mike_b Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Was thinking of replacing my Ashdown MAG600 and 410T with the following heads/cabs: SVT450 head Portaflex 500 or 800 watt head SVT410 Portaflex 410 I've read nightmare stories about the portaflex 500watt head blowing up and a lot of people moan about how dissapointed they are by the SVT450, should I steer clear or is it just a few unlucky people? Based in the Portsmouth area and there aren't any local shops that stock these particular cabs and heads for me to try out, so any advice would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomDuff Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I have had my PF500 for about a year - it has given me no bother at all and is a great little amp so far; I love the sound of it. But yeah I have read the horror stories too and I have to say that it does weigh on my mind a bit when using it at gigs and this isn't ideal. We rely so much on our equipment and I don't have complete faith in my amp which does detract from my enjoyment of it a bit. I hadn't read the bad press when I bought it (wish I hadn't since) but I think if I had I would have chosen something else (GK MB500 most likely). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I`ve had two PF500s, the first no issues at all, the second didn`t make it through it`s first rehearsal. I`m yet to read any issues re the PF800. The PF410 was a great sounding cab, especially when paired with the (when it worked) PF500. Soundwise I`d recommend this set-up, but I`d go for the 800. Then you`d get 400 watts into a fairly efficient 410. Should be more than enough for most if not all venues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Steve Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I had a PF500 for a while and was very impressed with it - only got rid when I sourced my Walkabout. Loads of features for the money and stocked by Andertons, who are just up the A3 in Guildford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 my first PF500 went wrong. 2nd one has been fine so far. (about 2 years and maybe 150gigs) Love the sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeystrange Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I had a 450H for 7 or 8 years and never had a problem with it. Sounds great, looks great and won't break your back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grissle Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Yeah the 450H is a big heavy head that sounds like their BA line of amps that is defiantly Ampeg, just not as Valvey as their other offerings. The PF series comes closer to a real SVT/VB4H, not quite but their light weight small size can be a big plus to some. I'd go for the PF800 which have been pretty roadworthy with very few problems. As far as cabs go the PF I believe goes a bit lower than the SVT otherwise are going to be pretty close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomis Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I had an SVT 450 for about 5 years. Was great, would recommend it to anyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodyratm Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I've had the PF 800 for over a year I think - never had an issue as yet. Don't recall hearing about anything really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_b Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 thanks for the advice, leaning more towards the PF800 and PF410 cab I think, would be better suited to my needs for a more modern sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Just to add the SVT 450h has actually now been discontinued anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazdah Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 The SVT-450H is a B2RE closed in a big, wooden cab. Big, heavy, and not really overwhelming. SVT-410HLF is the cab I like the most, but it's a little awkward to move and it's full and pillowy lows are not always liked among bass players. I'd suggest PF500/800 with PF cab. OR SVT-3PRO with SVT-410HLF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Really liked the PF sound in a shop demo...( Andertons ) but wouldn't buy one. Smoother than a Markbass ( which I think are 'generally' harsher,) but I would have to try one ( PF ) at volume before I went any further. I couldn't have the reliabilty issues either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_b Posted August 4, 2014 Author Share Posted August 4, 2014 Thanks for advice guys, really appreciate it. I've got the opportunity now to own an SVT410HE for £220, should I go for this or wait until I have the money for a Portaflex head and cab? This will be used for metal, will it be able to handle the low B string? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Any decent 410 should easiliy handle a low B. You wouldn't need that good a chassis to be rated at 150w... so that makes it a 600w cab potentially. Having said that... if s/h, a loud-ish demo is a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_b Posted August 4, 2014 Author Share Posted August 4, 2014 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1407146269' post='2517665'] Any decent 410 should easiliy handle a low B. You wouldn't need that good a chassis to be rated at 150w... so that makes it a 600w cab potentially. Having said that... if s/h, a loud-ish demo is a must. [/quote] Not sure i'll be able to demo it at loud volumes is the trouble as it's at his house, i'll certainly ask though. Well as it's Ampeg it would expect it's high quality and will be able to handle the low B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stag Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 If there's an opportunity to get an HLF instead id give that a go. The port at the bottom will help "woof" your sound across the room. The effect a port has on a heavy wood cab is quite stunning. If you can, try the two against each other in a shop - hopefully you'll see what I mean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_b Posted August 4, 2014 Author Share Posted August 4, 2014 [quote name='Stag' timestamp='1407151875' post='2517757'] If there's an opportunity to get an HLF instead id give that a go. The port at the bottom will help "woof" your sound across the room. The effect a port has on a heavy wood cab is quite stunning. If you can, try the two against each other in a shop - hopefully you'll see what I mean [/quote] Just been having a look at Ampeg's site and specs and I do see what you mean, it seems the SVT410HLF is more suited to lower tunings as such. I'd love to try them both out side by side but trouble is finding a shop nearby that stocks them unfortunately. Just been looking at the PF410 cab and it seems to be ported too, and seem to go to lower frequencies: http://www.ampeg.com/products/classic/svt410hlf/ http://www.ampeg.com/products/portaflex/pf-410hlf/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazdah Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 (edited) Both SVT and PF 410 HLFs will go lower than 410HE. I had both SVT410HE and SVT410HLF and I strongly prefer 410HLF. I'd rather get one of the HFLs than 410HE. Edited August 4, 2014 by mazdah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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