NAD: Ampeg PF-800 and SVT-410HEN

A

azfatboy

May 11, 2016
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#1
So I love my Eden WT300/D215-XLT, but I still had this hankering to acquire a high-wattage rig, just because. And although Ampeg was a top contender, I didn't know if the "vintage" tone of the Ampeg was what I was after. Meanwhile I was really attracted to the supposed "transparent tone" and 2-ohm support of the Mesa D-800. I still am. But then last night, I got a deal WAY too good to pass up, and I am now the VERY PROUD owner of an Ampeg PF-800 and Ampeg SVT-410HEN!

I only played on it for a couple minutes so far, but WOW does it sound great! Not only LOUD, but groin-tingling punchy and deep. Frankly, just the head is worth way more than I paid for the whole setup, so I looked at the cab like a freebie. Heck, I figured I would probably just try to flip the cab (and probably have a free head or more!), but I am blown away by how much I liked the sound of the cab too! It's a little older, but only minor tolex wear, and the handles and wheels made for fairly easy movement. I think I am going to keep it!

Also, I am not sure if it's just the difference between a 215 and 410, or if it is specifically my Eden 215, but the Ampeg sound seems a lot, umm, "cleaner" or "punchier"??? The Eden is plenty loud and oh so deep, but I do feel that it sometimes sounds just a bit muffled. Which is exactly what I figured the Ampeg would sound like too. Needless to say, that is NOT what I am hearing--and if this is what the "vintage" tone of an Ampeg really is, well then SIGN ME UP!!!! :D

I will include better pics tonight, but I just couldn't wait to post something! My Amp GAS is utterly squashed--again!
...
...
(at least for now... ;) )

AmpegPF800-s.jpg
AmpegSVT410en-s.jpg
 
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#3
azfatboy said:
So I love my Eden WT300/D215-XLT, but I still had this hankering to acquire a high-wattage rig, just because. And although Ampeg was a top contender, I didn't know if the "vintage" tone of the Ampeg was what I was after. Meanwhile I was really attracted to the supposed "transparent tone" and 2-ohm support of the Mesa D-800. I still am. But then last night, I got a deal WAY too good to pass up, and I am now the VERY PROUD owner of an Ampeg PF-800 and Ampeg SVT-410en!

I only played on it for a couple minutes so far, but WOW does it sound great! Not only LOUD, but groin-tingling punchy and deep. Frankly, just the head is worth way more than I paid for the whole setup, so I looked at the cab like a freebie. Heck, I figured I would probably just try to flip the cab (and probably have a free head or more!), but I am blown away by how much I liked the sound of the cab too! It's a little older, but only minor tolex wear, and the handles and wheels made for fairly easy movement. I think I am going to keep it!

Also, I am not sure if it's just the difference between a 215 and 410, or if it is specifically my Eden 215, but the Ampeg sound seems a lot, umm, "cleaner" or "punchier"??? The Eden is plenty loud and oh so deep, but I do feel that it sometimes sounds just a bit muffled. Which is exactly what I figured the Ampeg would sound like too. Needless to say, that is NOT what I am hearing--and if this is what the "vintage" tone of an Ampeg really is, well then SIGN ME UP!!!! :D
Nice. I like the 410 myself. Enjoy.
I will include better pics tonight, but I just couldn't wait to post something! My Amp GAS is utterly squashed--again!
...
...
(at least for now... ;) )

View attachment 1014538 View attachment 1014539
Click to expand...
 
#6
rickwebb said:
Try that head with a 4 ohm load. Sounds better, to my ears at least.
Click to expand...

I will. Right now, my only 4 ohm cab is my other bass cab--the Eden D215-XLT. And it's only 400W RMS. So I am a little hesitant to hook up the PF-800, but I should be okay as long as I keep the head in check, right?

