WARNING PF 50t does NOT fit inside all Portaflex cabs!!!

[kranahan]

Personally, I find the fliptop the least attractive feature of fliptops

I think it's one of the most important features. Especially, with the 20t or 50t. At least until Ampeg comes out with a case or rackmount feature. These heads are an awkward shape and size.

Carrying the head around in the original shipping box is ridiculous.

 

[bassguppy]

since it's out of warranty maybe ask for a pic of where the current bracing is and measurements and mod the cab. It can't be that difficult of a job and I'm incompetent with tools.

I remember the issue being brought up in the PF50T thread a few months ago.

 

[trebbihm]

Well now the issue has its own thread so people won't have to look as hard from now on.

True. Hopefully this makes it easier for the next person that searches.

 

[gjbassist]

This was covered at length in the portaflex and pf50/tube threads. Research before you buy.

If the company that made both the head and cabinet put out a promo video that clearly made it sound as if head would work with existing cabinets, why would the OP even think it was an issue which required research?

 

[trebbihm]

If the company that made both the head and cabinet put out a promo video that clearly made it sound as if head would work with existing cabinets, why would the OP even think it was an issue which required research?

I can't speak for the op, or anybody else for that matter, but I don't typically read too far into blanket statements made in promo videos. My money is worth spending the extra ten minutes to verify.

Edit: he also used the words "current portaflex cabinets" so you might check for revisions. Not super clear language, I know, but in an industry that loves to tweak their products it's nessicarry to check these things.

 

[JimmyM]

I think it's one of the most important features. Especially, with the 20t or 50t. At least until Ampeg comes out with a case or rackmount feature. These heads are an awkward shape and size.

Carrying the head around in the original shipping box is ridiculous.

True, but call me ridiculous because I still haven't gotten a proper case for it. I will, though. To be honest, I actually considered getting a PF115he to do the fliptop thing again, but every time I flip my B-15 I decide against it.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I see two options: sell the cab and try to get back what you put into it, then buy one that will work; modify the cab to make it work. Maybe, if you ask nicely, Loud may be able to help you out by providing some details as to how to modify the cab. If you can find a woodworker, the solution may not be that complicated.

Either way, you are jumping through hoops. I don't blame you for being upset. I do see their side, you didn't buy the cab from them, otherwise they said that they would be able to work something out.

 

[mazdah]

I just got off the phone with Ampeg tech support, I called because could not get my PF 50t to fit inside an older PF 115he. I was told that early Portaflex cabs have extra bracing that will not allow a PF 50t to fit.

What do you guys think?

Take off the speaker, chop off the bracing using saw, install the speaker and enjoy your Portaflex.

I've spent most of the weekend (had one break to play a gig and two 3,5h breaks for sleep) repairing a motorbike from 1963 for my friend. Believe me - we could not get almost any part to fit or work be creative, do something. Man should know how to do more than just using a smartphone. Chop off some wood and you'll be happier

 

[kranahan]

True, but call me ridiculous because I still haven't gotten a proper case for it. I will, though. To be honest, I actually considered getting a PF115he to do the fliptop thing again, but every time I flip my B-15 I decide against it.

Why are you against it? It's so convenient!

 

[JimmyM]

I'm not against it. I just don't care for it. It's pretty awkward to flip, plus it makes the cab weigh more.

 

[AgressivePassiv]

I made it fit. Armed with only a 6" plastic handled hacksaw, frustration and impatience I have "modded" the cab.

I have a buddy who owns every kind of saw you can imagine. I'll borrow one to clean it up then use some black stain on the fresh cuts.

 

[staurosjohn]

If the company that made both the head and cabinet put out a promo video that clearly made it sound as if head would work with existing cabinets, why would the OP even think it was an issue which required research?

... exactly...

 

[Big Hoss]

I just got off the phone with Ampeg tech support, I called because could not get my PF 50t to fit inside an older PF 115he. I was told that early Portaflex cabs have extra bracing that will not allow a PF 50t to fit. He told me that the product manager realized that the bracing might get in the way of expanding the Portaflex line so they changed the bracing after the first "6 months or so" of production.

I bought the cab used while waiting for my new PF 50t so the tech told me that if I was the original owner and had the original receipt "maybe they might be able to work out some sort of warranty covered retrofit" but since I bought it used I'm on my own. He also said he can't recommend modifying the cabinet but if I were to remove the bracing it would fit.

I'm kind of annoyed that there was no *some early cabs are incompatible* warning. I would have not wasted my time and money on a cab that I have to modify to do what Ampeg said it can do in the PF 50t product video. Plus I scratched up the black powder coating on the transformers trying to use the Fliptop feature.

I shared my opinion about the lack of warning with the tech on the phone, he did not agree that retro compatibility claims were misleading since only a small number of cabs are affected.

What do you guys think?

Even though you bought the cab used, it is obviously, and by their admission a design flaw on the cab. That is pretty miserable customer relations on the part of Ampeg.

 

[hodgy]

Even though you bought the cab used, it is obviously, and by their admission a design flaw on the cab. That is pretty miserable customer relations on the part of Ampeg.

That is hardly a design flaw. Nostradamus was not on staff when the PF cabinets were designed to tell the engineers that they would one day need more room to accommodate an amp with a larger form-factor. When the PF-T heads were proposed, the changes in the cabinet were made.

 

[Londo Molari]

Sounds to me like the OP bought a "heads up" cabinet.

 

[pcake]

do the older and newer versions of the cabs have the same model number?

 

[Slpbass81]

You don't think they should update their product info to warn for those of us with older cabs?

You don't think I should give you guys a heads up?

This is not on Ampeg. You chose to buy an older model cabinet without doing research of any modifications they have made since. No need to have its own thread because you can do 1 basic google search and find numerous people talking about the change.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I say nay to all the naysayers.

I can appreciate the heads up from the OP, although I have no plans to buy any PortaFlex stuff. The one PF350 I tried was pretty crap IMHO, but amps are like ice cream flavors. Not everybody likes the same one.

 

[Lowendtech]

I made it fit. Armed with only a 6" plastic handled hacksaw, frustration and impatience I have "modded" the cab.
View attachment 771464
I have a buddy who owns every kind of saw you can imagine. I'll borrow one to clean it up then use some black stain on the fresh cuts.

I know you're not happy but some patience and a jig saw would've been much nicer. It's just a piece of wood.

Companies always put a disclaimer on their stuff stating that design specs are subject to change without notice. As consumers, we always want the latest shiny toys. We can't have it both ways. I've learned a few things on my journey.
"I don't know what I don't know".
"I shouldn't always believe what I think".

Sometimes you just gotta roll with the punches and move on. Life is too short to do otherwise. Now go hug someone you care about.

 

[AgressivePassiv]

This is not on Ampeg. You chose to buy an older model cabinet without doing research of any modifications they have made since. No need to have its own thread because you can do 1 basic google search and find numerous people talking about the change.

When I watched an official product video and ampeg's pitchman suggests that people upgrade their "current Portaflex rig" with a PF 50t, I wasn't inclined to fact check ampeg's own words.