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Ampeg PF500/PF350 - part 3, I think

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#601
AREA said:
Really great Head the PF500 I love how it sounds... Any Issues about the Reliability?
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A handful of folks on here have had cutting out issues, but many of those folks who said they were having problems got replacement heads from Ampeg, and they're reporting no further problems with their replacements. I've tried to get the floor model PF500's to cut out when I've played them at GC, and couldn't. Certainly doesn't seem to be any sort of design flaw...all amps can break, and I guess a few did. The good thing is that Ampeg's CS won't leave you hanging if you happen to get a broken one.
 
#604
Hey guys, I know I am repeatingn myself, but you should try forums@musiciansfrie​nd.com. I got a little better than 20% off my PF-350 with no shipping charges. Just send an email telling them what you are interested in and that you are looking for their best deal. As per the instructions in the Hot Deals thread, I directed my inquiry to Skault Perry.It didn't hurt that I mentioned TalkBass.
 
#605
AREA said:
Went to the Musicstore today... I was GAS ing for a new Head. I have bought the t.c.electronic BH500 Head, but i didn't liked it at all. Sounds very sterile in my Ears and the tweetertone did something with the Highs..... Didn't liked it, so I gave it back.

Tried a few Lightweight Heads and I came Home with the Ampeg PF500 Really great warm, round Tone, Easy to handle and was just a few Moments and I've had my Tone.

My Bandmates from the Rehearsal this Evening liked it too. They said also it sounded much better, more natural that the t.c.. One of the Guitarists said..."The Ampeg Tone", but it's my first Ampeg Head, so I can't verify this...

I run it at a TC BC212 Cab and it sounds great. I have another one in our other Rehearsal Room with the other Band. So I can run it@8 Ohms in Rehearsals and small Gigs and on bigger Venues i'll take both BC212 Cabs to run it @4 Ohms

Great: I've had an old Case from an AKG Wireless System and the Head fits in perfekt, so it's easy to carry.

zkoc40.jpg
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I have the same TC set up as you, I just wondered, how does the PF500 compare in loudness compared to the TC BH500 when both BC212 cabs are used ?
I am thinking about getting a PF500 for use as a back up amp for my TC, or if I like it more, my main amp with the TC as back up, at the moment I like the TC with its great features, would be nice to know how they compare in a band situation .
 
#606
The TC has a bit of an unfair advantage. While the PF500 is a straight up no frills 500w amp, TC takes a 240w amp, knocks out the frequencies below 70hz that take the most power to push, adds a digital compression circuit, and calls it 500w because a 500w amp's reading on a spectrograph looks similar to the TC's. Of course, it took them two years to admit to it, and never even came close to admitting it until Bass Gear Magazine did a review of the RH450. And they still don't admit to it in their advertising. So for me, the choice is clear. Not a fan of companies that lie.
 
#608
GRAHAM SG1 said:
I have the same TC set up as you, I just wondered, how does the PF500 compare in loudness compared to the TC BH500 when both BC212 cabs are used ?
I am thinking about getting a PF500 for use as a back up amp for my TC, or if I like it more, my main amp with the TC as back up, at the moment I like the TC with its great features, would be nice to know how they compare in a band situation .
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Hi,

Haven't used both Cabs yet. I got one of them in each Rehearsal Room, but with one Cab and 8Ohms the Ampeg is really loud and sounds so much warmer, fatter and more natural. Much more my "Cup of Tea". Works good with the BC212 Cab(s) As mentioned before... I found the BH500 very "sterile" and the Tweetertone does IMO strange Things to the Highs... But hey..only my Taste.
 
#609
Thanks, at the moment I like my BH500, it is a much better sounding amp than my previous one (GK MB210 with GK MBE115), louder and far better EQ and features, it certainly has some power, I also like the BC cabs .
Jimmy, you seem to have been around here a long time therefore have experience and knowledge of whats good etc so I might take a punt and get a PF500 head, whether it becomes my amp of choice over the TC remains to be seen but if not its a great back up top have and not a bad price :D

Not a fan of companies that lie.
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Me neither but sadly in reality that is a lot of companies !!

