Ampeg PF-50T - Feature Overview

[@gregpantelides1355]

I recently purchased the PF-50T & 112HLF combo and absolutely love it! It has that lovely warm and round Ampeg tone we all love. The 112HLF sonically sits perfectly between 10 and 15 inch drivers. You get a lot of the round bass response akin to a 15" driver while retaining sufficient articulation in the upper register. The dual XLR outputs and the fact that it can be run without a load makes it perfect for apartment dwellers like me. This is a tube rig geared for recording from the bottom up. However, I think the most impressive thing about this amp is that it's new! By that I mean, it's not a reissue or based on a reissue. This is a brand new vision of a tube amp by Ampeg. It doesn't sound like either a V-4B or SVT. Distortion can be dialed in for sure if that's your thing. However, I think it's strength lies in it's beautiful bell tone. With a passive G&L JB and the gain set to 43% you get a round and thick tone that's also amazingly clear. Well done Ampeg! And I love your video's Dino!

[@FrankZappaFurter]

How is distortion dialed in? Just by pushing the volume/gain? Can you get the Ampeg distortion/grit we know and love out of the xlr transformer outs as well?

[@gregpantelides1355]

Mike Ulliman unfortunately it does not have the OD characteristics of my previous Ampeg SB-12. I think this is more intended to be a clean amp for recording.

[@FrankZappaFurter]

Greg Pantelides thanks for that. It’s bit unfortunate as I record mostly rock and almost exclusively use the Tech 21 VT direct box to get that Ampeg grit my rock clients love. I’ve been on the hunt for a B-15S as I love that bass distortion and was praying the PF-50T would be flexible enough to dial that in. An opportunity wasted by Ampeg imo 😕

[@soopahsoopah]

Really looking forward to hearing how this breaks up and serves up that tube grit. Also being able to use without a speaker load is a great feature.

[@rc6147]

The Motown setting 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@wylmtfi]

I think most people want to know how it sounds when the preamp, the power amp, or both are clipping. That's the point of getting a low power tube amp. Can you make another video playing some rock n roll perhaps?

[@soopahsoopah]

+wylmtfi Yes, let's hear the dirt.

[@arthurbehrman5130]

I still want a Heritage B15 or a solid vintage B15 but this looks and sounds great and I will likely own one. Totally looking forward to trying it out

[@ampegtv]

+arthur behrman Yes, we think this will be an affordable option for those wanting to get into that tone at a more reasonable price

[@portwill]

Okay, that transport feature is truly amazing..

[@ampegtv]

+Port:Will Thanks! All the Portaflex heads can fit into the flip-top lid of the PF-115HE or PF-210HE. It was a feature of the early Ampeg Portaflex models from the 60s. If you want to see something crazier, look for Jess Oliver's POWERFLEX where he took this concept to an extreme

[@portwill]

+AmpegTV That was hilarious!! I just found the video :))) I will definitely try this new combo out as I'm looking for something for the studio and for jamming out with friends. Not a fan of the looks though :)

[@bobc.5698]

Is this thing loud enough to be hear with drumset with a 26" bass drum?

[@mathiasschwyrz5255]

Hi. In your video you state for non-load operation it needs to be set to 8ohm. On your homepage it says it doesnt matter (for PF50-T). In the manual there is no satemant about it all. Is that a mistake in this video? Thanks.

[@eduardochew3881]

this might be a dumb question but can you run DI out of this amp into Front of House and still have sound coming out of your cabinet?

[@thadixx]

So if I wanna link this amp to an other solid state amp, I can use the pre amp out en leave the switch at 8ohm?

[@KarnEvil4]

I currently run two "stacks" of the Micro VR SVT's (4-210 cabs) In stereo. I also have a V4B AV with an SVT 112AV and 1-15AV cab. The two Micro stacks are fairly loud at 200 watts or as combined with the V4B set up. I love the sound of all tube heads and had the big SVT 300 watt monsters! My question is: can you use the new PF 50T with 2 cabs running at 4 ohms? Would the 50 watt tube heads be as loud as the solid state Micros? That has always been the argument-tube volume rating vs solid state!

[@mrmatthew2443]

No, two 4 omh cabs become 2 ohms Don’t know if any two ohm capable bass heads

[@mrmatthew2443]

I could be wrong This amp runs at 8 or 4 ohms though So no two 4 ohm cabs You would hurt the tube head

[@adammoody654]

i'm new to bass....is a 1x15 cab appropriate for 50 watts or do i need a 1x12 cab? Thanks for any info

[@TheBassfresh]

Dino, can this head be mounted to a pf-112 cab to work like a portaflex?

