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Ampeg PF500/PF350 - part 3, I think

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#541
The fault light I believe is a power amp limiter signal. Maybe use it on the passive input and don't turn up as much? How were you eqing? I've used mine with the same (if not higher) amount of volume and gain though a single 4 ohm cab and not had an issue but everyone's situation is a bit different so it's hard to say what's too much without being there.

I just checked the manual and the fault light is supposed to activate when the amp is overheating, and the recommend either turning down and/or making sure you keep the amp cool (out of direct sunlight, plenty of room for ventilation, etc). If the issue continues and you can't seem to deal with it otherwise (and the room heat doesn't seem excessive) I guess I'd say try running a second fan across the amp. If that works then you've found your issue. The warranty is 2 years on the amp so you could always try talking to ampeg CS and explain the issue. Excessive overheating on otherwise normal operating conditions may mean something is amiss with the head and they might need to swap it out. But I'd try to rule other things out before you go that route.
 
#542
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This is a Ogio Hip Hop messenger bag. Yea, it says Chipotle! You eat enough Chipotle, and play enough of their Christmas parties, you get all kinds of stuff! Anyhow, The PF500 fits fine in there. You can get a few cables and a tuner in there as well. It's a little small for my needs.

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This is the best bag I have found yet for my needs. I actually stole if from my wife's scrapbooking supplies. I find that I need lots of stuff with me when I gig (tuners, cables, straps, surge strips, IEM receivers and earbuds, vocal mics, 9v batteries, tools, and some other random stuff) and this has room for it all. It also has stiff enough sidewalls to stand up on its own. There is a compartment that holds the PF500 perfectly. 3 large pouches. Good handles. Its held up well.

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Here is a Kensington Laptop messenger type bag. Two decent compartments in it, plug a large zip up pouch on the front for tuners and smaller items.

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Here is an Ogio backpack. This thing has so many pockets and compartments that if you fill it up, you can barely pick it up. Its heavy duty. There is a laptop compartment that rests against your back, and my micro GKs fit in it, but the PF500 wont. A PF350 would. This bag is a couple of years old and won't quit.

What I have found is that any laptop bag will hold the PF500. Its everything else that I end up wanting to bring that won't fit in every bag.

Wes
 
#544
Mr. Brown came today and left me an early Christmas present. I ordered the PF-350 from MF on Sunday night, and it is already here. You can't beat that for service. They gave me a great deal, as well.

For reference, I have been playing an Ampeg SB-12 (original electronics) and an SWR WorkingMan's 2004 through an Ampeg SVT 410HE. For a low wattage amp, I have been impressed with the SB-12, however, the SWR/410HE combo was not to my liking, to say the least; the combo is very cold and flat to my ears.

I was impressed with the PF-350 out of the box. The amp cover is sturdy metal with excellent fit and finish, and all the controls operate very smoothly with no play at all.

I paired the PF-350 with the SVT 410HE, and plugged in my Squier Affinity P. The Squire was the closest bass around, and even though it has some issues with the tone control, I decided to give it a whirl. With the knobs all set to noon, I cranked the amp to about 6 on the Gain and 7 on the Master Volume. Compared to what I had been playing through, I was plenty impressed.

Next, I plugged in the MIM Jazz. I am totally speechless. I never dreamed that this rig could have this much tone/volume in such a small package. The SVT 410HE came alive, and with the first note, the Jazz growled and nearly took off my head. I've only played three songs, so far, and, so far, I have only one complaint with the amp: the power cord has to be removed from the power line to completely power the amp down. Otherwise, it stays in standby until you switch it to the on position. This only matters because the wall outlet is difficult to reach where I will be playing, and I normally leave my amp completely connected and ready to play. Seriously, that is all I can find wrong with this amp. This amp obviously needs a better outlet so it can spread its wings. I guess it's time for me to start looking a band.

Cheers,
John D
 
#546
Wes Whitmore said:
Standby? As good as it sounds, its not right...I would send it back. Im glad you like the tone though.
Click to expand...

Nope, better read your manual: "Press the switch to the left to turn on the power. Press the switch to the right to put the amp into standby mode. It will not function, but the circuits are still live. To remove AC power, either turn off the AC mains supply, or unplug the power cord form the amplifier and the AC mains supply,"
 
#549
Hi there,

just poted this in another Thread, but it seems to be right here, too.

Just returned my TC Electronics Head BH500 to the Store where I've bought it. (webshop)
I've kept two BC212 Cabinets (each with 8 Ohms) and now i'm G.A.S.ing for the Ampeg PF500 Head.

I hope, this little Lightweight Head will do the Job better. The BH500 Head soundes so.....synthetic in my Ears. Can't descirbe it well...
 
#551
Wes Whitmore said:
Weird...I have a 500, but its a cool feature.
Click to expand...

What's really weird is that in standby, the purple LED goes off. So, form all outward appearances, the amp is completely off. Still, the manual is fairly clear on this topic. Would rather it worked as a normal on/off switch, but, as I said, this is the only thing I have found wrong with the amp. I think I can live with it.
 
#553
John D said:
What's really weird is that in standby, the purple LED goes off. So, form all outward appearances, the amp is completely off. Still, the manual is fairly clear on this topic. Would rather it worked as a normal on/off switch, but, as I said, this is the only thing I have found wrong with the amp. I think I can live with it.
Click to expand...

I just looked at the manual. The pf-350 and pf-500 are both described this way. I assume that it is best to unplug if the head is not to be use for an extended period of time. I have not been doing this as I just assumed it was "off" vs "standby". I guess it helps to actually read the manual.
 
#555
I wonder if the standby thy refer to is the few seconds at power up/down where the yellow fault light is on before the amp actually comes on/turns off. It would be odd if they meant it was still actively in a "standby" mode when it appeared off.
 
#556
coreyfyfe said:
I wonder if the standby thy refer to is the few seconds at power up/down where the yellow fault light is on before the amp actually comes on/turns off. It would be odd if they meant it was still actively in a "standby" mode when it appeared off.
Click to expand...

Corey, this is copied directly form the manual: "Press the switch to the left to turn on the power. Press the switch to the right to put the amp into standby mode. It will not function, but the circuits are still live. To remove AC power, either turn off the AC mains supply, or unplug the power cord form the amplifier and the AC mains supply,"

Doesn't make much sense to me. As has been said, from all outward appearances, it is off.
 
#558
Hi guys

I have a problem. Yesterday, two hours into a gig, my Ampeg died. I turned it on, everything was ok, but no sound went out of the rig, even thoug the compressor showed that there was signal coming from the bass. Then i plucked a harder note, and something puffed, and then the fan stopped working and the fault light lit. Dead right on. Then i realized that the speaker cable was not fully plugged into the amp. What part of the amp is dead? Would that fit the warranty? Im cheap, and need the amp brutally, this is a total drag for me.
 
#559
Sounds like you hit the overheating issue people have been having. I'm guessing you cranked the amp trying to figure out where the signal went and that's when it failed. The warranty should cover failure within 2 years so I'd contact ampeg ASAP and see of they'll send a replacement. Take it as a lesson learned - always check your speaker cables before playing!
 
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