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AmpegPF500 fried.Time to change My amp

BassJeesus

BassJeesus

Jul 9, 2018
55
29
Finland
#1
So my Ampeg Pf500 Got fried while having band practice. Just didnt turn on after playing for 2h. Smells like a electrical burn.

So im looking an amp that Has something pretty similar EQ wise.

I have a Ashdown ABM 600 EVO IV that im looking at right now.



The cab i have is a pf115he probably going to get a 210 sometime later.


Any amp suggestions are welcome.
 
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#4
well, if you liked the PF500 Ampeg type EQ/sound options, why not consider a PF800 ? Same basic preamp with a larger power amp ... and I think that Ampeg worked out some of the issues with the PF500 by the time they released the PF800.

Good luck!
 
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#5
Might want to dig a little deeper though. There were some PF500's that had issues known after a bit. Might be a relatively quick fix for the right tech if you have one of the S/N units that falls into the date range before the revision.

I dont know the particulars, but post the S/N. Did you buy it used?
 
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#6
Genzler Magellan 800 or Gallien Krueger MB800
Both have nice features and tone curves.
Plus them seem to actually hold up well.

I would stay away from Ampeg. The power supplies dont seem to hold up.
In the 500 watt range I would use something that actually uses the ice power modules.
All together the amps feel about the same. The ice power, power supplies seem to hold up.

Better to use 800 watt amps, and if the speed control is set well
fan speed/ noise remains lower with higher powered amps used at lower duty cycles.
 
#7
BassJeesus said:
So my Ampeg Pf500 Got fried while having band practice. Just didnt turn on after playing for 2h. Smells like a electrical burn.

So im looking an amp that Has something pretty similar EQ wise.

I have a Ashdown ABM 600 EVO IV that im looking at right now.



The cab i have is a pf115he probably going to get a 210 sometime later.


Any amp suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...

Love my Ashdown ABM. The range of tones you can get is extremely vast. The preshape button will get you very close to running an ampeg with the deep and bright switches on. IIRC, most of the Ashdown sliders are also fairly close to the mid freq center points on the PF's. I could be completely mistaken though. The EQ can be confusing/cumbersome at first, but once you get the hang of it (easy) it becomes real intuitive.

Either way, I will never part with mine.
 
#9
basscooker said:
Might want to dig a little deeper though. There were some PF500's that had issues known after a bit. Might be a relatively quick fix for the right tech if you have one of the S/N units that falls into the date range before the revision.

I dont know the particulars, but post the S/N. Did you buy it used?
Click to expand...

Well a bought it in 2019. And it was brand New from Thomann. So it should not have that problem. But ill check.

And dont know any amp techs. Probably should look into it
 
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#11
If a 500 watt head is enough for your situation, I’d look into a Tech21 VT500.

Gives me all the tones I need pretty easily.

Countless loud rehearsals and extremely reliable.

0BA06C08-2A57-4DFB-9EAB-B13BAED8F55A.jpeg
 
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#12
basscooker said:
Id say too new for the problem I mentioned. Who knows though. Is it still under warranty? Ampeg would be my first contact, even if it is out of warranty they can get you info of approved/qualified service.
Click to expand...

Well just about Has the thomann warranty (3years). Just about
But its probably Too much of a hassle.

I dont have the amp with me right now.

And Ive heard Ampegs customer support sucks but thats just what Ive heard.
 
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#14
BassJeesus said:
Well a bought it in 2019. And it was brand New from Thomann. So it should not have that problem. But ill check.

And dont know any amp techs. Probably should look into it
Click to expand...


Getting your amp fixed under warranty shouldn’t be a problem, nor should it cost you anything except possibly shipping to their authorized service agent.
 
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#15
The PF and BA and Micro series only have a 2 year limited warranty.

Heritage and Classic have 5 year limited Warranty.
Tubes are 90 days for Classic, 180 days for Heritage

Non transferable
All speakers are 2 year

Im not sure if YGG changed things.
The PF series just did not do well neither did the Micro VR.

YGG is pretty smart and accurate with warranty
All the pedals and footswitches are only one year.

Limited warranty does not include shipping, labor or calibration
 
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#16
Thomann often has a 3 year warranty. Limited warranty means that there are additional terms that define coverage. Generally, limited warranties do include labor and most parts but this is defined in the terms. One difference between US and EU warranty terms is merchantability and collateral damages, which may play into the limitations of any warranties offered that extends beyond 1 year in the EU.
 
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#17
Thomann states that if they include a item in the catalog they will extend most 24 month manufactures warranty
to 36 months.
Also states they have 6 qualified repair shops for repairs beyond manufacture 2 year warranty.

It does sound impressive.
Even if they cannot repair the item, they state a replacement of equal value.

Definitely contact Thomann
Be interesting to hear how they deal with Ampeg warranty's.
PF and BA series repair boards dried up years ago.
 
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