[@jackrussell13]

It's my opinion that every serious bassist should have at least one Ampeg amp.I currently use the SVT 450 Classic....My question is this..How loud does this amp here go?? I play in a band that has 2 guitars and a ham fisted drummer..Will this amp cut through all of that?? Thank you for your time..

[@mikiryann5882]

I'm looking to run 2 micro vr amps at my gigs I like this amp a lot too

[@d0ksa]

FYI for those shopping around, the new Fender Bassman 100T has the pre/post-power transformer XLR out option too, except instead of two XLR jacks, it's a single jack with a pre/post button; same difference. Also, Ampeg only offers a measly 2-year warranty on the PF models (which you're nearly guaranteed to need every 8 months or so, depending on usage), while Fender's warranty is 5 years. Just a heads up. That PF50t sounds great though, at least for now.

[@pd4165]

I like the power switch round the back. I don't like that it's next to the standby switch, too easy to throw the wrong one, especially when 'helpful' people are helping out. I'd like to see the standby on the front, preferably a chromed toggle. And no effects loop? I love the idea of this but 50W into a single 15 isn't going to run with a full on band - a loop could double as a slave out into a second amp (I also use the return on my Streamliner as an alt input from my preamp, bypassing the valve/tube section, which can then be run dirty making it two channel). Using 2 x KT88s (or similar) would surely make it big enough to compete with a pushed 50W guitarist.

[@charlesagustsson9437]

Little late to the game but could this be daisychained with a portaflex 410 and 115 stack?

[@calebkeith1659]

Can this thing distort and get a nice thick fuzzed bass sound?

[@ampegtv]

+Caleb Keith We'll be posting some sound clip videos VERY soon

[@calebkeith1659]

+AmpegTV thank you very much!

[@ebenchristensen]

I wouldn't mind buying the new portaflex, but have they address anything from the first iteration? I have a pf500 that has been serviced twice for PSU issues....I love for this series to work properly, because i believe in the model line and the brand- like a fool. Don't make me run to Aguilar....

[@ampegtv]

+Eben Christensen Yes, there were some issues with the very first run. Those have LONG been solved and the PF-500 is still the top-selling bass head out there

[@derwinmoss5709]

It sounds really, really good. I know the majority of Ampeg stuff is made in China, so how's it's reliability and durability? And while I'm on the China subject: Manufacting costs are incredibly cheap compared to Made in USA amps, yet Ampeg never dropped their prices on their gear when they moved their manufacturing overseas. Hmmmmm......Maximizing profits.

[@FrancoGrimoldi]

it would be nice to actually hear the amp... couldn't you do better, ampeg?

[@sleepingturtle8888]

Can this handle KT88 Power Tubes?

[@simonsmith2642]

Still made in USA or did you sell out to China?

[@koreanfriedchildren]

USA BORTHER GOBLESS

[@job1778]

How about a 100 watt version!!!

[@jonlocker]

The Fender Studio Bass Amp is the only other all tube head with an output post power tubes that I've seen. Complete different animal though.

[@mrmatthew2443]

Lots of modern bass amps have XLR outs

[@mrmatthew2443]

Maybe not so much on tube bass amps But there aren’t many modern tube bass amps

[@83pbass]

Was noticing how your voice was louder than that amp, LOL

[@daveweston5859]

all I want is for someone to Mike this up properly, & play it with their fingers near the neck, with no mid, & little treble,..because I can get all the sounds that everyone is demonstrating with this from other, much cheaper amps.

[@michaelmorgan9753]

I've never heard of ampeg before or seen one at any music store

[@bustabass9025]

Where do you live, on Mars?

[@fendersunburst4832]

It would have looked better with a Chrome tube cage.

[@greggblankenshipp8202]

i love ampeg,i think their the very best bass amps in the whole wide world,but i think dino shouldnt play....hmmm......just talk man....................................................................................................lol.............................

[@hunkydorian]

They couldn't have canned the transformers? How hard would that be? I'm sorry, but that's chintzy and disappointing.

[@PeregrineTrousers]

A total waste of time. Made in China. In real RMS terms the perceived output doesn't come near my 6w class A valve amp. No depth of tone and breaking up way too early in the gain structure. The mains hum was dominant and disconcerting in the studio. It simply would not cut in any gig with drums. Simply unpowered, shallow and noisy I connected to an Ampeg PF115HE portaflex cab. V disappointed

[@PeterDad60]

It's not a Rock Amp so it's forte is tube amp tone not loudness. it's perfect for jazz in a club and for home and for recording.

[@macflapalicious]

Another disappointing demo video from Ampeg. You'd think with all the money they charge for these things they could afford some equipment to make a decent sounding demo video.