pendingrequests Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 So about a month ago I finally bited the bullet and bought the rig that I have been researching for about the same amount of time, the Portaflex series. I wanted to give this a bit of a run through before I review it and let anyone else considering it get as much info as possible. A bit of background to what I play, to give those who are interested in this piece of kit. As you can see in the picture I am using an American 2008 standard Jazz with the Boss Tuner, EQ and Chorus. More on the EQ later. [b]The music I currently play ranges from:[/b] Indie, pop, rock, soul and worship music. [b]It has been used in venues ranging from 500 seaters to 100 max venues.[/b] I mainly play with fingers, slap occasionally and use a pick depending if the song calls for it. I was using a B-2RE Head and B410HLF combo that I got on a great deal 5 years ago via imuso.co.uk. However, over time I knew the sound I wanted in my head wasn't coming out of the amp. I have had an Ashdown electric blue combo (15inch) that I always loved and is still the most reliable thing ever after 8 years in use. It was giving the sound I wanted. A warm, deep, RnB/Soul sound. The bass tone is just sitting there between the kick drum, but is there in its own right. The B-2RE head and cab was an absolute monster to get about, especially up a couple of flights of stairs. So this was another point into me buying the portaflex series. Every venue I now play is always DI'd, so it didn't really make sense in having such a big amp and I'll soon be using in-ears so again, no real point in having it. If the day I require an 8x12 I will certanily consider it, but to be honest and I don't want to offend anyone here, I do not see the point in such an amp unless you are infront of 2,000 people and upwards regularly. Your regular joe doesn't want 800 watts of bass in his face Anyway to the amp itself. Thankfully a local music shop (the last of few in this country) had this in stock and as soon as i switched it on I knew it was for me. The deciding factor? It may sound silly, but this is my test. Playing the bass line ([b]and a great one might I add[/b]) Gabriel's 'Out of Reach'. It sounded so smooth, I collapsed into my own world of bass heaven. If i wanted some punch when using a plectrum I just raised my treble knob on the jazz and still got that warmth, with a good kick. Again the same when slapping (This really only happens when I play 'Funky Music White Boy') Whenever I used the B-2RE combo, I used the Boss EQ to give it that bit of beef and warmth I wanted, setting the EQ to match the frequencies where the kick drum sits. For the portaflex I do not use this pedal and will probably use it for a volume boost if required. The thing about the B2-RE was that it was a great monitor being so tall, so I still getting used to the size of the PF500, however, pushing it just over the 1 o'clock position on the gain and volume works a treat. I really cannot recommend this amp enough. Firstly, the 'Portaflex' function is incredible and everyone I show it to is impressed as to how it works and it should be shown gratitude for such a genius idea. The tone and functionailty, especially with a PRE/POST out for the DI, the compressor, the mid-range frequency on the onboard EQ are amazing. To make this thing safe as houses, my good old Dad got a custom cover made for me by these folk: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Padded-Cover-Fits-Ampeg-SVT15E-Cab-/330673378627?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4cfdab5543"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4cfdab5543[/url] Throughly recommend them and were a pleasure to deal with. If anyone has any questions about this please leave a comment, or if I have missed anything please ask! I will try and get some short samples up if anyone is interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 (edited) [size=4][sub][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Good Review, I have the same and had problems getting the sound i want, but found cranking the bass right up with some mids into 2 1x15's gives me almost the sound im after. Never having owned an ampeg before i was really surprised at how definative the "ampeg" sound is, but ive got used to it and rather like it! Dont rate the compressor much so i use a markbass compressore and one of Dave Halls valve pre amp pedals. I keep mine in a laptop bag which it fits perfectly.[/font][/sub][/size] Edited February 19, 2013 by skidder652003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Great amps, miss mine. When I bought it, I tried it out with the PF-210 cab. Was great. Just a shame that the Ampeg sound isn`t right for my band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Steve Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Can only add that I'm delighted with mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pendingrequests Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 [quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1339968514' post='1697104'] Can only add that I'm delighted with mine. [/quote] Likewise Steve. So glad I finally pushed the button on buying the thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCB Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Thanks for the review, it was very helpful. The PF500 and MiBass550 are definitely on my shortlist. Has anyone tried the Ampeg with different speakers? I could really do with lighter cabs!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 (edited) A venue I play in provides one of these for the band along with an Ampeg classic SVT 410. First time I used it I wasn't sure about the sound but the second time I played through it the EQ had been set perfectly ( by the previous bass player who used it) and it sounded great! A very nice little amp and ridiculously cheap as well. Edit : Oh by the way I own the MiBAss and I have nothing but good things to say about that as well. Edited February 18, 2013 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='BCB' timestamp='1361222216' post='1983160'] Thanks for the review, it was very helpful. The PF500 and MiBass550 are definitely on my shortlist. Has anyone tried the Ampeg with different speakers? I could really do with lighter cabs!! [/quote] Yes, I used mine through an Eden Nemesis 410, and Barefaced Compact & Midget set-up. Sounded great with these. The only cab I didn`t think it worked well with was my Marshall VBC412. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCB Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibody Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1361232279' post='1983366'] Yes, I used mine through an Eden Nemesis 410, and Barefaced Compact & Midget set-up. Sounded great with these. The only cab I didn`t think it worked well with was my Marshall VBC412. [/quote] I use mine with the PF210 and PF115 Gigging, and with a Peavey 1x15 at rehersal. Wouldn't change it (unless i win that Purple PF-800!!). The Ampeg Cabs are light as anything - one handed lift. Oh and i took your Advice on the Precision Lozz and bought that Wine Red FSR from here - It is gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='Nibody' timestamp='1361300178' post='1984210'] Oh and i took your Advice on the Precision Lozz and bought that Wine Red FSR from here - It is gorgeous. [/quote] That was a beaut, very envious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='pendingrequests' timestamp='1339856817' post='1695487'] The deciding factor? It may sound silly, but this is my test. Playing the bass line ([b]and a great one might I add[/b]) Gabriel's 'Out of Reach'. It sounded so smooth, I collapsed into my own world of bass heaven. [/quote] Nothing silly about that - great bass line! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 [quote name='BCB' timestamp='1361222216' post='1983160'] Thanks for the review, it was very helpful. The PF500 and MiBass550 are definitely on my shortlist. Has anyone tried the Ampeg with different speakers? I could really do with lighter cabs!! [/quote] I use mine with a markbass club 1x15 and its great. When I add the std 115 (MB again) it's awesome. I originally tried it with a std 4x10 markbass cab and I thought it was perfect, but I bought my 2 MB cabs for 500 quid the pair, so I'll stick with them for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAzMilitello Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Thanks so much for this review! But, which beetween PF210HE and PF115HE do you think is better!? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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