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Ampeg PF500/PF350

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#722
René_Julien;10770517 said:
Some questions for people who own the PF500.


- What do you think about the onboard compressor? Can you get a fat squeezed sound out of it... with long sustain? (That's the way I like it... don't judge me :p)
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The compressor is clean and tight. It'll do what you want. I don't tend to hit it so hard, though.
René_Julien;10770517 said:
- Tonality: Can you get a low-mid heavy sound out of it? I guess so with boosting 220HZ with the mid selector. How do you find the use of the mid selector in general?
And... how close a sound can you get to a B-15?
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Yes, easy, and yes, respectively. If you've used an SVT, the midrange controls will be second nature. I made a few small changes to my eq during my first couple of gigs with the amp, and now, I'm really liking the sound. Remember there's a bit of midrange hump with the controls set flat.
René_Julien;10770517 said:
- The effects loop, does it work well with pedals or is it only suitable for rack gear?
Click to expand...
It'll work with either. It's a regular line level effects loop.
René_Julien;10770517 said:
- What about the "ultra low" and "ultra high" buttons?
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They work, but I don't use them often, either on my PF or my SVT.
...
René_Julien;10770517 said:
Although from first user reviews in this thread I'm a bit concerned about reliability. Any follow up experiences on that? How does it perform?
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Mine's been flawless so far, both during heat soak tests and on the gig. I've yet to get warm air off the fan at a gig. I was able to during testing, but that was 8 hours at 1/2 power (250w) continuous. :D

All I've seen in this thread is one account of a PF blowing up in a GC for unknown reasons, and one user hitting the thermal protection. It'll be impossible to predict long term reliability until these amps are in the field for some time. Ampeg does not appear to be having any major production startup issues with these amps, which is welcome news.
 
#727
okcrum said:
The compressor is clean and tight. It'll do what you want. I don't tend to hit it so hard, though.

Yes, easy, and yes, respectively. If you've used an SVT, the midrange controls will be second nature. I made a few small changes to my eq during my first couple of gigs with the amp, and now, I'm really liking the sound. Remember there's a bit of midrange hump with the controls set flat.

It'll work with either. It's a regular line level effects loop.

They work, but I don't use them often, either on my PF or my SVT.
...

Mine's been flawless so far, both during heat soak tests and on the gig. I've yet to get warm air off the fan at a gig. I was able to during testing, but that was 8 hours at 1/2 power (250w) continuous. :D

All I've seen in this thread is one account of a PF blowing up in a GC for unknown reasons, and one user hitting the thermal protection. It'll be impossible to predict long term reliability until these amps are in the field for some time. Ampeg does not appear to be having any major production startup issues with these amps, which is welcome news.
Click to expand...

Thanks Chuck. :)

Decent compressor, midrange hump, close enough to a B-15 (for non critical minds I guess).

I'm liking what I know so far.
The PF500 with the two 15" cabs, seems like a simple and cool rig. And if EQing and compression is nice I wouldn't have to fiddle with outboard equipment.

I play fretless exclusively. This amp would be great for that?

Now, to find a store that carries Ampeg. :)
 
#729
Fletz said:
Just curious: have u ever used an Ampeg mid selector switch? Took me a while to learn how to use it on my first Ampeg.

I just got a pf500 and the fan noise isnt terrible. I mean you can hear it but it's not crazy loud.
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I'm used to the switch on my old SVP CL that I sold a long time ago and it wasn't anything like that. Maybe I had a defective unit. I'm used to no noise at all from my STL600. Again...this was purchased as a backup and for rehearsals.
 
#733
I managed to play the pf500, pf350, and SVT 7 at GC the other day (like a lot of others have already done), and I have to say that I liked the pf350 the best.

The 350 was easy to dial in a nice tone, and seemed "quicker" and more aggressive than the other heads. I struggled to get a sound I liked out of the pf500, even though I liked the features, and the SVT 7 was nice, but a little too, well... SVT-ish for me.
 
#735
GrevMarkussen said:
No one's got an opinion on the cabs yet?? =)
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I was able to check out my PF115 cab last Thursday at practice and again on Sunday for our service. I'll get some more time tomorrow with it and will take it to a practice this weekend with two rock guitars and a drummer (Joe Satriani / Steve Vai covers & originals), so I'll be able to post some fairly thorough thoughts. Tomorrow I should also be able to A/B the PF500 with my Shuttle 6.0 going into the PF115.

5sg.
 
#736
CapnSev said:
I managed to play the pf500, pf350, and SVT 7 at GC the other day (like a lot of others have already done), and I have to say that I liked the pf350 the best.

The 350 was easy to dial in a nice tone, and seemed "quicker" and more aggressive than the other heads. I struggled to get a sound I liked out of the pf500, even though I liked the features, and the SVT 7 was nice, but a little too, well... SVT-ish for me.
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lol! it's as if you and i are bizarro brothers living in parallel but opposite worlds ;) except that's exactly how i heard them, although i can't say i struggled with the 500, but i get your reason for digging the 350 the most.
 
#737
Yesterday I played my PF350 at bandrehearsel for the first time. I used my two 210AV's as cabs.

MAN, what a sound!! :bassist:

I'm worried now, for I'm very much in love with the sound of my Micro VR, but I'm afraid the PF350 kicked its butt last night...

Well what the..., I'll keep 'm both! :hyper:
 
#738
Hnz said:
Yesterday I played my PF350 at bandrehearsel for the first time. I used my two 210AV's as cabs.

MAN, what a sound!! :bassist:

I'm worried now, for I'm very much in love with the sound of my Micro VR, but I'm afraid the PF350 kicked its butt last night...

Well what the..., I'll keep 'm both! :hyper:
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Sounds great. :)

I compared the street price of the PF heads and cabs to similar gear from other brands. It seems like they are at reasonable price.
For example compared to an MB Fusion (which is a different animal, I know), these Ampegs are relatively cheaper.

What kind of tone do you get? What style do you play?
 
#739
René_Julien;10781272 said:
Sounds great. :)
What kind of tone do you get? What style do you play?
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I play blues/bluesrock/vintagerock and a bit of funk and jazz.

The overall sound from the PF350 is Ampeg (duh!). Yeah, I know it's a cliché and doesn't say much.
But I mean it has that special Ampeg "grit"/"growl" to it and further it sounds warm, round and punchy.
Some will call it "old school", but that all depends on your settings and the bass you use.

You don't need to play classic rock or blues to appreciate the Ampeg sound! I'd say, try 'm!
 
#740
Hnz said:
I play blues/bluesrock/vintagerock and a bit of funk and jazz.

The overall sound from the PF350 is Ampeg (duh!). Yeah, I know it's a cliché and doesn't say much.
But I mean it has that special Ampeg "grit"/"growl" to it and further it sounds warm, round and punchy.
Some will call it "old school", but that all depends on your settings and the bass you use.

You don't need to play classic rock or blues to appreciate the Ampeg sound! I'd say, try 'm!
Click to expand...

I play METAL!!!! :ninja:

But mostly I'm a livingroom navelgazer with more GAS than talent. :)
 
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