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Ampeg PF500/350, part 4

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#601
DRafalske said:
Which Hartke 410 was it? I've been using my PF500 through a 410XL and I like the sound. Haven't played a gig with it yet, just some loud rehearsals with the band.
Click to expand...

It was a 4x10 transporter that only had two of the original drivers. The other two were matched to one another, but overall it sounded ungood.

I've used a Hartke 4x10 Hydrive cab (with a different head), and in that case the cab sounded great. Oh, and that cab had been donated to the club in question by the ever so generous Mr. Will Lee!
 
#603
OK, so I've been considering getting a pair of PF-115's (or a 115 and 210). I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the tone I get out of my PF-500 and either my P-bass or Jazz.

However, I'm one of the early posters that had a PF-500 and had a problem with running a 4 ohm speaker load on this head. I called Ampeg a while back, and they actually sent me out a brand new replacement. Plugged it in, tried it out, same issue. I just chalked it up to the head having an inherit problem and use it for either practice with an 8ohm speaker cabinet, or sometimes as a pre-amp into my power amp with a pair of 4-ohm Avatar 210's.

Can anyone confirm that running a pair of the actual Ampeg PF-115's on a PF-500 doesn't cause the cut-out issue I've had?

For that matter, am I still the only one who's had that issue? This thread has grown quite a bit and I haven't read each and every post. What can I say, I'm lazy. ;)

Thanks all!
 
#604
I love this amp. I can hook it up with any cab and it will still give me that ampeg tone. I purchased another micro, but it would only sound good with certain cabs. I like an amp that will give me my sound regardless which cab I play. Also, I like to plug and play. I don't have time tweaking knobs to find sound, prefer adjusting on bass. Well anyway the other amp is gone. Now, do I need an PF350?
 
#605
Jeff_K said:
Can anyone confirm that running a pair of the actual Ampeg PF-115's on a PF-500 doesn't cause the cut-out issue I've had?
Click to expand...

Typically one PF115 is loud enough for my needs, but I do have a 2nd for the full stack. The trick is in how you set up the compressor. I was one of the people that had the problem with cutting out, but after getting in touch with Ampeg and getting the advice of the tech, I haven't had trouble since.

fivestringgecko said:
The common "fix" for the cutting out problem (unless your amp DOES have an actual failure) is:

1. Turn the compressor, volume and gain completely off.
2. Set your gain knob according to your bass/tastes.
3. Then set compressor and master volume as desired.
Click to expand...

That worked for me anyway. I haven't had a problem since when running two cabs. I run my gain at about 2:00, master volume anywhere from 10:00-2:00.

5sg.
 
#606
Here's my PF500 with it's new best friend! Still cuts out, though...

IMG_0452.jpg
 
#608
What a bunch of BS - I took the cab back - the head started cutting out.....it went into fault shutdown and turned off. I ran it into another cab - it seemed to do fine.....checked settings, etc....checked speaker cable....

I am calling Loud back on Monday. I am not screwing with the local dealers.....
I took the cab back - 2 hours wasted on the road etc.....

pa-tew (spitting noise)
I am friggin disgusted.

Genz tonight - with an avatar cab. maybe go back to tech 21 and qsc setup - it NEVER did me wrong. THIS........absolutely sucks. I am beyond pissed.

Enjoy your rigs guys -

I don't even know if I will keep the head if it gets re-fixed or replaced.

not sure what caused it - don't care. I NEVER had the problem for the first 10 months - and it was great......but now - it can't seem to work right for more than a little bit.

absolutely unacceptable - what are the odds, I would get a cab with issues too - after this head ordeal?
 
#611
b-b-b-bass said:
Y'know... the PF350 seems to have a much better track record than the PF-500, as far as reported issues or failures go. It is equally awesome sounding.

Remember when 350 watts was a LOT of power?? Well.... it still is!!

Bonus - the PF-350 is less expensive as well. :cool:
Click to expand...

I am considering the 350. Fewer knobs, bells, and whistles to worry about.
 
#612
The PF500 isn't exactly like flying a 747 ;) but the spartan controls of the PF350 also appeal to me. However, the extra features of the PF500 are worth the extra hundy if you need them.
 
#613
JimmyM said:
The PF500 isn't exactly like flying a 747 ;) but the spartan controls of the PF350 also appeal to me. However, the extra features of the PF500 are worth the extra hundy if you need them.
Click to expand...

Exactly! I went with the PF500 for only one reason. I like the Ultra Low button. I like it on the B-100R and I like it on the PF500. Other people use other features like the compressor. If the PF350 had had the Ultra Low, I would have saved the hundred and went with it. I don't need all that wattage, but I ain't complainin' either.
 
#614
JimmyM said:
The PF500 isn't exactly like flying a 747 ;) but the spartan controls of the PF350 also appeal to me. However, the extra features of the PF500 are worth the extra hundy if you need them.
Click to expand...

I can appreciate the EXTRA FEATURES of the PF-500, but to my simple mind (and taste)....

Originally Posted by fivestringgecko
The common "fix" for the cutting out problem (unless your amp DOES have an actual failure) is:

1. Turn the compressor, volume and gain completely off.
2. Set your gain knob according to your bass/tastes.
3. Then set compressor and master volume as desired.
Click to expand...

.... sounds like a 747 pre-flight check list. :D
.
 
#616
Ok, I received my new PF 350 wed. from AMS. Plug it into my Hartke 210XL and Hartke 4.5 XL both 8 ohm cabinets total 4 ohm load. Couldn't get past noon on the gain and noon on the master without the fault light coming on and the amp cutting out. ***! Got a replacement coming, should be here again for wed. practice, I hope it was just a defective unit, cause if this one does the same thing I will NEVER buy an Ampeg product again! I'm hoping that it is defective or Loud Industries should be ashamed for putting a product like this on the market. Sorry, just really disappointed!
 
#617
stevoo01 said:
Ok, I received my new PF 350 wed. from AMS. Plug it into my Hartke 210XL and Hartke 4.5 XL both 8 ohm cabinets total 4 ohm load. Couldn't get past noon on the gain and noon on the master without the fault light coming on and the amp cutting out. ***! Got a replacement coming, should be here again for wed. practice, I hope it was just a defective unit, cause if this one does the same thing I will NEVER buy an Ampeg product again! I'm hoping that it is defective or Loud Industries should be ashamed for putting a product like this on the market. Sorry, just really disappointed!
Click to expand...
My PF350 has worked solid with a 4 ohm load of various types (810, two 210's, two 115's) since I got it in August. I have cranked it as hard as I could intentionally trying to get it to cut out and it hasn't. Defective unit.
 
#619
I hope so Jimmy, was really digging the tone and vibe of the amp! My Hartke HA3500 is getting a little long in the tooth and wanted to use the PF 350 as my main gigging head and retire the Hartke as a backup amp. I had read all the issues people were having with the PF 500 so I opted for the smaller head because there wasn't a whole lot of complaints about them, and we run me thru the PA so the lower wattage wasn't an issue. Well anyhow, I hope I just got a bad one and I'll post when this one comes and I run her thru the paces, thanks for you reassureing words.
 
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