i think it could work, but don't expect the low end response of the 410hlf, of course, and really, it depends on how loud your band is. but my first instinct is to think it could work.
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Ampeg PF500/PF350
- Thread starter maevinj
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OK we see now Fletz. That's exactly why I got the cab with the pf500, hoping for a true portaflex solution for 90% of my electric gigs...but I don't have the answer yet.
Well, just got the PF115HE this morning. So, for what it's worth, here are my (first) impressions (with the 350 head).
It didn't take me a long time to dial in a nice tone. The PF-350 has a nice warm vintage tone with just enough graininess. Exactly what I was looking for in an amp. There doesn't seem to be a lot of overdrive at lower volume with the PF115HE as when going from the XLR to my pc sound card. I find the XLR's output a little too hot. With the XLR I get the tone I like with the drive at around 10 o'clock, but through the cab I need to up it up to 3-4 o'clock. But then again I couldn't put too much volume since I tried it at home. I'll only be able to really test drive this setup at higher volume next week at our practice. I was not too impressed with the horn. I thought it sounded better without it. I'm not an expert at slap but it did respond well. Anyway, I liked what I got out of it.
I used my Road Worn JB. I got a good tone with my bass knobs at:
Neck - 10
Bridge - 8
Tone - 8
Amp knobs:
Gain - 3 o'clock
Bass - 10.5 o'clock
Mid - 11 o'clock
Treble - 11 o'clock
Vol - 9 o'clock
I've also tried the head with the pad to reduce the output. It works pretty well if you want to use it at lower volume home practice (like I said before, I live in an apartment).
Oh, and I can barely hear the fan. I mean, seriously, it's not an issue for me at all. If your amp head makes a lot of fan noise you might have a defective unit.
On a more technical side, the cab seems to be very well made and solid. IMHO, It simply looks killer. Comes with 4 removable casters that are easily mounted. They snap right on/off. The head is very easily secured to the cab's removable flip top. Only took me about 5 minutes to attach it with the 4 screws and washers that come with the cab. You only need a Phillips head screwdriver. It's a little bit bigger and heavier than I expected, especially with the PF-350 head mounted to the top panel (approx. 53 lbs total). I'm not sure yet if the cab will vibrate and rattle at higher volume (...).
One thing I'm not too crazy about is that the input (audio in) for a CD/mp3 player will only work through headphones. The sound doesn't come out through the cab. I'm not sure if this is usually the case with other amps or not but it's normal in this case (owner manual page 6). It's not a big thing, but still...
Overall, I'm a very happy customer. I have a feeling I'll have lots of fun with this amp/cab.
Well, that's it for now. Gotta go practice!
Sorry for the crappy photo. Can you believe I'm even worst at taking pictures than at playing bass!?! LOL!
It didn't take me a long time to dial in a nice tone. The PF-350 has a nice warm vintage tone with just enough graininess. Exactly what I was looking for in an amp. There doesn't seem to be a lot of overdrive at lower volume with the PF115HE as when going from the XLR to my pc sound card. I find the XLR's output a little too hot. With the XLR I get the tone I like with the drive at around 10 o'clock, but through the cab I need to up it up to 3-4 o'clock. But then again I couldn't put too much volume since I tried it at home. I'll only be able to really test drive this setup at higher volume next week at our practice. I was not too impressed with the horn. I thought it sounded better without it. I'm not an expert at slap but it did respond well. Anyway, I liked what I got out of it.
I used my Road Worn JB. I got a good tone with my bass knobs at:
Neck - 10
Bridge - 8
Tone - 8
Amp knobs:
Gain - 3 o'clock
Bass - 10.5 o'clock
Mid - 11 o'clock
Treble - 11 o'clock
Vol - 9 o'clock
I've also tried the head with the pad to reduce the output. It works pretty well if you want to use it at lower volume home practice (like I said before, I live in an apartment).
Oh, and I can barely hear the fan. I mean, seriously, it's not an issue for me at all. If your amp head makes a lot of fan noise you might have a defective unit.
On a more technical side, the cab seems to be very well made and solid. IMHO, It simply looks killer. Comes with 4 removable casters that are easily mounted. They snap right on/off. The head is very easily secured to the cab's removable flip top. Only took me about 5 minutes to attach it with the 4 screws and washers that come with the cab. You only need a Phillips head screwdriver. It's a little bit bigger and heavier than I expected, especially with the PF-350 head mounted to the top panel (approx. 53 lbs total). I'm not sure yet if the cab will vibrate and rattle at higher volume (...).
