Ok I'm in need of a new amp, found a good deal on an Ampeg portaflex 350 head, and need a cab, I am really looking for something with some low end response but still sounds clear, my main axe is an Ibanez SR405qm, so something that handles low B well, I like design of the portaflex cabs and heads and how they fit together and all that, but trying to figure out if I need the 210 or 115, but if there is some other cab out there that someone thinks would work better I'm all ears, thanks
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Portaflex 210 or 115 or something different?
- Thread starter Tarheel73
- Start date
I would go try the PF-210he, PF-115he, and PF-115LF. Your ears will decide. Personally I prefer the 115LF.
There are lots of other cabs out there that will sound good with that amp. What kind of budget are you working with?
There are lots of other cabs out there that will sound good with that amp. What kind of budget are you working with?
If you could find a properly designed 115 cab that uses a Emi Kappalite 3015 or Faital 15PR400, you would be rocking a serious rig.
There are not any commercial cabs that use them that I know of. You may be able to find a used boutique cab that uses them though.
Their 115 isnt availalbe with the 3015, the 3015LF shouldnt be run as a stand alone cab. The celestions are pretty lacking in displacement imho.
The only cab they offer that I would even consider is the TB3 if it was ordered with the 8 Ohm 3015LF, but that would be out of the budget I think. In the OP's budget I think he would be hard pressed to do better than the PF-115LF.
its not offered on the website but when i spoke to dave @ avatar he had a celestion option for his 4X10 that was not listed on the website. also as stated by the OP he would be willing to spend a little more and for the 6" mid and tweeter its $589+ shipping (im not sure if the free shipping promo applies to this cab). this would be worth it IMHO.
(Edit) after checking the 1X15 on avatar's website they do offer the kappalites in the single cab.
Among the numerous cabs I connect to my PF-500, is an Ampeg PF-115lf, (that I bought from a local shop for $219.00, used).
It sounds good. I like that it has recessed handles on the side, (unlike the he cabs). Not a flip-top, but I think it will be less like to develop any rattles because of that.
One of the other cabs I like to use with the PF-500 is a Mesa Boogie Road Ready Diesel, (EV-TL606 design) 115.
Both of these cabs work for me.
It sounds good. I like that it has recessed handles on the side, (unlike the he cabs). Not a flip-top, but I think it will be less like to develop any rattles because of that.
One of the other cabs I like to use with the PF-500 is a Mesa Boogie Road Ready Diesel, (EV-TL606 design) 115.
Both of these cabs work for me.
The PF210he is tuned higher on the lows than the PF115he and especially the PF115lf, but I used to have a couple PF115he's and I think it would be right up your alley.
Has anyone paired both a Ampeg PF-115HE (which I already own) and a Ampeg PF-115LF (which I am thinking of buying)? My amp is a PF-500. Other than a slightly different wattage rating, I don't see a reason why it would be a bad idea - do you? I don't need the flip top on the second cabinet, and I like the idea of recessed handles.
It has been done but I am unsure of the results.
Personally I wouldnt pair a sealed cab and a ported cab.
You can run into some low end phasing out in the room. Means in some locations your bass will drop out.
Thanks - that would not be a good result. Maybe I should get another HE in that case. I am starting to wish I had a ported cabinet to begin with - I've been playing a lot of soul, reggae, and ska - which was not anticipated when I bought this rig or I might have bought something completely different!
I think the PF115he would be awesome for reggae and ska...it's got a way bigger bottom end than any sealed cab I've ever heard, and it rivals and often beats many ported cabs for low end response.
JimmyM, you might be right - we'll know for sure when I add a cabinet. This cabinet sounded best to me at an outdoor gig where there was a low stone wall - I took off the casters and set it on that wall and it sounded clear as a bell but nice and full-toned. I am hoping two cabinets will give me the extra power and presence I want. Don't get me wrong, I am super-happy with the rig (other than the super loud fan on the amp, but that is well-documented elsewhere).
