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Ampeg PF500/PF350

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#1,001
hipcat said:
Howdy,

Just purchased my PF-500 today at 2:30pm for a gig at 4 - I play an Explorer bass in a pretty loud punk rock band so the volumes are pretty challenging...

I also play in a myriad of other groups and have always loved Ampegs, around the horn. But this was a test run to see if this amp would be up to the challenge of this particular group.

My sound is a LOT of gain - not fuzz bass really - but crunchy, growly and kind of harsh, and I play hard. I was pysched to try this amp out, and super pysched about the mobility factor of this tiny thing.

Anyhow on the gig in the MIDDLE of the FIRST song the amp went dead with the 'fault' l.e.d. lit - it was overheated I guess. After 1 1/2 minutes?!?! It was a hot room sure, but nothing extreme - the gain was at about 1 o'clock; the master on about 3. LAME.

I shut it down, the band played through the rest of the tune, then brought the gain and master down. It came back on, then in 30 seconds, same thing. REALLY LAME. I borrowed the 1st band's Peavy combo 300 and killed it the rest of the set. Say what you will about Peavy, the things are tanks.

I'm returning the PF500 first thing tommorow, and Ampeg should give vouchers for the money spent driving to get this lame box. I can't imagine how this amp would work for anyone with any kind of moderate volume in their band.
Click to expand...

It really pains me to read of someone having a bad experience with a piece of kit that I just happened to have purchased, especially when my experience has been the polar opposite... I've been on both sides of this, so I feel your pain hipcat...

Was asked to jam today so I had the perfect opportunity to test the PF500 two days in a row... Yesterday with a minimally amplified 'acousticky' group, and today with a loud blues-rock group...

Brought a bit of gear, as I wanted to do some 'comparison' testing... The PF500, my '71 Ampeg V4, a 3015 equipped TL606 cab, and my V4 cab running 2 2512s... Basses were my '96 MIA P bass and a '95 RI Dano Longhorn... Also brought my Musicmaster bass amp for the guitarist to try (he's thinking of getting one)...

First off, this is a LOUD group of guys! The drummer pounds and there was an extra guitarist that I was unprepared for... I started off with the V4 head into the V4 cab, a totally winning combination and loud as balls! One thing about this setup: Killer tone is effortless! Played that for a few songs and took a quick 'beer break', during which I hooked up the PF500 into the V4 cab...

With the PF500, I immediately noticed an increase in headroom as well as a removal of 'grit' in my tone... More clean headroom than the V4 (which is not known for clean headroom, but in a good way!)... I cranked the gain a bit which added some 'fur', but decided I liked the tone better clean... Ran the compressor at 10:00, gain at about 11:00 and the master at 1:00 and was sitting nicely... Bass at 1:00, mid switch set to 3 with the control at 2:00, treble at 12:00 yielded a great tone with the P, and I kept it there until the next 'beer break'...

Next up, hooked the PF500 up to the TL606 as a stand-alone... Since it is an 8 ohm, single driver cab, (the V4 is 2X12wired to 4 ohms), I noticed a volume drop... Left everything where it was and boosted the gain to 1:00 and was right back in the game. This head with this cab is an awesome combo! After a few songs (and another beer!) I switched to the Dano (my Dano's are rapidly becoming my go-to gigging basses)... It runs quieter than the P, so I goosed the master to 2:00 and left everything else where it was... Very happy with the tone... Engaged the low switch and, like others, noticed that this scoops the mids somewhat... Switched the mid selector to position 4 and was cutting through nicely while keeping a fat bottom... Stayed there for the rest of the day... Never felt at a loss for volume or headroom...

Today was a nice validation for me and a bit of a relief... 4 hours of rather loud playing (for me anyway... Certainly louder than my main gig!) without a hiccup gives me some confidence... It also has convinced me that my cabs kick some butt! I'll be going into next week's gigs with a clearer sense of what this rig can do ITRW and feeling pretty good so far about my choice :D

-robert
 
#1,002
I have to wonder about those having cut out problems. Earlier in this thread some one mentioned that they needed to clean the effects loop. I just had a GK 400rb that would cut out unless I had a patch cord was in the effects loop.

Maybe someone with one of the units that are cutting out could put a patch cord in the effects loop and see if that helps.

I have one on order and hope to run it @ 4 ohms for a loud blues/rock band. It seems as if the cutting out is happening at loud volumes when its run at 4 ohms. Thats what I plan on doing with mine. Hoping this in not a trend with these amps.
 
#1,003
Fletz said:
PLEASE GIVE ME AN OPINION!!!

My local GC has a PF210 that I played and love the sound. With sales this weekend the price is right. I just wonder if it will be enough coupled with my PF500 to drive a typical bar/club weekend warrior gig with no PA support.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I'd run a second cab to get all 500 watts (4 ohms) considering you don't have PA support- with PA it would probably do fine. I used my PF500 on its maiden voyage Saturday and pushed a 4x12 with it, and a 3-pro driving a 2x15 and it pumped pretty well... but dont think Id rely on just a 210.
 
#1,007
Still hearing from a lot of happy campers, and they are electronic devices.
Mass production and mass quality control let a few lemons slip by.
Also a brand-new product line.
No excuse for a reputable company, but I'd give the warranty/exchange a chance.
I got a Peavey Max once from MF, dead on arrival, and it really tainted my view on Peavey.
Also had a Peavey Classic 30 that was just fine.
Electronics are glitchy. What are you gonna' do?
I'm probably going to pull the trigger on a PF-500 on Father's Day sale.
Be another month for more reviews to come in.
I really want this amp to be a winner.

