Ampeg PF500/PF350

[melvn]

Played though a pf500 at a local shop the other day through an old Peavey w/ an 18 and 2X10. I thought it sounded cool. I've never had any experience with Ampeg before other than listening to recordings. After the last 4 years of a nightmare with a Carvin RC210 Series III, I was going to put my faith in the brand and get a bx500 but now I'm rather sure I am going to buy the pf500. Plus I can buy it local for the same price as online and no shipping. I'm half tempted to take advantage of Carvin's 10 day policy and A/B them.

 

[ddbassGA]

I have both the Carvin BX500 and the Ampeg PF500. The Carvin is a bit cheaper -- I found mine used for well under $300 and for that investment, at least so far, I have kept it as a spare and it is set up on the ready at all times in my music room into a 1x15 cab. Overkill for a practice amp, I know. I don't hear much effect from the tube on the BX and while the PF is solid state it emulates that Ampeg tube tone quite well so they kind of have their roles reversed. Neither is a one-trick pony as they each have compressor and good tone shaping capability, but their voices are inherently different. The PF seems more solidly built...like a tank. The BX is lighter and seems more fragile, though I don't mean to say it is flimsy at all. Output capabilities are similar, except the Carvin DI is only pre-eq, no post if you needed to send the house your shaped tone. I went with the whole Portaflex system with the PF 115 cab, so that was an advantage for me that is not relevant in your case. I must say I dig that PF and having one less thing -- even if it is a light class D head -- to load into a gig. It would be good to A/B them if you can to see which works best with your Fearful.

 

[Jeff_K]

So, I did go and return the PF350 for the PF500. Just knowing I have the extra 150 watts (I play into a 4 ohm load) gives me piece of mind.

I did get to A/B it with a GK MB2-500 at my local GC though. The MB2-500 was on clearance for $319 (which is a really good price) so it was really tempting to go with it. Both amps were plenty loud, but something about the GK sounded "generic". That's the only way I can describe it. The PF500 sounded like it had more character, and it defintley had that nice growl everyone's after.

After trading in a couple of pedals I didn't use any more, the net difference was a whole $50, so I feel like I made a good choice.

 

[madurolover]

I have the PF500 running a B410 cab. It sounded great, very good voice and close enough to an SVT for my budget. The sound guys like the tone through the big muff better than dry through the Ampeg so I played like that all night. I didn't notice a big difference with the compressor on but I used it at 12. Good for the classic hard rock tone. The cab pushed a lot of air and everyone felt it with the volume at 2 oclock.

I would like another cab if not just for the look but specs say it won;t carry it, Next time I want to run the line out to a powered sub to see if it makes a difference, I just miced it this time. The only other effect I have is a phase for Rush but everything else is one pedal.

So far I am real happy

 

[JimmyM]

why a powered sub? seems like overkill for a bass rig.

 

[madurolover]

I think the real reason is simply because I can. I have a 1500W powered sub on the PA. If I crossover the bass below 200Hz I think I can knock the pictures off the wall at the club. The fear is I will muddy up the vocals so it would be an expeiment during a sound check.

 

[Frankjohnson]

I used the PF 500 for the 6th show last night.
Coupled with an avatar sb112, Kappa pro inside.

Nice blues club - PA is vocals only, room seats about 125-150.
I ABSOLUTELY dug the tone, volume was solid, I like the voice.

I have to say, I think I had a little bit of throttle left, and it was still clean with just the right grit for me. P Bass with older Lace Sensors.

I will have the PF 2-10 cab soon! Its a very versatile head. I REALLY Like it!

 

[melvn]

I have both the Carvin BX500 and the Ampeg PF500. The Carvin is a bit cheaper -- I found mine used for well under $300 and for that investment, at least so far, I have kept it as a spare and it is set up on the ready at all times in my music room into a 1x15 cab. Overkill for a practice amp, I know. I don't hear much effect from the tube on the BX and while the PF is solid state it emulates that Ampeg tube tone quite well so they kind of have their roles reversed. Neither is a one-trick pony as they each have compressor and good tone shaping capability, but their voices are inherently different. The PF seems more solidly built...like a tank. The BX is lighter and seems more fragile, though I don't mean to say it is flimsy at all. Output capabilities are similar, except the Carvin DI is only pre-eq, no post if you needed to send the house your shaped tone. I went with the whole Portaflex system with the PF 115 cab, so that was an advantage for me that is not relevant in your case. I must say I dig that PF and having one less thing -- even if it is a light class D head -- to load into a gig. It would be good to A/B them if you can to see which works best with your Fearful.

Well, the Fearful is not around just yet. I just graduated with my bachelors and upgrading my rig is going to be a gift to myself this summer. I grabbed the pf500 from the local shop today as part one of my gift and it sounded great soloed at home. I A/B ed it with the Redline 600 through the attached 210 cab and I liked the sound so much better. I always thought it was the head I was not pleased with rather than the cab and now that is confirmed to my ears. Even though it has a bit of the Ampeg color, playing with the pots on my bass was more transparent then with the Carvin head. I'm not an audiophile or anything, I just plain liked the pf tone much better. Apparently I was a closet Ampeg fan. Still might do the A/B with the BX500 sometime this summer because I know that the bx is supposed to be far superior to the redline series. Perhaps when the Fearful is done for a more accurate sounding cab.

