I think I have the same problem Mr Warrior had. I bought the PF500 bundle with the 115HE cab. I was playing a Tobias bass with passive electronics. I had it for less than a week and it made a loud pop sound and stopped working. I was playing it with the gain at about 4 and the master volume at about 5. It sounded great and none of the warning lights came on. I've done some research and this seems to be a common issue. I hope my replacement doesn't blow as well. I love this amp.
Why oh why did Ampeg not put the "porta" into the Portaflex 4x10 Cab? I picked up a PA-800 and PF-410, sounds great and of course is loud. Only down side is no "porta" : (
I just bought one these heads... I only have a 15" cab so far... and this is a monster of a amp! That threshold light for the compression scared the shit out of me tho. Blinky yellow lights are usually a cautionary sign.... not this time! 🤘🏼
Hi Dino , i just got the PF-500!!!. I think that maybe will be a good idea if u can explain us , how to use the correct back of the PF-500 (e.j , POST EQ , OdB -40dB and GND , LIFT) , how is the best option performance?? , theres a lot of videos showing the front of the Ampeg PF , but nothing explain this practice examples the Back of the PF. Thanks in advance and regards from Argentina Nicolás
@Mr.Warrior68,Larry H.,ampegtv. i've had my PF-500 for about a year. gain5,comp.4,bass5,mid(minus side),mid2-5,treb5,output7. I've also experienced this but w/different speakers. I'll get different results. 1 is w/a EA vl-110 8ohms.& a EA vl-208 8ohms. Those are my speakers. On ocassion I use them w/a Peavey TX410,that is in bad shape. If I drive the Peavey the problem will happen. I believe if the load is unstable,the amp will become intermittent.
Just pre-ordered the 800 from Musician's Friend and they hooked me up with 15% off. I got this beast for $509.99!!!! Running it through a mid 90's HLF-410. Can't wait to dial in the tone and lay down some grooves.
Absolutely. That all just depends on the impedance and recommended wattage for the cabinets. Are you thinking of Ampeg cabs? Let us know the models and we can let you know if it all should work.
It means it's toast!! I had the exact same problem on my PF-500 but the light coming on was accompanied by the unit cutting out completely... I replaced mine for a PF-800 but that died in less than 3 weeks (no light, no smoke, no nothing)!! I'm waiting for a replacement PF-800 right now but my confidence is so shot that I'm torn between taking delivery of it or simply (because the offer's on the table) getting something else!!
So I like to use stingray basses with flatwounds and I play classic heavy metal and I have a sound similar to steve Harris just more chunky with a more bass and I wanna run this through 2 1000 watt 2x12 bass cabinets and I'm wondering if this head will be loud enough? I hate being drowned out in the mix and like having a presence and being heard...can I crush heads with this thing? and my tone settings treble at 1:00 mid at 6 1/2 and bass at 3:00 with the frequency switch at 2
***** I might have misinterpreted the cabinets, alrighty I did some research and to clarify I think the cabinets are 400-500 watts at 8 ohms each, so I want to hook this head up to these two cabinets and run a stingray music man, I play heavy metal like Iron Maiden and Metallica and will this head be enough to be heard over loud guitars and drums?
I am not keen on the diamond tolex covered PF-410HLF cabinet. Can I pair the Portaflex PF-800 amplifier (400 watts @ 8 ohms) with an SVT-410HE cabinet (500 watts @ 8 ohms which has speakon connection) without fear of blowing the speakers ?
I’m an ampeg User but I need more. Thinking about going markbass or Aguilar bit theyre too expensive, can I get an 800 with 2x10 And 1/15 configuration, or do I have to carry A 4x10 to an upstairs gig
Got myself a PF-500 and PF-115HE as a downsizing exercise and to say that I'm less than impressed with the reliability of the head would be an understatement of biblical proportions!! The PF-500 developed the "fault light virus" and began cutting out within 3 months of purchase! I was offered a brand new replacement unit by the UK retailer or an "cost difference" upgrade to the PF-800... I opted for the upgrade. It sounded immense for 3 weeks until it popped and died... no warning light or anything else for that matter!! I adore the tone of these things so I'm waiting for a replacement PF-800 right now but it's three strikes and you're out as far as I'm concerned. If the new one goes the same way as the last two
Truthfully, is this a loud stack? Because my drummer is LOUD LOUD LOUD and we jam the fuck out. So I need some loudness. I use an Ampeg B2R head and 18" EV cab with another 4x10" Ampeg cab and it's pretty crankin.
You would need either a 4 ohm cab or two 8 ohm cabs. I run mine through a 4 ohm 8x10 cab, but the way ampeg suggests running it is through a 4x10 and 1x15 cab together
Which "single" (half stack) or "two matched" (full stack) Portaflex cabinets would be best to use with the PF-800 amplifier. I play mostly blues, Bill Wyman era Rolling Stones, classic rock etc. I will be using a Fender P-Bass, Jazz Bass, a Gibson Thunderbird and SG Standard Bass (short scale). Note, I have been told NOT to mix cabinets (say a 210 and 115, 410 and 115 etc). Thanks for your time.
