I used my lakland 55-01 bass with everything relatively flat. Compressor around 11o'clock, slight decrease in the mids, everything else flat
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Ampeg PF500/PF350 Pt II.5
- Thread starter Chef
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That makes for almost an $800 cab.
Seems like you could get a used Berg or something by the time you get done with all that.
Seems cool, though.
S
Couple of interesting gigs last week with the PF500/PF115 rig. First was a small, quiet room playing upright through the PFs, only there was no room in the car for the upright, so I played my ERGO EUB. Sounded great through the PF rig. Second was at a loud rock club, playing my Carvin fretless 5. About 1/3 into the set my volume dropped and when I cranked the PF gain and master I got distortion big time. It suddenly dawned on me...could be drained battery in my active bass...So I swapped basses and got my G&L L2000 between songs. Sure enough I was back in business, loud and clear, nice and punchy. The PF 500 has been super versatile. This Tues it'll be my old Kay upright (w/ K&K Bassmax) through the PF. That's been a great combination for me, too.
true, however a Berg cab looks like a berg cab, I want a PF cab, cuz it looks like a PF cab =P
Jheake said:
That's why I want a couple of PF cabs too!
But, I think I'm gonna have to stick with my Berg cabs. Not a bad alternative
Never say never tho
I can't imagine those PF cabs come close to the Berg in terms of volume/quality. If you already have Berg, stick with them!
Well.. volume and quality are not always the most important thing.
The tone is.
And some people just like Ampeg tone. I'd choose ANY Ampeg over SWR, Eden, Genz-Benz, Mesa, Aguilar top models.
The tone is.
And some people just like Ampeg tone. I'd choose ANY Ampeg over SWR, Eden, Genz-Benz, Mesa, Aguilar top models.
Quality as in tonal and build quality/parts quality. Both are incredibly important for my purchases. That's fair enough, we all like what we like.
IIRC, I've only played (gigged) thru a few different Ampeg cabs. 810(MIV & SLM) 410HLF, 610HLF & a 4x8"
& I've owned just a one-410HLF-didn't like it much.
Liked the 810's & 4x8" & the 610 was pretty good.
My Bergs have given me the best tone I've ever had.
But playing the PF210 was darn nice too. But that's only an in-store test.
I just LOVE the look of 'em
& I've owned just a one-410HLF-didn't like it much.
Liked the 810's & 4x8" & the 610 was pretty good.
My Bergs have given me the best tone I've ever had.
But playing the PF210 was darn nice too. But that's only an in-store test.
I just LOVE the look of 'em
As far as quality, these PF cabs are built like tanks, use quality components, and don't look, sound, or feel like a 400 cab. I don't know if Ampeg is selling these cheap for an initial offering but when I got invoiced for mine after trading their invoice price for two cabs and a pf350 head was roughly 1,600 dollars. I didn't have to pay that due to warranty swap but that's what they would have charged me if I didn't send back the old stuff. And no that isn't retail vs map. These are good cabs. I think it's just reflective of current market conditions and Ampeg having the ability to sell them cheaper.
Good to hear re the quality etc.
They ARE at great prices, even here in Aus. Which is pretty amazing.
An SVT 3 PRO still sells for about $1300Aus or more new, while the pf500 is about $600, as are the pf cabs
They ARE at great prices, even here in Aus. Which is pretty amazing.
An SVT 3 PRO still sells for about $1300Aus or more new, while the pf500 is about $600, as are the pf cabs
I can add my $0.02 about the clipping issues some have mentioned. The first pf500 head I brought home was the GC store demo while they ordered a new one for me. That one clipped when I was messing with it, but I don't remember exactly what I did to cause it. I do remember being concerned, so I must not have been pushing too hard. When my new one came in, no issues so far, and I've had it since June/July. So possibly it is an issue with only some heads?
As to someone asking a page or so back about using with Avatar 212, I run my pf500 thru one (4 ohm) often, and it sounds great. But I love sound of the pf115, too, just feel it needs two (the second I plan to order soon).
As to someone asking a page or so back about using with Avatar 212, I run my pf500 thru one (4 ohm) often, and it sounds great. But I love sound of the pf115, too, just feel it needs two (the second I plan to order soon).
Earlier in this thread I wrote about my positive experiences with the PF350. I used it at a show (direct) & at several practices. I liked the tone and it's basic feature set, but there were 2 things that concerned me - the DI didn't sound great, it was very hot and I was constantly clipping (this has since been explained in this thread) and at times I was running my amp at 75% volume & gain and it felt like I pushing just a little too hard.
I decided to give the PF500 a try. I was initially hesitant because it had a lot of features I didn't really need (loop, compressor, mute, foot switch, etc.). It did have a pad on the DI, however. At just $100 more I figured why not? I'd probably have to spend more than that on a DI with the 350. Anyway, I've had it for a month now and just used it at a show last night. Here's a brief comparison of both:
I'm a fairly recent convert to bass playing guitar for 18 years or so and bass just 2-3 of those years. I've been playing bass in a band for over a year and just learning about bass gear, so my experiences are just my uninformed opinion. I play a HWY1 P and use an SWR Marcus 410 4ohm cab. Band is hard rock/punk with 2 guitar players using 40 watt tube amps and a hard hitting drummer.
First, the 500 is a bit bigger and heavier than the 350. I was using a small backpack for the 350. I ended up using a laptop bag for the 500. It barely fits in a bag designed for a 15" computer. I was afraid that the extra controls on the amp would just confuse me and have me constantly tweaking them, but this wasn't the case. It's possible to have the 500 sound like the 350 - keep the compressor off, hi & lo off, and frequency at 2, but the 500 could also do many things that the 350 couldn't do.
