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Ampeg Portaflex PF Review in Premier Guitar

#3
The PF115 kills. It's like a cross between the 70's B-15 cabs and the early 60's double baffle B-15 cabs. The PF210 and 115 sound pretty similar but the 115 has a little more low end.
 
#5
The 15 cab is 8 ohm, as far as I can tell, and the 500 watt head seems to have alot more options, although you would'nt get the 500 watts without an extension cab. The head looks pretty nice, though. Whatt say ye, Jimmy ?
 
#6
I tried both the 350 and the 500 at GC and the 500 definitely is more versatile.
The 5 way mid selector is amazing, and the compressor is nice, too.
For another $100, and I don't think you can go wrong with the 500.
They only had the PF-210 cab there, and I thought it sounded good.
There was some buzzing in the tweeter, but I just summed it up to being a floor model.
Buzzing went away with the attenuator off.

S
 
#7
jnewmark said:
The 15 cab is 8 ohm, as far as I can tell, and the 500 watt head seems to have alot more options, although you would'nt get the 500 watts without an extension cab. The head looks pretty nice, though. Whatt say ye, Jimmy ?
Click to expand...
That's about what I say, although I have the PF350...more power than I'll ever need and a nice simple EQ that gets all my favorite sounds. And I will be getting a second PF115 cab for sure!
 
#8
The only thing "wrong" with the PF115 cabs is the lack of side handles. Having what is basically a 60lb combo with only a top handle is a PITA to move around. Especially using two cabs and only one cab has wheels installed. It's a pain install and uninstall the wheels every time you want to stack them just to move them around.

The PF350 with 2 PF115 cabs is a tone machine. Perfect for just about anything quiet or loud I could want to do.

They need side handles and wheel cups on the non amp flip side. Would be a perfect setup in my mind.
 
#9
fenderhutz said:
The only thing "wrong" with the PF115 cabs is the lack of side handles. Having what is basically a 60lb combo with only a top handle is a PITA to move around. Especially using two cabs and only one cab has wheels installed. It's a pain install and uninstall the wheels every time you want to stack them just to move them around.

The PF350 with 2 PF115 cabs is a tone machine. Perfect for just about anything quiet or loud I could want to do.

They need side handles and wheel cups on the non amp flip side. Would be a perfect setup in my mind.
Click to expand...

I mentioned the side handles as SOON as I saw the thing, as my old B15S had them. And the wheel cups is a great idea...not all stages are perfectly level.

Cheers,
Cameron
 
#10
fenderhutz said:
They need side handles and wheel cups on the non amp flip side. Would be a perfect setup in my mind.
Click to expand...

I like that idea! It'd be nice to be able to stack the cabs without pulling the wheels out.

And I'll vote for the 115s too. Incredible low end response, especially considering the cabs are sealed. And they're pretty quick and punchy too, and even though I keep mine off most of the time, you've got the horn available if you need any high-end clank.
 
#15
Projects fine, as well as any other 115 on the market IMHO. Very occasionally you might find a cab that rattles, but it can always be fixed easily enough, and I've yet to play one that did, and I've played quite a few at stores.
 
#16
Joe Smithberger said:
I know this may fly in the face of die hard Ampeg fans, but has anyone paired these Portaflex cabs with the Genz Streamliner amps?
Click to expand...

Yup, I did. It sounds pretty darned good, too. The tightness of the PF cab really balances the pillowy bottom of the Streamliner.

I have a GB Shuttle 9.2 paired with it now, and yes, it's a little more modern-sounding, but I love it.
 
#17
freshbass said:
I heard the 15 cab rattles and doesn't project....what say ye?
Click to expand...



Yes, the flip-top lid will rattle (atleast the 115HE cabinet I have did.)
The lid would also shift around when transported.
I installed extra foam stripping around the lid and cabinets seal,
then I installed 16 screws and fastened that lid DOWN!
(I didn't use the flip-top head storage option anyway,) and the rattling stopped!!! Low end seems alittle tighter too.

As JimmyM said, it'll project as well as any other 15" driver loaded, sealed cabinet.
It is a "very" directional cabinet.
You'll have to get it pointing at your ears if you want to hear the mids/highs.
When I use it at rehearsals/small gigs I'll pop the rear casters out and stand roughfully 6' in front of it.
Works well for me.

It's a good, inexpensive, 1-15" sealed bass cabinet.
IMHO, it's smooth highs make it's high-end response one of the better sounding of the Foster horn/Eminence x-over equipped two way cabinets commerically available.

PF Draw backs.......

Don't expect to play heavy metal volume levels from one PF cabinet.
The blue/black diamond tolex is easily damaged.
The lid will rattle.
Stay away from the PF500 head.......(Search all the threads for why.)


I drive my PF115HE with a G.K. MB2-500 head.......sounds great to my ears!
 

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