• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Overloading Ampeg PF500 with a Bongo ?

Addni

Addni

May 16, 2009
75
1
Akureyri, Iceland
#1
Just bought a MM Bongo 5 (S/H) and I've been noticing some type of unwanted overdrive sound in my setup. a Ampeg PF500 with the PortaFlex 210 cabinet.

I've been using an FBass BN5 before and never noticed the problem. I'm not playing at a louder volume than before and the gain light isn't coming on.

I know the Bongo has a pretty hot output, and i've been cutting off a bit of low end on the bass EQ, but still I'm hearing some of that sound.

Just put fresh Duracell Procell batteries in the bass.

Has anyone had a similar problem with a Bongo and/or Ampeg PortaFlex. Not really sure If it's the amp or the bass.
 
#2
Addni said:
Just bought a MM Bongo 5 (S/H) and I've been noticing some type of unwanted overdrive sound in my setup. a Ampeg PF500 with the PortaFlex 210 cabinet.

I've been using an FBass BN5 before and never noticed the problem. I'm not playing at a louder volume than before and the gain light isn't coming on.

I know the Bongo has a pretty hot output, and i've been cutting off a bit of low end on the bass EQ, but still I'm hearing some of that sound.

Just put fresh Duracell Procell batteries in the bass.

Has anyone had a similar problem with a Bongo and/or Ampeg PortaFlex. Not really sure If it's the amp or the bass.
Click to expand...

I play a Stingray HS and have a PF-500. What are your settings at on your bass and on the amp?

Where are these settings at?
Gain
Compressor
bass/mid/treble
Eq on your bass

If I set all the tone controls on my bass and head at noon, and the compressor off, I dont get any over drive until the clip light is flashing fairly regularly.
 
#4
CL400Peavey said:
I play a Stingray HS and have a PF-500. What are your settings at on your bass and on the amp?

Where are these settings at?
Gain
Compressor
bass/mid/treble
Eq on your bass

If I set all the tone controls on my bass and head at noon, and the compressor off, I dont get any over drive until the clip light is flashing fairly regularly.
Click to expand...

My amp is down at the rehearsal room but according to memory.

Gain, around 11 o'clock (12 o'clock starts clipping light), Compressor just below none (of none is at 7 o'clock it's maybe at around 8). Bass 12:30 o'clock, Mid 1-2 o'clock. Mid frequency at 4. Treble maybe around 1-2.

EQ on bass is flat (in the center dent) but I also tried pulling the bass down about half way down.

Volume on max, Blend in centre.


Might be cabinet the cabinet buzzing. I'll check that out tomorrow at rehersal. Might need to put a larger seal between the plate and cab. (since I'm using the FlipTop feature)
 
#5
Well at those settings it could be the cab, rattling or carting out even. You are pushing the head quite hard.

Here us what I would do.

Set the master low
Set the compressor at 9 o'clock
Bang on the b string while you bring the gain up till it just starts flashing. Not so it stays on, but it should flicker.
Bump the compressor up just a tad more
Bring the master up to desired volume.

A ton of volume is tied up in the gain, eq, and compressor. I wouldn't be dimming the master either. If you are still pushing the head into clipping at this point you need more speakers.
 
#6
CL400, I think the OP is saying he has the volume knob on his bass at full volume, not the master volume on the PF-500. You hadn't asked him where he had the master volume set, and he was only answering what he was asked.

If he were running at master on full, that would certainly explain overload! He is reporting that he has the instrument knobs set as volume on full and tone in the middle.
 
#7
ImprecisionBass said:
CL400, I think the OP is saying he has the volume knob on his bass at full volume, not the master volume on the PF-500. You hadn't asked him where he had the master volume set, and he was only answering what he was asked.

If he were running at master on full, that would certainly explain overload! He is reporting that he has the instrument knobs set as volume on full and tone in the middle.
Click to expand...

I think he was referring to the fx loop blend and the master volume...

Either way I think he would be happier doubling up on his cabs.
 
#9
Bass controls. Master volume on the head is usually around 12-1 o'clock (pretty much just as loud as I had it with my FBass)

Bass controls:
Volume full.
Blend center
4band EQ all flat, except cutting off a bit of low end.

Amp controls:
Gain around 12, compressor 7-8, Bass 12, Mid 1-2, Mid-Frequency 4, Hi 1-2, blend off. Volume 12-1
 
#12
Addni said:
Bass controls. Master volume on the head is usually around 12-1 o'clock (pretty much just as loud as I had it with my FBass)

Bass controls:
Volume full.
Blend center
4band EQ all flat, except cutting off a bit of low end.

Amp controls:
Gain around 12, compressor 7-8, Bass 12, Mid 1-2, Mid-Frequency 4, Hi 1-2, blend off. Volume 12-1
Click to expand...

You can play around with the input padding, but imho its a tone suck. I would say you are hearing the limits of your cab, and maybe not the head.
 
#13
Played tonight, tried turning the gain down a bit lower than before peak light, flattened out the EQ and turned up the volume (on the head itself) and didn't notice the overdrive sound. :) I think my overall output volume from the cabinet was about the same as before.
 
#14
Addni said:
Played tonight, tried turning the gain down a bit lower than before peak light, flattened out the EQ and turned up the volume (on the head itself) and didn't notice the overdrive sound. :) I think my overall output volume from the cabinet was about the same as before.
Click to expand...

I had a loud practice today, and I actually took the PF-500. I used the neck pick up and the single coil bridge combo. On the bass treble was at noon, mids were dimed, bass at noon. On the Head compressor was at 9 oclock, gain was at 1-2 oclock, bass at noon, mid selector at 4, mids at 2 oclock, treble at noon. Master at 1 oclock.

Through my 1515/66/1 it was loud as hate, wasnt overdriving the amp either.
 
#15
CL400Peavey said:
You can play around with the input padding, but imho its a tone suck...
Click to expand...

Perhaps yes. IME, an overdriven input is REALLY a "tone suck."
I have a stock 2003 55-01D with the original Korean Pre. Hottest pre I have ever used, and "over drove" many older "active" amp inputs.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back