Just tried a Ampeg PF500 - not impressed

[GRAHAM SG1]

[quote] Put the pf500 with a berg or barefaced cab and you may see a difference. [/quote]

You know you want to , the Barefaced Super Twelve will get the best out of the PF500 no worries, I could not believe how much better and louder it sounds than when I used two TC BC212s with it, they farted quite easily and got very muddy as the volume went up and I am not talking about more than halfway on master and gain .

[mrtcat]

[quote name='GRAHAM SG1' timestamp='1336064580' post='1640440']


You know you want to , the Barefaced Super Twelve will get the best out of the PF500 no worries, I could not believe how much better and louder it sounds than when I used two TC BC212s with it, they farted quite easily and got very muddy as the volume went up and I am not talking about more than halfway on master and gain .
[/quote]

Agree completely although the barefaced cabs thrive on big watts so your next urge will be for a bigger amp cos you'll feel you're not doing your super 12 justice lol.

[Musicman20]

I imagine a Genz Streamliner or Ampeg Pro 7 would really push these new modern cabs.

[mrtcat]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1336075494' post='1640633']
I imagine a Genz Streamliner or Ampeg Pro 7 would really push these new modern cabs.
[/quote]
These are the amps that work well as its a great match up. Alex is the first to say that his cabs love to be pushed hard.

[police squad]

I put my PF500 through a mark bass club 1x15 and it sounds incredible. Warm and punchy.
I originally tried it through a mark bass std 4x10. The shop felt like it was going to fall down

we D.I on most gigs now anyway. I've got this fantastic QSC PA system and we mic everything up

[The Burpster]

As I'm on the cusp of buying a PF500 (but with an Ampeg cab) I was interested to read this. I'm sorry but whilst I respect your opinion, you are slagging the head off after a very quick audition through a cab of which you dont ACTUALLY know what Wattage and Ohm rating it had...... and also a TC.

That's a bit like saying a MacLaren MP4-27 is sh*te because I have just driven it shod with a set of Michelin Energy Saver tyres.

What you should've done was take them up on their 30 day trial and tried it through PROPER cabs that are known to be capable of dealing with the output.

My PRSs have 18v preamps and kick out nearlty 20v with fresh batteries but only a couple of very cheap class D amps (Behringer and Yamaha) have ever needed clipping significantly due to high output. The farting is more likely to be due to cheap & nasty chinese drivers in an inappropriate cab.

Other posters above have pointed out that this head is excellent through appropriate speaker cabs, and its of more interest (and I wouldve hoped inspired you to have a rethink) to me that the variety of cabs that have been tried that it DOES work with.

I'm not impressed with the shop not getting or having an Ampeg cab to play it through for you, but TBH I'm not impressed by shops per se.

Give it another chance and play it through a decent cab before writing it off. I was similarly unimpressed with the PJB D200 when I first got it, but through a proper speaker cab it is very very good, and there is no reason why the Ampeg shouldnt be as good.

I agree, no it wont be a Mesa but then its not Mesa money or weight.

Edited May 4, 2012 by The Burpster

[GRAHAM SG1]

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1336073826' post='1640615']
Agree completely although the barefaced cabs thrive on big watts so your next urge will be for a bigger amp cos you'll feel you're not doing your super 12 justice lol.
[/quote]

Funnily enough, I have started considering the Ampeg SVT Pro 7 but to be perfectly honest, the kind of gigs we play do not warrant the expense or need for a bigger amp, we do not run anything other than vocals through the PA so a bigger amp would drown the drummer out and cause damage to others ears, the gig on saturday was in a fairly large pub and with the PF500 running at approx half capacity it absolutely filled the room with bass quality sound, the PF500 with the Super Twelve is a VERY loud rig and in reality a bigger amp would only be played at the same volume, the only benefit would maybe be better quality sound ?

[Bassman Steve]

I have just loaned my PF500/PF115HE rig to a guy on a short tour in the UK and went to see his band last night. I use a P-basses and really like the sound of the Ampeg so was a bit concerned to see this guy using an active 6 string.

Needn't have worried, the sound was brilliant and it easily coped with a drummer and a guitarist going through the pa in a decent sized pub. Horses for courses obviously but I am delighted with mine and will not even bother looking at putting a Mesa Walkabout head into the cab which had been a thought.

[wally8]

[quote name='The Burpster' timestamp='1336118390' post='1641016']
As I'm on the cusp of buying a PF500 (but with an Ampeg cab) I was interested to read this. I'm sorry but whilst I respect your opinion, you are slagging the head off after a very quick audition through a cab of which you dont ACTUALLY know what Wattage and Ohm rating it had...... and also a TC.

That's a bit like saying a MacLaren MP4-27 is sh*te because I have just driven it shod with a set of Michelin Energy Saver tyres.

What you should've done was take them up on their 30 day trial and tried it through PROPER cabs that are known to be capable of dealing with the output.

