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Ampeg PF500/350, part 4

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#221
I just wonder how many people who say things like that have never owned the product they are bashing, just because you heard it from billybob who heard it from joeblo doesnt make you an expert.It doesnt matter whether its gk, carvin, ampeg etc. , the class d gear is new technology so it will have bugs that need to be worked out and from what i have seen every manufacturer will do anything and everything to make it right, and in most cases swapping out for a new amp, just give them a chance before the bashing starts.
 
#224
Chris Breese said:
Not sure if you are referring to my post, but do own a PF500 and 2 PF115 cabs. And I wasn't bashing as much as expressing disappointment. If you weren't referring to my post, please ignore this post. :)
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Not yours at all, your post popped up before mine, iwas refering to the one that had the peice of bull c@#$P comment, i hope you can get yours sussed out because i think these are great amps,and i'm a gk mb8 guy! peace:D
 
#225
Chris Breese said:
Not sure if you are referring to my post, but do own a PF500 and 2 PF115 cabs. And I wasn't bashing as much as expressing disappointment. If you weren't referring to my post, please ignore this post. :)
Click to expand...

My first PF-500 head died the first time I played it...(it was one of the early ones.)
Ampeg C.S. fell all over themselves getting me another one and, making sure I was a happy customer with follow-up calls!

Contact Ampeg, they'll take care of it.
 
#226
Hey Chris, not sure if you caught the discussion in previous threads, but are you using the compressor? I had my cutting out issue (also mainly when I was using two cabs) because I would leave the compressor dialed up when I was setting the gain knob for different basses. I emailed Ampeg about the problem and the tech suggested I turn the compressor and master volume off, then set the gain before dialing up the compressor and volume. I guess if you leave the compressor on, it gives the preamp/gain circuit a "false reading" causing overload... which causes the cutting out.

I've been setting mine that way since getting the suggestion and haven't had any problems since. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya. :)

5sg.
 
#228
slaphappychappy said:
Dont buy in to the pf500 bullcrap if u want a live amp. Its a ****, unreliable live amp that randomly cuts out unless u have your bass unplugged or have it set to quiet. It does sound nice, but u cant do anything with it.
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Seriously dude? If you have an issue, call customer service and get a replacement like everyone else with an issue has done. I've owned mine for going on 9 months now, using it 15-20 hours a week minimum, gigs and rehearsals, with 4 different bands at all ranges of volume levels and have had zero issues.
 
#229
fivestringgecko said:
Hey Chris, not sure if you caught the discussion in previous threads, but are you using the compressor? I had my cutting out issue (also mainly when I was using two cabs) because I would leave the compressor dialed up when I was setting the gain knob for different basses. I emailed Ampeg about the problem and the tech suggested I turn the compressor and master volume off, then set the gain before dialing up the compressor and volume. I guess if you leave the compressor on, it gives the preamp/gain circuit a "false reading" causing overload... which causes the cutting out.

I've been setting mine that way since getting the suggestion and haven't had any problems since. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya. :)

5sg.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yes, I have always used that procedure, (even on my little mark) and the comp is never above 9 o'clock. . Tried that this weekend, but found that if you have the DI plugged into the PA, the gain controls the DI level... So I had to unplug that before I could go through all that. To be honest, I don't like the idea having to stand on one leg, whistle three times and THEN turn my head and cough only to find that it will still cut out when I'm playing up high on the neck on a softer passage (what the...?). I may find out if I can get a refund.

And I'm finding that I really miss my Eden wt550. I bet it would sound great thru those PPF115 cabs. The PF500 may just not be my cup of tea.
 
#230
Chris Breese said:
Thanks! Yes, I have always used that procedure, (even on my little mark) and the comp is never above 9 o'clock. . Tried that this weekend, but found that if you have the DI plugged into the PA, the gain controls the DI level... So I had to unplug that before I could go through all that. To be honest, I don't like the idea having to stand on one leg, whistle three times and THEN turn my head and cough only to find that it will still cut out when I'm playing up high on the neck on a softer passage (what the...?). I may find out if I can get a refund.

And I'm finding that I really miss my Eden wt550. I bet it would sound great thru those PPF115 cabs. The PF500 may just not be my cup of tea.
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Which way did you turn your head left or right, that might be the problem:D ps try the mb8 its the shizzle, dont get mad at me ampeg guys:hiding:
 
#234
Marty Forrer said:
Seriously though, I have never used a compressor in 35 years of playing, and struggle to see the need for one. Studio... yes, live... no. Just 'cos the amp has a knob, doesn't mean it has to be used....
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I agree... took my compressor off my pedalboard a while ago and haven't looked back since. But I have noticed that the 500's comp has helped smooth things out and lets me crank the volume a little more, especially when I get rocking at louder volumes with my B-string. I don't go above about 9:00-10:00 with it though. A little goes a long way.

5sg.
 
#236
I'm a noob to bass rigs, so...
Does anyone see a problem with a PF-350 into an Acoustic B410 at 400 watts and 8 ohms?
And then another one down the road if I like it?

:eyebrow:

I've read some good things about those 410s and I found one for sale on CL.
Kind of rare to find good stuff on CL where I live. And it doesn't help that there isn't a GC for about 100 miles...
 
#237
RyanJD said:
I'm a noob to bass rigs, so...
Does anyone see a problem with a PF-350 into an Acoustic B410 at 400 watts and 8 ohms?
And then another one down the road if I like it?

:eyebrow:

I've read some good things about those 410s and I found one for sale on CL.
Kind of rare to find good stuff on CL where I live. And it doesn't help that there isn't a GC for about 100 miles...
Click to expand...

I'm using an Ampeg 410 HE, and it sounds great. I'd say go for it.
 
#238
Chris Breese said:
I'm having trouble with mine too. It was cutting out one night, but then it was fine. Friday night it was cutting out on me again. I'm thinking about going a different direction amp-wise. I'll try the cabs with my little mark this weekend.

It just seems like I have to have the gain and the master volume way too high to get any useable volume out of this rig. I tried my Tech 21 para driver in front of it to see if hitting the front end of the amp a little harder would help. It doesn't. With my active bass it just adds distortion.

I don't have the cutting out issue when used with a single cab, but adding the second just doesn't give me the volume boost I thought it would or should. Very frustrating.
Click to expand...

The gain and volume levels do seem to want to be set pretty high (or what seems high, relative to it's knob-sweep) but I think, with these SS heads, they ramp up real fast toward the end of the sweep. I just had to change my expectations around what I thought the amp should do when it's set at noon, or even 2:00 and get over my fear of making this little amp WORK. CRANK that gain and volume knob (using the precautions mentioned many times about the compressor, of course) to best utilize the PF500's capabilities. It's a pretty bad@$$ little amp IMO, especially for under $400.

If yours cut out even once or twice and you are certain it wasn't a bad cable or input jack on your bass, I wouldn't hesitate to send it back - Ampeg will replace it, and KEEP replacing it until you get one that doesn't cut out at all, ever.
 
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