Ampeg PF500/350, part 4

[Chris Breese]

Speaking of VT Bass/Little Mark, I went back to this config while waiting for my replacement PF500. Now I'm wondering why I thought I needed the PF500 at all! Wicked gas I guess.

Anyway, I set up the LMII just like I would the PF (set the gain to just below clipping and master volume to taste) and I barely have the volume at 9 o'clock, whereas on the PF500, I would have to set my gain and master volume to at LEAST 2 o'clock to get anywhere near the volume of the Little Mark. And at those settings the PF500 would be very overdriven.

Could this be a sign that my PF is in fact broken, or is that all the juice these amps can put out? 'Cause if it is, then the Little Mark BLOWS the Ampeg out of the water in terms of volume.

Is anyone else able to make this comparison?

 

[Spectrum]

New Amp Cover Day!

Here's a cheaper one: Link Removed

So I order one of these covers the other day from Custom Amp covers online. I chose black with purple sides. Cindy called me on the phone within a half hour (and this was on a Saturday!) and told me that the purple fabric doesn't work well when mixed with other fabric, and she suggested going all black with purple piping. This would normally cost $15 bucks extra, but she let me keep the same price. It came in the other day and I finally got some pics today:

The purple trim goes well with the "Ampeg purple" theme of the amp's power light. Fits like a glove, it's very thick and the inside is soft.

In fact it's so nice I feel like a need an "amp cover cover" to protect the nice vinyl!

(Note: this photo was taken in our practice space, the guitarist's basement. Please excuse our mess. At least I kept the beer bottles out of the shot...)

As an aside, it's wierd to talk to somebody on the phone so quickly after ordering something on a website. The internet has a wierd detached feeling and you need to be reminded that there are real people on the other side of that computer screen sometimes...

 

[Dymond-]

So I order one of these covers the other day from Custom Amp covers online. I chose black with purple sides. Cindy called me on the phone within a half hour (and this was on a Saturday!) and told me that the purple fabric doesn't work well when mixed with other fabric, and she suggested going all black with purple piping. This would normally cost $15 bucks extra, but she let me keep the same price. It came in the other day and I finally got some pics today:

The purple trim goes well with the "Ampeg purple" theme of the amp's power light. Fits like a glove, it's very thick and the inside is soft.

In fact it's so nice I feel like a need an "amp cover cover" to protect the nice vinyl!

(Note: this photo was taken in our practice space, the guitarist's basement. Please excuse our mess. At least I kept the beer bottles out of the shot...)

Nice! I should post a picture of my cardboard box cover...

 

[GregT]

I have covers from Cindy for both my PF500/115 and my B100R. They really are very heavy duty. Your cover with the purple edges is pretty cool.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Is anyone else able to make this comparison?

I've noticed the same thing with the volume knob on my PF500. It seems like a "powerband" (like on a motorcycle or car) kind of thing. Volume off through 2:00 seems to be fairly tame and then 2:00 and up gets stupid loud from there. I've never had any problem with it being overdriven when I have the Master that loud though. THAT might be an issue that you might want to check with Ampeg on.

Seems like ALL the controls on this amp like to be turned, quite a bit more than on other amps I've had anyway. Just seems to me that that's the way this amp is built.

5sg.

 

[madsheep#1]

Im ditching my Hartke LH500 and HX115 for a PF500 and 2 x pf115 cabs. Not much of an upgrade but i just dig the way these portaflex series sound!!

 

[Knettgummi]

Seems like ALL the controls on this amp like to be turned, quite a bit more than on other amps I've had anyway. Just seems to me that that's the way this amp is built.

I quite like this about the PF. It feels more comfortable when setting the controls, and the knobs seem to have a wider usable range. I hate it when an amp gets painfully loud as soon as the volume/gain is just a touch above 0 - that really leaves no room for adjustment.

As an aside, it's wierd to talk to somebody on the phone so quickly after ordering something on a website. The internet has a wierd detached feeling and you need to be reminded that there are real people on the other side of that computer screen sometimes...

I know that feeling so well! I remember when I was moving apartments a few years ago, and I was making arrangements for setting up an internet connection at the new place; the guy called me litarally minutes after, as I was about to close the ISPs website. Such a weird feeling, almost like a time lapse just happened.

 

[johnnycat42]

Anybody compare the volume on these Ampeg PF series to the GK MB200? I am curious as as to the honest power rating. Thanks in advance.

 

[Frankjohnson]

honestly - Just my opnion, your mileage may vary, etc.........
these things sound pretty good on their own - I have found that going to a clip on Snark tuner for gigs, and pluggin in directly is pretty much "The Deal" !

Then again - I really don't have a clue what I'm doing - look away ! I'm Hideous!

