Ampeg PF-500

The Ampeg Portaflex PF-500 is a 500 watt bass amplifier, sold both with a speaker cabinet and without one. The preamp is a MOSFET and it's a solid state amplifier. In the back of the amp there are connections in 1/4" form for a speaker output, a send and return effects loop, a foot switch, a tuner output, and both a preamp out and power amp in. It also has an XLR output for taking a direct signal from the amp, and a speak-on output as well. The direct XLR output also has buttons for a ground lift, setting the EQ pre or post, and a -40 db pad. On the front panel it also has a 1/4" input, and 1/8" connections for sending audio in and for headphone monitoring. As with most Ampeg amps, you're getting more than the full compliment of routing options here.

UTILIZATION

The Ampeg Portaflex PF-500 is a pretty easy amplifier to manipulate in my opinion. The front panel has a slew of parameters to work with, including knobs for compression, gain, bass, midrange (with extra adjustable frequency parameter), treble, fx mix, and volume. It also has 'ultra' hi and low boost buttons as well as mute and a -15 pad buttons. It should be pretty self explanatory, so I don't think most users will need to look at the manual.

SOUNDS

The sound of the Ampeg Portaflex PF-500 is definitely impressive to say the least. I've only used this for recording inside the studio along with an also Ampeg cabinet, and only for one session where the bass player brought it all in. I was really happy with the sounds we got for bass as this amp has a serious amount of low end presence happening as which is needed of course in a bass amp. Ampeg is widely known for making some of the best bass amps available, and while this isn't one of their best, it's still quite effective.

OVERALL OPINION

The Ampeg Portaflex PF-500 is an overall really solid bass amp. It's a good way for experienced bass players to get a very nice amplifier without spending a boat load of cash on a head alone. It's of course more expensive to buy this with the cabinet, but I'd recommend finding a cheaper cabinet and buying the PF-500 individually as it seems to make financial sense to do so. Ampeg makes a ton of great amps, a lot of which are better than the PF-500, but it's still very solid in it's own right and one of the best amps you can find for the money.

See specs on the net, it will be better said by me
500w announced, unable to check whether this was the case but it réellment sends heavy.

UTILIZATION

Simple Config (I hate gas plants), but useful little knobs.
The compressor is sweet (as always for integrated accounting for more compression using a pedal required)

SOUNDS

The sound reproduction? Ampeg! I bought the pf350 (excellent also, plus light) then the PF500 to have the house of a relative, or even similar to what I have in repeats on a big SVT4 pro sound. Of course this is not the same type of gear (weight and price either), but it is in the same house.

Played with JB classic60 a PB Roger Waters and active sub4 Musicman. Ns electric bass also design.

OVERALL OPINION

Excellent quality / price ratio. And the pf350 I've been on it for more power and am super satisfied. The settings are well thought out and really affect the sound. 2 buttons and hi low boostent the games slap and midrange allows the choice of medium frequency, like a big svt head. Headphone jack and short, ultra complete.
For my part I greatly recommend this purchase, inexpensive opportunity in order to get below the elbow 500w of sound 70 'recognizable, inimitable for rock, funk ... If you doubt this, ask yourself pourqui many legendary bassists swear by Ampeg!

I bought this head for a solution without a lamp. Sorry for the friends of tubes but I can not get used to the lamps over time lose her. This is playing with a bass as a driver gets used to the brakes wear.
I know the Ampeg and the idea of ​​a head all transistors was attractive.

UTILIZATION

I widely used products with a speaker Genz Benz NEOX-212T for Bass 600W 2x12 "+ tweeter. So a baffle to load and load well. Ampleg The amp is very successful mission.
We find immediately the sound of the bass (fender JB, Fender, Warwick Stage II.
Corrections and compressors are very efficient. No need to pedal or effect.

SOUNDS

I play Blues, Jazz and Rock also 70 (Chicago. ...)

We find immediately the large head Ampeg settings.

This is perfect for small scenes without sound.

OVERALL OPINION

The price / quality ratio is perfect. The uses for 2 years and I pushed buying a VT 4 Pro head because I immediately found the bass I want. Any change on the low setting is immediately transmitted by the amp + speaker. This is the purpose that is low and bassist who give their
I recommend this purchase I do not regret.