My PRSs have 18v preamps and kick out nearlty 20v with fresh batteries but only a couple of very cheap class D amps (Behringer and Yamaha) have ever needed clipping significantly due to high output. The farting is more likely to be due to cheap & nasty chinese drivers in an inappropriate cab.

Other posters above have pointed out that this head is excellent through appropriate speaker cabs, and its of more interest (and I wouldve hoped inspired you to have a rethink) to me that the variety of cabs that have been tried that it DOES work with.

I'm not impressed with the shop not getting or having an Ampeg cab to play it through for you, but TBH I'm not impressed by shops per se.

Give it another chance and play it through a decent cab before writing it off. I was similarly unimpressed with the PJB D200 when I first got it, but through a proper speaker cab it is very very good, and there is no reason why the Ampeg shouldnt be as good.

I agree, no it wont be a Mesa but then its not Mesa money or weight.
[/quote]

I didnt slag it off too hard did i? Just that i wernt that impressed as others have also said.

I'm really pleased how many people have joined and given there opinion, thanks guys. Humm, if the opportunity arises again, perhaps i just might trial one with a decent cab. It's a shame it seems most of the shops now stock cheapy stuff as well as a truckload of guitar stuff and we bassist have to travel far and wide to find specialist shops.

[police squad]

I actually tried my gear out in a fantastic shop in Italy, near where my mum lives.
They sell Ampeg, Markbass, Genz Benz, Epiphani, Aguiler, Marshall, Orange, Hiwatt, Line 6, and more,
what's more they had tons of stock of different heads and cabs.

I actually waited on making my decision till I went to this shop. They also have good prices but it was getting home to the UK which was the problem.

My PF500 + my '75 P bass = heaven

[RandomBass]

I'd definitely give it another shot with a quality cab. I dabbled with a PF500 for a while, and through my BF Compact it sounded really very good indeed. In fact, I'm not quite sure why I don't still have it lol. and such a tempting price...

Cheers

Geoff

[The Burpster]

[quote name='wally8' timestamp='1336121120' post='1641083']
I didnt slag it off too hard did i? Just that i wernt that impressed as others have also said.

I'm really pleased how many people have joined and given there opinion, thanks guys. Humm, if the opportunity arises again, perhaps i just might trial one with a decent cab. It's a shame it seems most of the shops now stock cheapy stuff as well as a truckload of guitar stuff and we bassist have to travel far and wide to find specialist shops.
[/quote]


Well maybe not too hard but, hard enough to put some of our younger viewers off the idea..... I can only find a couple of responses that agree with you and the vast majority seem to say that with a decent cab they are between good/reliable to fantastic......... does that not say something to you?
It does to me, I shall get one ordered.

As to shops, dont get me on a rant....

I've seen some fantastic gear slagged off by (IMHO) idiots that should know better, and seen very occasionally really good advice and support. The days of staff in shops ACTUALLY knowing much and in some cases anything about their products is I'm afraid long gone, and this doesnt just apply to the music business.

But back to your thread, Ampeg have been in the business pretty much since it started, and they are not design dinsoaurs. I find it impossible to believe that they would release an amp (and certainly keep it in circulation) that does not undergo extensive testing and development before its released.

Ask yourself this... "would they really make an amp that farts with a 'ray and then try to sell in the US where most of all the 'rays are owned....?"


[i](......sorry, just read your original post again and its a Sterling that you auditioned with not a 'ray, but you get my gist...!)[/i]

Edited May 4, 2012 by The Burpster

[wally8]

[quote name='The Burpster' timestamp='1336135544' post='1641398']
Well maybe not too hard but, hard enough to put some of our younger viewers off the idea..... I can only find a couple of responses that agree with you and the vast majority seem to say that with a decent cab they are between good/reliable to fantastic......... does that not say something to you?
It does to me, I shall get one ordered.

As to shops, dont get me on a rant....

I've seen some fantastic gear slagged off by (IMHO) idiots that should know better, and seen very occasionally really good advice and support. The days of staff in shops ACTUALLY knowing much and in some cases anything about their products is I'm afraid long gone, and this doesnt just apply to the music business.

But back to your thread, Ampeg have been in the business pretty much since it started, and they are not design dinsoaurs. I find it impossible to believe that they would release an amp (and certainly keep it in circulation) that does not undergo extensive testing and development before its released.

Ask yourself this... "would they really make an amp that farts with a 'ray and then try to sell in the US where most of all the 'rays are owned....?"


[i](......sorry, just read your original post again and its a Sterling that you auditioned with not a 'ray, but you get my gist...!)[/i]
[/quote]

Am i classed as one of these idiots? Bit OTT if you ask me considering everyones entitled to an opinion and i certainly didnt get personal with anyone, just my own experiences. If people are daft enough not to try an amp coz one or two people have had less that sterling experiences, nothing would get bought.

As to would a massive company release a product that is less that perfect with faults? Think you only have to look at any market in the world - i.e the motor trade. Many companies have product recalls and release improved products that right the wrongs of the previous.

