That does not mean that Ampeg is charging techs the same as what they charge consumers. That means that the tech is charging what Ampeg charges consumers.
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Ampeg pf500 help
- Thread starter SleepingVillage
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The consensus on the page I linked was unit cost in the vicinity of $50 landed at Ampeg USA. Charging 200 to a retail customer and 150 to techs to repair underperformng design is still daylight robbery imo.
I remember that thread, and that is a complete misinterpretation and misrepresentation of it. Someone else came up with the $50 figure, and Hodgy went with it and said, "So if it costs us $50, what is a fair price to sell them and how do you decide?" Or words to that effect.
I'm sure that when you buy Ampeg, it will be a completely altruistic business and you won't want to make any money at all.
Sure every business needs to make money but if you are selling an inferior product and then making people pay more money to get the inferior product fixed is pretty unethicalI remember that thread, and that is a complete misinterpretation and misrepresentation of it. Someone else came up with the $50 figure, and Hodgy went with it and said, "So if it costs us $50, what is a fair price to sell them and how do you decide?" Or words to that effect.
I'm sure that when you buy Ampeg, it will be a completely altruistic business and you won't want to make any money at all.
I remember that thread, and that is a complete misinterpretation and misrepresentation of it. Someone else came up with the $50 figure, and Hodgy went with it and said, "So if it costs us $50, what is a fair price to sell them and how do you decide?" Or words to that effect.
I'm sure that when you buy Ampeg, it will be a completely altruistic business and you won't want to make any money at all.
so what? I never quoted Hodgy and my point remains unchallenged for all your blustering. Arai summed it up nicely.
Yes, Ampeg is evil because they refused to fix people's amps for free when they bought them used, despite the terms of the warranties being clearly spelled out on their website. And they should never ever sell anything they make at a profit.
I'm done. Nothing I say will matter to you anyway.
Ampeg shouldn't have to pay for a user error fix but the thing with these amps is they are plagued with problems, design problems and ampeg should do the right thing and amend these problems. Not make more profit out of the poor person who didn't read the fine print on the Web site.
No one is saying they shouldn't make a profit. Just not this way
you're putting words in my mouth. Big difference between fixing for free, ( not what I implied) , and providing parts at cost to enable the post warranty fixing, ( what I think is reasonable ) and a huge gulf to what Ampeg does which is make similar profit on the fix to their profit on the original defective amp.
D.U.W, you are never going to get Mr J.M. to agree to any statement of fault or poor dealing on Ampeg's part, or on what is equitable treatment of customers other than exactly how Ampeg has handled it. It's probably not worth the time/typing for the signature snark and huffing you will get back.
It's all in his sig, and underlined by the countless defensive posts over any Ampeg issue or any possible challenge to Ampeg's/Louds policies.
Old story.
OP, given the fairly modest cost of the PF500, if you like the tone of the PF series, you may want to consider either the PF350 (if you can work with the lower power on tap) or the PF800, both of which have had far fewer reported failure issues. I know it's probably not what you wanted to hear, but its something to consider.
best of luck, it's crappy when your amp fails
all my responses to Jimmy are to point out where he has misrepresented me. He is free to embrace Ampeg policy as much as he likes.
Who knows, maybe he will one day change his mind about how his favourite brand abuses its own reputation and market position to charge good money to make good on bad design. I don't think he would do same if he was in charge of Ampeg.
He works hard for his endorsement deal, that's for sure
OP hasn't reported back yet after having been given the suggestion that rehearsal room power might be at fault, or did I miss it? Anyway, +1 on the PF800 suggestion, it's all PF500-y plus some. 
When I bought my PF-500, two or three years ago, it died the second day I powered it up. Musician's Friend sent a new one which I received in 18 hours...stellar service.
The new one has not had so much as a glitch. I do carry a backup just in case. I am heartened that I can get a replacement board for $150 or so. That eases my mind a lot.
I do love this amp. As a retired amp tech (9 years retired) I will say that from the time Loud took over SLM till I retired that Loud was the most difficult company to deal with out of the dozens I have dealt with...absolutely maddening. I had sworn I would never, ever own a Loud product, just on the basis of how lousy their repair and customer service was.
Over the last 9 years I followed Loud's progress and when I bought my Ampeg, apparently they have improved greatly, even re-establishing repair centers. I bought the amp based on the features and have not been disappointed. I used an SVT during the 70's, and prefer the PF500. Had the PF800 been out when I was ready to replace my GK1001RB, I'd have gotten it, but truthfully, the PF500 has had plenty of power, even with my relatively inefficient speakers.
The abilitiy to buy a new power amp board IS a game changer for me. I may even buy one just to keep it on hand.
The new one has not had so much as a glitch. I do carry a backup just in case. I am heartened that I can get a replacement board for $150 or so. That eases my mind a lot.
I do love this amp. As a retired amp tech (9 years retired) I will say that from the time Loud took over SLM till I retired that Loud was the most difficult company to deal with out of the dozens I have dealt with...absolutely maddening. I had sworn I would never, ever own a Loud product, just on the basis of how lousy their repair and customer service was.
Over the last 9 years I followed Loud's progress and when I bought my Ampeg, apparently they have improved greatly, even re-establishing repair centers. I bought the amp based on the features and have not been disappointed. I used an SVT during the 70's, and prefer the PF500. Had the PF800 been out when I was ready to replace my GK1001RB, I'd have gotten it, but truthfully, the PF500 has had plenty of power, even with my relatively inefficient speakers.
The abilitiy to buy a new power amp board IS a game changer for me. I may even buy one just to keep it on hand.
I also have a PF500. It has cut out on me on gigs several times for no obvious reason. I like the sound of it, particularly with the 115HE that came with it.
I do not gig with it any more because while I like the tone, I can't justify unreliable gear for live work. too frustrating.
My PF500/115HE is a rehearsal space amp only.
I do not gig with it any more because while I like the tone, I can't justify unreliable gear for live work. too frustrating.
My PF500/115HE is a rehearsal space amp only.
Old thread but relevant. My PF500 kept shutting down for the first time since I bought it last weekend. Low voltage was the cause. Other amps on stage exhibited problems (fuzzy tube amp with no headroom, Class D PA amp, etc. I've never had problems before.
I carry one of these to check the line voltage. If you have a power atrip, you can leave it plugged in all the time.
An inexpensive but important tool.
https://www.amazon.com/Yeeco-Voltmeter-Measuring-Monitoring-Measurement/dp/B00PBW5A4I
An inexpensive but important tool.
https://www.amazon.com/Yeeco-Voltmeter-Measuring-Monitoring-Measurement/dp/B00PBW5A4I
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I use one of these, plugged into my power strip.
It monitors voltage, and checks ground and polarity. You never know who wired up the outlets at some of these venues.
From Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRFTH6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It monitors voltage, and checks ground and polarity. You never know who wired up the outlets at some of these venues.
From Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRFTH6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