 

[fenderhutz]

honestly - Just my opnion, your mileage may vary, etc.........
these things sound pretty good on their own - I have found that going to a clip on Snark tuner for gigs, and pluggin in directly is pretty much "The Deal" !

Then again - I really don't have a clue what I'm doing - look away ! I'm Hideous!

What did I just read?

 

[Frankjohnson]

What did I just read?

HAhaha - Sorry - imcomplete thought there

I like them jsut fine without any effects in front - no need for the VT or anything like that - sorry......Maybe I need some Cofee made with Red Bull this morning!

 

[fivestringgecko]

I quite like this about the PF. It feels more comfortable when setting the controls, and the knobs seem to have a wider usable range. I hate it when an amp gets painfully loud as soon as the volume/gain is just a touch above 0 - that really leaves no room for adjustment.

Agreed!

5sg.

 

[Knettgummi]

I like them jsut fine without any effects in front - no need for the VT or anything like that - sorry......Maybe I need some Cofee made with Red Bull this morning!

I do agree with that - I very much like the sound of the PF500/210s without effects. I don't necessarily like the sound character of my effects without the PF rig, though, if that makes sense. I tweak my settings to get the results I want through the amp/cabs, which is problematic if I'm using a different rig for a show. Hence the idea of a VT, or something similar, to make a more pleasant signal going into the amp in the first place.

This train of thought is about to bring on some comprehensive rethinking of my pedal board, complete with the accompanying GAS of course...

 

[2milehighspike]

FWIW, I went to an open mike night that a buddy of mine was mc ing, went in planning on playing bass but brought my strat and guitar pedals just in case, and my pf500 and bse410 cab, when i got there another bassist was setting up so i used the pf rig for guitar thru a fulltone gt500 , and reverb pedal and it friggin ROCKED! fat bassman tone in a modern package , i was pullin off the sickest srv tones when i down tuned a half step. Everybody there was floored by the tone. I bet it would make a fantastic keys amp too , its the most versatile piece of gear i have ever owned!

 

[audiomitch]

Anybody compare the volume on these Ampeg PF series to the GK MB200? I am curious as as to the honest power rating. Thanks in advance.

I've owned both, and the Ampeg is much louder than the MB200. Tone is subjective, but, unsurprisingly, my 500 watt Ampeg beats the 200 watt GK for sheer volume.

 

[carl h.]

... I bet it would make a fantastic keys amp too , its the most versatile piece of gear i have ever owned!

It does! I use it for keys all the time. It is very nice to have good bass response for a change. With a pair of SVT410he I leave the bottom horn off and the top on and it sounds great.

 

[diglo]

Just purchased my second PF500. Don't know why I sold my first one. I'll be using with 2 112 DNA cabs. Should have a nice vintage sound with that rig. Can't wait for my Alleva Coppolo "Hippy P-Bass" to be ready. Deadly combination!

 

[DRafalske]

My PF500 came in last week and after tinkering with it at home I finally got to hear it with the band at rehearsal yesterday. I played my 2006 Fender HWY1 P through it and a Hartke 410xl and was very pleased with it. This is my first Ampeg product and it's really made a believer out of me.
D

 

[JxBass]

Just purchased my second PF500. Don't know why I sold my first one. I'll be using with 2 112 DNA cabs. Should have a nice vintage sound with that rig. Can't wait for my Alleva Coppolo "Hippy P-Bass" to be ready. Deadly combination!

I went the same route with my PF-350. When I got my first one I liked it but didn't see it as different enough from what I already had, so I returned it. Last month I had need (long story) of a good, inexpensive amp in a hurry. I bought my second PF-350. Dumb move on my part to give it up in the first place.

 

[The Hawk]

I just purchased the PF500 and the PF210HE from Musician's Friend for 739.98 with free shipping. Apparently there is a $30 off sale going on for the cabs, and $30 off the the PF500 and $20 off for the PF350 during the month of March (2012 for when this is buried because we will be on Thread "part 20" at some point) at authorized dealers.
I've been playing through a SWR Working Man's 10 for the past several years and while that's great in the house, I recently started gigging again and needed something that had the sound, power, and potability.
I played the PF500 head at GC through a 8/10 stack, and was completely blown away. I played 4 different basses through it just to make sure that it wasn't the bass alone that was sounding so awesome. I played a $2500 used Warwick Corvette and went all the way down to a new Ibanez SG $200 new guitar. Everything had it's own distinct sound, but the punch, warmth and raw power was still all the amp. HAD to have it.

So, if you know anyone interested in a lightly used (It's been out of the house 4 times now, but still has the protective plastic over the emblem), almost like new looking SWR Working Man's 10 for a respectable price...