Again, your entitled to your opinion but i take offence at the attitude directed at me

[i]Make love not war[/i]

Edited May 4, 2012 by wally8

[Lozz196]

Think at the end of the day, whenever anyone is writing an opinion, it`s theirs, and they`re entitled to it. With the gear you used Ben, you were unimpressed, and that was what you put.

Plus, tone is all very subjective - there are many bassists tone which I don`t like, and likewise, they probably hate mine. I think the main thing is to write honestly, from a user-perspective, which in my view is what you did.

I know your MM is a great bass, so it may have been a defective PF500, or the cab that was the weak link - either way, you can`t write that you liked the amp if you didn`t.

[wally8]

Cheers Lozz, my thoughts exactly.

Just like the legendary dirty harry said "Opinions are like ar$eholes, everybody has one"

I want an ampeg so bad, im not a hater, just reviewed a siuation to see what people thought. There is a lot of love for the PF500's so i may of missed something. The TC cab may of been pants (dont hate me TC owners), the head may of been iffy, i just found it unusual that at a fairly low level it was farting.

I trust your judgement lozz, if you say its good then it cant be bad I may of been unlucky

[The Burpster]

[quote name='wally8' timestamp='1336136040' post='1641410']
Am i classed as one of these idiots?
[/quote]

Nowhere have I said you are an idiot - Unless you are one of the music shop assistants to which I am referring in that part of my post.

Please read it again slowly and you'll see that paragraph refers to music shops, and hence the next paragraph is started with "But back to your thread!"

[eude]

Juan Alderete from Racer X and now The Mard Volta is using them on tour, 2 stacks with each PF500 going the matching 2x10 and 1x15 cabs.
I reckon they'll probably work best with those cabs

I love the look, just not ever really been a fan of the Ampeg tone, at least the solid state version of it, but hey, that's just me

If I was you, I'd give the head another go with a bit more time and perhaps some more suitable cabs.

Good luck!
Eude

[The Burpster]

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1336146489' post='1641692']
Juan Alderete from Racer X and now The Mard Volta is using them on tour, 2 stacks with each PF500 going the matching 2x10 and 1x15 cabs.
I reckon they'll probably work best with those cabs

I love the look, just not ever really been a fan of the Ampeg tone, at least the solid state version of it, but hey, that's just me

If I was you, I'd give the head another go with a bit more time and perhaps some more suitable cabs.

Good luck!
Eude
[/quote]

Maybe I should've just put that instead, then I wouldnt be missconstrued......

Thanks Eude.

[eude]

[quote name='The Burpster' timestamp='1336146759' post='1641699']
Maybe I should've just put that instead, then I wouldnt be missconstrued......

Thanks Eude.
[/quote]

I wouldn't worry dude, we're all pals on here

[The Burpster]

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1336146884' post='1641702']
I wouldn't worry dude, we're all pals on here
[/quote]

Indeed, I'm too used to coming at stuff from the Mod angle, and Ooooooh so many times folks dont read what I actually put - but then this is typical of forums where you only see what is typed......

Anyhoo, I am going to order me a PF 500 and a PF115HE...... I can't resist much longer.

Edited May 4, 2012 by The Burpster

[GRAHAM SG1]

I would say that the cause of the farting is the cab used, I experienced the same thing with my PF500, for a while I used it with two TC BC212 cabs and it farted badly at moderate volume ( a traditional rock covers trio) , it was fine at usual gig levels but as a gig progressed and the level/adrenalin goes up naturally the farts came thick and thin and the bass sound deteriorated badly and ruined my pleasure, this was with 4x12 speakers, now I use the BF Super Twelve I can turn the volume up as much as I like and the sound remains clean and clear unless I up the gain too much for distortion, I cannot stay in the same room as my rig when its really cranked as it hurts my ears !!
The TC cabs were only rated 250 watts @ 8 ohms each, I know combined they were 500 watts @ 4 ohms but I believe the speakers were simply not good for the PF500 hence the flatulence !

[mxm]

Used my PF500 for the first time in a medium sized but loud pub gig last night, the amp was bought primarily as a back up to a Genz SL900, so other than rehearsals this was used in anger in light of this topic !

Using the Ampeg preset SVT jazz settings I went passive J straight in (via 2 2x10 Bergantinos), and importantly for this gig masses of head room (we get loud in a "controlled" manner lol) More than happy, bags of noticeable tone and the compressor smoothed things out to my liking.

For c.£300 what's not to love ? My only issue is the current lack of rack mounting ability - which kinda misses the whole portaflex ethos ! It's not quite an SVT, it doesn't claim to be - but it's great amp in it's own right. It's not going to replace the Genz, but for my investment I'm a happy camper.

[Jabba The Hutt]

I couldnt get on with my PF500 (it sounded very average with my Overwater Perception and Peavey USA Cirrus so I traded it in for Genz Benz Streamliner 900 and that sounds awesome :-)

[wally8]

So contrary to some peoples belief, the pf500 hasn't tickled everyone's fancy. What a wonderful opinionated democracy we live in.

[mxm]

...and to put this into perspective I bought my PF used off jabba !!!!