Anyone using the new Ampeg PFs?

[technicoloraudio]

I got an PF500 head and 2x10 cab a few months ago and i was pretty satisfied with it until i took it to jam with other people last week.

i have been using it for guitar, synths, and bass. i thought it paired nicely with my ampeg super-jet, but the super-jet wasn't loud enough so I got an Orange Terror Bass combo (which fucking slays). now the PF500 just seems weak and once i start turning it up the tone just goes all to shit. The ultra-hi and ultra-lo functions produce heinous hiss and add very little in ways of eq shaping. the 2x10 cab isn't particularly punchy, and once i switched to half wounds on my bass, the whole amp sounds like it's under water.

granted, the orange is the better amp, i got a sick deal on it, and i like the isobaric cab design. and maybe had i not had the two to compare to each other, the ampeg would still sound fine. my bass isn't the nicest, (cort A5) but its not shitty either. is 500 watts through two tens not proper for the outside world? this is my first time playing anything other than guitar with other human beings.

[BoatRich]

I'd recommend trying a different cab first? I've never found a 210 to have enough volume to compete on any real level.

[greyscales]

I've got a PF800 with both types of the matching 1x15s.

First thing to know is that the 500 is only putting out like 350 watts into an 8ohm cab. You'll need a 4ohm cab (or better yet two 8ohm cabs). So you aren't getting full power.
Second thing is to understand the tone controls and switches. Personally I won't fuck with the ultra hi or low. Especially not the low. It scoops out so much of the good low-mids that you need to punch. I see every bassist in town do this. And they disappear instantly. The ultra hi is really only noticeable with a tweeter. It doesn't do anything for me with a 15" speaker. But that's personal preference.
The most important part of the tone circuit to me are the mid controls. Find the right frequency on the freq selector. I like positions 1 or 2. They bring punch and depth. The others just add grossness IMO. You have to crank the tone knobs past 3 o'clock to hear a difference as well. Just a bad taper really.

You can get by fine with a 2x10 can and 350 watts, but you'll be pushing the limits depending on the band. You can't get huge lows out of it because the cab lacks a port though.

Not every bass will sound amazing through it. I'm not in love with the amp, but it's a workhorse. Might be worthwhile to add a second cab, maybe the 1x15 to help fill out the sound if you think it's missing something. Not all pedals sound great with it, like many amps. It takes a lot of tinkering. If you're happy with your Orange though, perhaps you're just not an Ampeg guy. Go full Orange maybe?

[Wes Mantooth]

Having two cabs could make a world of difference. I use an Ashdown MAG300 through an Ampeg PF410 and a custom 1x15 with a Kappalite in it and adding a cab gives you a huge boost. It sounds like you already made up your mind and are sticking with Orange but if you still want to use the PF500 maybe add in a 1x15 cab?

[technicoloraudio]

my original intentions were to run both amps, in stereo. but the orange was overpowering the ampeg and i don't want to turn the orange down because i really dig the way it sounds. it also cost more, not to say that higher cost equals higher quality, but i can't afford to go full orange at this time.

i did not realize that i was only getting 350 into my cab, which would explain why the orange's 500 over powers it.
sweetwater had a 1x15 pf cab on clearance last week, if i am going to try and add a cab before abandoning the amp, are there other cabs i should look into?
i was digging the ampeg tone, it stayed pretty clean, even when the guitar amp started to contribute some harmonic breakup.
taking it for round two tonight, we shall see how she fairs..