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Ampeg PF350/500 Part V

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#841
fivestringgecko said:
That's the rig I've been rocking for a while now and I've found it to be super flexible. You'll probably find that both cabs will be more than enough for just about any but the absolute loudest situations.

I only need one cab for my funk band rehearsals. It's more than I need to keep up with two vocalists, guitar, keys, drummer and 5-6 horns. I do bring both cabs to gigs, but more for looks. One might be enough, but it's nice to have the extra oomph if needed.

For gigs with my gospel band, I automatically bring both cabs because describing that band with "stupid loud" wouldn't be a stretch in the slightest. Lead vocalist, TEN backing vocalists, two keyboards, a sequencer, myself... and a drummer who only has LOUD and LOUDER. (One of the keyboardists and I continue to try and convince the band leader that louder doesn't always mean better... But he seems unwilling to entertain the idea.)

My PF rig sounds awesome with pedals too. I use mainly overdrive, octave and envelope filter, but I'll throw in the occasional chorus too. It sounds awesome with everything and I don't bother with the effects loop either... Board goes straight into the front input.

Edit: I'll also add... Don't be shy with the volume knob. The PF500 seems to really hit it's stride around 1:00-2:00 on the Master.

5sg.
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Awesome! I'm really looking forward to this, Thanks 5sg!
 
#842
I'm not yet completely sold on my PF500. I need to give it a bit more time, but it definitely has that SVT thing going on and its not my ideal tone. I can see why people would like it though! It has what I would describe as a "heavy" tone. The way the notes sit in the mix. Cool head, glad you guys are liking yours!
 
#843
Gwazerith said:
Awesome! I'm really looking forward to this, Thanks 5sg!
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You're welcome! Always happy to help out.

Another thing since you may not have caught it... When using both cabs, start with the comp, Gain and Master all the way off before setting the Gain based on your bass. THEN dial in Comp and Master to taste. The PF500 is apparently designed in a way that if you set the Gain with Comp dialed up, it IS possible to overload the preamp and you might experience issues of the amp cutting out (going into Protect mode). I've been setting up my 500 that way every time, one cab or two, since I learned that from an Ampeg tech and haven't had any problems since. Not really a problem, just an aspect of the design.

AMJBASS said:
I'm not yet completely sold on my PF500. I need to give it a bit more time, but it definitely has that SVT thing going on and its not my ideal tone!
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Sorry to hear it's not quite your thing AMJ! As with all gear, nothing is always right for everyone. I jumped on the Rusty Box bandwagon and was totally excited when I got the email saying they had one for me. It's a great preamp, just not for me... I had mine for less than a week and then shipped it to Switzerland to a fellow TB'er.

Your description of "heavy" is a pretty good one, and I think that's why I like it. I also have a Shuttle 6 which is much more clean & modern than the color of the 500.

5sg.
 
#846
AMJBASS said:
I'm not yet completely sold on my PF500. I need to give it a bit more time, but it definitely has that SVT thing going on and its not my ideal tone. I can see why people would like it though! It has what I would describe as a "heavy" tone. The way the notes sit in the mix. Cool head, glad you guys are liking yours!
Click to expand...

The PF500 has the "Ampeg" sound for sure. It's almost a love hate thing. While I was very happy with the tone I got out of my PF500, I found myself missing the tone I used to get from my Genz Benz heads. I traded the Ampeg in on a GB contour 500 15" with a GB Focus 15" extension cab and so far am pleased with the tone. I'm going to pu a PF 350 head to go along with the GB So I'll have the best of both worlds :-)
 
#848
Last night was my first full rehearsal with my 115HE (have had the PF500 for awhile but playing through an Ampeg 1510 cab) with the band and I was extremely pleased! Even the lead singer through out compliments on the tone! Hmmm...think that 1510 is going up for sale and will get another 115HE to finish the stack!
 
#850
I bought a new PF-350 in July with an Acoustic B115 cab and have used it several times for rehearsals and jamming. I'm up against a 100W modded Fender Twin with Celestions, a 60W Vibrolux and a medium loud drummer. I keep the gain and volume somewhere between 2 and 3 O'clock with the limiter on, and the light does go nuts, but it never cuts out or does anything like that. After jams it's barely warm. Sould I be concerned about pushing it? I was thinking of getting a 2x10 cab to go with that, would that help or is it overkill? Outside of that I just really love this lil Ampeg amp and have gotten lots of compliments. We're mostly doing combinations of Grateful Dead covers, some blues and other assorted stuff.

Thanks,
Rob
 
#851
RobBottom69 said:
I bought a new PF-350 in July with an Acoustic B115 cab and have used it several times for rehearsals and jamming. I'm up against a 100W modded Fender Twin with Celestions, a 60W Vibrolux and a medium loud drummer. I keep the gain and volume somewhere between 2 and 3 O'clock with the limiter on, and the light does go nuts, but it never cuts out or does anything like that. After jams it's barely warm. Sould I be concerned about pushing it? I was thinking of getting a 2x10 cab to go with that, would that help or is it overkill? Outside of that I just really love this lil Ampeg amp and have gotten lots of compliments. We're mostly doing combinations of Grateful Dead covers, some blues and other assorted stuff.

Thanks,
Rob
Click to expand...

Assuming the 15 is an 8ohm, adding another 8ohm will give you more head room, but more importantly it will give you more speaker surface which will move more air, and sound louder.
I would get another 15 so you have matching cabs!

J!
 
#853
RobBottom69 said:
Should I be concerned about pushing it?
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Been doing that for a year or so now with my 500, no problems if I bring one 1x15 or 2x10. I also play w/2 guitars with similar amps.

RobBottom69 said:
I was thinking of getting a 2x10 cab to go with that, would that help or is it overkill?
Click to expand...

When I bring a 2nd matching cab (in the case of the 10s I stack them upright in line) I come down an hour or two on the Master. ;) Always stack anyway so you can hear the speakers breaking up, as that's your real volume limit.

EDIT: Oh and it's not overkill in a bigger room if you do not have PA support.
 
#858
Can any of you make a recommendation here. I think I've found the rattle / noise problem with my cab. The foam surround on the speak has come lose in one area. I want to glue it back but not sure what to use. The original foam has sticky tape on it but I am being too logical in thinking that a glue will be fine? I don't want to affect the cone or metal frame etc. Any suggestions? Also I have decided t go with the LF 115 cab to finish off my set up so will let you know my thoughts.
 

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#860
I recently bought a PF-500 and enjoyed the sound, I love the channel selection to dial in a great tone. I matched this with a TC Electronic BC410 Cabinet and after a month it cut out on me on an extremely low volume practice. So I thought it was probably a cord, then it happened again at a louder level practice. I E-mailed Loud Technologies , described the problem through the e-mail and they advised there have been issues but they would replace it right away.

They did, I recieved the replacement, but I noticed the new one has less power at lower levels than the original, and the gain light is lighting up earlier than the previous unit. So I think they just figured out a way to restrict the power to reasonable levels that should prevent the low level cut outs. So far so good, and I have cranked it beyond reasonable levels just to see if there was going to be issues when pushed hard but it sounds good. Hope they have these issues fixed because it really is a good package with a great sound.
 
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