peddles said:
Hmm...... Ampeg has admitted that if you crank the bass control the amp will probably cut out... Now I wonder if Ampeg has modified the bass circuit in these heads?
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Ampeg PF350/500 Part V
- Thread starter Chef
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Hmm...... Ampeg has admitted that if you crank the bass control the amp will probably cut out... Now I wonder if Ampeg has modified the bass circuit in these heads?
stiles72
ryanfenderbass mentioned in one of his posts that Ampeg told him that he should back off the bass control or if he needed more bottom, he should consider the new Portaflex HLF cabs to avoid cutting out issues.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/ampeg-pf500-350-part-4-a-849565/index41.html
After reading the post again, I can't say that Ampeg actually "admitted" running the bass full on would cause cutouts, but their response is sure pretty close to actually admitting it.
That being said, I still love the sound of my PF500 and so far still no issues but keeping my fingers crossed anyway.
Keep Low
I feel like the QC should be as such that if you absolutely dime everything, that it'll work and be fine; in other words: idiot proof.
This thread is making me nervous. I love my pf 500. Take it everywhere, practice, gigs and the studio. I have had no problems with it and love the tone. I have a pro 3 also but haven't been useing it much lately because how much I like the PF. But now I am worried about it's dependability. I hope I just got one of the "good ones". Would be bummed if it breaks down on me. I really like the tone/power/weight. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
Broadstbully22 said:
Gonna chime in here. I am one of the most notoriously problem-plagued 500 users in this thread. I am on my 4th unit. However, I have learned something (based solely on my own experience), the pf500 (to me) is reliably unreliable. Meaning, when I push it at 4 ohms, I now expect it to cut out on me. However, I've never had a problem with running a single cab. So, now my PF500 is my light/practice/backup rig. No problem.
I now have an SVT7Pro running my duel cab rig... flawlessly. Best purchase ever. In short, the 500 is a great little amp, but I've learned it has its limits and I've created a place for it.
FWIT--I also had an a US SVT3PRO completely die on me. To me, that's an unreliable amp! The insurance money (all my gear is insured) from that amp's death bought my PF rig, so I'm not too upset
Gonna chime in here. I am one of the most notoriously problem-plagued 500 users in this thread. I am on my 4th unit. However, I have learned something (based solely on my own experience), the pf500 (to me) is reliably unreliable. Meaning, when I push it at 4 ohms, I now expect it to cut out on me. However, I've never had a problem with running a single cab. So, now my PF500 is my light/practice/backup rig. No problem.
I now have an SVT7Pro running my duel cab rig... flawlessly. Best purchase ever. In short, the 500 is a great little amp, but I've learned it has its limits and I've created a place for it.
FWIT--I also had an a US SVT3PRO completely die on me. To me, that's an unreliable amp! The insurance money (all my gear is insured) from that amp's death bought my PF rig, so I'm not too upset
What a bummer about that, though. You shouldn't be able to buy what is touted as a "pro grade" head and have to worry about running it WITHIN ITS SPECS. That's absurd, and clearly disappointing from Loud.
Those of you who are able to make your amp cut out, does the clip LED light up when it happens? If the front end is being overloaded the clip light should be coming on. If it's not clipping then it is probably the limiter, but there is no indicator for the limiter so it would be hard to say. At any rate either clipping the front end or hitting the limiter should not cause the amp to cut out completely unless there is a faulty component or it was poorly designed. I wish someone from Ampeg would chime in with an explanation!
ryanfenderbass said:Gonna chime in here. I am one of the most notoriously problem-plagued 500 users in this thread. I am on my 4th unit. However, I have learned something (based solely on my own experience), the pf500 (to me) is reliably unreliable. Meaning, when I push it at 4 ohms, I now expect it to cut out on me. However, I've never had a problem with running a single cab. So, now my PF500 is my light/practice/backup rig. No problem.
I now have an SVT7Pro running my duel cab rig... flawlessly. Best purchase ever. In short, the 500 is a great little amp, but I've learned it has its limits and I've created a place for it.
FWIT--I also had an a US SVT3PRO completely die on me. To me, that's an unreliable amp! The insurance money (all my gear is insured) from that amp's death bought my PF rig, so I'm not too upset
This is what I have mine on. It is a 4ohm bxt210. I never really run it hard since I play though the pa and use this for myself on stage. No clipping issues yet. So,i dont know what to think. My pro 3 is on a 810 can in the basement that never really gos anywhere anymore because I built this for the size and weight and enjoy not lugging my other stuff around.
And from your settings we can you aren't babying it either! I like that cabinet.
I love this cab. People have no idea. It's 450 at 4 ohms and has a tilt back. Never find myself needing more. It's about 46 pounds, then this pf and some chords and two jazzes in a double gigbag and I can walk right in the door and set up. That's why I like this pf so much. My whole rig and basses are less then 100 pounds and can be carried in one trip. And this cab sounds amazing. I'm always surprized how many people don't know about it.
It would be if not for so many others having no problems running theirs hard.
I can vouch that cranking the bass knob will make mine cut out for just a couple seconds. Turning it back a little does the trick. Their CS was great for me and mine is being repaired at a very reputable shop under warranty. I love the tone of it and I hope when it comes back it's fixed to last for awhile. Also have the PF350 for a backup w/ no issues.
How is the tone with the VT Bass into an Ampeg? I am seriously thinking about getting one. I have two other Tech 21 Sansamp products (Blonde and Programmable Bass Driver) and I think they are great.
I've read every single post in the entire thread, and it seems that most of the problems are coming from hard use. By that I mean slapping, or playing in hard rock styles.
Me, I'm a low action, soft right hand non slapping sort of guy. I dig the gain at 1-2 oçlock, never use the compressor, have the knobs at twelve with the bass at one oçlock. I run two PF115HE cabs and have never had an issue, although I've never had to run the master past twelve oçlock.
I say this because I wonder if the guys who are having trouble are more aggressive players? Slapping and hard plucking may be causing transient spikes in the input signal that is overloading something. I must admit all these tales have made me a little nervous, but at least I have a GB Shuttle for backup if needed.
It would be real nice if an Ampeg rep would come on here and tell us what they've found with all these heads they've replaced.
Me, I'm a low action, soft right hand non slapping sort of guy. I dig the gain at 1-2 oçlock, never use the compressor, have the knobs at twelve with the bass at one oçlock. I run two PF115HE cabs and have never had an issue, although I've never had to run the master past twelve oçlock.
I say this because I wonder if the guys who are having trouble are more aggressive players? Slapping and hard plucking may be causing transient spikes in the input signal that is overloading something. I must admit all these tales have made me a little nervous, but at least I have a GB Shuttle for backup if needed.
It would be real nice if an Ampeg rep would come on here and tell us what they've found with all these heads they've replaced.
Running 2 cabs, I've had all 3 of my prior PF500s cut out simply by digging in (with fingers and flats mind you) at a moderate volume using my desired tone settings). The key here is "my desired tone settings." Bass at 1:00, Mid at 1:00 (setting 2 or 3), treb at 11:00, a touch of comp, no ultra low/high, horn disengaged. With the gain set around noon/volume at 1:00-3:00, all of my units constantly cut out when digging into notes on the A and E strings. No issues with one cab, even playing loudly. No issues with my 7pro and 2 cabs either 
I don't think think the cut-outs are random. If your desired settings work well for you without any issues, you should be okay for the long haul. ...knock on wood.
I don't think think the cut-outs are random. If your desired settings work well for you without any issues, you should be okay for the long haul. ...knock on wood.
Then you should be fine! Take caution turning up any louder though, especially on a gig. IME/YMMV
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