Ampeg PF500/PF350 - part 3, I think

[garythenuke]

What if I'm using sealed cabs? More specifically, Ampeg Portaflex cabs? From the Portaflex series? Made to go with the Portaflex heads?

It's hard to wiggle out of this question..
I wonder if anyone from Loud ever looks online, anywhere, ever, to see how the public is responding to their products???????

 

[fatillac]

I went ahead an ordered in a PF-500 and a PF115HE cab to my local music store monopoly. I can't wait to give it a test run.

I have a question about the XLR out on the back.

Using this setup, could I run an XLR cable from the PF500into my QSC KW181 powered sub, ya know, for science sake

Or does anyone else out there use the direct out, into a powered sub?

Cheers!

 

[christw]

I'm not trying to blame the user. I wanted to acknowledge the possibility of user error but I can't deny the possibility of defective units.

Just at thought, but has anyone measured the power out when one of these amps starts cutting out? It could be that you are just driving them beyond their capability. Remember, with the same cabinets, 500 watts isn't going to sound much louder than 250 watts.

I expect just a little more than an SVT from it. I know that's an incredibly nondescript measure but I have a pretty good idea of what to expect from amps. I believe that it would be able to push the PF cab stack to its absolute limits though. I didn't risk farting it but I think that it probably could. That's why I rolled off the bass before I kept increasing the volume.

 

[John D]

I'm not trying to blame the user. I wanted to acknowledge the possibility of user error but I can't deny the possibility of defective units.



I expect just a little more than an SVT from it. I know that's an incredibly nondescript measure but I have a pretty good idea of what to expect from amps. I believe that it would be able to push the PF cab stack to its absolute limits though. I didn't risk farting it but I think that it probably could. That's why I rolled off the bass before I kept increasing the volume.

Well, my point is that some people may be expecting more than these amps are capable of delivering. The only way anyone will know is by putting the suspect amp on the bench and measuring what it is actually doing. It would be too bad for the amps if they got a bum reputation simply because the protection circuits were working properly. No offence intended, Chris, but I doubt that any of us have ears sensitive enough to measure power output withing a few watts. Of course, there is always the posibility of a defective design or amps. Still, it's going to take some careful measurements to know for sure. I agree that Ampeg needs to step up to the plate.

 

[christw]

I didn't that mean to sound like I was claiming to be able to discern its output. I just meant that I was quite familiar with a number of amps across those Bag End cabs I had and I used them in several A/B tests. The PF500 did a convincing SVT and wasn't shy on headroom where I occasionally would push an SVT right to the edge for deep lows. I didn't expect any more from it.

I agree-I'd love to see someone bench one. I'd say mine seems to be performing normally and appears to have a limiter. Can't speak for anyone else.

 

[John D]

I didn't that mean to sound like I was claiming to be able to discern its output. I just meant that I was quite familiar with a number of amps across those Bag End cabs I had and I used them in several A/B tests. The PF500 did a convincing SVT and wasn't shy on headroom where I occasionally would push an SVT right to the edge for deep lows. I didn't expect any more from it.

I agree-I'd love to see someone bench one. I'd say mine seems to be performing normally and appears to have a limiter. Can't speak for anyone else.

Chris, based on your many posts that I have read, I think you have a very good handle on this issue.

 

[JimmyM]

It's hard to wiggle out of this question..
I wonder if anyone from Loud ever looks online, anywhere, ever, to see how the public is responding to their products???????

They're on it. They're signed up here and participate sometimes, and they're very active on Facebook, and they follow this and other similar threads. Some folks in this thread have reported they got working replacements, so they're listening. It may be a big corporation but they're good folks who want everyone to be happy with their gear.

 

[Chris Breese]

Awesome!

 

[garythenuke]

They're on it. ....It may be a big corporation but they're good folks who want everyone to be happy with their gear.

Then they'll take care of it. That is awesome to hear. I'm looking forward to hearing from them.

 

[ryanfenderbass]

Third time's a charm! I would like to share that not only have my cutting out issues stopped since my 2nd CS replacement, but since I don't have to worry about my volume, I'm getting complaints about drowning out the band - LOL!

 

[Chris Breese]

That's what I wanna hear!!

 

[JimmyM]

Good to hear, Ryan! Glad you got sorted.

