Back with fender

[descendent22]

As musicians the one thing in common we all have is that we all evolve into that search for the " perfect " tone. With that said, we may come close but theirs always better tone out there and when we think we have it we want something else. Anyway in my continuous search on the amp issue I was using a generation 3 fender rumble 100. Great amp, just plain awesome with what fender is doing. I ended up stumbling on and buying an ampeg pf500 head which is a great head that I plugged into 2 older 115 cabinets. The cabinets are passed their peak and shot so that's the reason why I'm not happy with its tone, so I went back to using the fender and I am almost completely obsessed with the amp. With that said I need to get a rig setup and I'm debating on wether or not to go with a complete fender setup or continuing with the ampeg setup and buying a classic set or something.. Opinions,inputs,experience, comments please!?

 

[Linnin]

As musicians the one thing in common we all have is that we all evolve into that search for the " perfect " tone. With that said, we may come close but theirs always better tone out there and when we think we have it we want something else. Anyway in my continuous search on the amp issue I was using a generation 3 fender rumble 100. Great amp, just plain awesome with what fender is doing. I ended up stumbling on and buying an ampeg pf500 head which is a great head that I plugged into 2 older 115 cabinets. The cabinets are passed their peak and shot so that's the reason why I'm not happy with its tone, so I went back to using the fender and I am almost completely obsessed with the amp. With that said I need to get a rig setup and I'm debating on wether or not to go with a complete fender setup or continuing with the ampeg setup and buying a classic set or something.. Opinions,inputs,experience, comments please!?

You came back to Fender tone for a real reason, so stick with it and get a Rumble 500 rig. Here's my favorite recent gig report.
Fender Rumble Club

 

[brendanbassix]

fender is awesome! go with the fender plus I've heard that the lower powered pfs have issues

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Go try the new Fender cabs and heads if you like the sound.

 

[descendent22]

You came back to Fender tone for a real reason, so stick with it and get a Rumble 500 rig. Here's my favorite recent gig report.
Fender Rumble Club

That was actually my next comment,mi plan on getting the 500

 

[descendent22]

fender is awesome! go with the fender plus I've heard that the lower powered pfs have issues

Oh yeah!? What kind of issues? I been thinking about trading it in, this will just give me more of a reason..

 

[Linnin]

Oh yeah!? What kind of issues?

Catastrophic Failure. The ampeg pf series is famous for it.

 

[rodl2005]

The PF500 is known to have a cut out issue, but many are saying it's been resolved. I dunno for sure.
I THINK the PF350 & PF800 are pretty reliable tho.
That said, I'd still go for a Rumble 500 myself.

 

[brendanbassix]

yeah im not sure exactly what the issues were but when i was looking for a new amp i came up with heaps of people on here saying they had issues with theirs and i ended up going with a rumble and im very happy with that choice

 

[High Camp]

Catastrophic Failure. The ampeg pf series is famous for it.

No it's not. Only the PF500 has had issues in the past.
To say the Portaflex series is a catastrophic failure is absolute nonsense.
The cabs and amps sound great and are very reliable.
I bet Linnin has no personal experience at all with the Portaflex series.
I know Linnin loves Fender and hates Ampeg, Linnin, but there's no need for this.
Just because you had some negative experience in 1972...really.
(Sorry for this, but I had to correct this misinformation.)

If the OP digs the sound of Fender amps more, that's something different.
>> I would try the PF500 first with other - proper working - cabinets, so you can have better judgement on the amp!

 

[descendent22]

No it's not. Only the PF500 has had issues in the past.
To say the Portaflex series is a catastrophic failure is absolute nonsense.
The cabs and amps sound great and are very reliable.
I bet Linnin has no personal experience at all with the Portaflex series.
I know Linnin loves Fender and hates Ampeg, Linnin, but there's no need for this.
Just because you had some negative experience in 1972...really.
(Sorry for this, but I had to correct this misinformation.)

If the OP digs the sound of Fender amps more, that's something different.
>> I would try the PF500 first with other - proper working - cabinets, so you can have better judgement on the amp!

Thank you for info

 

[descendent22]

Truth is I'm so devoted to fender bass's, guitars, amps, acoustics... You name it.. With that said I do like ampeg and want to try out the proper cabinet,but fender just never seems to fail and is always a safe bet. I have the rumble 100 and was playing the 200 at GC. The bigger the speaker the better the sound. Fender is just the best. I would like to know about the new fender heads if anyone has info on themon them

 

[brendanbassix]

try the fender bassman 500 head I've been looking into them a little bit lately and they seem ok but they are a hybrid amp

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Whatever you do, you'll need to address the need for better speakers.
I would do that first.
If that gives you everything you want with the PF500, you're done.
If that isn't the end of your quest, then add a Fender amp on top of the new speakers.

 

[pie_man_25]

Whatever you do, you'll need to address the need for better speakers.
I would do that first.
If that gives you everything you want with the PF500, you're done.
If that isn't the end of your quest, then add a Fender amp on top of the new speakers.

agreed, change what definitely doesn't work first. Otherwise you're putting the cart before the horse.

 

[ghostfather]

I use the PF-500 through two 1x15s and I am very happy. I did have to exchange my first head but the second one has been without fault.
If I were you, if your PF-500 isn't giving you trouble, I'd get new cabs and call it a day.

 

[hsech]

For the discerning musician, go with Fender.

 

[steamthief]

I own a Fender TB-600 and love it. That being said, I agree with the advice to try the Ampeg with some functional cabs before buying a new head. If you're fabulously wealthy, doowhatchalike.

 

[bassrich]

I'd try new speakers first no use reinventing the wheel if you know what the problem is

 

[drummer5359]

I've owned Fender rigs and Ampeg rigs, I currently own two different Ampeg rigs and I'm very happy with both of them. (I have an SVT Classic and a SVT 3 Pro.) I had a Bassman 400 and it was a really nice amp. I just wanted the signature Ampeg sound. Be sides my big Ampegs I also currently have a Bassman TV 12. It is the right rig for backing acoustic artists.

In my opinion both companies make good amps, play what makes you happy!