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Ampeg PF500/350, part 4
- Thread starter Chef
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I don't think that the cut out has to do with 4 ohm, Avatar or PF cabinets - that just doesn't make sense. It seems as mentioned to be component failure.
Mine was FLAWLESS for about 10 months. Then - with no warning - it just went to fault. It went in for repair - and still has issues. This was demonstrated with both the PF210 (8 Ohm) and avatar 410 (4 ohm).
The new one should be here in about a week. I intend to gig it as I had the original one, and won't baby it. It should perform as it is supposed to - and I have no reservations, keeping in mind that I have a good backup (Shuttle 6.0).
I was probably premature in taking back the PF2-10 but was honestly so pissed, I wanted nothing to do with any of this. If I had been smart, i would have tried the cab with the shuttle. Again - I recognize the equipment has no conscience - it just operates as designed, and responds accordingly to operator and component failure.
Mine was FLAWLESS for about 10 months. Then - with no warning - it just went to fault. It went in for repair - and still has issues. This was demonstrated with both the PF210 (8 Ohm) and avatar 410 (4 ohm).
The new one should be here in about a week. I intend to gig it as I had the original one, and won't baby it. It should perform as it is supposed to - and I have no reservations, keeping in mind that I have a good backup (Shuttle 6.0).
I was probably premature in taking back the PF2-10 but was honestly so pissed, I wanted nothing to do with any of this. If I had been smart, i would have tried the cab with the shuttle. Again - I recognize the equipment has no conscience - it just operates as designed, and responds accordingly to operator and component failure.
I only use mine with a variety of 4 ohm setups - single vintage, single newer, and a pair of newer 8 ohm cabs. Never had an issue with any of them. I can see the reasoning behind thinking that could be the issue, if they have a low tolerance for output stage impedance variability but I agree with you that it's more likely related to something else. Maybe some kind of power stage component as it happens when the amps are pushed, maybe they're drawing too much current and frying something that's underspec'd? Won't know unless ampeg decides to divulge I suppose.
Why not send it back too ? They'll keep replacing 'em until you get one that won't cut out at all.
I do too, but honestly, it's really hard to tell the difference onstage.Stupid focus groups - I like blue!out:
Was browsing at GC today and decided to play through their PF500/PF210 that they had setup. Asked for a cable, grabbed a bass, plugged in. I thought it sounded pretty good, not as deep as other 210s that I had tried. I decided to open it up a bit to see how she fared (passive bass with gain set just before LED lights on loud low E). I juiced up the master control to high noon and started on some palm muting lines. About 15 seconds in, a nasty distortion started coming from the rig. To my ears it sounded like some sort of short in the signal chain. I asked for a new cable, plugged back in, put the master to 9 o'clock and more distortion.
Got the sales guy over, tried a different cab, distortion. Swapped out basses, distortion. Plugged the PF350 into the PF210, no problem whatsoever.
I witnessed a PF500 fail on my first plug in.
I am passing no judgment, just adding my experience to the thread.
Got the sales guy over, tried a different cab, distortion. Swapped out basses, distortion. Plugged the PF350 into the PF210, no problem whatsoever.
I witnessed a PF500 fail on my first plug in.
I am passing no judgment, just adding my experience to the thread.
In their defense, though, I've seen what people do to floor models at GC, and there's every chance a parade of nincompoops mishandled it.
Jes' sayin', as the kids say.
Jes' sayin', as the kids say.
Has anyone tested the line outs during these failures? I assume the line outs still work fine since these reports seem to be power amp related, but its worth asking.
Wes
Wes
Wes Whitmore said:
Yes. If I pre out into another power amp I can not duplicate the issue. That's why I will use my PF500 as a preamp sometimes.
shredhead68 said:
That's a good question I don't have a good answer for. I guess I figured if the replacement is doing the same thing, then they're all going to do it.
Sort of a funny story here. I was using my PF500 at a gig last Friday and suddenly my signal cut out. My mind went to all the reported problems with the amp and I started to freak out checking over the amp (no fault light on).
Then, I turned my attention to my compressor pedal and found that I had pulled my cord out of it.
