Ampeg PF 50T vs Aguilar TH 350

summeralligator

summeralligator

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Jan 14, 2018
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Argentina
#1
Hi guys... i wanna know if anyone can help me on this. I want to buy a bass head for classic rock and motown. Does the Aguilar works fine? How reacts to pedals. And the Ampeg? I saw many reviews and covers on youtube of people using the aguilar but only a few using ampeg so i can't decide. I love the sound of the V4B but it cost a lot of money and i can't afford it... and i know that going to a instruments store and test each one is the best way.. but i live in Argentina and the stock is very small.

Cheers!!!
 
#3
kobass said:
Both good choices for classic rock/motown. I've owned the PF-50T and the TH500. The Ampeg can get fairly loud with the right speaker compliment. What do you have for a cabinet?
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Hi Kobass, nothing yet, i'll buy the head first! I like that drive sound of the tubes, can i have that sound with the Aguilar? I forgot to say that i play with pick the most of the time!
 
#6
I also have owned an original 70's V4B (back in the 70's :D). I believe the new reissues sound a bit different. I haven't had the opportunity to try one out yet. The PF-50T is the real deal-classic all-tube Ampeg tone. You can't go wrong with either choice. What kind of gigs will you be playing? How loud is your band?
 
#7
kobass said:
I also have owned an original 70's V4B (back in the 70's :D). I believe the new reissues sound a bit different. I haven't had the opportunity to try one out yet. The PF-50T is the real deal-classic all-tube Ampeg tone. You can't go wrong with either choice. What kind of gigs will you be playing? How loud is your band?
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Now i'm playing in a surf band, but at home i play some motown and classic rock stuff
 
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#8
summeralligator said:
Yes, i understand and i agree with that, now the doubt is... Does it worth buying an ampeg pf50t? it sounds like the V4B with less volume?
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It certainly does to me.

kobass said:
I also have owned an original 70's V4B (back in the 70's :D). I believe the new reissues sound a bit different. I haven't had the opportunity to try one out yet. The PF-50T is the real deal-classic all-tube Ampeg tone. You can't go wrong with either choice. What kind of gigs will you be playing? How loud is your band?
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From what I hear, there is a very slight difference in the way they start to breakup. But while it's been since the late 80's that I've had my 73 V4B, the sound of the new one is just like I remember the old one.
 
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#9
Tonehammer pedal is the preamp from a TH head.
Subway pedal is about the preamp of a D800.

There are Ampeg preamps that approximate whatever head they are modeled after but many would argue that a Sansamp does a fine SVT.

GKs Plex specifically packs the heads they think are the cornerstone of their brand.

You can drive a poweramp with them that you sourced locally.

Something I'd consider if I was not in a gear rich environment.
 
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#10
I run an Ampeg PF-50T and an EV TL606 loaded with an EV EVM-L to nail the 1960's recorded tone. It has it.

Lots of gigs on that rig. Loud enough for a bar gig. Mics well in studio or bigger stages.

The PF-50T needs an efficient cabinet, and pairs amazingly well with an Electrovoice EVM-L. The other head I'd consider is a V4-B, one of those paired with a pair of efficient 15" drivers would be dynamite.
 
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#11
somebrains said:
Tonehammer pedal is the preamp from a TH head.
Subway pedal is about the preamp of a D800.

There are Ampeg preamps that approximate whatever head they are modeled after but many would argue that a Sansamp does a fine SVT.

GKs Plex specifically packs the heads they think are the cornerstone of their brand.

You can drive a poweramp with them that you sourced locally.

Something I'd consider if I was not in a gear rich environment.
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And a lot of TB classified sellers xan get their head around posting you pedal preamps if you do the legwork figuring the postage costs.
 
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#13
How loud does the band get ? If you choose the Ampeg, a really efficient cab is needed, or more than a single driver cab to get loud enough for a loud band . I would even opt for the TH500, or the new TH700, if you can, if you decide to go that way.
 
#14
I've had a TH500 for several years and have played it on many gigs with different genres, BG and EUB and have always been happy. Mostly playing a 60's-70's rock band now and it works great. Plenty of power and a little tubey warmth, perfectly clean if you want it, I usually run the Gain completely off, the Bass on it is set very low at 40hz and the Drive is an unusual control, not a normal OD. Here is a good explanation of how it works:

Aguilar - Official 'Tone Hammer 500' 3.8lbs 500w Megathread!

I think players who do not like the TH probably do not really understand how the Drive works.

At least in the US it is pretty easy to find TH's used. They are well made and I would have no qualms about buying one from a reputable TB'er. Hard to find good gear in SW Virginia, can't imagine in Argentina!

Have had my eye on a PF-50T but not sure if it would be quite enough for my gigs which are fairly moderate volume.

IMHO find a good (no, great) cab first and then a head. The cab is what really makes your tone so that is where you want to put your $$.

Good luck
 
#16
The OP is in luck if he starts a conversation with the DIY cab guys.

What he would spend in shipping a cab to Argentina could be spent on labor cutting out Baltic Birch or some fine material.

Select drivers for use case, etc etc etc.
 
#17
Interceptor said:
I run an Ampeg PF-50T and an EV TL606 loaded with an EV EVM-L to nail the 1960's recorded tone. It has it.

Lots of gigs on that rig. Loud enough for a bar gig. Mics well in studio or bigger stages.

The PF-50T needs an efficient cabinet, and pairs amazingly well with an Electrovoice EVM-L. The other head I'd consider is a V4-B, one of those paired with a pair of efficient 15" drivers would be dynamite.
Click to expand...

If this sounds like where you're headed @summeralligator get the Ampeg.
I had a TH500 for several years and it sounded great and nailed those Motown tones but after getting a 40w Traynor YBA it just sat until I sold it.
The 40watts is almost enough for most gigs through a Bergantino 2x12 - apparently an efficient cab - and having a head that responds to your playing dynamics as only tubes can be bass heaven if that's where you want to be.
Now, if my Traynor didn't do such a convincing plexi on a 4x12 when I play guitar I'd have bought the Ampeg for sure.
 
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