Decent. I actually usually have mine on around 10 o'clockish to try to tame some of the effects I use. Normally it's not an issue with my SVT/8x10, but I've found that the SS heads don't react the same way and the compressor helps.
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Ampeg PF500/350, part 4
- Thread starter Chef
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One more subjective question. Assuming I get a pf500.
For home practice I could keep my gs212 or replace it with a PF 115. The PF should be smaller and would be fun to hear, but the GS seems more fully giggable.
For home practice I could keep my gs212 or replace it with a PF 115. The PF should be smaller and would be fun to hear, but the GS seems more fully giggable.
As you said, it's subjective. I bought my PF to use with other cabs, and bought a PF-210 about 6 months later so I could start using a smaller, modular setup for my cover band. The head sounds pretty good with other cabs, and there's always the volume knob for when you're at home.
I'd recommend trying out the GS212 next to a PF cab with a PF500. Guitar center seems to only have PF210 cabs in stock but it's still worth A/Bing if you have a local store to get a feeling for each piece's voicing. My local one has plenty of PF350 and PF500 in stock.
I already have a PF 500 and love how it sounds with a pair of 410he cabs. Recently my small gig rig (Fender Bassman 25) has started to fail, and I'd like to replace it with something on the small side of things.
I could just get the PF115 and bolt it down and call it good, but I like the flexibility of having it free standing for use in various configurations.
I'm looking for a replacement small combo and don't know if I'd be happy with a 350 bolted to a 115, or if I should fork out for a 2nd 500, or would I be better served getting something completely different? How much of a pain is it to lug around the 115 with just the top handle?
Money is an issue, but I don't want to buy weak gear that will fail when I need it. I'll add that I liked the kickback cab the Fender had and that I really liked its tone before it started failing (cutting out), and that it's primary use would be coffehouse gigs and some acoustic work - both ABG and upright.
I could just get the PF115 and bolt it down and call it good, but I like the flexibility of having it free standing for use in various configurations.
I'm looking for a replacement small combo and don't know if I'd be happy with a 350 bolted to a 115, or if I should fork out for a 2nd 500, or would I be better served getting something completely different? How much of a pain is it to lug around the 115 with just the top handle?
Money is an issue, but I don't want to buy weak gear that will fail when I need it. I'll add that I liked the kickback cab the Fender had and that I really liked its tone before it started failing (cutting out), and that it's primary use would be coffehouse gigs and some acoustic work - both ABG and upright.
I prefer to carry the 115 like a box rather than by the handle. It's a little unwieldy for a one armed handle carry. (It has a tendency to hit my leg.) It is only about 43 lbs though. I can't compare to the little Fender but I would expect a PF115 to sound like the 410HE with a bit of extra low end depth relative to the overall sound. It's been a little while since I've plugged into a 410HE or 810e but I think the PF115 also has a little more midrange content. Either head will sufficiently drive one of the cabs IMO. I wouldn't bother buying a whole other PF head to strap it onto the cab though...
Right now I'm running the PF500 into an SVT15e. It sounds good, but I'm looking for more portability and less ancillary gear to need carried along - a combo setup.
I have the PF500 head -
Over a year - maybe 14 months - I lost track......maybe 70 + gigs plus rehearsal - inside - little rooms - larger with PA support, outside with and without PA support (pretty much workin real hard without support using an Avatar 410 neo cab)
No hiccups, except once - when I let someone use it and I wasn't there - some weird issue with bottom cutting out - I think they were abusing it - but wasn't there to see - NEVER again!
I LOVE GOOD HEAD
(A good head...too)
Enjoy the grind, and don't give up those ProNeo cabs. I love the look of my PF cabs, but what you have really kicks butt....
I'd try the GS212 first. I'm an Ampeg guy, but would still be a bit heartbroken if forced to give up on some primo Aguilar gear...
You would most likely be sacrificing some volume too.
FInally got to let my pf500/pf210 stretch its legs today, running my Ric with new strings straight into it. I was having trouble with my OD pedal so I just yanked it and plugged direct into the amp, and since I could play loud today I got what I wanted. Crank up the gain until the clip light just starts to blink a little, then crank up the volume and the sound is real nice.
Gets a pretty good overdrive effect on its own.
I set as follows:
compression: 0 (didn't use it)
gain: 6
bass: 5
mid: 9, setting 4
treble: 6
ultra hi and utra lo: both on
volume: 5-7 depending on the song
pf210 horn: -6 db
Rickenbacker 4003, new roundwounds, both pups on, knobs all up, vintage tone circuit on
That sounds pretty good. Just enough OD-type distortion.
I have read about all the problems with this amp, and I had a few close calls which turned out to be effects problems; the amp has worked fine all along. But I don't think I'll ever be as completely confident in it as I was of my Peavey gear. Peavey stuff is super reliable, but this thing just sounds beautiful. Now I see what the buzz is about Ampeg I hope this works out for the future.
Gets a pretty good overdrive effect on its own.
I set as follows:
compression: 0 (didn't use it)
gain: 6
bass: 5
mid: 9, setting 4
treble: 6
ultra hi and utra lo: both on
volume: 5-7 depending on the song
pf210 horn: -6 db
Rickenbacker 4003, new roundwounds, both pups on, knobs all up, vintage tone circuit on
That sounds pretty good. Just enough OD-type distortion.
I have read about all the problems with this amp, and I had a few close calls which turned out to be effects problems; the amp has worked fine all along. But I don't think I'll ever be as completely confident in it as I was of my Peavey gear. Peavey stuff is super reliable, but this thing just sounds beautiful. Now I see what the buzz is about Ampeg I hope this works out for the future.
So, I was thinking something very similar. I used my PF-500 and a 410HLF but played a small gig and used my Ampeg Micro. Really didn't like it for live settings. I toyed with a bunch of things but then settled (?) on a Markbass 102 Traveler (2x10 cab). That way I could still use my PF-500 and take up a small footprint. I was so pleased, I sold my 410HLF and added a Markbass 151 traveler (1x15) for the bigger rooms. I figure, anything bigger and I will need PA support anyway.
carl h. asked: How much of a pain is it to lug around the 115 with just the top handle?
One way to carry it is hold the handle in one hand and lift it up and grab a wheel or a corner. It works pretty well for me. It is not too much to carry a short ways and then roll on good flooring.
One way to carry it is hold the handle in one hand and lift it up and grab a wheel or a corner. It works pretty well for me. It is not too much to carry a short ways and then roll on good flooring.
Yeah, I use just the handle up and down stairs and its not too bad. And I'm pretty weak.
I personally don't have a problem with the top handle on my PF500/PF115 combo or on my '63 B15. But adding handles to the sides of the PF115 would make it a bit easier than just doing the standard "bear hug" if need be. Although B15's didn't have side handles back in the 60's - the B18's, BT15's, B12X and other Portaflex configurations did - and you can still get those chrome handles from fliptops:
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Of course you could always go with handles that match the top handle, but I think the B18 style handles would look pretty cool myself.
Played a Music Man through the PF500 today at Guitar Center, and that settled it, I'm getting one the second I can afford it. With that said...what do I do with my VT Bass pedal now? 
I don't know any buyers for it in my area, and if I can still get use out of it, it'd be cool, but is there really any point to it when you're running through this amp?
I don't know any buyers for it in my area, and if I can still get use out of it, it'd be cool, but is there really any point to it when you're running through this amp?Played a Music Man through the PF500 today at Guitar Center, and that settled it, I'm getting one the second I can afford it. With that said...what do I do with my VT Bass pedal now?
Put it up for sale here. It'll probably last about ten minutes.
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