danhkr

[quote name='Musky' post='1023405' date='Nov 14 2010, 02:08 PM']Didn't Ashdown do a UK made limited edition? [b]Normally they're made in China AFAIK[/b].[/quote] What I thought. Theres a new 'black' uk made ltd edition, but nothing to suggest they made any of the normal ones over here. Also nothing on mine to suggest it's anything other than standard issue. Bit of a strange one, got me wondering.

Hi. I've recently purchased a new Ashdown ABM 500 Evo III head and have just noticed it says on the back 'manufactured in England'. I know the Evo II's were English, but I thought the III's were made in China. Not complaining, but can anyone tell me if they are all English, or if not, how I happen to have an English one?? Cheers.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1006574' date='Oct 30 2010, 06:01 PM']Had something similar a couple weeks back; bought a Sterling on eBay via 'Best Offer' (offer obviously vetoed and accepted by the seller), paid immediately with paypal and asked the guy if he would use my work address for delivery... tumbleweed, nada, nothing, zilch! This went on for a week and I'd asked him several times that if he had sent it already that was fine but could he let me know when it was dispatched as I'd need to arrange with the family to keep a particular watching eye for couriers (amazing how many can't find the front door). Then out of the blue a refund from paypal and no explanation. I neg'd him and left it at that. I'd offer the same advice to you mate, no point busting a blood vessel over it.[/quote] Don't get it. If he didn't want to sell at that price why accept your offer?

[quote name='Ian Savage' post='1011883' date='Nov 4 2010, 11:59 AM']This, I'd suspect - when I was working for a major UK audio manufacturer we tested and pulled apart a lot of Behringer kit to see how they were making stuff with such good paper specs for so little money. The answer was, the specs were largely b0ll0cks and the gear was cheaply made with low-grade (potentially unreliable) components. I still like their old Composer compressors, and the ADA 8000's a handy bit of kit, but I wouldn't trust their powered stuff further than I could kick it. Get yourself a decent secondhand US/UK-made QSC, Crown, Peavey or Studiomaster amp instead. All IMO, obviously.[/quote] +1 Behringer are great for cheap gizmo's, recording gear, effects etc, but I'd never use any of their amplification unless it was literally all I could afford. You get what you pay for springs to mind.

I've got an Amplug, pretty handy because you can plug your mp3 player or laptop into it for learning stuff. Use mine all the time at home.

I prefer nickel strings to stainless steel. They don't last as long but tend to be a warmer sound and smoother on the fingers. Ernies and D'Addario's are great, but I tried some of the cheap Rotosound (RotoBass) sets which are nickel and to be honest they're just as good and can be picked up usually for between £12 and £15 a set which is a fair bit cheaper than the others. Another cheaper nickel set that's impressed me are the Picato's. Their 5-string set is very cheap as well.

I use the K&M Heli stand. Compact and unobtrusive, also folds flat and fits in my leads bag. K&M stuff is great and doesn't affect any finishes.

[quote name='motoxross' post='985655' date='Oct 12 2010, 12:07 PM']Hi I have an SWR WorkingPro 400 head that I'm hoping to couple with an SWR Goliath SR 6x10. Can anyone recommend what is the best cable to get these two connected and sounding sweet? Many thanks[/quote] For starters use a cable with Neutrik Speakon connectors rather than jacks. If you can find one that doesn't use far eastern manufacture or cable for a reasonable price, you won't go far wrong. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1m-Neutrik-Van-damme-2.5mm%b2-Speakon-NL2FC-Speaker-Cable_W0QQitemZ370327967286QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=163413415286&rvr_id=163413415286&cguid=16631b4e12c0a0aad3054bd5ffda8c3f#ht_1653wt_905"]THESE[/url] are very good and not too pricey.

I don't believe the hype about so-called 'super cables' personally. I've used Piranha leads for years - decent Italian cable and Neutrik plugs. Tried all sorts of stuff but even those at 4 or 5 times the price haven't given me any reason to change.

Living proof that drummers [i]can[/i] become musicians.

Tried to organise soooo many bands with people and got sick of them never happening because there were no bassists around. Still love guitars and guitar playing but probably prefer the bass now.

Not tried one personally and Ashdown have now discontinued them. From what I have heard speaking to dealers, it's because they weren't particularly reliable. Having said that, they've got to be one of the cheapest compact amps around and a great backup that'd probably fit in the pocket of your gig bag. They were so cheap at one point earlier in the year, it was almost daft [i]not[/i] to buy one. Not so many around now, but if I saw one cheap enough and with a full warranty, I'd seriously consider it as a spare.

I'd be tempted by an Ashdown Electric Blue 180. 180 watt, 15" speaker, compressor and Ashdown's sub harmonic generator. The evo II (current model) has the proper Ashdown VU meter now instead of the crappy printed one the older models have. You can usually pick these up new for around £300 - a great little combo for that money. [url="http://www.antonesguitars.com/ashdown-electric-blue-15-180-evo-ii-180w-combo-714-p.asp"]http://www.antonesguitars.com/ashdown-elec...combo-714-p.asp[/url]

Good bass, but like a lot of the MIJ Fenders, they seem to have rocketed in price recently (RRP nearly a grand!) and they've discontinued the Red!! It's a good way to get a cool vintage vibe, the sound of a Jazz bass and active circuitry. I was pretty impressed with the one I tried, it was a great price and I kinda regret not buying it.

Took the coating off some Elixirs once with FastFret. Best bet probably just a quick wipe with a decent cloth after playing.

[quote name='Adrenochrome' post='1010508' date='Nov 3 2010, 10:52 AM']I don't get it but it doesn't anger me either. The idea that a bass must be worn-in (whether for real or artificially) to make it comfy to play seems absurd to me - I'd rather play a bass that felt right in 'stock' form.[/quote] I understand what you're saying, but in my case the Fender Classic 50's P-Bass looks fantastic, but there's too much lacquer on the neck for me. Personally I prefer a more 'satin' finish and thats what the Road Worn version gave me. Also the classic is finished in polyester which is notoriously tough and shiny but the road worn is nitrocellulose which feels much nicer and made the bass more resonant. It was these features rather than the actual 'aged' look that attracted me to it.

Never taken a spare guitar or amp. Main reason being, I've only ever really owned one at a time One guy I knew always took a spare bass and amp to gigs, but by the time he needed to use them, they were crackling and squealing and cutting-out. He'd gone so long without using them, they needed a damn good service! It might be tempting fate not having a spare, but you definitely reduce the chances of something going wrong if you use decent cables and look after your gear.