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Ampeg PF500/PF350

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#1,061
Got a chance to try out the PF-350 head with the PF-210HE cabinet yesterday at a Guitard Center. Gotta say that I was mightily impressed by the combination of the two. I used to think that a 2x10" cab setup wasn't really adequate for gigging, but this combination of head and cab seemed pretty cool.

The bass I was used for the demo was a stock Fender American Standard Jazz bass. It's pretty close to what I'm playing most of the time. First, I was surprised by just how much I could crank the gain on the input. And the tone got even better the more I cranked the gain. Surprisingly I maxed that out without any discernable clipping. The EQ was definitely voiced nicely, and there was a good ammount of tonal variation with only minor adjustments on the EQ. And I especially liked the way the mids were voiced. Boosting the mids gave a nice defined punch to the tone.

The disappointments? Well, it was Guitard Center for one. I like to demo gear there, but I absolutely do not like to buy from them. The resident Guitard Center dude was too hard of a sell. He certainly didn't seem to understand that I didn't want to give him my info until I got to check out the PF-500 head and the PF-115HE cab. And when I asked him if they had either of them in stock or in nearby stores, he wasn't any help. Granted, that may be above his paygrade since he isn't ordering for that store or the surrounding stores. And then he came back with "Well, we could order it for you". Granted, I have bought a few pieces of gear over the years sight unseen and for the most part I have been really happy with them. But an amp? I've never done that. Ever. I have to try it out first. Hopefully I can check with Ampeg to see if one of their other dealers has that head and cab in stock so that I can check it out.
 
#1,064
The pf 500 sounds way better with the gain cranked up abit. Just enough to light up the red led when playing on the E string. I read somewhere earlier in this thread where some one said the amp sounded bland or enemic. I have a feeling they didnt have the gain up enough. This head has alot of punch with the right amount of gain. Starting to like it more than my v4b. We will see, I'll give it more time before I decide this head sounds every bit as good as my all tube Ampeg.
 
#1,066
ButtUglyJeff said:
Well, my PF500 arrived today, but still waiting on the PF115 cabs. Now I get to stare at it for a couple of weeks. I need to find a friend with a cab...
Click to expand...

You know you want to plug it in! What if the cabs show up and you then find out you got a dud for a head. You will have to wait another week for the new head to arrive. You know its the right thing to do. Go ahead and plug it in. You don't even have to play it. Just make sure the lights work and see where it goes from there.
 
#1,067
bass dan said:
The pf 500 sounds way better with the gain cranked up abit. Just enough to light up the red led when playing on the E string. I read somewhere earlier in this thread where some one said the amp sounded bland or enemic. I have a feeling they didnt have the gain up enough. This head has alot of punch with the right amount of gain. Starting to like it more than my v4b. We will see, I'll give it more time before I decide this head sounds every bit as good as my all tube Ampeg.
Click to expand...

I'm with Dan on the Gain. I like to find that edge on the pf500 with the gain knob, then I like can get my vol right with the master. Like it more than my V4B? Dunno about that, but since the pf500 and pf115 together weigh less and are easier to wield than the V4B head alone I'd rather gig the Portaflex any day. So far plenty of volume and great tone. Thinking of 2nd cab for the old man rock shows.
 
#1,068
jeff7bass said:
Hey JimmyM! Since you’re all over this topic and also own a Carvin BX250 micro head, what do like better, the PF-350 or the Carvin BX250? Keep in mind I’ll be using it to drive my 8-ohm Avatar SB112 NEO, which is rated at 250w. The Carvin pumps out 200w @ 8 ohms, so it’s a good match, as is the PF-350. Both cost 300 bucks so that's a wash.
I like what I’ve been reading about the PF-350 (tone-wise), but I also love the tone of my Carvin MB10, which comes loaded with the BX250.

:bassist:
Click to expand...
Jeff, sorry but I don't have a Carvin BX250 or any Carvin gear. But the Ampeg stuff comes pre-loaded with the Ampeg sound, so naturally it wins for me without even having heard the Carvin ;)
 
#1,069
rovito said:
You know you want to plug it in! What if the cabs show up and you then find out you got a dud for a head. You will have to wait another week for the new head to arrive. You know its the right thing to do. Go ahead and plug it in. You don't even have to play it. Just make sure the lights work and see where it goes from there.
Click to expand...


You're right, I'll play the headphone game, in a day or two. I just want the cabs here soon...
 
#1,070
Here's a tune I recorded with the PF500 this weekend. We recorded direct out of the head with the post eq on. Gain was at 12 o clock, bass was bumped slightly above 12 o clock, the compressor was at 9, and everything else was set flat. I used an SX P with a Seymour Duncan pick up and flats. The mix is rreallllyyy rough. But it still sounds pretty good. If it sounds a little thumpy it's because I played really close to the neck and I believe he bumped the bass in the mix for reviewing purposes. I'm supposed to go back and fix some minor things. None the less..... this is a recorded PF500. lol

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/11492539...r-cv-web-stnd-dl-literec-null-c-19073&s=19073
 
#1,072
I won't go as far to say I like it better than my v4......yet. I've been using the pf500 more because I can turn it on for 10 or 15 minutes and jam a bit without having to crank up the tubes. Still been too lazy to drag my upright up the stairs or my cab down the stairs to try it with my upright. I've been working 7 days a week since I got the head so the upright thing has not come together yet.
 
#1,075
mebusdriver said:
Here's a tune I recorded with the PF500 this weekend. We recorded direct out of the head with the post eq on. Gain was at 12 o clock, bass was bumped slightly above 12 o clock, the compressor was at 9, and everything else was set flat. I used an SX P with a Seymour Duncan pick up and flats. The mix is rreallllyyy rough. But it still sounds pretty good. If it sounds a little thumpy it's because I played really close to the neck and I believe he bumped the bass in the mix for reviewing purposes. I'm supposed to go back and fix some minor things. None the less..... this is a recorded PF500. lol

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/11492539...r-cv-web-stnd-dl-literec-null-c-19073&s=19073
Click to expand...


thanks for the sound sample. Sounds nifty.
 
#1,077
i've had my pf500 for a while now, and i can tell you, i love it. i don't even look at my swr anymore. may sell it and get another pf500. i have found though that the amp really reacts better to my passive basses. my cirrus seems to "hit" it to hard, really having to compress it alot. yes i've tried the db switch, gain and all that goodness. its not bad just saying i have to compress it more. which is alright with me, cause i really prefer my passive basses. i have a yamaha bb415 that just ROCKS through this thing. for the full potential of this amp i run it through my swr 4x10 and gk 1x15. i hope to get an ampeg cab soon. probably the 4x10hlf or maybe an 8x10. i have the pf1x15 too, but for my gigs it just isn't "strong" enough. i have to play really loud.
 
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