Bass Amps - what would you pick...

artvandulet · 16-01-2009 03:07PM #1

For no particular style, just an all rounder, for jamming more so than gigging.
For around €500-600. What would you suggest?
Are you a 1x15 man (or woman!) or a 2x10 man?
Suggestions and opinions greatly appreciated.

Ostrom · 16-01-2009 03:27PM

I used to be a 2x10 / 4x10 man until I got my SWR LA

Lovely 15 inch, nice and light, excellent tone, wont set you back more than 300. Does everything I need.

Spend the change on something else

Rigsby · 16-01-2009 04:10PM

For jamming I have an Ashdown mag 2x10 300w combo. I've used it once or twice for gigging also. Not the best in the world by any means, but great value for their price IMO. There was some going on "adverts" recently. As for 2x10 v 1x15 it depends on what tone you want. 1x15 will give you more low end. Personally, I dont have a particular preference.

unclebill98 · 17-01-2009 12:42PM

A big fan of a properly powered 4x10. If on IEM's then maybe a good 1x15 would suffice.

artvandulet · 18-01-2009 10:44AM

thanks for the replies.
I may just try and stretch to a head with a 2x10 and a 1x15. Thinking Ashdown.
Thanks.

ciaro · 18-01-2009 11:58AM

I have being using ashdown 2/10 combo plus 1/15 cab.found it great for high and deep tones.

unclebill98 · 18-01-2009 01:26PM

ciaro wrote: »

I have being using ashdown 2/10 combo plus 1/15 cab.found it great for high and deep tones.

How handy is that....:rolleyes:

I started off with a Ashdown 2x10 & 1x15. Its a good little rig.

artvandulet · 18-01-2009 08:19PM

So I'm on the right track then? Cheers.
I was going to go for the 410 but if I get the 210 and the 115 i'll be down to 4ohms and the extra wattage could be useful.
Thanks.

unclebill98 · 18-01-2009 10:53PM

There are 4ohms 4x10 for just that job.

artvandulet · 19-01-2009 02:01PM

Yeah, I saw there was an Ashdown 410 4ohm but its been discontinued for some reason. 412T I think it was called.

Parsley · 19-01-2009 03:54PM

I've got the MAG300 15" combo with an extra 2x10 cab (essentially the same as the others that posted) and it works great.

artvandulet · 19-01-2009 08:24PM

Parsley, is there any crossover or do all frequencies go to the 15 and the 10's?

unclebill98 · 19-01-2009 08:38PM

artvandulet wrote: »

Parsley, is there any crossover or do all frequencies go to the 15 and the 10's?

There is no X/over on any Ashdown Amp. Maybe on the Kylston.

Passenger · 21-01-2009 11:34PM

Aye, people on here seem to have a greasy boner for Ashdown it appears. They seem to be a decent Amp. But I'd try before I buy if you haven't already as there is a lot of mixed opinions regarding Ashdown.

artvandulet · 22-01-2009 11:35PM

Passenger wrote: »

Aye, people on here seem to have a greasy boner for Ashdown it appears.

indeed they do! Not me necessarily. Debating GK too. Would love to try Epifani if someone in the country would feckin stock them. Reviews of them are incredible. Check 'em out if you haven't already.

ham_n_mustard · 23-01-2009 12:25AM

I had the evo 575 watt head a 4x10 and a 1x15, all ashdown abm. absolutely bullettproof stuff,if you like warm bassy tone, its probably the brand for you. if you like a more punchy,in-yer-face kind of a tone, you'll probably want to look at something else

Rigsby · 23-01-2009 02:14PM

Good selection to be found here.

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/p.php?n=33

Dord · 23-01-2009 02:54PM

artvandulet wrote: »

indeed they do! Not me necessarily. Debating GK too. Would love to try Epifani if someone in the country would feckin stock them. Reviews of them are incredible. Check 'em out if you haven't already.

You can buy Epifani from Wood and Tronics in Italy.

Personally I don't see all the fuss over Ashdown. I've tried them and don't think they're all that and a bag of chips. I use a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 (w/2x10 cab) which I'm very happy with. Their customer service is second to none.

Rigsby · 23-01-2009 04:08PM

Dord wrote: »

You can buy Epifani from Wood and Tronics in Italy.

Personally I don't see all the fuss over Ashdown. I've tried them and don't think they're all that and a bag of chips. I use a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 (w/2x10 cab) which I'm very happy with. Their customer service is second to none.

