I have my pf500 for about a year now. I play through two 8 ohm 1x15 cabs. I recently had to purchase a little mark III because my pf500 cuts out when I run it at 4 ohms. Any suggestions?
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Ampeg PF350/500 Part VI
- Thread starter Chef
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If you're using the Ultra-Lo, try turning it off. It only boosts lows a little bit, but makes a big cut at 500hz. If you're trying to hear yourself in a band setting, 500hz is just what will define your sound. Leaving the Ultra-Lo on requires you to turn up the volume to be heard, yet doesn't really add any defining frequencies. Result? Your amp has to work a lot harder and the low end, which requires the most power, makes the amp work the hardest.
Ultimately, what sounds good soloed...the Ultra-Lo setting...turns mucky in a band mix. EQ for the mix and your amp should be happier.
Ultimately, what sounds good soloed...the Ultra-Lo setting...turns mucky in a band mix. EQ for the mix and your amp should be happier.
There is nothing you can do. Look up posts in this thread under my old handle: RyanFenderBass and you'll see several weeks of frustration where I tried everything possible to overcome your exact issues.
You made the right move with the LMIII... I went Aguilar, but same difference.
Other lightweight Ampeg options could have included: pre-ordering the new PF-800 (ships this month) or getting a SVT7PRO (make sure you get a new Rev D00 model). The 7 won't cab-mount like the 800, but you get an extra 200W and a hybrid preamp. I know bashed the 7 few posts ago, but I just found out about the Rev D model literally this morning.
Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you want more info (before the bullets start flying
).
I don't know if this has been adressed before, but what PF cabs work best the with PF-500? I read somewhere that just using a single cab doesn't completely cut it when it comes to power and that head.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
it really depends on what volume/tone you require. I have a PF500 paired with a PF210HE and I wouldn't do anything over a small or a lower volume medium gig with it. But, for some gigs that setup may be sufficient. Remember there is also the PF410 cab that could probably handle larger gigs for a single cab solution.
Whether or not 2 cabs will cut it is completely up to you and your gig situation. I've been guilty of overpowering a smaller room with my 500 and a single PF115. At 8 ohms the 500 still puts out a hefty 250ish watts. That's more than enough for most gigging bassists to hear themselves on stage, especially with PA support. If you're keeping up with 2 metal guitar stacks, you may need another cab... but like I said, totally depends on the situation.
I stand firm in advising caution running the PF-500 at 4 ohms until Ampeg officially and objectively addresses the known stability issues.
IMHO - I think Ampeg's solution IS the PF-800. We'll have to wait and see if this holds true...
If Ampeg's solution is the PF-800, it would be an outstanding customer service move to offer a trade-in program for the PF-500's. Too bad it will probably never happen. For grins, I am tempted to call Loud tonsee what trees I can shake...
I find that the Ultra Low is only useful at very low volumes.
Some cut-outs can be attributed to mfg'ing flaws and units must be replaced under warranty. Some units cut out due to protection kicking in when to power section is stressed. One could argue this is a design flaw, but nervertheless, it is what it is. I love the tone of the amp and it works well for me. Myself and many other folks have had success simply by setting up the amp according to the advice of someone to Ampeg Tech Support:
Have you tried to set up the PF500 according to the following sequence???:
Master off
Compressor off
Play a note (open A?) & raise the Gain until the red light flashes, then back off a bit
Play a note, & raise the COMP until the yellow light flashes a bit, then back it off.
Raise the Master to suit and adjust EQ (especially the MidRange) to properly sit in the stage mix.
Lather Rinse Repeat nightly.
If this doesn't work for you, perhaps the unit needs replacement.
Best of luck,
=JR=
I've started using this set up method and have discovered a really wonderful sound with my PF-500 and 115he.
I use the pf-410 and pf-210 cabs with my pf500 amp with no cutout problems at all .... heres a vid of the setup in action if u wanna check it out
Invalid Link Removed
I've used everything from single and multiple PF-115LF's to a 410HE to an 810e and a 4 ohm Carvin 10.4Neo with no issues. In all that time, I never once treated the amp differently than any other amp I've own. I fired it up where I left off last, tweaked and off I went.
Got my PF350 this week and ran it pretty hard at rehearsal today with my two SVT210AVs. Man that is a great combo. It sounds so nice and very close to my SVT3 Pro 810 rig. The 210s are a little brighter so I had to dial down the treble a little. I also had to bring up the bass a little. I ran the amp louder than normal which competes with a loud drummer, loud keyboard player and 3 horns. The amp never got warm and ran perfect. This 4 ohm setup has plenty of volume.
