• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg PF350/500 Part V

Status
Not open for further replies.
#801
Bass 45 said:
Can you record the fartiest note and put the track on repeat through your amp - leaving your hands free to find the sympathetic vibration.?
Click to expand...

Seems like vibration coming from the cab is getting transferred to the head but I still can't figure out which part of the cab is causing it. Unscrewed the head off the lid, placed the head on a table top, and put the lid back on - sounds perfect. Farting/staticky notes are gone.

Screwed the head back onto the lid and tightened everything. Issue returns. So it sounds like both head and cab are working fine?

pfschim said:
perhaps the sealing material between the cab top and the top that the amp is attached to is not consistent anymore because of use, and air may be escaping through the gap and causing a farting noise ? worth checking.
Click to expand...

Also checked the rubber sealing material on the cab and it looks mint..no wear at all.
 
#802
Snakepit said:
Seems like vibration coming from the cab is getting transferred to the head but I still can't figure out which part of the cab is causing it. Unscrewed the head off the lid, placed the head on a table top, and put the lid back on - sounds perfect. Farting/staticky notes are gone.

Screwed the head back onto the lid and tightened everything. Issue returns. So it sounds like both head and cab are working fine?

Also checked the rubber sealing material on the cab and it looks mint..no wear at all.
Click to expand...

Take the head back off the cabinet and put it on a table put the lid back on the cabinet play the notes that are farting while tapping on the head and see if it starts acting up. Maybe the vibrations are rattling something on the circuit board in the head when it's mounted on top of the cabinet.
 
#803
60bass said:
Take the head back off the cabinet and put it on a table put the lid back on the cabinet play the notes that are farting while tapping on the head and see if it starts acting up. Maybe the vibrations are rattling something on the circuit board in the head when it's mounted on top of the cabinet.
Click to expand...

given what you have done so far, this is sounding like the next possibility to check out. Perhaps a slight mismatch in the speaker cable jack, perhaps a slightly loose circuit board connector inside is being vibrated by being on top of the cab.

it is a PITA to track this kind of noise down sometimes.

good luck
 
#804
Snakepit are you sure it's a vibration and not an electronic type of issue? The only reason I ask is that I normally don't associate a vibration with a staticky or farting type sound.

I normally associate a farting type sound with a bad speaker or a voice coil thats dragging. Or a static type sound could be from the horn if there's one in the cab. The fact that you said it doesn't do it with the head off of the cabinet is what leads me to believe it's something inside the amp that's causing the problem.

I'm sure you probably already tried a different lead and speaker cord but there is one other thing that you can try . Take a cord and plug it in and out a bunch of times in the preamp out and power amp in Jacks on the back of the head. Those Jacks can get a little bit dirty or corroded and can cause cutting out farting and static issues. They are switching type jacks and have multiple contacts on them and can act up even if there's no cord plugged into them.

Try that and let us know if it works.
 
#805
Snakepit, very likely you've got an intermittent solder connection in the head. If it's under warranty, that makes it Ampeg's problem now - return/exchange time.

If you're playing it a lot you might have worn out a jack, but I've been gigging my first PF a lot since I got it a year ago and no issues w/connectors.
 
#806
pfschim said:
given what you have done so far, this is sounding like the next possibility to check out. Perhaps a slight mismatch in the speaker cable jack, perhaps a slightly loose circuit board connector inside is being vibrated by being on top of the cab.

it is a PITA to track this kind of noise down sometimes.

good luck
Click to expand...

I had this issue too and it turned out to be the two vertical grey pieces inside on either side of the fan were buzzing and making the sound. I put enough of that non-slip stuff you put under rugs between the grey pieces and the lid that it's cushioned the vibrations. I also double weather stripped the top cab opening and lid to cushion that too.
 
#807
Well Ive taken the plunge and bought myself a PF 500 from an online store. It arrived a few days ago, so just waiting to buy the Portaflex cab I want for it.

This is my first ever bass rig consisting of a separate head/cab so just wondering what else I might need? i.e Speaker Cables etc
 
#808
Spirit King said:
Well Ive taken the plunge and bought myself a PF 500 from an online store. It arrived a few days ago, so just waiting to buy the Portaflex cab I want for it.

This is my first ever bass rig consisting of a separate head/cab so just wondering what else I might need? i.e Speaker Cables etc
Click to expand...

The speaker cable comes with the cabinet when you buy it if it didn't come with the head. You will also get casters. I bought mine seperate and the cable was included with one or the other. The only other thing I can think of you might want is a cover to protect it when you transport it.
 
#813
rodl2005 said:
Thanx, I'll call Tuki & ask for Tulip ;)

Hmmm, dunno whether to go big thick padded cover or just a slip cover.
Sometimes a slip might be easier when you have to slide em into a wagon
Click to expand...

"Tulip" darn auto word substitution on my phone sometimes one slips through LOL
 
#815
GregT said:
The speaker cable comes with the cabinet when you buy it if it didn't come with the head. You will also get casters. I bought mine seperate and the cable was included with one or the other. The only other thing I can think of you might want is a cover to protect it when you transport it.
Click to expand...

Yeah I got a kettle lead/adapter but no speaker cable. I have noticed that the PF 500 can use either 1/4 jack or a neutrik speakon cable - What would people recommend between the two?
 
#817
Thank Rod! Nice bit of Info there I didn't know about the PF Cabs so all I have to do is decide on what Cab to be buy. My head says the 115 (apparently physically lighter but with better low-end response) but I'm very much undecided cab wise as the 210 and 115 do vary in price for some reason.

I play in a 1970's style 4 piece proto-metal/classic rock band and my actual playing style is heavily influenced by Geezer Butler, Jack Bruce and Scott Reeder.
 
#820
backup said:
im thinking about getting PF350. how does it compare to hartke lh500, eden e300 and acoustic B200H?
obviosuly hartke has the most power and acoustic the least but whats the difference in tone between those three and the pf350?
Click to expand...
Those 3 amps are traditional solid state and have a harder edged sound that I can only describe as "solid state." I've not played the Eden but the Hartke is really good while the Acoustic is decent but doesn't knock me out. The Hartke has the Fender tone stack which is different from all the other amps, but I'm too tired to go into it so google "Fender tone stack" for an explanation if you don't already know.

The PF350 is a micro, and a little softer around the edges. To me it sounds closer to a tube amp than the others, although nothing quite compares to tube amps. I've had one for a year and it's a terrific little amp that sounds like Ampeg.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back