• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg PF500 leap of faith gone wrong

whitespikebass

whitespikebass

Boy Orbision
Feb 19, 2013
205
37
Austin, TX
#1
Well, I bought a PF500 used from Guitar Center. It went out 3 out of 3 shows. Taken back for repair every time. The last time I got it back literally EVERYTHING had been replaced. Essentially a new amp minus the casing. And guess what? It died. It's going in the trash. I will never buy a newer Ampeg model again. The repairman told me that he sees a lot of Class D amps. I should have just gotten an older USA SVT3pro or something. Dangit. No offense to anyone, but I had my doubts and I was right. It felt like a cheap internet modem and went out with no abuse.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thehound and Lethgar
#3
Sudden Ampeg Death Syndrome Strikes Yet Again And Again And Again And Again! Avoid ampeg like the very plague! The money you save is your own. There is more than enough hard evidence to hit LOUD Technologies with a class action law suit. Any law school intern could win this case with the greatest of ease. You've been raped. Fight back!
 
  • Like
Reactions: tsl and wmhill
#7
whitespikebass said:
I'm not brave enough to touch Ampeg again period. Except for my vintage SVT. The new stuff is GARBAGE! Sounds good for the very little amount of time it actually works. So what brand has a similar sound that isn't made in China by a 7 year old?
Click to expand...

I hear Berhinger uses 9 year-olds. ;) :smug: :roflmao:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassic Playing, eyeballkid, elkkid2 and 13 others
#8
whitespikebass said:
Well, I bought a PF500 used from Guitar Center. It went out 3 out of 3 shows. Taken back for repair every time. The last time I got it back literally EVERYTHING had been replaced...
Click to expand...

The PF-500 has had issues, but the reports we have had here indicate the newer ones have been revised. Who fixed it?
 
  • Like
Reactions: BIG97BEN
#9
B-string said:
So go with the PF350 or PF800, they don't show up on these boards with the same stories of failure ;).
Click to expand...

Jim Carr said:
The PF-500 has had issues, but the reports we have had here indicate the newer ones have been revised. Who fixed it?
Click to expand...
Try both of these, or try not buying a used one at all. The newer ones have not been having the problems, but if you're going used there's a solid chance that you might get an older one that someone got working and traded it in before it could go bad. For what it's worth I've got an old one and it's been rocking for 4 years now, but I will never be able to sell it because of all the problems with the old one. Good luck, I hope you find something suitable.
 
#15
Linnin said:
Sudden Ampeg Death Syndrome Strikes Yet Again And Again And Again And Again! Avoid ampeg like the very plague! The money you save is your own. There is more than enough hard evidence to hit LOUD Technologies with a class action law suit. Any law school intern could win this case with the greatest of ease. You've been raped. Fight back!
Click to expand...

It takes a special kind of knucklehead to equate an amplifier not working with violent forced sexual assault.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TMARK, cfsporn, dStar and 10 others
#16
As a total neutral, I've never owned Ampeg, but I have read so many stories about this amp crapping out on people during gigs, why would you buy it second hand? Madness.

I've owned mainly second hand amps since the 70s, tubes, SS, PA heads you name it. never had one crap out on me, NEVER. I'm talking fourth-hand twenty year old Bassman100s, third hand Peavey TNT150 that I dropped down a giant staircase before a gig and played without problems for years afterwards etc. Why would you buy something that even I know is crud?

A lot of people seem obsessed with the PF500, I dunno,it must sound magic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JakeyBran
#18
Does sound really good for a micro. No doubt about that. But since the PF800 came out, I think price concerns (which are very legitimate) would be the only reason to get the PF500. The PF800 has very few failures that I've heard about, the headroom is much appreciated in micros even by me, and it sounds the same but has a bit more oomph to it, even at lower volumes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Giorgetto, johnpbass, mc900ftj and 1 other person
#20
@whitespikebass — I am wondering if a call to Ampeg directly might help?

FWIW, I had a PF-350, and had no issues. Only sold it because it was something I needed while my other 2 micros were in the shop, which were a GB Shuttle 6.0 and a GK MB800. Everything breaks, even old used USA made SVT3pros.

JimmyM is right that the PF800 has had fewer issues reported in these forums, and 800 watts @ 4 ohms is cool. However, there are plenty of PF500 users who are not having trouble.

I understand your fury, but cool off a little and see if you can get the revised parts for it or a new one.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back