S
 
#1,010
In the interests of being thorough, I just wanted to add that I was using a ‘78sih Ampeg B-40 cab 4x10.

And the bass used was an Epiphone Thunderbird – I do have an Explorer but I had the Thunderbird on this gig. My frustration with the experience musta confused me!

G.C. gave me the return no worries; the sales fellow did mention that someone just brought back the 350 with the same issue. Maybe that one on ebay(for more than it’s worth…?)is for that reason…just speculating, of course.

And I will add that despite my experience nothing has changed in my appreciation, admiration and respect for all things Ampeg – I actually bought the PF500 because I was getting weary of beating up my main amp, a ’74 SVT; as well as beating up my back carting it around! And if another version of this amp comes out in the future I would have company faith enough to give it another go.

And to add to the thoroughness of the explanation of what happened in my case, as I mentioned I play very aggressively through the Thunderbird, digging in very hard, and the band is full tilt – on 11 - from start to finish volume-wise. Dynamics is a word belonging to an alien culture with this band!

cheers
 
#1,011
I was at my local shop today, looking around, and I decided to ask about my order and see if they had an updated shipping date for me. He called Ampeg (or whatever distributor), and was told the heads just went on a 2 week backorder. This doesn't effect me being the cabs are further out.

But if you guys are ordering, and not buying off the shelf, don't be surprised if there's a wait...
 
#1,014
bring the noise said:
I know its probably in this thread somewhere. I would like to know if anyone is running the pf500 with 2 of the 210 cabs? How's the volume and tone?
Click to expand...

I will probably not get a 2nd 2-10....one is VERY cool for vibe and smaller rooms. I have an Avatar SB112 that I will probably use (it is also 8 ohm) if needed. It has a GREAT voice with the PF500. I am waiting for a couple of things to sell locally to pick up the 2-10 cab - but did play through it in the shop. I actually really liked the tone, voice, and volume seemed pretty good too.
 
#1,015
Chris Breese said:
Just picked up a PF115. On my way to a gig outdoors. I'll be pushing this with my Little Mark II, using my 55-01 into a VT Bass. It's the only cab I am bringing, so hopefully it will pass the volume test. Modern country band - one guitar, keys, drums and bass with PA support. I'll let ya's know how it does. Looks pretty dang cool, and it's lighter than I expected.
Click to expand...

Another update:

After a few gigs with this cabinet, with the above setup (VT bass set for 'Fliptop,' Little Mark set flat, LH3 set flat), I have to say, this cabinet KILLS!!!! I was thinking of ordering another one, but this thing sounds phenomenal by itself. Would it be enough for a small - medium sized room by itself? All my current gigs have PA support, so I can't speak to that.

I've done two outdoor gigs and a smaller club gig, all with PA support. I can't see needing another one unless I have to play very large scale gigs (which currently isn't an issue). As far as being able to hear myself onstage, this thing is a freak of nature. Is it the box's efficiency? The fact that it's a sealed cab? I don't know, and I don't care.

It's awesome.

I was worried that the MarkBass at 8 ohms wouldn't be enough, but it's a total non-issue. I have found that I prefer the sound of the LMII with the input gain set so that it's right on the verge of clipping (about noon in my case). YMMV, of course.

Now I just have to figure out how to mount my LMII to the fliptop lid. :eek:
 
#1,018
Chris Breese said:
Another update:

After a few gigs with this cabinet, with the above setup (VT bass set for 'Fliptop,' Little Mark set flat, LH3 set flat), I have to say, this cabinet KILLS!!!! I was thinking of ordering another one, but this thing sounds phenomenal by itself. Would it be enough for a small - medium sized room by itself? All my current gigs have PA support, so I can't speak to that.

I've done two outdoor gigs and a smaller club gig, all with PA support. I can't see needing another one unless I have to play very large scale gigs (which currently isn't an issue). As far as being able to hear myself onstage, this thing is a freak of nature. Is it the box's efficiency? The fact that it's a sealed cab? I don't know, and I don't care.

It's awesome.

I was worried that the MarkBass at 8 ohms wouldn't be enough, but it's a total non-issue. I have found that I prefer the sound of the LMII with the input gain set so that it's right on the verge of clipping (about noon in my case). YMMV, of course.

Now I just have to figure out how to mount my LMII to the fliptop lid. :eek:
Click to expand...

that is exactly how i set my pf500 with the pf115 cab. completely flat on the e.q.. i crank the gain til it just about clips and use the master volume for, well volume. i set the compressor at around 10 or 11. really has a great sound. i never knew how much i didn't like my swr til i got an ampeg. i also run it through my swr 4x10 and/or my g-k 115. sounds killer.
 
#1,020
Played the PF500 at Corner Music Nashville yesterday. WOW! I gotta get one. Always loved the Ampeg sound, but not the weight. Only thing, I'm wondering how it will sound with my glockenklang 410. It was hooked to a ampeg 410. I played my LowEnd LEJ and it sounded straight fat vintage. The Ampeg and my Alleva Coppolo's coming, will be a match made in heaven.
 
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