Why were you told not to mix cabinets? A 4x10 with a 1x15 is pretty standard and can yield some great bass tones. You only need to worry about impedance and the power ratings should be somewhat similar. If there's a music store where you live, just go there and try out some different cabinets. See what you like.
I've no doubt that this is a quality amp, but after Ampeg closed it's St.Louis,MO plant and moved to Asia, I dropped 'em like they dropped the American worker. Although they now have a plant in Washington state, they're still building most of their gear in China. They should follow Gallien-Krueger's lead, and bring all of their production back to the US.
I'm sold, this head is amazing. The versatility is incredible and highly portable. I'm getting one!
Thats true, i have one and i enjoy it every concert
This amp good and make sound big. Small and cute but make good boom boom come out.
this is the very best bass sound i've ever heard smooth yet very strong bass volume very nice Ampeg
I think I have the same problem Mr Warrior had. I bought the PF500 bundle with the 115HE cab. I was playing a Tobias bass with passive electronics. I had it for less than a week and it made a loud pop sound and stopped working. I was playing it with the gain at about 4 and the master volume at about 5. It sounded great and none of the warning lights came on. I've done some research and this seems to be a common issue. I hope my replacement doesn't blow as well. I love this amp.
nice demo, luv mine, not so much the sealed cabs...i use it w/ an old b15 shelf ported w/ a jbl d140
Ampeg is the best amps forever for me. I absolutely love them. Also big thanks for a great review.
Man! I just got a PF-500!
Nice review. Thanks Dino!
Why oh why did Ampeg not put the "porta" into the Portaflex 4x10 Cab? I picked up a PA-800 and PF-410, sounds great and of course is loud. Only down side is no "porta" : (
I just bought one these heads... I only have a 15" cab so far... and this is a monster of a amp! That threshold light for the compression scared the shit out of me tho. Blinky yellow lights are usually a cautionary sign.... not this time! 🤘🏼
Hi Dino , i just got the PF-500!!!.
I think that maybe will be a good idea if u can explain us , how to use the correct back of the PF-500 (e.j , POST EQ , OdB -40dB and GND , LIFT) , how is the best option performance?? , theres a lot of videos showing the front of the Ampeg PF , but nothing explain this practice examples the Back of the PF.
Thanks in advance and regards from Argentina
Nicolás
How well do these heads get along with effects pedals?
@Mr.Warrior68,Larry H.,ampegtv. i've had my PF-500 for about a year. gain5,comp.4,bass5,mid(minus side),mid2-5,treb5,output7. I've also experienced this but w/different speakers. I'll get different results. 1 is w/a EA vl-110 8ohms.& a EA vl-208 8ohms. Those are my speakers. On ocassion I use them w/a Peavey TX410,that is in bad shape. If I drive the Peavey the problem will happen. I believe if the load is unstable,the amp will become intermittent.
So if I have the pf 800 head and I run it through a pf 210 and a pf 115lf cab would I be able to run the full 800w the head can put out?
Yes. 800 watts RMS at 4 ohms.
are you running direct out of miced? If miced, then through which cab? Looking to replace my ba115hp with one of these pretty soon.
Hi there,
Would it be possible to plug this head into the 810 AV cab without issue?
Without an issue? What issue would there be? Do whatever you want. You don’t know much about gear I take it
Can I use this PF800 with my fridge ampeg 8x10? Heeeeelp
Yes mate.. It has enough power to push the fridge easily
Hi can you make a video of the ampeg pf-800 with the ampeg svt 810e please Thanks
hey Dino ,is this head compatible with the svt-410HLF 4x10 cabinet ?
Why do may Ameg pf800 ,Ultra hi cuts off everything I hit high note ,or slap my string the hold head shut down.
Just pre-ordered the 800 from Musician's Friend and they hooked me up with 15% off. I got this beast for $509.99!!!! Running it through a mid 90's HLF-410. Can't wait to dial in the tone and lay down some grooves.
All of it for $509
Can you run two cabs such as a 410 and a 15 off of this head?
Absolutely. That all just depends on the impedance and recommended wattage for the cabinets. Are you thinking of Ampeg cabs? Let us know the models and we can let you know if it all should work.
***** What cabs would you recomand? I'm thinking to buy this amp bit would it be good too play metal etc?
***** Just to clarify, do you mean run two 8 Ohm cabs in parallel or connect one to the speakon connector and the other to the 1/4"?
You can actually run it either way. No matter how you connect them, they will be in parallel.
+AmpegTV which cab was used on this demo? the 210 or the 115?
On the amp I have as im playing the yellow light turns on. The one that says fault, what foes that mean?
It means it's toast!! I had the exact same problem on my PF-500 but the light coming on was accompanied by the unit cutting out completely... I replaced mine for a PF-800 but that died in less than 3 weeks (no light, no smoke, no nothing)!! I'm waiting for a replacement PF-800 right now but my confidence is so shot that I'm torn between taking delivery of it or simply (because the offer's on the table) getting something else!!
