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Getting a new rig

#21
I have a pf500 and 115he cab. Used to have the 210 as well, but ended up selling it. It's a good setup, and I never had a problem with the pf500 in spite of all the bad reviews on line. I believe those reviews were accurate for the older units, but not the newer ones (mine is about 2 years old)
This summer I upgraded to an Aguilar TH700 with the lightweight 115 and 210 cabs. What a world of difference! I went from good to great, and got a lighter weight, easier to transport set up as well (The ampeg cabs really need side handles). An added bonus was that my upright bass sounds absolutely amazing through the Aguilar rig as well. I'd say go Aguilar- absolutely the best I've ever played through.
 
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#23
musicman556 said:
With a strong budget like you have shared, have you thought about some Mesa gear? I just got the TT800 and it does classic Ampeg surprisingly well, along with a host of other tones. Also, you could get the Subway 215 cab (or save a few hundo and get the 212) which pretty much kills anything Ampeg makes these days.

You could get those new for right at the top of your budget and lay waste to just about anything else out there, while saving your back when live gigs return. The 800w 212 weighs 52 lbs, and the 215 weighs 60 lbs. The TT800 head is just over 7 lbs. I have a 115/210 stack and it is simply the best rig I have plugged in to in my 25 or so years of playing.

Best of luck with your search!View attachment 4155918
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This. I have the TT800 and 115. It's just freaking great. It does everything well. Light. Loud. Versatile. It even looks great.
 
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#24
Drang22 said:
I have a pf500 and 115he cab. Used to have the 210 as well, but ended up selling it. It's a good setup, and I never had a problem with the pf500 in spite of all the bad reviews on line. I believe those reviews were accurate for the older units, but not the newer ones (mine is about 2 years old)
This summer I upgraded to an Aguilar TH700 with the lightweight 115 and 210 cabs. What a world of difference! I went from good to great, and got a lighter weight, easier to transport set up as well (The ampeg cabs really need side handles). An added bonus was that my upright bass sounds absolutely amazing through the Aguilar rig as well. I'd say go Aguilar- absolutely the best I've ever played through.
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I’ve been playing an Aguilar TH500 with two SL112s for about the last 5 years. I loved it but I had the hankering to try a 2x10”/1x15” rig. I stuck with Aguilar SL cabs, I got a great deal on two 4ohm cabs. That meant I had to use something other than a class D Aguilar head since I now have a 2ohm load with both cabs. I got a good deal on a Mesa D-800+ and this setup is monstrous! I don’t have experience with very many other brands but I love what I’ve had from Aguilar. The hope is to eventually upgrade to a DB 750 or 751. If there were a ToneHammer that ran a 2ohm load I would have happily stayed with that head.
 
#25
How about this, Mesa D800+, Genzler BA 15-3.
2DC8AC53-7EF7-4C44-8109-8DB3618FE9A1.jpeg
 
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#27
FWIW -- My Ampeg PF500 died on me at soundcheck for an outdoor concert last summer -- our only gig between March and now. It always had trouble overheating, but this was a complete fail. I'm glad I had a backup amp.

At your price point, I'd definitely give the Mesa gear a try. If you're interested, check out Barefaced Cabs -- I used to use a GK 4x10, but my little Barefaced Big Baby 2 (8 ohms 1x12 + horn, 29lbs) made it obsolete back when I was gigging. It was SO much better than my old Eden 1x15 as well.

Good luck, and play good music on whatever you get!
 
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#29
Slaphound said:
Hey folks. Im looking at new rigs for myself. I play in a band that practices once a week on my basement. We cover alot of Allman Brothers and we also do alot of Rockabilly with an upright bass. We dont gig much and now not at all thanks to Covid. I currently own a Markbass LMII head, Fender Rumble 350 head only and a Rumble 500 head only. I've two cabs. A Rumble 115 and a TC Electronic RS 210.

I can spend up to 2 to 2.5 grand if i want or spend a bit less and get a new bass too which i dont really have gas for.

So im looking at Ampeg. Ive thought about an all tube amp but for some reason im not that inerested in a big heavy amp head. Its just for enjoyment yes and i prefer a small head to gig out with but Im interested in the PF 500 and the 50T and a portaflex 115 cab.
Do you all think that the Ampeg PF series of heads and cabs are quality? I get the tone thing of Ampeg off of Youtube vids but can anyone say that this rig im considering would be a nice offset to my current stock or should i be looking elsewhere to add some diversity to what i have.
For mor perspective i play my Vintera 70s jazz bass mostly followed by a G&L L2K, a Classic series (mexican) p bass and a Sterling by Musicman Ray 34 CA.
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The tube Ampeg 100 watt V4B is a great amp for upright and electric. Those are powerful tube watts. Just get enough inches of speaker. I use mine with an Ampeg 810 AV cabinet, and it sound incredible. I also have an old Kustom Tuck ‘n Roll 2x15 cabinet that kills. Plexus it looks super cool for a rockabilly band.
 

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