Friends: have the opportunity to pick up a well priced PF 500 head locally; is the overall impression that these are prone to crapping out or is this several isolated instances? Any info on particular serial number runs to be avoided is appreciated.
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PF 500: Failure Issues?
- Thread starter Lowbrow
- Start date
geez, so many things written and argued about regarding these PF500 amps. I'm not sure I would take the risk personally, but it seems as if revisions past D have greater likelihood of working consistently and not having as many failures. I know you are asking about the PF500 specifically, but the PF350 and PF800 both have much better reported reliability (at least here on TB).
good luck
good luck
If you're buying from the original owner, and it's still under the 2 year warranty, you might ask them to send it in to get all the board revision updates done. It should be covered under warranty.
One of the things to look for, provided the seller will let you take off the amp's cover, is to see the "Revision" marked on the main circuit board. The earlier ones are Rev. C, current ones are up to Rev. J or something... higher letters are better obviously. In any case, I own one of the 'unreliable' Rev. C PF-500s and it's never cut out on me. I play through a 4-OHM 4x10 cab and I've never had to turn the master volume past 1 o'clock to get enough volume for my band. I think where people get in to trouble with these is when they connect a single 8-ohm cab, and in that case the PF-500 can only put out about 325 watts.
GC at least has a generous return policy.
GC at least has a generous return policy.
Jim Carr
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I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. There are so many reliable and comparable options I don't know why anybody in the know would buy one of these.
Funny side note, I recently went in to my local L&M and saw a PF-500. I figured it would be a great head to test one of those Fender Rascal basses. I was chatting with a friend, who is the resident bass guru in-store, while he hooked up the amp. We both had a laugh when he turned it on to a fault light and he is not on TB, so it is a pretty known problem.
Funny side note, I recently went in to my local L&M and saw a PF-500. I figured it would be a great head to test one of those Fender Rascal basses. I was chatting with a friend, who is the resident bass guru in-store, while he hooked up the amp. We both had a laugh when he turned it on to a fault light and he is not on TB, so it is a pretty known problem.
Any used transistorized amp is a gamble. If you buy the amp, give it a good a good workout while you have the option to return it.
The serial number contains a date code. That will at least tell you if it is recent.
Some schematic revision history is attached below.
The serial number contains a date code. That will at least tell you if it is recent.
Some schematic revision history is attached below.
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As I understand it the issue has been addressed on more recent versions. That said, an 800 isn't much more $$$, but it's got more juice and a better track record. That's enough to make me want to upgrade.
Or you can just go with GK. That's what I did, and I'm not looking back.
Or you can just go with GK. That's what I did, and I'm not looking back.
+1
There are so many other options in this price point that have virtually no reported problems.
For $240 I would look for a used GK 400RB. 30 year old design thats still out thumping today.
Be patient and you can score an 800RB (GC had one for $220). It might look like hell but I'd take that over a PF500.
Do the PFs use this date code? I asked in another thread, but never received a reply.
Update: visited GC to cross reference with all your good a
Info and the unit was already snagged! Problem solved!! Thanks again and I'm sure all will benefit from this discussion.
Info and the unit was already snagged! Problem solved!! Thanks again and I'm sure all will benefit from this discussion.
I believe that is what Loud uses on all their Ampeg products. The code has gone through a lot of revisions. PM Hodgy for the most up to date answer.
