Unbelievable. Went to a Guitar Center to finally pick up a PF500. The guy turned on the only one they had instock to make sure it was good to go, it went POP, and then nothing. No signal. They had to pull it for repairs. Bummed.
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Ampeg PF350/500 Part V
- Thread starter Chef
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jumblemind said:
I can't believe that as long as the PF500 has been out, they're still having this problem. I could see it maybe for the first 6 months or for the first run of units, but after all this time they should have gotten their act together. Sad...
True, and I am having issues with a certain model Ashdown but or 8 months ago I bought a PF500 and it had nothing but issues too. I agree with the dude that said these issues should have been addressed by now
fivestringgecko said:
5sg
I agree with you on that point however that being said there still seems to be issues with the 500 head. One can go back through all 5 parts of these threads and find repeated issues with the 500. With some owners having repeated problems even with their replacement heads.
I just find it strange that Ampeg after all this time still has issues with the 500. I realize that not every unit has a problem and we only hear about the worst ones on TB but it is a recurring issue even now.
In the year that I owned mine prior to trading it for a different amp I had absolutely 0 problems with it but everytime I turned it on I had that thought is today going to be the day it cuts out or quits.
Went back for the 350 today! Was planning on picking up a 410HLF, then I could choose between it and my 4ohm 1x15 (also in a Classic enclosure) depending on the gig. Then I realized how damn heavy it was, and that it might not even fit in my trunk. Got the PF 210 instead, as I have an old hartke 410 I could add in a pinch. I foresee pain points in swapping the amp between that and the 1x15, so it will be interesting to see if the 210 can hold its own in most of my situations.
I remember reading where people were having problems with the amp cutting out for a few notes when running at 4ohms. I just set up my new 350 to a 4ohm 115 cab and am having that happen. Gain and volume both at 2 o'clock. Mids and Treble cut way down, bass at noon, though lowering the bass didn't help. Cuts out completely on the low E string notes.
The limiter light hasn't lit up once, which I remember reading as being common. I can't find the comments now where people discussed this and what the remedy was. Is this a LOUD issue?
EDIT: I guess looks like some people sent theirs back, and some people magically broke the amp in and never had it happen again. Also looks like this has been asked over and again.
The limiter light hasn't lit up once, which I remember reading as being common. I can't find the comments now where people discussed this and what the remedy was. Is this a LOUD issue?
EDIT: I guess looks like some people sent theirs back, and some people magically broke the amp in and never had it happen again. Also looks like this has been asked over and again.
Right, I just meant a non flip top design with the inset side handles that might be lower profile and easier to load in and out like the 4x10 and non flip top 1x15 versions.
Not just 4 ohm load
Mine did it at 8 ohm - 2 different cabs. Two different cables, 6 different basses.
I JUST received my 3rd head - it is in its first week of home use.
I am not real confident.
Man i really want the 500 and 115 but i just cant put the trust in it and i hate sending amps away for weeks at a time. Then thought the 350 is more trust worthy but 1% of doubt ruins 99% of faith. Might just take my rumble 350 off CL.
I've had my PF350, through an 8ohm 1X15, up to 3 o'clock on gain and volume. Testing only. I've not needed that much volume at a gig. The limiter is engaged, but has never lit up. My eq settings are similar. Bass 12 0'clock. Mid and Treb down some. No cut out, at all, ever. Even down to low D using the hipshot. Maybe this cut-out thing happens more when using a 4 ohm load??
nick98338 said:
I've had my 350 for 6 months running @ 4ohms most of the time. Played several outdoor gigs, w/& w/out FX, and have never had an issue. I run (clock face); gain=3, bass=4, mid=11, treble=8, and volume as needed, but as high as 2. My limiter is engaged, and kicks in on occasion, and my gain light comes on at harder attacks and slapping, but sounds great when it does.
I love this amp, and have never had cause for doubt! Hope I never do as it would be hard to go another direction.
J!
I have read through all parts of this thread, Whew.
You probably should return it under warranty. People have reported that Ampeg customer service is very good.
Some people seem to think that there is one problem that all of the units are seeing, but there can be multiple problems. The main issue is the teething pains of a new product. Going from a new design to high volume production using robots is not a trivial matter.
There are two main causes for temporary cutouts on these units. Over current or over temperature. The protection circuits are slightly aggressive, and due to tolerance stackup, some are more edgy than others.
Intermittent over-temperature faults can be hard to pin down. They could be caused by a flakey temp sensor. Sometimes temp sensors can be damaged from the solder process, or you might get a bad part from a vendor. It happens. You might get a tiny solder bridge. I would suspect this might be the case if you get a fault in an 8 Ohm load at low volume.
Over-current faults can happen from running a low impedance load. These faults are more consistent and re-producible, and easier to track down. If you are running 4 Ohms at high volume and hitting low E, it is probably over-current.
Not sure how the cutting out problem with my 350 could have been over-current, guess it was a component issue. I was running straight into the amp with an all-original 75 p.
I tried to buy every portaflex in the store (all two) and didn't end up with one working unit. Buying an amp that you have to take home and send back to the factory doesn't make a bit of sense. At this point I doubt my band would let me show up with one of these, even if it's likely the replacement would work well for years. They think I'm crazy enough for buying the 350 after the 500 burned up before I got it home. I wish I would have gotten lucky with a good unit, been wanting one for a long time, and the mark bass I have now just doesn't compare in the tone or mojo dept.
I tried to buy every portaflex in the store (all two) and didn't end up with one working unit. Buying an amp that you have to take home and send back to the factory doesn't make a bit of sense. At this point I doubt my band would let me show up with one of these, even if it's likely the replacement would work well for years. They think I'm crazy enough for buying the 350 after the 500 burned up before I got it home. I wish I would have gotten lucky with a good unit, been wanting one for a long time, and the mark bass I have now just doesn't compare in the tone or mojo dept.
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