This will be my mini rig for medium to small venues and I imagine probably my other shows too. It's nice to be able to carry my whole rig in one trip.
I was running a GK MB200 instead through the two 210s, but the tone was a little too compressed. That was because of the built in grind in the amp (cool tone, but too much in my case). That is a great amp by the way. It has plenty of power for a small setup and is super tiny and super light. I was worried when I sold it, but it was the right move. The reason it sounded too compressed is because I also run a VT Bass Deluxe with a little drive as my main sound. I use this in front of my SVT3 Pro and it sounds great. It just gives a little edge and cuts through the band a little better. The VT Bass Deluxe in front of the MB200 however was a little too much drive; it took my tone to fuzz. Yeah I know "don't use the pedal", but I have presets down and did not want to change anything moving from rig to rig.
This will be my mini rig for medium to small venues and I imagine probably my other shows too. It's nice to be able to carry my whole rig in one trip.
I was running a GK MB200 instead through the two 210s, but the tone was a little too compressed. That was because of the built in grind in the amp (cool tone, but too much in my case). That is a great amp by the way. It has plenty of power for a small setup and is super tiny and super light. I was worried when I sold it, but it was the right move. The reason it sounded too compressed is because I also run a VT Bass Deluxe with a little drive as my main sound. I use this in front of my SVT3 Pro and it sounds great. It just gives a little edge and cuts through the band a little better. The VT Bass Deluxe in front of the MB200 however was a little too much drive; it took my tone to fuzz. Yeah I know "don't use the pedal", but I have presets down and did not want to change anything moving from rig to rig.
Ran both a 500/210 and a 500/SVT15 yesterday at a gig and neither rig failed! Had a 2 set different location gig. Set the 210 in the large boomy room and the SVT in the room we'd be playing a bit louder in later. Both performed exactly as expected. Unplugging and walking 200 yards and playing again immediately is the way to be double booked!
Reading some other threads about the newer Class D amps and similar problems. Some appear to have linked it to "quirky" electric power supply?
OK - soooo why do I always feel so clueless when discussing amps?
Right now - I think I've narrowed down to the PF500.
My question is which cab(s) should I get?
I always feel like I perceive 1x15s as all bass and tough to get any treble (although that is not a problem with my B-100R)
I often play with PA support - so I can DI and probably get away with 1 cab. Decent size venue with nice house sound. (but a 500w head on a 450w cab -just something I dont get)
Then there are smaller gigs 200max bar (which right now my B-100R does OK, not great but ok)
SOOOOOOOO
Keeping in mind that my SVT3Pro and 410HLF were overkill sometimes ---- what cab do I want with the PF500?
2 SVT210AVs
PF115 - not sure if I want HE or LF - do I want 2?
Or a PF115 and a PF210?
ughhh
I just want a "one rig fits all" scenario. I can load up my Altima with one or two cabs and be prepared for all scenarios.
Thanks in advance - I'm sorry for some reason I just don't understand what to do with all the available options!
Right now - I think I've narrowed down to the PF500.
My question is which cab(s) should I get?
I always feel like I perceive 1x15s as all bass and tough to get any treble (although that is not a problem with my B-100R)
I often play with PA support - so I can DI and probably get away with 1 cab. Decent size venue with nice house sound. (but a 500w head on a 450w cab -just something I dont get)
Then there are smaller gigs 200max bar (which right now my B-100R does OK, not great but ok)
SOOOOOOOO
Keeping in mind that my SVT3Pro and 410HLF were overkill sometimes ---- what cab do I want with the PF500?
2 SVT210AVs
PF115 - not sure if I want HE or LF - do I want 2?
Or a PF115 and a PF210?
ughhh
I just want a "one rig fits all" scenario. I can load up my Altima with one or two cabs and be prepared for all scenarios.
Thanks in advance - I'm sorry for some reason I just don't understand what to do with all the available options!
My PF350 2x210av stack handles all my situations (very similar to yours!) with ease.
J!
Cool - I can see the 350 into the 2 210AVs - do you ever rock one cab with that head?
Oh wow. Good to know cab at the practice spot and cab at home, carry the head between the two.
Then play a gig forming up like Voltron. I can dig it.
Jiggy, The pf115he has no problem with crisp highs because of the real, honest to goodness (not piezo) horn tweeter:IMO. My new 350 and that cab are killer at rehearsals. Man it sounds big!
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Would you play gigs with a band that doesn't have a great PA?
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