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Ampeg PF500
- Thread starter steveo33
- Start date
Thanks, I appreciate that.
There is always a risk of an equipment breakdown. Components don't last forever. However, the problem that myself and many other's have experienced with the PF500 is related to an inherent problem created by the design of the circuit itself (or at least that is my understanding), not with build quality or components used in the unit.
It is still a massive oversight from Ampeg to allow the circuit go into production with such a problem and allow it to be produced for so long and offer zero compensation for fixing it. I'm fuming the more and more I think about it - it's basically just the lack of Ampeg support that gets me. Still like the amp though, when it works.
I'd be mad too. Amps shutting down on stage or practice is annoying. People want light small amps. Unfortunately small cases lead to heat problems. And light weight technology has its ups and downs.
Much like TVs or Computers you get your 3 to 6 years and when they die you either replace the boards or get a new one. Then the next 3 to 6 years starts over.
It's not something I care for. But meeting price points and convenience and mass production has its trade offs. And agreed I don't like it one bit at all.
Much like TVs or Computers you get your 3 to 6 years and when they die you either replace the boards or get a new one. Then the next 3 to 6 years starts over.
It's not something I care for. But meeting price points and convenience and mass production has its trade offs. And agreed I don't like it one bit at all.
Last edited:
okcrum
in your chest
Agreed. is there a way all the kind TB'ers with connections could help our TB'er out getting a replacement board, and NOT for the full price? As a matter of fact, if I knew what to look for, I'd start to help looking, and I live in Alaska!
@MothBox what is the name and part number of the board you're looking for?
Thanks mate. I'm over in Australia which adds another cost to getting one of these replacement boards!
It's the mainboard I'm looking for. "2034544-01 PCB ASSY MAIN BOARD PF500" is the name I have been given by the local distributor, who doesn't have them in stock. I'm not sure if the serial numbers change for the different revisions but I think the latest is J02 or J03.
I don't suppose Full Compass will ship to Aus?
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Under the circumstances with the sale, they might just go ahead and do it if you email them about it.
Thanks for your help guys.
I didn't have a chance to test out the minimax tonight so played through the ampeg, brought the gain right down and dialled in some limiter with success. However, it has limited the overall volume.
I brought the head home and opened it. The preamp board is rev. D01 and the mainboard is rev. J03. I’m surprised because I thought this version had the problem fixed…. which means that it may be something else.
Do you guys know in which version of the mainboard the issues were fixed? I may have to go through a trial and error to see if there is something in particular which triggers it the fault.
The plot thickens!
I didn't have a chance to test out the minimax tonight so played through the ampeg, brought the gain right down and dialled in some limiter with success. However, it has limited the overall volume.
I brought the head home and opened it. The preamp board is rev. D01 and the mainboard is rev. J03. I’m surprised because I thought this version had the problem fixed…. which means that it may be something else.
Do you guys know in which version of the mainboard the issues were fixed? I may have to go through a trial and error to see if there is something in particular which triggers it the fault.
The plot thickens!
I got a reply back from Yamaha:
I plan to go through and try and problem solve if there are any particular situations which are triggering this, however, the original email I received from Loud was:
It may just be that Yamaha are picking up on all of the details. If J03 is the latest board then I can rule out my initial assumptions that it was related to the problems with the older circuit.
Is there a resource from Ampeg to tell when the amp was built from the serial number? I’m betting mine is in that window
Support are able to provide that information. Open your amp up. The boards are stamped with the model number.
However, if the boards were fixed late 2013 / early 2014, does that just mean that it effected up until late 2014 because they continued to use the stock of old boards?!