One thing I'm not too crazy about is that the input (audio in) for a CD/mp3 player will only work through headphones. The sound doesn't come out through the cab. I'm not sure if this is usually the case with other amps or not but it's normal in this case (owner manual page 6). It's not a big thing, but still...
Overall, I'm a very happy customer. I have a feeling I'll have lots of fun with this amp/cab.
Well, that's it for now. Gotta go practice!
Sorry for the crappy photo. Can you believe I'm even worst at taking pictures than at playing bass!?! LOL!
Just got the Gigskinz "MEDIUM" sized bag for my PF-500 at Guitar Center. $90 but fits PERFECTLY when you take out the velcro'd in divider. Big thumbs up and a great choice for those of us who don't have the flip cab (yet!). Fits my head, speakon cable, power cable, instrument cable in the main area, I put batteries in one of the compartments, strap and wireless in the other and tools (screwdriver, etc.) in the last.
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I am not a paid endorser ... just passing along the info.
Invalid Link Removed
I am not a paid endorser ... just passing along the info.
I just tried a PF350 for the first time this afternoon into an SVT 810 cabinet with my Martin Keith Elfin 5; I was amazed at how good it all sounded with no need to touch the EQ at all, I could do it all with the controls on the Elfin. 
I was surprised at how heavy the PF350 was when I picked it up to check it out.
It did look like it was built well, however. 
I was surprised at how heavy the PF350 was when I picked it up to check it out.
It did look like it was built well, however. 
For me, it works well this way. I'll take a monitor mix of the band in to the audio input and run in-ears from the amp's headphone out. Then I can mix in as much bass I as want with the band mix coming from the board for my own personal monitor mix. If the audio-in was routed out the cab as well, I'd need an external box to achieve the same results.
Just got back from my 1st gig with the PF500 thru a 610hlf with sealed ports. We play old school punk rock with some other oddities thrown in. I never had the volume past maybe 11:00 o'clock. My guitar friend plays an old Marshall 100 watt head modded with strong lows & midrange with a 1/2 stack to give some reference to what I typically have to play with. It sounded great, I never heard myself better without feeling any struggle with cutting through. It's tone is very stage mix friendly. I keep the bass around 10:00 mids around 1:00 + mid selector on 2 & treble around 10:30 with a stock SX jazz bass.
Did you get the PF-500 from M123 or MF? I might have your returned unit if that's the case.
I got it from MF. Are you having any issues with it?
afew guys on feebay seem to be selling the 210 cab at a discount. Anyone out there see or play the 210 cab yet?
Got my PF350 yesterday. Returning it tomorrow. Sounds way too solid state Ampeg for me. I thought maybe it would have a little more warmth. Nice construction and I like the simplicity though.
okcrum
in your chest
Have you tried the 500? I think there is more adjustment available. Check out my test drive video - you may think differently. Or you may still think it's in the wrong zone for you:
YouTube - pdannen's Channel
It's all personal pref. I actually expected to hate it because I don't like the new 7PRO.
So, I got my PF-350 head the other day. So far I'm very pleased with the sound and, though I haven't yet had it in a full band situation, I can tell already that it has the little bit of needed extra head room that was absent with my Micro VR. I'm running it through 2 210AVs and am looking forward to hearing it at band volume.
My concern is:
When I power it on, after the initial (soft) click of the amp powering up, I hear a fairly loud 'pop' or 'click' through the speakers. (volume at gain at 0)
There is no such noise when powering on my Micro VR. Is this something normal with the 350 or should I send it back for a replacement unit?
Thanks for your help!
My concern is:
When I power it on, after the initial (soft) click of the amp powering up, I hear a fairly loud 'pop' or 'click' through the speakers. (volume at gain at 0)
There is no such noise when powering on my Micro VR. Is this something normal with the 350 or should I send it back for a replacement unit?
Thanks for your help!
We have the same set-up!
Here's my A/B test: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/ampeg-pf500-pf350-722043/index34.html#post10755342
And no, my PF350 does not pop when firing up!
We have the same set-up!
Here's my A/B test: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/ampeg-pf500-pf350-722043/index34.html#post10755342
And no, my PF350 does not pop when firing up!
Thanks for your reply. It was, in fact, your nice A/B test that pushed me over the edge and convinced me I could use the extra umph that the 350 delivers.
I wonder what's making the pop noise. It's not a super loud noise but like I said my Micro head doesn't make any noise at all (except for the fan). I guess I'll have to pack it up and ship it back for a replacement in hopes the new one won't make the same noise. Any other 350 or 500 users hear a medium soft Pop about 2 seconds after your amp lights up?
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