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Ampeg PF350/500 Part VI
- Thread starter Chef
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I hate to say it - but there are 2 things at play here.
#1 - Ampeg hasn't fixed the issue/figured out what the real issue with the PF500 is.
#2 - Some of these people might really not know how to set up the limiter/compression/gain structure.
#2 is interesting because as a previous poster mentioned, he had the issue 3 out of 4 amps he got (what's he doing wrong) - but #1 is also distressing because (if it's something the user does to cause this) the user shouldn't be able to dial-in a setting that causes it to crap out. I can't see how Ampeg is whistling past the graveyard on this.
#1 - Ampeg hasn't fixed the issue/figured out what the real issue with the PF500 is.
#2 - Some of these people might really not know how to set up the limiter/compression/gain structure.
#2 is interesting because as a previous poster mentioned, he had the issue 3 out of 4 amps he got (what's he doing wrong) - but #1 is also distressing because (if it's something the user does to cause this) the user shouldn't be able to dial-in a setting that causes it to crap out. I can't see how Ampeg is whistling past the graveyard on this.
C'mon, Jimmy, you know what I'm talking about. All amps can fail, especially some recent G-K micros, but how many will predictably shut down because of an "incorrect" knob setting?
Per Ampeg's own tech service department, the PF500 will take a nap if you're ham-fisted with the compressor and gain settings. This is in distinct contrast to any old-school Ampeg, or any of the other amps in my TB profile. The only way you can make those poop out, is by abusing the crap out of them.
The protection circuits on the Eden, G-K and Benz micros I've sampled have proven themselves to be stunningly good. I've driven them to the max (well, not the MB800 to be honest, it's just too much amp), I've hooked them up incorrectly, and I've used them for extended periods at high temperatures. Not a noise or a scary moment, just flawless, reliable performance.
Over the years, I've done some monumentally stupid things with pretty much all of my amps, yet the only one to ever let me down on a gig, was a Traynor Monobloc. And that was because somebody spilled a drink down through the ventilation slots!
You're entitled to like the PF500, and think it's a good buy based on your long-term experience with Ampeg products. I'm entitled to like it too, but to still be of the opinion that I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole, because of its well-publicized technical issues.
I still think it is more of a class d amp thing in general versus an ampeg thing. When pushed they go into protect mode much quicker than older style amps. I have had it happen when pushing my eden 264 too , but it recovers much quicker. Since moving up to the SVT 7 i have not had any issues as pushing that amp would result in a sick amount of volume.....
Honestly, I've not played a micro that responds well to being pushed really hard. Either they limit really nasty, they clip really nasty, or they cut out real nasty, or any combination thereof. And I'd totally recommend to anyone who needs to push a micro hard to get their desired volume level to overbuy wattage. They just don't work the same as regular SS and tube amps, and don't have the ability to handle high volume peaks as gracefully. Just the way it is as far as I can tell.
It'll be interesting if my Peavey Megabass becomes my main gig amp, and the Ampeg gets the coffee-houses. Hey, fine, as long as it sound good! Not like I'm losing an arm on it. Should be showing up today, so I'll be back!
Jimmy
You might find a lot of Genz owners (myself included) who would disagree about the clipping, nasty, cut out thing with class D amps. I've owned 4 different GB amps three of them class D and they don't get nasty when you push em hard. Well maybe if you dime every knob, but in normal use the GB limiter circuit is just plain sweet and musical sounding when the amp is pushed. I'll add that my PF500 NEVER cut out in the time I owned it and I still think it's a pretty good amp.
thats why there are so many amps out there or we would all sound the same.
I had a shuttle and never really loved it. I admit it is less subtle when pushed hard. SVT 7 just had my tone in it without trying hard to get it. My PF 500 cut out at first gig so got upgraded.... Not sure what am is in my Markbass sd1200 but that hasn't done it but not sure one can do that to 1200 watts and still be standing upright.
Class D amps have driven me back to a bunch of 70's tube amps (ampegs, MM, fender and univox BION) and while my back hates them they sound so good....
what ever floats your boat as they say...
I had a shuttle and never really loved it. I admit it is less subtle when pushed hard. SVT 7 just had my tone in it without trying hard to get it. My PF 500 cut out at first gig so got upgraded.... Not sure what am is in my Markbass sd1200 but that hasn't done it but not sure one can do that to 1200 watts and still be standing upright.
Class D amps have driven me back to a bunch of 70's tube amps (ampegs, MM, fender and univox BION) and while my back hates them they sound so good....
what ever floats your boat as they say...
Well I just got my used PF500, and it sounds pretty good so far. Maybe I'll knock it around some in normal use and it'll push me back there too!
So far mine is solid sounding. I have cranked it up pretty loud to the point where I feel like the speaker is about to fart out and it preforms great. I am really surprised how loud this 115 cab gets if I end up having head problems and go with another type I am definitely keeping the cab.
Shout out to Genz Benz. Great folks and very solid amps. But I don't like any limiting at all, so if I was kicking the limiter on, I'd still want a higher power amp. Not that I need to worry about it...I can't push a Micro VR to limiting, let alone a PF500!
Make sure you have a back-up amp (I always bring one to a gig) that you can grab and get back on track with if you have a problem- and go get the PF! You're gonna have to take a chance here, mang!
Well lemme tell ya Count: the PF500 IS my back-up amp. Now I only got a '71 SVT as a back-up amp to my '71 V-4B (or the other way round)...! 2 of the beasts is a bit heavy, and about the only thing I miss about the PF500 is the headphones-and-iPad input jacks for solo practice. We'll see if they can fix it. :scowl::scowl:
And @Jimmy: guarantee on US products outside the US is always a lot less, unfortunately... I think you're right saying that the percentage of failure is small based on the amazing sales figures, but - like you also say - it still sucks if it happens to you. Especially if you never had a failure on a well serviced tube amp and don't really dig solid state generated sound. The PF500 has great sound, don't get me wrong, but in what I'm looking for, it will never ever be able to compete with a (vintage) tube amp.
I too wish Ampeg would take care of these issues. Its a design issue, and shouldn't be that hard to correct. I have never ever had a problem with Aguilar or Genz Benz. Used outside in the sun, pushed hard, etc. Never failed. I have had 2 SVT7PRO's die on me while playing at bedroom volume. Ampeg promptly fixed this issue by upgrading the chip which was faulty in so many early units. I don't see why the PF series can't be upgraded as well. Even at the risk of them costing slightly more they will still be more than competitive in the micro class D market. The PF500 I had briefly sounded terrific. I actually wish I still had it, however I always had a backup head with me on the gigs I was playing and I just didn't like the thought of sitting on a ticking time bomb. I do have a PF350 coming though as I wish to have that sound for studio and some of the traditional blues gigs I have been playing.
I don't know if it has been mentioned yet but ampeg is doing a $50 rebate on all portaflex cabs bought in May.
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