 

[Slackerprince]

Well, the Fearful is not around just yet. I just graduated with my bachelors and upgrading my rig is going to be a gift to myself this summer. I grabbed the pf500 from the local shop today as part one of my gift and it sounded great soloed at home. I A/B ed it with the Redline 600 through the attached 210 cab and I liked the sound so much better. I always thought it was the head I was not pleased with rather than the cab and now that is confirmed to my ears. Even though it has a bit of the Ampeg color, playing with the pots on my bass was more transparent then with the Carvin head. I'm not an audiophile or anything, I just plain liked the pf tone much better. Apparently I was a closet Ampeg fan. Still might do the A/B with the BX500 sometime this summer because I know that the bx is supposed to be far superior to the redline series. Perhaps when the Fearful is done for a more accurate sounding cab.

Congrats on the paper!
Good luck out there.

S

 

[JimmyM]

I think the real reason is simply because I can. I have a 1500W powered sub on the PA. If I crossover the bass below 200Hz I think I can knock the pictures off the wall at the club. The fear is I will muddy up the vocals so it would be an expeiment during a sound check.

well if you have it on the pa, you don't need it in your bass rig. i think the fear of muddying up the mix is well-founded. but hey, if i had it, i'd probably give it a shot, too

 

[BasHermus]

For all you PF500 owners, I have two questions:

-How would you describe the compressor (e.g. how does it compare to that multi-comp thing on a TC electronic RH450)?

-How high is the amp actually (measured without the rubber feet)?

I'd like to mount the amp (when I buy one) into some custom cab, but for that I'd need the height.

 

[mebusdriver]

For all you PF500 owners, I have two questions:

-How would you describe the compressor (e.g. how does it compare to that multi-comp thing on a TC electronic RH450)?

-How high is the amp actually (measured without the rubber feet)?

I'd like to mount the amp (when I buy one) into some custom cab, but for that I'd need the height.

The compressor does two thing really well. The tone that I like the best is the fat squeezed sound. It sounds huge!! And if you go past 12 o clock you can get some serious punch. If you play with a pick it would be perfect for that real punchy grind.

I'm at work so I can measure the head. I believe Ampeg has the dimensions on the web site tho.

 

[tbof]

-How high is the amp actually (measured without the rubber feet)?

PF-500 is 66 mm high without the feet.
PF-350 is 55 mm high without the feet.
The feet are 14 mm high.

 

[BasHermus]

The compressor does two thing really well. The tone that I like the best is the fat squeezed sound. It sounds huge!! And if you go past 12 o clock you can get some serious punch. If you play with a pick it would be perfect for that real punchy grind.

So it would do that Tony Levin kind of sound rather well...

PF-500 is 66 mm high without the feet.
PF-350 is 55 mm high without the feet.
The feet are 14 mm high.

That's nice and small. Both could easily be mounted in a custom built combo.

Thank you guys. That really answered my questions. Now I just need to go out and try one..

 

[bassguppy]

Got to demo the pf500 and pf210 and 115 cabs. Was very impressed with the ease to dial in a good gig gable tone. I preferred the 210 over the 115 but that is subjective. The built-in compressor seems to actually be useful compared to other 1 dial compressors.

I was surprised cuz I was not expecting the same results as everyone else because I'm not a fan of solid state Ampeg tone. They have a winner.

 

[Jepus]

Can't seem to find a PF500 in Vancouver

Tried L&M and TOm Lee. Tom Lee hadn't heard of it and L&M said they don't know when they'll have them, although the sales guy said he played one at NAMM and it was incredible.

Really wanna try one out, rather than commit to buying it unheard!

 

[mellotron]

Can't seem to find a PF500 in Vancouver

Tried L&M ... they don't know when they'll have them, although the sales guy said he played one at NAMM and it was incredible.

Really wanna try one out, rather than commit to buying it unheard!

Do what I did. Order it through L&M. You give them 10% down and get their 30-day money back guarantee. When I went it, they did not have the PF line on their web site and nobody at the store had even heard of the new line up. Now they show all four pieces online.

I ordered (and received, today) the PF500. I am still waiting on the 115 and 210. I want to A/B the two cabs, and hear them together. I may force myself to decide between the two but am leaning toward keeping all three pieces.

 

[Jepus]

Do what I did. Order it through L&M. You give them 10% down and get their 30-day money back guarantee. When I went it, they did not have the PF line on their web site and nobody at the store had even heard of the new line up. Now they show all four pieces online.

I ordered (and received, today) the PF500. I am still waiting on the 115 and 210. I want to A/B the two cabs, and hear them together. I may force myself to decide between the two but am leaning toward keeping all three pieces.

How does the return policy work? If I don't like it I can just refund it? Even though it would have been opened?

 

[mellotron]

How does the return policy work? If I don't like it I can just refund it? Even though it would have been opened?

Yes. In this day of "order it online for cheaper," there is a lot to be said about supporting your local brick-and-mortar shop when they have such a generous money-back policy. Ask at the store. My sons have had items for months and got most of their money back. After 30 days, L&M just deducts what you would have paid in rent (had you rented it in the first place). We have always got a very reasonable amount of money back...

 

[Jepus]

Yes. In this day of "order it online for cheaper," there is a lot to be said about supporting your local brick-and-mortar shop when they have such a generous money-back policy. Ask at the store. My sons have had items for months and got most of their money back. After 30 days, L&M just deducts what you would have paid in rent (had you rented it in the first place). We have always got a very reasonable amount of money back...

That's pretty cool of them. I might just do that.

Although money is tight at the moment so I can't even afford to buy it and lose some money on "renting" it. But in a few months...