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PF-800
- Thread starter Steve Dallman
- Start date
Jimmy, I have a question...I am thinking about picking up either a Micro VR or a PF-350 as a back-up to my SVT7 Pro...just to have another smaller Ampeg with a lil' different flavor. I have 2 PF-115LF cabs...which one would you recommend?
I'm not JimmyM but I've read he thinks they sound the same and cost the same so would prefer the PF350 for the extra headroom, as the MicroVR basically only has aesthetics on it's side.
Just give it a year or two before buying?
+1!!!.....
My first PF500 lasted all of 30 seconds, but hat's off to Ampeg's C.S., they were prompt at getting me a replacement.
Maybe Ampeg will move the PF350 up to the 500 watt mark and Ampeg will have a "true" high-powered "micro" head (with the PF500 weighing in at 11 pounds I never considered it a micro).....
So I just placed an order for my PF-800 through Sweetwater. According to my rep, I am the first to order/first in line! The bad news is they aren't expecting to take delivery from Ampeg until May! I'm not too worried as I have my PF-500 until then, but that's a long time to wait while Ampeg has the product listed on their web page... what's the deal with that?! Even Zzounds is taking pre-orders now...
I have a PF500 and an 115HE cab, and I am not sure what/who the PF800 is targeted for, other than perhaps to match other manufacturers in the small, micro (or near micro) class D amp marketing battle.
With 1 8ohm PF 115HE cab you are getting about 300w out of the PF500 which does 500w at 4ohms. Not sure what the extra watts gets you with one 8ohm cab, other than a blown cab.
The PF 115HE is rated at 450 thermal (as Jimmy said), so it really operates best somewhere below that level. If you ran the PF800 into a single 8ohm 115HE, we are probably looking at ~550-600w, so if you cranked it at all, you are looking for problems with your cab.
Now, for 4ohm/2 cab solutions, ok. I guess I get that - sort of.
But then, wouldn't the PF800 start to bump into the SVT 7Pro market - for players who just don't need 1k watts, an 800w amp might look pretty good.
The PF amps do have a nice front end on 'em, if you can tame the gain/comp/limiter situation to meet your playing objectives. I have done it with my PF500 and am generally pretty happy with it.
guess we'll just have to see how this PF800 fares in the world.
With 1 8ohm PF 115HE cab you are getting about 300w out of the PF500 which does 500w at 4ohms. Not sure what the extra watts gets you with one 8ohm cab, other than a blown cab.
The PF 115HE is rated at 450 thermal (as Jimmy said), so it really operates best somewhere below that level. If you ran the PF800 into a single 8ohm 115HE, we are probably looking at ~550-600w, so if you cranked it at all, you are looking for problems with your cab.
Now, for 4ohm/2 cab solutions, ok. I guess I get that - sort of.
But then, wouldn't the PF800 start to bump into the SVT 7Pro market - for players who just don't need 1k watts, an 800w amp might look pretty good.
The PF amps do have a nice front end on 'em, if you can tame the gain/comp/limiter situation to meet your playing objectives. I have done it with my PF500 and am generally pretty happy with it.
guess we'll just have to see how this PF800 fares in the world.
I would expect a PF-800 to pair well with two 8 Ohm PF 410's. Does that cut into the SVT-7's territory? Not if one pairs PF amps up with PF cabs, and the pro line amp and cabs together.
That makes a lot of sense IMO. Product line preference could be important there. If you like the tone and "look" of the PF series, you would now have an amp choice in that series that does 800 watts.
Also, to answer everyone's questions about the 800's target market, the answer is me. The guy who bought an SVT7PRO to power his duel PF-115 cabs (because the PF-500 was clipping at 4Ohms), but is pissed off because he has to lug around a extra amp bag to gigs. I am living carless in NYC, so portability is key. I love the flip top feature. I foresee the 800 giving me ultimate flexibility between using 1 and 2 cabs and various house cabs when I have a "subway" gig. I am also keeping my 500 for backup, rehearsal, and small gigs. I am all about having my big ol cookie and eating it too.
PS - my like-new SVT7PRO is for sale in the classifieds as we speak!
