Finally, after years, converted to Ampeg.

[Schpector]

I've tried and owned many brands. From Peavey, to Gallien Krueger, Hartke, Fender, Acoustic, Markbass, Carvin and many more. I've never bought an Ampeg because of some weird "that's what everyone thinks is the best, so I'm going to use everything elese" mentality that I developed as a teenager.

Musiciansfriend had the PF-500 on sale for $369 and I thought "heck, that's cheap" and ordered one on a whim.

And it is easily the best bass tone I have ever achieved, especially with my Spector. It growls and rumbles in that perfect frequency range that gives you a swelling feeling in your chest and makes your head feel good. I, therefore, am now a believer.

Furthermore, I can't believe I'm getting this kind of tone from their class-D "cheap" head. It sounds superior to some of my heads that are easily more than twice as expensive.

 

[JimmyM]

Hey man, happens to the best of us Have fun with it.

 

[JimWasHere]

It's so hard to resist... And so no one blames you.

At least, no one important

 

[erock0138]

There are some really nice brands out there, don't get me wrong. And I know this has been beat into the ground over and over again. But I personally think, and as well as many others, the tone from an Ampeg is THE bass tone so many strive for. Other brands just seem to lack that little bit extra they can give. But, many players have a negative complex about playing a fender through an ampeg, but, it's the only thing that gives me the sound I want/need.

 

[JimWasHere]

It seems to me that ampeg product address the mix rather than the market, and it works out better in the long run. It's hard to beat that without an engineering degree.

 

[Marty Forrer]

Happened to me too. I've had most of the major brands, turned to the PF500 and two fliptop cabs, now I'm as happy as a pig in.... um.... that stuff.

 

[Schpector]

Quick question for the PF-500 owners.

I notice that the yellow "fault" LED on the head lights up for about 3 seconds when the head is powered on and off, then disappears. I assume this is normal, but it makes no mention of it in the manual (based on my cursory read-through).

I'm not really worried about it. Just wondering if it's normal?

 

[JimmyM]

Ya, that's just letting you know it's not going to pass sound while it goes through its on/off process.

 

[Braddock]

When i'm in the market for any type of bass amp wether it be a 10in speaker combo or be all tube 300W heads and 810 enclosures, I will NEVER look at any other brand...Ampeg is the only brand of bass amps I have ever wanted and I can quite confidently say ever will want. I think i'm obsessed.

 

[hodgy]

I went through Sunn, Peavey, GK, went back to my Peavey, then had an Ampeg 4 Pro for a while and couldn't get it dialed in. Then I played SWR for awhile but nothing came close to the tone in my head until I played a CL into an 8x10 with a Fender P for the first time. It kind of just happened to coincide with my day job working on Ampeg stuff, so it wasn't too much of a stretch to say that was the moment I went from being a 'bass player' to being an Ampeg player and straight up company man. It definitely helps my job when I can totally stand behind (well, in front of) the stuff I play in my 'real' life. I've learned to love the 4-pro but my main baby is a 1987 SVT HD. Balls.

 

[Russell L]

I truly enjoy playing my friend's '70s VR through his '68 SVT 810 at the blues shack every week. It's a tone I can't quite match with my Markbass rig (LMIII + 2x151Ps), and I like it very much. I dunno if it's the head or cab I like best. I've played my LMIII through the cab, and it was a different sound than through my Markbass cabs, but awesome, too. As for mobility, I'll have to take my Markbass rig. I like the sound of it, too. Sometimes when playing the Ampeg, I miss my Markbass.. I love the Markbass sound. But, I admit that the Ampeg sound is great. I've considered getting a PF500 head just for variety (would it tear a hole in the universe if I played it through my Markbass cabs? LOL), and so as to have more than one separate amp to rely on (I have a LMII also, but it's confined within my 121H combo).

Anyway, tip o' the hat to Ampeg from a Markbass guy.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Finally, after years, converted to Ampeg. I, therefore, am now a believer.

I'm a cathode follower.

 

[audiomitch]

Yes

 

[Baird6869]

My love affair has been on again and off again with Ampeg for over 25 years. Usually with the heavy ones.... I swore off 60-90lb Ampeg heads 20 years ago and have owned 2 SVT Pro-II's and 3 SVT-CL's since!

I will likely own another SVT-CL or VR in the future as no matter how much I bitch about the weight, it really is my sound.

In any case, for many non-Ampeg bassists out there, I think they owe it to themselves to try the new Pro-7 and PF series amps if they are looking. Great amps and great values.

I am loving my Mesa currently, but my next purchase will be a PF500.

 

[John D]

I'm a cathode follower.

I guess that means you have a low- z output.

 

[SDMFJay]

another Ampeg disciple to the clan....muhahaha.

 

[klejst]

Hey man, happens to the best of us Have fun with it.

Oh Jimmy, somehow I knew you would be one of the first to congratulate this member on going Ampeg lol. Great to have you back! And indeed congrats Schpector on a nice score!

 

[GrinningMouth88]

I went through Sunn, Peavey, GK, went back to my Peavey, then had an Ampeg 4 Pro for a while and couldn't get it dialed in. Then I played SWR for awhile but nothing came close to the tone in my head until I played a CL into an 8x10 with a Fender P for the first time. It kind of just happened to coincide with my day job working on Ampeg stuff, so it wasn't too much of a stretch to say that was the moment I went from being a 'bass player' to being an Ampeg player and straight up company man. It definitely helps my job when I can totally stand behind (well, in front of) the stuff I play in my 'real' life. I've learned to love the 4-pro but my main baby is a 1987 SVT HD. Balls.

Been a gk player since I started about 6 years ago. On a whim (tax return) I picked up an svt cl and 810e a few weeks ago.....Im an ampeg player now. Totally different world imo. Still have my gk stuff, trying to decide what to do with it. Portability to rehearsals may keep it in my arsenal.

 

[diglo]

I went through the same phase and still going. LOL I just picked up my second PF500. I don't know why I sold the first one. Hopefully I'll finally be happy. "GEAR JUNKIE!" But, the sound I was looking for and always heard was the ampeg sound. Ampeg makes a bass sound like a bass. The thing that turned me away from them was the weight. If I had a roady, yeah a classic and an 810 cab. But, I don't so I chose the lighter gear. Very impress how the PF500 sounds so much like its bigger brothers & sisters. All I need now is a PF500 and my 2 112" cabs.

 

[JimmyM]

Oh Jimmy, somehow I knew you would be one of the first to congratulate this member on going Ampeg lol. Great to have you back! And indeed congrats Schpector on a nice score!

Thx...well I'd congragulate him anyway no matter what amp he got. I endorse them but I'm all about finding your sound on whatever you've got. That said, I use Ampeg because it makes it easier for me than anything else.