BassAdder60

I was hesitant buying one, but it’s now 2021 and if you get a new one I’m confident it will be totally as reliable as any Class D amp Sadly the past issues still plague this line of great amps and maybe that’s why Ampeg keep the prices affordable for the PF line

As over the years there has been so much press about Ampeg PF amps failing or cutting out I’ve started an owners club post for people who are using and enjoying their PF350, PF500 or PF800 Recently purchased ( 2021 model ) I’m liking the growl and warmth this PF500 gives. It sounds very nice with my Ashdown Pro Neo cabs too Under Yamaha ownership I’m hoping Ampeg have sorted their QC issues and the PF range become loved again

Some good class d amps around now we are really spoilt for choice as bass players and so much kinder on the back No more lugging the SVT-CL and 610 cab to a pub gig !! Although I’m sure my SVT bass rig was nice I don’t feel my PF500 or RM800 are lacking in the tone dept

Yep I will use my RM800 for larger gigs etc The PF500 appears to have most of its power with volume past 12 o clock The RM800 is loud very quickly as you turn output but I don’t think that really means anything. The RM800 brings a lot of its power in quickly but the PF500 brings it on later. Both great sounding amps I decided to return the SCR-DI pedal though … nice as it was I wasn’t gaining much in front of the amp. Both amps sound great without the pedal and at nearly £200 I couldn’t justify keeping it when the PF500 was £379 !!

Thank you thats helpful

Can anyone give me some info on this head please 1: Is it loud for a 500w head ? 2: how far left to right are the feet please ie distance between each foot as viewed from front

After reading all the bad press about the PF500 I pulled the plug and purchased a new one last week as my second amp to the RM800 It is a very nice amp and I’m happy with it ( I had an old PF800 earlier this year ) I plan to run my SCR-Di in front of it as I will in front of the RM800 An interesting discovery was the Ultra Low and Ultra hi on the SCR-Di sound very good, the same on the PF500 does sound different, perhaps darker and deeper. The loudness of the head is probably good enough but it’s not a super loud head although I feel the power comes later on in the output volume control. Fan noise is obvious but acceptable and nice to know it’s keeping inside cool. There is definitely something good about the tone out of these amps no better than my Ashdown just different. Hoping I get trouble free use and if not it will go back but I’m confident under Yamaha ownership that Ampeg have sorted the early failure issue that was happening around 2012 etc My model is 2021 build 👍

I’m using mine and my RM800 with my two 210 Pro Neo Ashdown cabs I had the PF115LF cab at first but didn’t like it and too heavy ! I’ve read so many PF500 failure stories but as they still make it and it’s about 8yrs since the early model issues I’m confident my 2021 model is reliable.. we will see 👍

Sounds faulty I have the SCR-DI which is very quiet and has unity output around 12 0 clock on the volume dial I run mine using a Truetone 1 spot Have you checked that the jumper inside isn’t set on -15db for active basses ?

In fact it sounds really good with Ultra low and Ultra Hi engaged. Ive also purchased the PF500 ( 2021 model ) and the two together sound really good.

Just sold my Abm600 to Mark Excellent buyer and swift Trusted and good communication Thx Mark

Just sold my Abm600 to Ebenezer and it was a smooth and swift transaction Trusted buyer and good communication

My ABM600 is in the for sale section, decided to use my RM800 with my Ampeg pedal Tough decision as the ABM600 is a great amp but need to let it go I think

In fact it’s that good I’ve decided to sell my ABM600 and use the pedal in front of my RM800

That’s good to know 👍 It’s also a handy practice / headphone device It does sound like Ampeg too which is never a bad thing

Recently purchased to use in front of my ABM600 and RM800 amps to give me flexibility in EQ settings and add the Scrambler drive ( small amount ) on certain songs With amp set flat the Ampeg pedal was very easy to get a lovely sound and worked very well at band practice. I could next time set my amp EQ and use the pedal EQ ON as a mid boost etc Very quiet pedal ( Used 1spot power supply ) very robust case although I think the controls are less robust. Nice heavy weight for keeping it on ground and for the money a good investment as it provides a DI and consistent tone etc I can recommend it 👍

Ok the Ampeg SCR-DI pedal arrived and I’ve tried it in front of my RM800 and ABM600 both ran flat It sounds very nice … very nice tone control and definitely makes it sound more Ampeg. Very quiet too and very robust housing The Scrambler drive on low and blend around 30% add a nice grit / grind drive sound .. better than the drive on the Ashdown Headphones work very well too for silent practice so for me it’s a keeper It has less features than the Fender Downtown Express I tried but the tones are nicer and the drive and blend is so much better Happy so far 👍

I’ve ordered the Ampeg SCR-Di to try I like the Ampeg tone and also the Scrambler used in a very minor way It has a blend control too on the Scrambler Pricey unit but hopefully worth it If not back it goes !

I’ve done that with Helix etc and other multi fx at home spending hours tweeking etc with guitar Get to band practice and it sounds terrible !! I think bass has a natural quality to its tone that fits well with other band instruments Seems like we are trying hard to make the bass sound more like a guitar ( I guess we can thank Royal Blood for that )

I’ve had this dilemma and although it was appealing to consider a good bass multi with tuner and compression etc I found that in the end I just preferred my amp sound as it was and mostly suits the songs Ive yet to hear a nice drive sound on bass as it just sounds like a blown speaker to me and removes the depth of the bass sound.

Update .. good pedal but didn’t give me anything more than my basic amp can provide - sending it back but it’s an itch I got to scratch

I’ve just purchased the FDE £140 from PMT Liking it so far and it’s a first for me running anything in front of the amp

Decided to add this to my Ashdown Rigs instead of buying the two footswitches for the ABM600 and RM800 I now run the amp flat and shape ( off ) and set the EQ on the FDE. Drive is ok and I use a tiny amount to add grit to a rock sound. Compressor is superior to the onboard Ashdown one and I run this always on. Next is get a small pedalboard and a floor tuner pedal as it has a Mute function and tuner out socket Based on first use I like the FDE and it also gives you DI output too £140 new so just over twice the cost of two Ashdown footswitches FS-4 and FS-2 !! My settings below