Now you guys have me considering a PF350 instead of the 500. LOL. My current head is 350 and has always been plenty of power....with 1 or 2 cabs.
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Is my Ampeg PF-350 enough?
- Thread starter Jables
- Start date
If playing my WHO gig, with my PF350/ 410hlf, with a certified wood chopping basher behind the kit channeling his Keith Moon-seance is any indicator of the amps' ability, sure, the 350 can throw down just fine.
BUT, I also have a TH500 if and when things get stupid (and they can...like a festival I gotta play in 5 hours...)
BUT, I also have a TH500 if and when things get stupid (and they can...like a festival I gotta play in 5 hours...)
What is "enough" I had a PF-500 and loved the way it sounded. It was not enough amp for me in all situations. My requirements may be very different from your own.
In terms of sustained power, doubling (roughly) 350 to 800 gets you just 3dB or 'a bit more' although headroom for transients does make the equation a little different (e.g. with a 800W you can push 300W on average and peak to twice that and not much upset the amp).
(By peak I mean peak for longer than just a transient, but transients matter too).
(By peak I mean peak for longer than just a transient, but transients matter too).
I recently ordered a PF 500, then returned it unopened for the PF 800. Now I need to cab up to that head. I'm starting my research with DIY 2-15 options. Two 2-12s stacked vertically would rule mightily, but I'd want to search for a good 16 ohm driver to make it come out to 4 ohms total.
Good luck with your band.
Good luck with your band.
I recently traded in a PF350+BC212+BC210, for a Markbass micro stack (CMD121P+NY121)
The main reason for doing this was to reduce the size and weight of the whole thing. The TC cabs were 8 ohm, 250W max each.
I started with a single 8 ohm BC212 and then added a BC210, which made things a bit louder and thumpier - the PF350 does 250W into 8 ohm and 350W into 4 ohm, IIRC.
I didn't have any clipping issues with it, and I didn't need to turn it up full for rehearsals or gigs.
So I think I agree with previous posters, I reckon you're OK with the amp but you will need to get 1 or more better cabs. I reckon I'd be looking for 2 8 ohm cabs, something like 2x12 in each.
I think the PF350 is a great amp, nice tone, loud.
The main reason for doing this was to reduce the size and weight of the whole thing. The TC cabs were 8 ohm, 250W max each.
I started with a single 8 ohm BC212 and then added a BC210, which made things a bit louder and thumpier - the PF350 does 250W into 8 ohm and 350W into 4 ohm, IIRC.
I didn't have any clipping issues with it, and I didn't need to turn it up full for rehearsals or gigs.
So I think I agree with previous posters, I reckon you're OK with the amp but you will need to get 1 or more better cabs. I reckon I'd be looking for 2 8 ohm cabs, something like 2x12 in each.
I think the PF350 is a great amp, nice tone, loud.
All right—thanks!
For the sake of simplicity—and my back—I'd like to keep things to a single cab. Sounds like the solution is to get a 4 ohm cabinet. I can probably find something used for a decent price.
We play bars and small clubs, and use PA support when it's available or needed, so that's what I mean by "enough." I don't need arena/festival power.
This band has been gigging with that Peavey Mark III/B410HE rig for a few years without problems, so I don't see why I can't get by with something similar. Though they were a trio before and weren't competing with two guitar amps. Perhaps that crowding of the sonic space is complicating things.
They're 8 ohm rated, I know, but would a single Ampeg PF cab—PF-115LF or PF-410HLF—be well-suited in this (bar/small club) situation? Would there be any net gain over that B410HE? Something lightweight and that matches my head is appealing.
Our lead guitar is playing through a 15 watt tube amp, so even 350 ss bass watts seems like it should be overkill.
Thanks again for the advice, everybody. Like I said, I'm new to this and still trying to understand it. You guys are the best.
PS. Yeah, earplugs are worn at all times.
For the sake of simplicity—and my back—I'd like to keep things to a single cab. Sounds like the solution is to get a 4 ohm cabinet. I can probably find something used for a decent price.
We play bars and small clubs, and use PA support when it's available or needed, so that's what I mean by "enough." I don't need arena/festival power.
This band has been gigging with that Peavey Mark III/B410HE rig for a few years without problems, so I don't see why I can't get by with something similar. Though they were a trio before and weren't competing with two guitar amps. Perhaps that crowding of the sonic space is complicating things.
They're 8 ohm rated, I know, but would a single Ampeg PF cab—PF-115LF or PF-410HLF—be well-suited in this (bar/small club) situation? Would there be any net gain over that B410HE? Something lightweight and that matches my head is appealing.
Our lead guitar is playing through a 15 watt tube amp, so even 350 ss bass watts seems like it should be overkill.
Thanks again for the advice, everybody. Like I said, I'm new to this and still trying to understand it. You guys are the best.
PS. Yeah, earplugs are worn at all times.
Although I recently upgraded to the 500 from the 350, a word of praise for the 350 is in order. I had the 350 for two years and about 150 gigs . Even though it was raining down once I never had a single problem from that head. It is a great amp with great tone.
The B410he is only rated 200w RMS, according to the Ampeg site. A PF500 or, preferably, PF800 with the PF410hlf would be a good meat-n-potatoes rig. Keep in mind that's an 8 ohm cabinet, though, which is another point in favor of the 800. Alternately, the PF500 with the Ampeg SVT212av (4 ohm) would be worth a look.
Your PF-350 is rated to put out 200W into 8 ohms. Running another 8 ohm cab in parallel will allow the amp to put out the full rated wattage of 350W into 4 ohms.
As others have said, you need another cab or a different one that is rated for 4 ohms.
There's always a but. You can't push an amp so hard that it is faulting. You don't want to be worrying about that. A PF-500 will give you more headroom, more reserve.
The Carvin BR410 (4 ohm) looks promising and appears to be well reviewed—and is in my price range.
Any reason why this wouldn't work for my situation?
Any reason why this wouldn't work for my situation?
With a 4 ohm cab you can't add another one. A more efficient cab would be a good idea, but I would explore (with your current set up) all avenues to improve the projection of your current rig to make sure you can't get away with a more efficient 8 ohm cab. The 4 ohm to 8 ohm difference on the PF-350 is only about 2dB if you are dimed. It could be 250W at 4 ohms with 100W of headroom, though. If the music is sufficiently dynamic that headroom for loud sections might be worth it.
That says 106dB SPL at 1W at 1m. That's 10dB more than your current 4x10. You'd gain very little going for a 4 ohm over 8 ohm on top (Another 2dB). The other Ampeg is 101 dB.
You need to test them out as I have not heard either but I respect JimmyM's views enough to be wary if he doesn't think it sounds as good.
I found some sound samples but unless it was my bass with my hands I would find it hard to say I liked it, but it sounded reasonable. I like my current set up, but hard to A/B them. It's a shame that manufacturers don't post impulse-response models as you could record yourself direct and A/B anything on the planet, more or less.