As promised, here is a glamour shot of my new rig, already nestled into my wall o' amps... :)

BassCabsDec16s.jpg
 
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#7
azfatboy said:
I will. Right now, my only 4 ohm cab is my other bass cab--the Eden D215-XLT. And it's only 400W RMS. So I am a little hesitant to hook up the PF-800, but I should be okay as long as I keep the head in check, right?
Click to expand...
Yep. I've run my PF-800 into my PF112hlf many times, and as long as I don't exceed what the 112 is rated for, I am golden.
 
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#10
OK, got it. I guess when you said "don't exceed what the 112 is rated for", it sounded like a fairly precise measurement...

Boy oh boy, am I'm gonna have fun this winter solstice weekend!!!!! :)
 
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#11
azfatboy said:
OK, got it. I guess when you said "don't exceed what the 112 is rated for", it sounded like a fairly precise measurement...

Boy oh boy, am I'm gonna have fun this winter solstice weekend!!!!! :)
Click to expand...
A very important lesson to learn is that numbers are mere guidelines, and when it comes to cabs, most grossly overestimate how much they handle in a real world setting. So it is best to trust your own instincts over the numbers. Always.
 
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#12
Well, that makes sense, except when one might consider one's instincts even more unreliable...

All I know is that @mapleglo better get over here into my thread, and congratulate me on my first Ampeg goodness. I still reminisce about the time I went over there and got to see her WALL of AMPEG...
 
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#14
Congrats! Looks great! I was tempted myself to pick that up from CL, but as you know, I am totally out of room for more amps. Unless there's a way to convince my husband that we should start building another wall of amps in the living room...
 
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#15
Sure, it starts with a little taste of the Ampeg goodness. Then that fix just doesn't do it, and you need that next level kick. Pretty soon you are mainlining tubes and having the jones for more speakers.

This is what a full blown ampeg addiction looks like. Don't turn your head, look at it straight in the eye.

Make no mistake, that pf800 is a gateway drug to heavier, tastier rigs down the road. And as you expected, hearing this pushed is equivalent to having sex with a Victoria's Secret supermodel.

There are many great amp systems being made, but this is my favorite. But then I could use a pf500 for a small stage rig amp.... Hmm..

image.jpeg
 
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#16
JGbassman said:
Sure, it starts with a little taste of the Ampeg goodness. Then that fix just doesn't do it, and you need that next level kick. Pretty soon you are mainlining tubes and having the jones for more speakers.

This is what a full blown ampeg addiction looks like. Don't turn your head, look at it straight in the eye.

Make no mistake, that pf800 is a gateway drug to heavier, tastier rigs down the road. And as you expected, hearing this pushed is equivalent to having sex with a Victoria's Secret supermodel.

There are many great amp systems being made, but this is my favorite. But then I could use a pf500 for a small stage rig amp.... Hmm..

View attachment 1015183
Click to expand...


I'll be happy once I scrape together the scratch for a PF 50T to put on top of my 810E.
 
#17
JGbassman said:
Sure, it starts with a little taste of the Ampeg goodness. Then that fix just doesn't do it, and you need that next level kick. Pretty soon you are mainlining tubes and having the jones for more speakers.

This is what a full blown ampeg addiction looks like. Don't turn your head, look at it straight in the eye.

Make no mistake, that pf800 is a gateway drug to heavier, tastier rigs down the road.
Click to expand...

Oh, don't I know it. I had a small window of time when I was home alone last night, so I jumped on the ampeg rig--and I went LOUD. Goodness and Glory is all I can say. And the more I look at this amp--it is just FEATURE-PACKED! Except for 2-ohm operation, this head has everything I could want in modern head and then some! I wonder if that's not part of the reason I had been seemingly steering myself away from the obvious awesomeness of the PF series. I knew it would give me just a taste of the rig that one day, I will have: an SVT Classic on a full 810. Ok, ok, I might "settle" for a 610... (yes, the exact rig which you just thoughtfully provided a pic of, thanks! ;) )
 
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#19
Yep I love my pf800 and my pf350 for that matter. The only thing that I don't bother with is the master volume; useless if you want a full old school ampeg sound. Just dime it and use the gain and prepare for huge unfettered tone.

Yes, I'm a parrot.
 
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