 

[garythenuke]

Can you guys come up with a make or break test to figure if the units are good or not?? So many people have so many different configurations that it would be nice to read something along the lines of a bench test of sorts.

For example:
Plug the amp in to "x watt/x ohm" cab or load, set knobs "here", volume" here" hit "this note". I now this is a pipe dream, but it would suck if things seem okay for a year, or more, and then one day you just happen to find the perfect storm of settings only to find you were harboring a defective unit the whole time.

I'm bummed that I'm spending so much time thinking about this. I know I'm not the only one...

 

[christw]

Stop worrying. There are only a few defective units relative to the whole produced just like any manufactured good and as long as you bought it new, you'll be fine. I got burned because I got one used and down the ownership chain and it seemed to exhibit a totally different kind of failure anyways. That was the risk I took! The chances of having one, let alone two, defective units is minuscule. My bought new one is still under full warranty and I have no worries about it.

I run compression and gain around 1-2 o'clock for my MIM J which is basically the only bass I was using with the PF because the combo sounded so good. Volume could be pushed to 1-3 o'clock before it was just silly to be so loud. (It can be painfully loud! Use earplugs!)

Other settings: Switches are off, bass 9-12 o'clock, mids position 1 or 3, mids at 2 o'clock, high 12-3 o'clock with top tweeter on or off. The J was both pickups and tone full on. I played finger style and dig in a bit.

 

[Evsm73]

Just a quick question. I have a pf 500 & a 115. I've just had the chance to buy either a STV 115he or a STV 410he to go with my setup & using the 500 watts if needed. I play a MIA Fender Jazz & Gibson TBird. Both are strung with Black beauties & I using a boss eq, chorus & a bass big muff. I go for the deep sound but don't want to lose any sound on the top 2 strings & still cut through the mix. Any advice?

 

[Dan55]

I'd go with the SVT115HE. I would think 2 sealed 115 cabs would sound much better than if you threw a 410 into the mix, even though that one is also sealed.

Dan

 

[coreyfyfe]

In general you're better off matching speakers, and while the SVT115 and PF115 aren't identical they'd probably be closer matched than the 410HE and PF115. In the end, the 410 will be much louder than the single 15 and you'd run a higher risk of blowing the 15 by putting too much power into the single speaker. If you got the 410 I'd say use the 410 for larger gigs and the 115 for smaller gigs.

 

[ddbassGA]

The SVT115E is a ported 200 W cab. I think it would be a bit mismatched with the sealed PF115HE and low power rated for the PF500. The SVT410HE is sealed and rated for 500 W.

I have both of those SVT cabs and like them. The 410he is tight and responsive but not particularly deep. The 115E is deep and loose, like a ported 15 should be. I like them alot together as they really complement each other's strengths. Yeah I know you're not supposed to mix.

For your PF rig however I'd recommend a second PF115 cab. In fact that's what I did myself, just got my 2nd PF115. Those 2 PFs sound better than either combination of PF cab and SVT cab.

I'm pretty happy with the PF system.I sold my rack rig and the SVT cabs are for sale.

 

[mojosimone]

I tried the PF350 with the PF115 cab. Bass maxed, mids 11, treble 10, gain 2 o'clock and got a great sound. A tone that I would be happy with. Volume not to loud . Bass at noon and it sounded like a guitar playing a P bass. I don't play out. My ears tell me my rig at home would be mud at high volume. At home I have a Genz Benz 3.0 Carvin 10.2 cab using JimmyM setting for SVT. So am I getting a better sound with my current rig or am I not used to Ampeg tone with the PF350. Pretty confused with it. I just play at home to drum machine or CD's. On a note I tried the SVT for the first time and I want that!! but would blow me away in the house.

The bottom line question to try the PF350 again; what should I do to appease my desire to get that SVT sound. Can the VT pedal be used in the chain with the PF350. I can get my GB 3.0 and VT to sound the same and a tweak of the knobs I guess I got the SVT tone. I hear so much of the AMPEG tone but don't get it with my settings at home.

 

[stiles72]

@ Evsm73 - I'll ditto the others and say a pair of PF115'S is the way to go. Like you, I play Gibson Tbirds with DR BB's for a big deep sound- and I find the PF cabs go pretty low for a sealed cab.