Portaflex fault light, and fan wont function hence , amppeg head wont work? Barely been used
Any tips?
i have the pf800 with 410 and 115 package. i just got it this week. i don't see a website where i can register it. do i need to?
PF 350? YOU RECOMMEND? I WOULD LIKE TO BUY ONE, BUT LISTEN TO HAVE A COURT SYSTEM GAIN WHEN IS TOO, I WOULD USE DISTORTION AND NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM.
question....is it a bad thing when the "thesh" light flickers or comes on constant when playing heavily?
Same problem here
So I like to use stingray basses with flatwounds and I play classic heavy metal and I have a sound similar to steve Harris just more chunky with a more bass and I wanna run this through 2 1000 watt 2x12 bass cabinets and I'm wondering if this head will be loud enough? I hate being drowned out in the mix and like having a presence and being heard...can I crush heads with this thing? and my tone settings treble at 1:00 mid at 6 1/2 and bass at 3:00 with the frequency switch at 2
***** I might have misinterpreted the cabinets, alrighty I did some research and to clarify I think the cabinets are 400-500 watts at 8 ohms each, so I want to hook this head up to these two cabinets and run a stingray music man, I play heavy metal like Iron Maiden and Metallica and will this head be enough to be heard over loud guitars and drums?
can i use a Ampeg BA115 as a passive speaker with Ampeg's Portaflex PF-500 as the amp? will it work? @ampegtv
I am not keen on the diamond tolex covered PF-410HLF cabinet. Can I pair the Portaflex PF-800 amplifier (400 watts @ 8 ohms) with an SVT-410HE cabinet (500 watts @ 8 ohms which has speakon connection) without fear of blowing the speakers ?
I’m an ampeg
User but I need more. Thinking about going markbass or Aguilar bit theyre too expensive, can I get an 800 with 2x10
And 1/15 configuration, or do I have to carry
A
4x10 to an upstairs gig
I use the pf800 with a portaflex 2x10 and 1x15 that I stack. The flip top feature is a bit heavy so I carry the amp in its carrying case.
Got myself a PF-500 and PF-115HE as a downsizing exercise and to say that I'm less than impressed with the reliability of the head would be an understatement of biblical proportions!!
The PF-500 developed the "fault light virus" and began cutting out within 3 months of purchase! I was offered a brand new replacement unit by the UK retailer or an "cost difference" upgrade to the PF-800... I opted for the upgrade. It sounded immense for 3 weeks until it popped and died... no warning light or anything else for that matter!! I adore the tone of these things so I'm waiting for a replacement PF-800 right now but it's three strikes and you're out as far as I'm concerned. If the new one goes the same way as the last two
... sentence unfinished as I thought TH-cam might block it!!
Did you find out why, my fault light as well
Cant use it
Truthfully, is this a loud stack? Because my drummer is LOUD LOUD LOUD and we jam the fuck out. So I need some loudness. I use an Ampeg B2R head and 18" EV cab with another 4x10" Ampeg cab and it's pretty crankin.
how do you run the full 800 watts at 4ohms?
You would need either a 4 ohm cab or two 8 ohm cabs. I run mine through a 4 ohm 8x10 cab, but the way ampeg suggests running it is through a 4x10 and 1x15 cab together
what about with an Ampeg 810E Classic Cab?
how much ?
Does anyone know what these are like with pedals and pedalboards?
Can I plug 2x1x12 ampeg pf cabs to it ?
Yes you can. Two of those cabinets will total 4 0hms which the PF-800 can handle.
The 500 cabs 4ohm 2x10, 1x15 won’t go with the 800. Different pairing
Which "single" (half stack) or "two matched" (full stack) Portaflex cabinets would be best to use with the PF-800 amplifier. I play mostly blues, Bill Wyman era Rolling Stones, classic rock etc. I will be using a Fender P-Bass, Jazz Bass, a Gibson Thunderbird and SG Standard Bass (short scale). Note, I have been told NOT to mix cabinets (say a 210 and 115, 410 and 115 etc). Thanks for your time.
Why were you told not to mix cabinets? A 4x10 with a 1x15 is pretty standard and can yield some great bass tones. You only need to worry about impedance and the power ratings should be somewhat similar. If there's a music store where you live, just go there and try out some different cabinets. See what you like.
The white lettering on silver background are most of the time impossible to read!! On my 500 the fan is too loud.
-15 db button, what is it's function and what's the benefit of using the feature?
helps prevent clipping with high output and active basses
Old comment I know, but generally the cut is used for basses with active pickups
Yo Dino!
Not everyone plays slap....
I've no doubt that this is a quality amp, but after Ampeg closed it's St.Louis,MO plant and moved to Asia, I dropped 'em like they dropped the American worker. Although they now have a plant in Washington state, they're still building most of their gear in China. They should follow Gallien-Krueger's lead, and bring all of their production back to the US.