It's a bit louder volume-wise, but the most notable thing is that it sounds much more authoritative than the 350. It could be using the additional eq settings (I keep the lo on, and the frequency on either 3 or 4), but it seemed to sit better with my particular band. I could also run the volume at 12 o'clock or lower and still keep up without any issue. With the 350 and running direct, I could keep the volume pretty low (and I needed to to help with the hot DI), but in practice (no PA for bass) I had to turn the volume up much louder. It could keep up, but I was running both gain & volume at 1 o'clock.
Last night I was DI'd, I talked to the sound person and shared my experiences with the 350 and let him know that it was the first time I was trying it. I kept the pad on. It sounded great! I talked with him afterwords and he said it worked fine, it wasn't too hot or too quiet. The PF350 is still great, I love the simple straight forwardness and great tone of the amp, but 500 works better for my needs.
I decided to give the PF500 a try. I was initially hesitant because it had a lot of features I didn't really need (loop, compressor, mute, foot switch, etc.). It did have a pad on the DI, however. At just $100 more I figured why not? I'd probably have to spend more than that on a DI with the 350. Anyway, I've had it for a month now and just used it at a show last night. Here's a brief comparison of both:
I'm a fairly recent convert to bass playing guitar for 18 years or so and bass just 2-3 of those years. I've been playing bass in a band for over a year and just learning about bass gear, so my experiences are just my uninformed opinion. I play a HWY1 P and use an SWR Marcus 410 4ohm cab. Band is hard rock/punk with 2 guitar players using 40 watt tube amps and a hard hitting drummer.
First, the 500 is a bit bigger and heavier than the 350. I was using a small backpack for the 350. I ended up using a laptop bag for the 500. It barely fits in a bag designed for a 15" computer. I was afraid that the extra controls on the amp would just confuse me and have me constantly tweaking them, but this wasn't the case. It's possible to have the 500 sound like the 350 - keep the compressor off, hi & lo off, and frequency at 2, but the 500 could also do many things that the 350 couldn't do.
It's a bit louder volume-wise, but the most notable thing is that it sounds much more authoritative than the 350. It could be using the additional eq settings (I keep the lo on, and the frequency on either 3 or 4), but it seemed to sit better with my particular band. I could also run the volume at 12 o'clock or lower and still keep up without any issue. With the 350 and running direct, I could keep the volume pretty low (and I needed to to help with the hot DI), but in practice (no PA for bass) I had to turn the volume up much louder. It could keep up, but I was running both gain & volume at 1 o'clock.
Last night I was DI'd, I talked to the sound person and shared my experiences with the 350 and let him know that it was the first time I was trying it. I kept the pad on. It sounded great! I talked with him afterwords and he said it worked fine, it wasn't too hot or too quiet. The PF350 is still great, I love the simple straight forwardness and great tone of the amp, but 500 works better for my needs.
Great review. I am thinking of pairing the PF350 with my Avatar 210 neo, as I always have PA support. That said, the XLR out is important, as I always run through the board. I have DIs I can use separately, but the XLR out is more convenient. I also miss the lack of a tuner out. All in all, I'm wondering if the PF500 would be a better match even though I am running the one cab. A good DI and tuner out would be helpful, but the whole idea was to get something lighter and simpler than my old GK700RBII.
Imo, if you are looking to use the DI, grab the 500 if u can. The extra features come in handy ime
Ya, I'd agree. I've used the Micro VR DI on a gig (only one gig and I hope it stays that way..I am a cab mic'er
), and it works fine even though it's pretty hot, but the extra features on the PF500 do make it nice for DIing if you're into it, and a decent outboard DI would cost more than the extra hundy the PF500 costs.
I had the same thought about not needing some of that, but for only $100 more... why not. And you know what? I actually find myself using those features. (okay, the mute and the compressor
). The onboard compressor is highly underrated, IMO. It's proven its usefulness several times. 5sg.
I've got the 7 pro-so basically the same controls as the pf500.
I, too, have been using the compressor. Something I've never used nor liked previously.
I usually set it around 7 o'clock- virtually OFF, - then adjust it to taste as the gig goes on.
I find I never really have it past 11 o'clock & usually between 8 & 10.
It seems to add an even more tubey sound.
As far as the FX loop, I've been meaning to use it, as I like the idea of being able to blend my FX in. But just haven't gotten round to trying it yet :-/
I, too, have been using the compressor. Something I've never used nor liked previously.
I usually set it around 7 o'clock- virtually OFF, - then adjust it to taste as the gig goes on.
I find I never really have it past 11 o'clock & usually between 8 & 10.
It seems to add an even more tubey sound.
As far as the FX loop, I've been meaning to use it, as I like the idea of being able to blend my FX in. But just haven't gotten round to trying it yet :-/
Well, I expected it coming from reading prior posts, but it happened to me this morning as I was loading for a gig tonight -- a wheel came off my PF115 cab. The dinky little screws pulled out.
Ampeg are you listening? Take the time to attach these with T-Nuts, which is what I will do this afternoon. Can't believe that would add more than $1 per cab to your production cost. That or bring back the dolly.
On another note, has anyone seen covers available for these cabs? Ampeg said they were forthcoming, but I haven't seen them. An Ampeg cover like they have for their other cabs would be sweet. Those are padded and rugged. Tuki would also be nice. The only ones I've seen are cheap vinyl covers on ebay for $50.
Ampeg are you listening? Take the time to attach these with T-Nuts, which is what I will do this afternoon. Can't believe that would add more than $1 per cab to your production cost. That or bring back the dolly.
On another note, has anyone seen covers available for these cabs? Ampeg said they were forthcoming, but I haven't seen them. An Ampeg cover like they have for their other cabs would be sweet. Those are padded and rugged. Tuki would also be nice. The only ones I've seen are cheap vinyl covers on ebay for $50.
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