The amp was a champ.
Then, I turned my attention to my compressor pedal and found that I had pulled my cord out of it.
The amp was a champ.
Reminds me of a gig I had 3 weeks ago backing up some Jazz fiddler. Get there early, get both basses setup and tuned. Go to hit the first note (rehearsal!) and NADA!
Forgot to plug the speaker cable into the cab. Plugged into the back of the 500 and threw the other end over to where the cab was sitting and forgot to go plug the thing in. 30 foot cable and my cab was under the fiddlers amp, easier to balance from the stage and no need for monitor.
Forgot to plug the speaker cable into the cab. Plugged into the back of the 500 and threw the other end over to where the cab was sitting and forgot to go plug the thing in. 30 foot cable and my cab was under the fiddlers amp, easier to balance from the stage and no need for monitor.
I got to use the direct out to record for the first time yesterday - what a cool feature ! No mic'ing cabinets, just straight to the board. We were using electronic drums too, so everything we recorded was discreet. Probably not that big a deal to you veteran players out there but the more I use this amp, the more I love it ! Just having a blast !
Received my Ampeg Pf-500 Portaflex and PF-115HE yesterday.
Initial feelings:
- Cab is solid feeling.
- The 500 has a lot of nice features, layout it pretty straight forward.
- Sounds good, seems to be plenty of volume on tap.
- Compressor is surprising solid for a single knobber.
- Can dial in a grinding strong mid-focus I was expecting and hoping for.
- Handsome.
A good first day...
Initial feelings:
- Cab is solid feeling.
- The 500 has a lot of nice features, layout it pretty straight forward.
- Sounds good, seems to be plenty of volume on tap.
- Compressor is surprising solid for a single knobber.
- Can dial in a grinding strong mid-focus I was expecting and hoping for.
- Handsome.
A good first day...
Well I hooked up the pf500 to an Ampeg 610 4 Ohm (600 watt max I think) cab yesterday and cranked the heck out of it. Played it pretty much until my head vibrated. No cutting out of the PF500.
Also picked up a used GK 210, 200 watt, rewired with new speakers at 4 Ohms. That thing cranks amazingly well with the PF500. Again no cutting.
Maybe I need to find a 1kWatt 4 Ohm cab and just let the PF500 go all out to see if it cuts. I'm not quite sure what else to do...
Also picked up a used GK 210, 200 watt, rewired with new speakers at 4 Ohms. That thing cranks amazingly well with the PF500. Again no cutting.
Maybe I need to find a 1kWatt 4 Ohm cab and just let the PF500 go all out to see if it cuts. I'm not quite sure what else to do...
Well I hooked up the pf500 to an Ampeg 610 4 Ohm (600 watt max I think) cab yesterday and cranked the heck out of it. Played it pretty much until my head vibrated. No cutting out of the PF500.
Also picked up a used GK 210, 200 watt, rewired with new speakers at 4 Ohms. That thing cranks amazingly well with the PF500. Again no cutting.
Maybe I need to find a 1kWatt 4 Ohm cab and just let the PF500 go all out to see if it cuts. I'm not quite sure what else to do...
be happy you got a keeper. some of us have had issues
Oh I am very happy. I've been trying to figure a way to "make" mine cut out so that I can be sure to get a "keeper" before the warranty wears out. The way my luck typically goes is that I would finally have access to the "perfect storm" of gear the day after the warranty expires. All along I would have had the "faulty style" and not known it.
That's a long winded way to say I am happy I have a good unit... I really do feel for you all who have had trouble...
Well being a person that got a bad taste after owning a Micro VR setup that sounded like a turd I was not looking forward to cranking the PF500 with 2 PF115HE cabs last night.
I beat the hades out of that head with a Stingray with the gain cranked (without -15 being on) and master around 1-2. No issues so far. Goodness I thought my head was going to explode though. This is a LOUD amp. No pun intended.
I beat the hades out of that head with a Stingray with the gain cranked (without -15 being on) and master around 1-2. No issues so far. Goodness I thought my head was going to explode though. This is a LOUD amp. No pun intended.
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