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Can I get an Ampeg tutorial?

Gbass75

Gbass75

May 20, 2009
1,343
948
Berkeley, California
#1
I've got a PF-800, and I want to find someone knowledgable who can tell me about the ins-and-outs of the amp; so I can really get it dialed in... But, the guys at Guitar Center are not inspiring much confidence whenever I go in there. It's like shopping at "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" store. Honestly, if one more fella at GC calls me "bro," I'm going to barf. Do they TELL their employees to call us that?!?

So... What should I do?!? Is there anyone in the Bay Area who is well versed in this gear? Is there a hotline? A YouTube vid?

Help?!?
 
#4
I haven't looked at the manual too closely; I'll admit. I've been away from home for a week (still not back yet); handling the death of my father-in-law; and wishing I'd brought it with me to read.

I have to sell some basses to cover the cost if getting family out here... when all is said and done, I'll likely have one bass and my ampeg rig... so, I want to know how to dial it in properly.

There's a story about David Bowie getting synthesizers for the first time. He tossed the manuals and played with then until they did what he wanted them too... I guess I thought that route might be best. Perhaps not. Still... I'd be happy to hear from any experts!
 
#10
If the PF800 circuit design is anything like the PF500, a pro tip for setting the preamp circuit:

1) turn the Compressor, Gain and Master Volume knobs all the way down
2) THEN set the Gain knob to your taste
3) THEN dial up the Compressor and Master Volume as desired.

The PF500 can be finicky, so the PF800 may be the same way (unless they adjusted the circuit design, but I wouldn't be surprised if they just beefed up the power amp of the 500). On the PF500, if you have the compressor dialed up when you set the gain, it can give the preamp circuit a false overload signal, making the protection mode kick on and the amp will cut out for a few seconds before coming back on.

5sg.
 
#11
fivestringgecko said:
If the PF800 circuit design is anything like the PF500, a pro tip for setting the preamp circuit:

1) turn the Compressor, Gain and Master Volume knobs all the way down
2) THEN set the Gain knob to your taste
3) THEN dial up the Compressor and Master Volume as desired.

The PF500 can be finicky, so the PF800 may be the same way (unless they adjusted the circuit design, but I wouldn't be surprised if they just beefed up the power amp of the 500). On the PF500, if you have the compressor dialed up when you set the gain, it can give the preamp circuit a false overload signal, making the protection mode kick on and the amp will cut out for a few seconds before coming back on.

5sg.
Click to expand...


Thank you, Mr. 5sg!
 
#12
The PF800 isn't as finicky as the PF500 was...its finickyness has been fixed, too.

Anyway, was looking for recent threads on the PF800 since I just got one today and this one caught my eye. "Getting the most" out of it means different things to different people, and it also might change from cab to cab. For example, I'm no fan of compression, but you might like it. The only thing I'd say to get the most out of it is to turn the gain up to the point of distortion using your ears, then back off it slightly till it clears up. Then turn the other knobs to taste.
 
#14
+1 on JimmyM's quote.
If you're using your PF800 with a PF cab ( and I'm guessing you are, I remember a short thread about a cover for the PF410), I would recommend compression off, Bass and Mid a little over noon (Mid on 800 hz) and Treble a little under noon.
The compression driver on minus 6 db.
Anyway, that's the sound I enjoy.
 
#16
There are a few videos on YouTube of Dino M from ampeg guiding you through different EQ settings on the pf-500, also one on setting the gain which jimmy previously answered. He runs a few different basses through the amp as well as different videos for playing style (rock, upright/fretless). I've watched them and they were very very helpful
 

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