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I don't think I like my Ampeg PF115 cabs...

Vinnie Boombatz

Vinnie Boombatz

Inactive
May 26, 2010
2,640
5,402
#1
I've had the PF500 and PF115 combo for a while now, and recently picked up a second PF115 cab for a ridiculous price.

I find at low volumes the PF500 and PF115 combo sounds great, but these cabs have proven to fart out when pushed, and I'm not talking about a dime'd amp going into them. They just don't seem to handle much volume or being pushed. It's a shame because I like the tones I get out of the PF500, and it actually sounded killer through a pair of 210av cabs that I unfortunately no longer have.

I'm toying with the idea of ditching both cabs for a 410 or 810 or something similar.

It's too bad, but find it hard to see how people actually play with a rock band with these cabs. They're great for a low volume gig like a jazz gig or something I'm guessing, but they don;t do well when pushed at all.
 
#4
PF-115HE. They are pretty weak and fart out easily. KInd of sloppy low end as well. I guess I just prefer the tighter sound of 10's. What I have found is I can get a punchy rock sound from 10's, and also get a more 'old-school' sound from the 10's, but this particular cab (PF-115HE) just does old school (motown) stuff decent, but is not very versatile, and like I mentioned before, the lows are very muddy, regardless of EQ. Lacks definition in my opinion.
 
#6
First off, move yourself over into the 10" department. You'll still get plenty of lows, trust me. Secondly, new Ampeg cabs are really lacking these days (hence the "farting out"), so try using another brand. Take a look at Avatar cabs. 500 watts should be an ample amount of power. Two 2x10 8 ohm cabs, or one 4 ohm 410 cab to get the full 500 watts and you're set.

BONUS: easy to transport.
 
#8
I remember you posting some pics of your rig not to long ago. Those PF series cabs are very attractive. But I know what you mean. I almost bought the PF cabs but opted for a pair of GK Neo's. When I demoed the two at GC the GK'S where much louder and tighter than the Pf's. It might not be the 15'' speakers. I played 10's for years until I got my Neo 15's. My GK's are much more focused than my Ampeg 810 classic, almost as loud too!(actually the neo's cut through better than my 810). I think it's safe to say that the PF's were designed as a budget friendly series, so don't give up on 15's too fast until you have tried some others...you might be surprised! Sorry to hear your not digging your rig but look on the bright side, you get to hunt for new gear and who doesn't like new gear!
 
#9
musicman666 said:
I remember you posting some pics of your rig not to long ago. Those PF series cabs are very attractive. But I know what you mean. I almost bought the PF cabs but opted for a pair of GK Neo's. When I demoed the two at GC the GK'S where much louder and tighter than the Pf's. It might not be the 15'' speakers. I played 10's for years until I got my Neo 15's. My GK's are much more focused than my Ampeg 810 classic, almost as loud too!(actually the neo's cut through better than my 810). I think it's safe to say that the PF's were designed as a budget friendly series, so don't give up on 15's too fast until you have tried some others...you might be surprised! Sorry to hear your not digging your rig but look on the bright side, you get to hunt for new gear and who doesn't like new gear!
Click to expand...

For now I'll keep the PF500 head, because it really does sound good. I witnessed that when I ran it trough the two SVT210av cabs. So maybe I should put the two cabs up for sale or tade locally for something different.
 
#13
rodl2005 said:
Must (obviously) depend on how loud you play :rolleyes: but I found them similar.
I put Eminence 3015 drivers in my two PF115HE cabs. Similar tone, but now handle a shipload of power.
(I'm doing this on ph app, so can't link you my thread re, but a search on threads STARTED by me, will show you my story- if at all interested).
Click to expand...

I dont even play that loud and can get them to flub out at lower volumes. I guess it's what a previous poster had mentioned about them being a budget cab at best. You just can't hit these cabs hard and expect them to really perform. It's too bad because it's a really attractive rig, but just falls a little short for my expectations, and I'm an amateur and just jam with friends now and then and then play at home. When I get the house to myself I'll open the amp up and it's not even that loud and it disappoints. Going to see if someone would trade the cabs for an 810.
 
#15
sbpark said:
I dont even play that loud and can get them to flub out at lower volumes. I guess it's what a previous poster had mentioned about them being a budget cab at best. You just can't hit these cabs hard and expect them to really perform. It's too bad because it's a really attractive rig, but just falls a little short for my expectations, and I'm an amateur and just jam with friends now and then and then play at home. When I get the house to myself I'll open the amp up and it's not even that loud and it disappoints. Going to see if someone would trade the cabs for an 810.
Click to expand...
It happens. Even -I- don't always like everything Ampeg makes ;) But they make plenty that I do so it's all good.
 
