Awesome. This is the kind of info I was looking for. I know I'll eventually figure it out on my own, but I haven't had many opportunities to play "loud" lately.
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Ampeg PF500/350, part 4
- Thread starter Chef
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Awesome. This is the kind of info I was looking for. I know I'll eventually figure it out on my own, but I haven't had many opportunities to play "loud" lately.
Well.....it happened today......
No gig - which is good.
PF 500
Used it last weekend - no issues for a pretty long gig with sound support - packed it up as usual afterwards and tonight hooked it up to do a little at home noodling. The fault light immediately lit up and nothing....nadda - oooopso -
To the local shop of purchase tomorrow - definitely bummed.
No warning, no issues, definitely no mistreatment. Wasn't sure how to troubleshoot, other than trying a different power cable.
Any ideas?
No gig - which is good.
PF 500
Used it last weekend - no issues for a pretty long gig with sound support - packed it up as usual afterwards and tonight hooked it up to do a little at home noodling. The fault light immediately lit up and nothing....nadda - oooopso -
To the local shop of purchase tomorrow - definitely bummed.
No warning, no issues, definitely no mistreatment. Wasn't sure how to troubleshoot, other than trying a different power cable.
Any ideas?
The failures seem to be component related - as in they seem to just fail flat out, no real warning sign, etc, just goes. Ampeg probably knows what the issue is, and have been replacing them flat out. Take it in, get your new one, and keep rocking out. I've had mine for about 9 months problem free, and if you expect the failures to follow the typical bathtub pattern then the longer you have it, the longer it should last.
I've maxed my master volume knob, but could only turn up the gain knob to 11 o'clock before it got INSANELY LOUD, using a PJ-bass (mostly P) into a homebuilt 1x12" 8-ohm cabinet, and the PF-350 B-M-T knobs all pointing 'up'. This was during a soundcheck at 150-person fire-marshall-approved-capacity drinking establishment.
It was a clean-clear sound. But I generally run both the gain and volume knobs somewhere between 1 and 3 o'clock, and its probably too loud.
+1 If it's stuck in fault mode and won't come out, this is a component issue - and different from the cutting out problems others have experienced. The PF500 that I had replaced did this, but mine gave off a puff of smoke and you could smell something electrical burned inside. The good news is that Ampeg has been great about replacing defective units, and when you get the replacement you'll be back in order.
I took it to the shop today - they have to have their guy look at it before anything is done. That will be monday - I may end up using my Sansamp and QSC head next weekend - which isn't a problem - I just want my ampeg back on line soon.
Got my PF-350 in today and now I finally understand what all the talk about that "Ampeg tone" is really about.
It sounds so good!
Through headphones at least...
Working on acquiring some cabs now.
Any suggestions for someone new to the whole bass rig thing?
It sounds so good!
Through headphones at least...
Working on acquiring some cabs now.
Any suggestions for someone new to the whole bass rig thing?
Get at least one, or a pair (if you can afford it) of the PF210s or PF115s. I went with the ten inch speakers 'cause Ampeg's webpage says ten inch speakers are are more efficient, but a lot of guys on here are lovin' their 15's. I may end up with one of each, just 'cause I can but matching cabs is always recommended.
I love the way the pf500 sounds with my cheap ass ipod headphones. Theres a bit of a clip or pop that makes it sound soo nice.
I'm picking one of these rigs up soon, I'm playing in a progressive metal band (think tool meets pantera), would you reccomend 2 of the 1x15 cabs or 2 of the 2x10 cabs? (all portaflex). I was honestly leaning towards the 15s, as I like the solid low end they provide....but I figured I'd ask y'all of the amp community.
It's hard for me to think of Ampeg PortaFlex tone without 15s, but hey, that's just me
They aren't all that different, in all honesty. Maybe a touch more mids on the 2*10, and a touch more bottom on the 1*15. But its minimal, at best...
I got the 1*15s out of nostalgia...
I got the 1*15s out of nostalgia...
I kinda like the 15 inch speakers, but then it is what I am used to. Here is a picture of my PF500/PF115 next to its little brother, a B100R for size comparison. Well, little brother with an attitude that is. I am now running my PF500 into the red a little as suggested here in this thread and it sounds great. Compressor at 9:00.
That's a nice setup Greg. I notice your sig line. When is Jimmy supposed to be back? What happened to him??
I only know that it appears he was temporarily banned for a violation of terms of service. That could mean lots of things. Maybe he stepped out of bounds with the ball in his hands? But seriously, I assume temporary means temporary. He may or may not choose to explain what happened when he gets back. His widespread support is unquestionable here on Talkbass.
Some of us are honoring Jimmy until he gets back. Actually I can't wait to get my own avatar back on.
ddbassGA said:
+1. It's weird that he's not here, and strange seeing his avatar so frequently... That should be his, and I miss mine.
5sg.
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