AREA-how does one BC212 cab cope with the PF500, the BC212 is only rated at 250 watts @ 8 ohms and the PF500 is 350 watts @ 8 ohms I believe ?? are the speakers ok with this ??
 
#611
I always believed it to be sensible to have speakers with a higher rating than the amp to prevent accidental overloads, in my band with two guitars a 250 watt cab would not last long :atoz:;)
I just wondered whether the speakers start to fart or sound crap at an earlier level .
 
#613
I also have one band with two Guitars with Tube Amps...Please take a Look... THAT are 2 Guitarists (in Words two!)

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I have no Problems with one BC212 Cab and the PF500. Have my Gain on 11/11:30, some light Compression, Bass@2:00 Mids@2:00 Mid Selector@ Pos. 2 or 3, Highs@ 12:00, and Master@1:00 o Clock

..used with active Lakland Bass (-15db Pad NOT engaged)

The Amp Delivers the 320/350 W @ full Power

No Problem, the Cab handles it easily. Speakers don't fart or anything else, because I don't put in 350W and have been way loud enough. I swear :)

...but!!! We try to practice as silent as we can, because to loud Rehearsals are no Fun snd we don't want to damage our most importand Instruments, our Ears. So it depends mostly on the Drummer.
 
#614
GRAHAM SG1 said:
I always believed it to be sensible to have speakers with a higher rating than the amp to prevent accidental overloads, in my band with two guitars a 250 watt cab would not last long :atoz:;)
I just wondered whether the speakers start to fart or sound crap at an earlier level .
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I wholeheartedly agree with that. But if you're in a pinch...

Cabs will fart out at the same point regardless of what's powering it. The only difference would be in the EQ, where a bass-heavy EQ would cause fartout earlier with less volume.
 
#615
That is a decent amount of gear for two guitars !

My guitars use, Mesa Boogie dual rectifier 100 watt tube head into a 4x12 mesa cab, the other uses a Blackstar 45 watt tube 2x12 combo, potentially VERY loud but luckily they possess intelligence and use restraint, occasionally they do forget !!, my old GK MB210 (350 watt) used to struggle to be heard as a 210 standalone and farted badly at high volume (a bit like me lol) .
I think the BC212 cabs are pretty good with their Eminence speakers, my BH500 has to go up to 2 o clock on gain and master to keep up, I keep the bass EQ down to 10 o clock and it sounds good to me .
I still like the look of the PF500 though-nice :)
 
#617
I am getting severe gas now :D

What would be nice would be to have a single lightweight 2x12 cab which would allow my TC (or a new PF500) to run at full power and be more than loud enough for all the situations I am likely to play, I have seen the Barefaced Super Twelve which is claimed to be better than a 4x10, being 4 ohm it would unleash the beast :D

Barefaced Bass - Super Twelve

I like the look and sound of my BC 2x2x12 stack but space in my car is limited with all the PA gear as well .
 
#619
To the guys talking about warranties, I think you're referring to me. It's my fault for getting the amp used and an inherent risk I took in doing so. I agree it'd be super cool if Ampeg would look at it but it isn't their obligation. I bought another one that's performed flawlessly since and plan to fix the old one as a backup.
 
#620
GRAHAM SG1 said:
I am getting severe gas now :D
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I am running the set-up you are considering, the PF-500 with the BC212. Love the rig! super light weight, compact, cab has side handles, no bear hugs. I have not used the BH500, but from sound samples it didn't seem to be my thing where as the pf500 is.

The only thing I don't like about this cab is the lack of tweeter control, however having it on works for me anyways, I am sure it could be a deal breaker for others.

If it were me I would get the pf500 over a second bc212, but that's because I really love this head, and the single 212 seems to be holding its own for me so far.

Sorry to fuel any gas, we have all been there. This rig has definitely calmed down my flare-ups though haha.

best
 
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