As I said in my post (#3 ) : Ashdown are by no means the best amp in the world, but are good value in their price range ( no fuss there :P ). I still think that's true. Besides, the OP's price range is 500 - 600 euros. I doubt if your Genz Benz + a cab could be got for that kind of money.

artvandulet · 23-01-2009 10:52PM

Or Epifani! But i dare to dream:D

basshead56 · 29-01-2009 11:07AM

I have gone through two Ashdown set ups and was not impressed. Used 2x10s, 1x15´s and a 4x10 combo-none really blew me away.
Have the Ashdown mini-stack 2x10 though-thats a great wee amp and handy for small rehaersals, small pub gigs and bedroom jamming.Got it for a song in Musicmaker two years ago.
I also used a Laney Richter stack (selling the pair of cabs on adverts.ie for 400) and LOVED it, but upgraded to Ampeg stack after a year of saving/fasting before we went touring. Even the Ampeg combos are great.
Have to say, I much prefer 8x10 (or two 4x10s) than 4x10 with a 15. Lots of people swear by 15s, but a good 10´s set up will do much better, IMO anyway. cheaper 15´s lack clarity , focus and punch especially when you are competing with two guitars, cymbals and vocals, but 10´s (driven with a good amp) really cut through, as well as providing the good low growl needed.

Dord · 29-01-2009 12:15PM

basshead56 wrote: »

I have gone through two Ashdown set ups and was not impressed. Used 2x10s, 1x15´s and a 4x10 combo-none really blew me away.
Have the Ashdown mini-stack 2x10 though-thats a great wee amp and handy for small rehaersals, small pub gigs and bedroom jamming.Got it for a song in Musicmaker two years ago.
I also used a Laney Richter stack (selling the pair of cabs on adverts.ie for 400) and LOVED it, but upgraded to Ampeg stack after a year of saving/fasting before we went touring. Even the Ampeg combos are great.
Have to say, I much prefer 8x10 (or two 4x10s) than 4x10 with a 15. Lots of people swear by 15s, but a good 10´s set up will do much better, IMO anyway. cheaper 15´s lack clarity , focus and punch especially when you are competing with two guitars, cymbals and vocals, but 10´s (driven with a good amp) really cut through, as well as providing the good low growl needed.

I prefer 10's also. I think some 15's sound a little flabby.

I'm thinkin' of adding a 1x12 to my setup although not sure how a 2x10 & 1x12 stack will sound.

Dord · 29-01-2009 12:45PM

Rigsby wrote: »

As I said in my post (#3 ) : Ashdown are by no means the best amp in the world, but are good value in their price range ( no fuss there :P ). I still think that's true. Besides, the OP's price range is 500 - 600 euros. I doubt if your Genz Benz + a cab could be got for that kind of money.

No it certainly couldn't be bought for that money. But I think in that price range I'd prefer something like Peavey over Ashdown. At least Peavey's are reliable.

Rigsby · 29-01-2009 12:54PM

Dord wrote: »

I'd prefer something like Peavey over Ashdown. At least Peavey's are reliable.

You could be right. I've never used Peavy. I'm just saying that I have two Asdown combos which I use regularly (one for gigs the other for practice ) and I've never had any problems with either. Maybe I'm just lucky

artvandulet · 29-01-2009 02:31PM

In case you are interested I saw a thread on Talkbass that had a vote on three head and cabs.
Ashdown Mag300H and 410T
GK Backline600 and 410BLX
Ampeg b2RE and 410cab

The GK won out and it was a landslide!

Dord · 29-01-2009 02:52PM

I wouldn't touch a Backline, I've heard that they overheat. A regular GK, yes... a backline, no.

Doctor J · 29-01-2009 03:07PM

There's a strong bias towards anything American on talkbass regardless of the quality of the competition :pac:

Dord · 29-01-2009 03:22PM

Doctor J wrote: »

There's a strong bias towards anything American on talkbass regardless of the quality of the competition :pac:

Exactly, some guy put a comment in a thread where I posted pictures of my custom shop Aria Pro II. He said it was easily the nicest bass in that thread. A lot of other people got offended at his comment.

Apparently we should be drooling at some ridiculously priced $5K American bass that has a waiting list of 5 years instead of a Japanese bass. :rolleyes:

Rigsby · 29-01-2009 03:59PM

Dord wrote: »

Exactly, some guy put a comment in a thread where I posted pictures of my custom shop Aria Pro II. He said it was easily the nicest bass in that thread. A lot of other people got offended at his comment.

Apparently we should be drooling at some ridiculously priced $5K American bass that has a waiting list of 5 years instead of a Japanese bass. :rolleyes:

Yeah, I've noticed this on Talkbass. If someone posts looking for advice on which bass to buy, 99% of the time it's American that's recommended, as if they were the only country making them.

Having said that, Ashdown seems to be reasonably popular on Talkbass.

Dord · 29-01-2009 04:12PM

Rigsby wrote: »

Yeah, I've noticed this on Talkbass. If someone posts looking for advice on which bass to buy, 99% of the time it's American that's recommended, as if they were the only country making them.

Having said that, Ashdown seems to be reasonably popular on Talkbass.

It's because Ashdown cost a sheet load in the U.S. due to them being a UK company. Only recently have the prices dropped now that the amps destined for the US are made in the US. They're made by a company beginning with P and ending in Y. :pac:

Doctor J · 29-01-2009 04:28PM

It can be a very frustrating forum, where any old piece of crap gets pages of praise but foreign, and very frequently superior, equipment barely gets a look in.

Ah well, that explains a lot of things I suppose

Bass Amps - what would you pick...

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