Hey, I'm new to this forum but haven't seen this particular topic covered yet, I'm wondering how many have first hand experience in comparing Ampeg's SVT 350 with the new Portaflex 500s.
The main thing I'm trying to figure out is the volume difference, I'm looking for a new head on a pretty strict budget (500$ or less) and I recently tried the PF-500 through an Ampeg 6x10 in a store. It sounded great but it was hard to tell if the volume was going to be enough for my band without me really having to crank it. One of the big pros was that even reaching 6 on both volume and gain the clip light wasn't coming on even when I was digging in hard.
Then I had a chance to try an SVT 350 through an 8x10, I was just as pleased with the tone versatility but it seemed to me that it was a good deal louder. Would this mostly be because I was playing it out of an 8x10? It doesn't make sense to me that 350 watts solid state would be louder than 500, but that's why I'm asking, to see if anyone has really been able to compare them both at gigs and rehearsals. My guitarists both use a lot of reverb and I'm looking for something that will cut through, it doesn't need to be deafening but something that will at least fill up a mid-sized venue.
I've also been told that a Sunn Coliseum 300 would handle my volume problem for cheap, but they are becoming harder and harder for me to come by, and I'm not sure how versatile of a head it is as far as tone goes.
Thanks!
The main thing I'm trying to figure out is the volume difference, I'm looking for a new head on a pretty strict budget (500$ or less) and I recently tried the PF-500 through an Ampeg 6x10 in a store. It sounded great but it was hard to tell if the volume was going to be enough for my band without me really having to crank it. One of the big pros was that even reaching 6 on both volume and gain the clip light wasn't coming on even when I was digging in hard.
Then I had a chance to try an SVT 350 through an 8x10, I was just as pleased with the tone versatility but it seemed to me that it was a good deal louder. Would this mostly be because I was playing it out of an 8x10? It doesn't make sense to me that 350 watts solid state would be louder than 500, but that's why I'm asking, to see if anyone has really been able to compare them both at gigs and rehearsals. My guitarists both use a lot of reverb and I'm looking for something that will cut through, it doesn't need to be deafening but something that will at least fill up a mid-sized venue.
I've also been told that a Sunn Coliseum 300 would handle my volume problem for cheap, but they are becoming harder and harder for me to come by, and I'm not sure how versatile of a head it is as far as tone goes.
Thanks!
including the PF500.
