds good. Its light - I like it. i just wish I could trust it.

yeah, you have to be able to trust your gear. many more important things to focus on during a gig, you don't want to be wondering if your rig will make it.

I'm guessing that the numbers of folks who are reporting issues with their PF series amps here at TB represent a very small fraction of the total number of units sold. Someone suggested in another PF350/500 thread that these amps were one of Loud's biggest selling items this year.
 
They don't release it to me, that's for sure. But they have said that the PF500 was the best selling solid state head for last year and got over 10% of the market, so that's a lot of heads.
 
I have also moved on from my PF500. In our band, we have gone without amps altogether. We are now using two Tech 21 Sansamps: one for bass and one for guitar. It is working out great for us. I sold one of my PF500/PF115HE amps to a freind; I wouldn't have sold it to a freind if I still didn't feel good about it. I am keeping my other PF500?PF115HE for the times when I play bass with other bands though. I will always take along my Tech 21 Programmable Bass Driver as a backup, but I don't expect to ever need it. It is sure the easiest way to bring a backup.
 
So my son was playing this morning. ATK700 to PF500 to GK 8ohm 2x10. He set it up as normal, gain less that what it takes to make the light blink and compression basically nothing.
He played for about half an hour then heard a "screeching" noise and then silence. ALL the lights were on solid at that point.:spit:
 
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