Ampeg PF50T/PF115HE vs Fender Rumble 200 volume comparison.

[BA55BA775]

I play in vintage garage trio and have been gigging with a Rumble 200. I'm considering getting the Ampeg PF50T / PF115HE because I love tube tone and I think it looks great.
I'm wondering about volume comparison.
I already own a V4B which I love but I also really love portability.
I typically use a shortscale passive bass and usually set my Rumble 200 mostly flat with gain and master at 12.
Thanks!

 

[Wasnex]

The PF50T is slightly smaller and lighter than a V4B. By itself I don't think it will be much more portable than the V4B. Of course, I assume you will mount the PF50T in the PF115HE. So you probably gain a small amount of portability, but then you have the extra hassle of flipping the top. No sure it's worth it, but YMMV.

I own a PF50T. It's definitely Ampegy and sounds great! However, IME it's not a particularly strong 50W. The OM indicates 50W at 10%, which I believe is audible distortion. I have three 30W Ashdown tubers. Two of them seem to have more clean headroom than the PF50T. The third Ashdown has about the same amount of clean headroom.

Carefully consider your volume requirements. I believe the V4B is a fairly strong 100W, so I believe you will give up significant headroom going with the PF50T. If the V4B is just a bit above your requirement, the PF50T may fall well below it.

One other issue is the PF50T seems to have an ongoing hum issue. This is due to insufficient filtering in the bias supply. It's an easy fix and some have even gotten Ampeg to cover it under warrant...but it's still a hassle. I bought my PF50T previously loved and did the mod myself.

Ref: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ampeg-pf-50t-humbuster.1306043/

 

[BA55BA775]

The PF50T is slightly smaller and lighter than a V4B. By itself I don't think it will be much more portable than the V4B. Of course, I assume you will mount the PF50T in the PF115HE. So you probably gain a small amount of portability, but then you have the extra hassle of flipping the top. No sure it's worth it, but YMMV.

I own a PF50T. It's definitely Ampegy and sounds great! However, IME it's not a particularly strong 50W. The OM indicates 50W at 10%, which I believe is audible distortion. I have three 30W Ashdown tubers. Two of them seem to have more clean headroom than the PF50T. The third Ashdown has about the same amount of clean headroom.

Carefully consider your volume requirements. I believe the V4B is a fairly strong 100W, so I believe you will give up significant headroom going with the PF50T. If the V4B is just a bit above your requirement, the PF50T may fall well below it.

One other issue is the PF50T seems to have an ongoing hum issue. This is due to insufficient filtering in the bias supply. It's an easy fix and some have even gotten Ampeg to cover it under warrant...but it's still a hassle. I bought my PF50T previously loved and did the mod myself.

Ref: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ampeg-pf-50t-humbuster.1306043/

Thanks for your reply.
When I gig with the V4B I typically only turn it up about 30% of the volume, I run it with an SVT212av cab. But typically it stays home and I just use the Rumble for gigs because I like the portability of it.
I am a repair tech soI don't mind making a small mod to fix the hum.
I like the idea of the fliptop cab and it also being a one box solution.

I guess the real question is AB volume comparison between the Rumble 200 and Ampeg. I often play dive bar gigs without PA support. The Rumble handles it well, will the Ampeg keep up?

 

[Wasnex]

The Rumble handles it well, will the Ampeg keep up?

I wouldn't want to rely on a PF50T into a single PF115HE for dive bar gigs. Some here say it's fine, but I like more headroom. So this is definitely one of those YMMV situations where you have to make your own decision. The answer is dependent on your situation and expectations.

 

[BA55BA775]

I wouldn't want to rely on a PF50T into a single PF115HE for dive bar gigs. Some here say it's fine, but I like more headroom. So this is definitely one of those YMMV situations where you have to make your own decision. The answer is dependent on your situation and expectations.

I haven't been able to hear one in person. Maybe I'll go hassle my local Guitar Center manager to get one in for me to try.
Thanks again.

 

[Wasnex]

I haven't been able to hear one in person. Maybe I'll go hassle my local Guitar Center manager to get one in for me to try.
Thanks again.

My understanding is the PF50T is more like a low powered V4B than an SVT.

 

[LSM07]

Don't forget you can take the transformer balanced out on the PF50T and PF20T and run it straight into a power amp or FOH... really a great feature imo.

 

[OldManNewBass]

There is also the Fender ACB50 to consider...! ;^p

 

[limit6]

I play in vintage garage trio and have been gigging with a Rumble 200. I'm considering getting the Ampeg PF50T / PF115HE because I love tube tone and I think it looks great.
I'm wondering about volume comparison.
I already own a V4B which I love but I also really love portability.
I typically use a shortscale passive bass and usually set my Rumble 200 mostly flat with gain and master at 12.
Thanks!

I currently have the Ampeg PF-50T and the 115hlf for sale. I have the head mounted flip top style on the cab and I personally love that feature. I chose a lower powered all tube amp, based on the post from a fellow tb'er who (paraphrasing) said, the output tubes can be pushed close to saturation at usable volumes. Most of the character of a true tube amp comes from the power section, not the preamp. This is where sag and natural self compression occur, creating a feel that rivals a studio compressor but responds far more organically than any pedal.

As the power tubes approach breakup they generate rich harmonics and a controlled bark or growl rather than the harsh collapse typical of solid state designs. High powered tube amps require extreme volume to reach this point, which is impractical in most rooms. The PF-50T includes post output transformer DI with cab simulation, allowing the full power tube character to be sent directly to FOH or a recording interface. Tube pedals and hybrid preamps can sound good, but they do not reproduce the complex interaction and feel of a true tube power amp.

I played one gig with this setup in a dive bar with 3 guitar players all using fender deluxe amps while using the post DI line out. With monitor support I got plenty of volume, great presence and great saturation and a bit of organic crunch. Some love it, personally, not for me, I prefer more clean headroom hence the sale. Tone in the house or for smaller bands is A++ but with a bigger band or more volume maybe not.

Hope this helps!

Credit to TB'er @Freight Train for the assist and eloquently describing the characteristics of this better than I could!