After reading some, not enough, reviews here I thought a low priced, used PF-500 might be a good deal. Then I found more reviews about these things dying, now I'm worried I made a mistake. Was it just the Rev C boards that were faulty, or are newer ones dying as well? I purchased it online from a reputable dealer, who guarantees it to work upon arrival. Man, now I'm bummed.
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PF-500 did I just make a mistake?
- Thread starter John Bess
- Start date
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
Stop worrying. I traded myself into a PF-500 more than a year ago and I haven't had any problems with it. I don't know what "rev" it is. I've never cared.
I bought my pf-500 used and it's still running fine after about 5 years. I think I have one of the first year models. So don't worry too much.
It would have to be one from 2010 or 2011 for it to be a truly problematic amp, so the odds are with you. Not to say newer ones can't fail, but after the first year or so, reported incidents of failure drastically reduced on here.
I'm looking forward to hearing it. Tonight I pick up a 610hlf to go with it. The 4ohms will give all 500w. Should be plenty.
A happy customer tells a friend; an unhappy customer tells the world
It was an old saying that predates the internet. Now it might be less true but it must be kept in mind when reading reviews.
IME I have never owned a PF-500 but there is one at a bar I play at. It’s been through 5 years of abuse by tons of bassists and it has never flinched.
It was an old saying that predates the internet. Now it might be less true but it must be kept in mind when reading reviews.
IME I have never owned a PF-500 but there is one at a bar I play at. It’s been through 5 years of abuse by tons of bassists and it has never flinched.
I played one from 2011 to 2019 with no problems. Sold it to a guy who's still using it. My gigging amp currently is a PF-800.
You can, though it's a little tricky. The date letter is in a different place depending on the model, and if they use other letters in the serial that could possibly correspond to a year of manufacture, it might be hard to tell which is which. Usually, it's somewhere around the 8th to 12th digit, and the code goes:
A = 2008
B = 2009
C = 2010
Etc.
For example. I know that my PF350 was made in 2011, and the D is the 8th digit. My Micro VR was made in 2010 and C is the 12th digit. My PF800 was made in 2013 and F is the 10th.
I bought a PF-500 early in their release history. It worked fine for the first 6 years, then went into fault after an hour or so of playing, and had no output. After it cooled down, it would work for another hour, and so on. The fan was operating fine, and it did not feel particularly hot, so it was likely a faulty temperature sensor. It was going to cost almost as much to repair it as it was to replace it. I really liked the amp, so I bought a new one with a new rev main board, after reading the newer revs are better. It's been working fine for a few years.
About a year ago, I checked into the price of a replacement main board, and found one for $189. I replaced the main board in my original unit with a current rev board, and now I have two that work great! You can buy new replacement main boards on Instrumentalparts.com. It's a very easy replacement.
About a year ago, I checked into the price of a replacement main board, and found one for $189. I replaced the main board in my original unit with a current rev board, and now I have two that work great! You can buy new replacement main boards on Instrumentalparts.com. It's a very easy replacement.
Thanks everyone. I'm breathing a little easier now.
I bought mine in 2011 or 2012. Still have it, never been a problem.
- Oct 18, 2012
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I have a 500 and got in the F year, so 6 years ago. Never had a problem and love that this amp fits in my gig bag.
I bet you'll be happy with you amp!
I bet you'll be happy with you amp!
- Mar 19, 2013
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- If only I were that good....
Well it's going to get a baptism by fire. I just scored an audition as soon as the head gets here.
