• 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/PF350 - part 3, I think

Status
Not open for further replies.
#743
garythenuke said:
Question for you guys playing for a living. What size venues do you play? Are you playing coffee houses or dance clubs? I ask because a buddy of mine, who played clubs in the SF bay area in the 80's and 90's, has a humongous stack. 1000W tube head and cabs to match. I told him about the new stuff coming out and his opinion is that you have to have alot of volume if you are going to be heard in a night club or dance club. Most of the time you can't use the house sound, again this is old experience, because bass just doesn't work well with most house sound guys. SO he always had to carry his own volume.

Can any of you guys crush the walls with the PF 500 and 2xPF210 or 2xPF115? I' like to see ampeg come out with a 2x12 that can handle the full PF500 capability.
Click to expand...
The PF500 with two PF115's or PF210's will be loud enough unless it isn't. It's possible to be very loud with 500w and a 215 or 410 rig, but you definitely can't get as loud as you can with an 810 and 500w. How loud you need to be is highly dependent on your situation with your band. Some need soul-crushing volume, most don't. But more speakers will always get you way louder than more wattage, so if it's not enough, the first place to expand is with the cabs.
 
#744
My pf500 started cutting out on saturday night after 6 gigs of use, then the peak light came on. Ended up putting the volume and gain to below half, and in desparation to get some volume plugged in my sansamp and upped the level on the pedal. Didnt have any more problems for the rest of the gig. Have followed ampegs advice on setting the amp up etc, but have always felt it was down on power compaired to other heads ive had of similar watt's. Im not in a loud/metal type band and only have a sax and a guy with a bassman combo and gretsch to compete with. Disapointed to say the least.
 
#747
Got my 2nd PF115HE cab today. Yippee! PF stack!

ForumRunner_20120118_002248.png
 
#748
I don't own an amp currently and I was thinking of getting a PF500 and a PF115HE used. I own a Squier VM Jaguar and I play everything. How do they sound for um... everything? :P I have found those two used in like new condition for $500 Canadian (because I am Canadian..), is that a good deal? I would think it is considering they sell for $800~.
 
#749
The only thing I don't like about buying used is not having a warranty, but I think the price is reasonable. How does it sound for everything? I really can't think of a type of music you couldn't do on it. It goes very low and very high if you want it, the tweeter is high quality and not overbearing, and turning the tweet off gives you a cab that totally captures the B-15 sonic vibe.
 
#751
buff said:
My pf500 started cutting out on saturday night after 6 gigs of use, then the peak light came on. Ended up putting the volume and gain to below half, and in desparation to get some volume plugged in my sansamp and upped the level on the pedal. Didnt have any more problems for the rest of the gig. Have followed ampegs advice on setting the amp up etc, but have always felt it was down on power compaired to other heads ive had of similar watt's. Im not in a loud/metal type band and only have a sax and a guy with a bassman combo and gretsch to compete with. Disapointed to say the least.
Click to expand...

seems only 500's. i wound up trsading mine back for a svt 7 figuring the extra headroom will stop the overloading . so far so good butonly 2 gigs..
 
#752
Man, my pf500 cut out constantly until I sent it back and Loud replaced it. The new one doesn't cut out at all. Of course, I'm not gigging with it now, because I don't want to risk it going silent on me during a song, but I do use it for rehearsals and practices (some of which are as loud as a show), and no problems. I have seen the threshhold light blink once or twice, but that's it. I keep the volume and gain up between 5 and 7 and it's been fine.

I'm beginning to thing maybe the cutting out problem was connected with aparticular batch of amps? What do y'all think?
 
#753
jthurston said:
I'm beginning to thing maybe the cutting out problem was connected with a particular batch of amps? What do y'all think?
Click to expand...
How long after you bought it did you have it replaced?

I wonder if Talkbass as a group would have enough stroke with Loud to have them look into it? It's pretty lame to think these can "only be used for rehearsals"...

Lots of other manufacturers in different industries have various batch and series recalls due to manufacturing defects.
 
#754
3 weeks maybe - first gig third song - Jesseca - not the loudest song ever made?? volume about 1, gain about 1;30 , tones bass 1, mid 11, trb 12, avatar 2 12 cab, fodera YYS with tones flat except small bass boost on preamp. there is clearly something wrong with about 10-15% of the units on this site. they had issue withfirst SVT7 so?????

Drag as i really wanted to go with the whole portaflex theme....
 
#756
I have a 350 and it has cut out in the past...ampeg said to take it to a local...the local guy said when stuff gets popular too fast stuff like solder joints are too thin because the demand is now now now
 
#757
garythenuke said:
How long after you bought it did you have it replaced?

I wonder if Talkbass as a group would have enough stroke with Loud to have them look into it? It's pretty lame to think these can "only be used for rehearsals"...

Lots of other manufacturers in different industries have various batch and series recalls due to manufacturing defects.
Click to expand...

Considering the volume they've been selling I doubt it's necessary. They've likely already figured it out and are sending out units with corrected/revised circuits. I've had mine since june and have had zero problems. I use it for 2-3 rehearsals a week and a few gigs when my SVT was having issues or when it wouldn't fit in the trailer/car for the show. I've been running one 4 ohm cab, one 8 ohm cab, or two 8 ohm cabs daisy chained. I run a ton of effects for some of my projects and some of my bands play excruciatingly loud. Mine has taken it all in stride. If anyone is using the amp just for rehearsals that's their choice, and not the manufacturers problem. Plain and simple, if you don't trust the amp, don't buy it or don't keep it. IMO, of course.

As far as failures, most of these seem to be early failures. Looking at the descriptions that people have been giving, I'd guess that if it's going to have a problem, it's probably going to be within the first few dozen hours of usage or thereabouts, which fits the standard bathtub curve. For the price, I'd definitely buy a new one, have the two year warranty, and not worry about it. But honestly, I don't gig without a backup - or at least a backup plan - no matter how good my amp is, so maybe my expectations are different than most people's.
 
#759
So far, my PF500 has been solid. I agree that any problems are most likely to manifest themselves within the first six months or so of use. And that's really what a warrantee is for. To reduce that risk.

I'd use a backup for any new amp until I'm completely sure about its reliability (and even then...).

This one is the best-sounding amp that I've owned yet. The $400 price is for such sweet tone is unbeatable.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back