PS - my like-new SVT7PRO is for sale in the classifieds as we speak!
well, here is a guy, Srirachaglo from just above, who (inevitably) mixed lines and paired a 7Pro with his PF cabs.
If you look in the PF350/500 mega thread, you will see more than one person talking about pairing various SVT's with their PF cabs.
Again, I would think there would be bleed between the market for a PF800, and the market for a 7Pro (or other 1k w amps).
just sayin' .... but, hey, what do I know.
this thing looks amazing, i've gone around a few small heads, but i always miss the ampeg sound, trading my stuff for a PF500 now but will definitely be upgrading to the 800 when it drops, my band can get fairly loud live and i smash lots of gain and OOMPH into the heads, so the more headroom the better!
plus, these PF heads look cooler than anything else! that purple light is awesome
plus, these PF heads look cooler than anything else! that purple light is awesome
I always think a `flagship` of the range model should somehow look a bit different to its siblings, this looks like a cheap internal upgrade, not saying I dont like the look of the PF500 as I do ( I have one), just think they could have given it a bit more whether another feature or slightly different look .
That's kinda what I was thinking, but they can't really change the size or shape because it has to fit the PF500 mounting pattern on the lid of the PF flip-top cabs. The clearance needed to fit in there on top of the horn is very specific, right down to the mm. Now what would have been freaking awesome is a foot switchable clean/dirty duel channel configuration! Oh we'll, that's why I have my VT bass pedal!
What I'm getting from that though is he needed to go with the 7PRO because the PF500 was not cutting it power wise.
I think some players are going to prefer the PF series because of the portability factor. You will now be able to mount an 800watt head fliptop style.
Maybe a different colour and some different badging to suit its status ?
Or a different colour light to the purple
Dare I say a built in tuner !
Or a different colour light to the purple
Dare I say a built in tuner !
Precisely. As Ampeg and hundreds of other customers like me (gauging from the feedback on the megathread) came to realize: the PF-500 was designed more than adequately to drive a single cab @ 8ohms, but folded under the weight of driving 2 cabs @ 4ohms. Cases ranged from low-end thermal limit clipping (cutting out) to complete failure, at worst. There were those that reported no serious issues, but many also complained that it did not feel like a full dose of 500 class-D wattage.
After weeks of crying on the megathread, I finally got a 7pro. Great amp, but missed the portability. Sold it (only took a $50 loss!), and now I'm first in line to get an 800 from Zzounds and I'm clicking my heels with excitement!
I'll let you all in on a secret... Sure, I'll use my 500 for "backup," but as soon as I get my 800, I'm definitely going to rig up both cabs for Ric-o-sound stereo annihilation!! Gonna send my treble pup to the 500 and my neck pup to the 800 (ultra-low engaged) and... mwhahahahaha!!!!!!
That all makes a lot of sense to me. And portability is a huge thing for me these days. I want an amp that I can throw in a small shoulder bag for transport.
Really liking that Ric-o-sound idea, btw! I'd have to do that setup with my 350 on the treble pup though!
For me, having more options as a consumer is nothing to be critical about. Ampeg is still offering far less products in their catalog then they did when the brand was owned by SLM.
Also, I sold my PF500 and went back to using my B15R (for low to medium volume gigs) because the PF500 was cutting out on me sometimes. Don't get me wrong, the PF500 was a great amp for the two years that I had it, but sometimes I was asking a bit too much from it - now the PF800 is calling my name (wait till I get that first 15% off coupon).
Also, I sold my PF500 and went back to using my B15R (for low to medium volume gigs) because the PF500 was cutting out on me sometimes. Don't get me wrong, the PF500 was a great amp for the two years that I had it, but sometimes I was asking a bit too much from it - now the PF800 is calling my name (wait till I get that first 15% off coupon).
Maybe I am lucky, but I have used my PF500 into my 610HLF with no PA support and carried the room (and could have crushed it if I wanted to).
I bring up the gain with the compressor off and set it so that it blinks when I hit hard. Then I ran the compressor around 10:30. Pretty close to flat on eq and the master at 1pm.
I bring up the gain with the compressor off and set it so that it blinks when I hit hard. Then I ran the compressor around 10:30. Pretty close to flat on eq and the master at 1pm.
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