#16
I like the cabs, liked their tone,, to me, quite "vintagey" & obviously a sealed cab vibe & love the looks. Just didn't like that one PF115HE couldn't handle one of my gigs on its own- a Fender Studio Bass 200w tube amp & a 115 cab - like I used to ages ago with my EV 115 cab.
I agree, not even that loud & fart land.
But I love that with the 3015 driver in, it'll do all I ask with pretty much the same tone.
Without the porting in the cab, it's still very much a sealed cab vibe, handles eq from the amp really well & I haven't had a fart problem yet.
 
#17
Jheake said:
I had the PF500 and PF210he and I hated the cab. Wasn't for me at all.

I've since got the PF800 with the PF410hlf and I am much much happier. I get that awesome low volume sound you mention at higher volumes.
Click to expand...

Had a 15" PF cab and didn't dig it at all - way too flubby and farty when you really pushed it. How's the 4x10" stack up??
 
#18
I'm going go the other way on this. I have a PF500/PF115 rig and, while I have had some issues with reliability, I have had no such problems with the cab farting out. I set the gain as Ampeg suggests: no comp, no hi/lo, run gain until the peak light comes on steadily, then drop it back a bit - then add comp back to taste). I run the EQ with just a slight push of bass and treble, 3:00 on the mids with the mid-point switch on 5, and I turn on the ultra lo (I like the 40hz bump and the 500hz cut). For most gigs the Master stays at noon.

With these settings, there is plenty of clean volume, never farts out - ever. The HE's are sealed cabs and, as would be expected from a single 15 sealed cab, they are very tight and focused in the lows, but this works really well in a variety of band mixes that I work with. Also, I do not play ear splitting volumes, so maybe the OP is expecting too much from a single cab.

One practical thing I will suggest is to check the fairly wimpy sealing between the fliptop and the top of the cab. If this is not aligned or even missing, you may not be dealing with a "sealed" cab anymore, and that could easily sound like farting out. You can use self-adhesive rubber window insulation strip material to get a better seal if this seems to be a problem for your 115HE.

I don't want to get snarky with the OP at all, but it was mentioned that he is an amateur, who does not gig, but just jams with friends and plays at home. All good, but based on this definition of limited experience, maybe the OP's expectations for EQ, volume and fitting into a band mix are not very well developed ? Even some of the comments about 10's vs 15's (yes, I know... done to death) show a certain lack of understanding and inexperience. An old but useful thing to keep in mind is that bedroom tone is not often good gigging tone.

again, no disrespect intended, just throwing it out there. There are plenty of players here who are quite satisfied with the PF500/115HE combination. You should play what you like of course, so good luck with the search.
 
#19
No disrespect. I've been playing guitar for 23 years and use to play out with bands years ago, and know my guitar gear. I'm definitely new to bass gear. All I can say is I don't like these cabs compared to other stuff I've played through. My brother has an 810 SVT cab that the PF500 sounds fantastic through. It also sounded killer the ought the 210av cabs I use to have. I'm just not into the 15's I guess and yes, they flub out when pushed, regardless of EQ settings. Sure I'm new, but looks like I'm not the only one on here with similar experiences with this cab.
 
#20
sbpark said:
No disrespect. I've been playing guitar for 23 years and use to play out with bands years ago, and know my guitar gear. I'm definitely new to bass gear. All I can say is I don't like these cabs compared to other stuff I've played through. My brother has an 810 SVT cab that the PF500 sounds fantastic through. It also sounded killer the ought the 210av cabs I use to have. I'm just not into the 15's I guess and yes, they flub out when pushed, regardless of EQ settings. Sure I'm new, but looks like I'm not the only one on here with similar experiences with this cab.
Click to expand...

all good brother, just took what you said yourself about your experience level with bass. I wanted to put an alternate, real life, working bass player experience (40+ years) out there for you to consider regarding the 115HE cabs. I gig my PF500/115HE rig 6-8 times month in venues from 100-500 seats, playing rock, blues, jazz, country, all at fairly decent SPL's, and never had an issue with them farting out. Just sayin'

In the end, you have to play what you like the sound of, so if its a big old 810 cab, or 210av's, go for it. One thing I would be careful of is the concept that there is an inherent "sound of" 10's vs 15's vs 12's vs 8's or whatever. If you like 10's .. cool, but don't get caught-up in the idea that 10's have any particular sound to them. It's all about what drivers, with which specs, in a given cab design.

The good news for bass players is that there has never been so much gear for us to check out.

enjoy! :cool:
 

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