Nickthebass

3 hours ago, dclaassen said:

Thanks to all for the great replies!

You’re welcome. Let us know how it goes. 

I would send pre-EQ to the FoH if in doubt. Then you can EQ the amp for the onstage sound and fiddle with it during the show without affecting the balance out front. 
 

What works on stage and what works out front are not always the same thing. 

PM’d - sorry - changed mind - interest withdrawn. 
 

Good luck with the sale.

PM’d

PM’d

21 minutes ago, asingardenof said:

Same, I can't see myself using the compressor or subharmonics unless I really had to.

I have an Empress compressor always on and an OC2 if I need the rumble. Can’t see myself ever using the alternatives on the amp. 
 

I just want it to be an amp. 😆

On 13/08/2023 at 23:19, asingardenof said:

Can confirm Dave was well worth chatting to about this and Ashdown's aftersales performance was a big part of my reasoning for getting my ABM600.

Similar story for me. I was looking for a non-class D head and went with Ashdown over other options largely for the good post-sales support.

TBH - the ABM600 has a load of stuff that I would remove if I could but the service from Dave and the gang in Essex has been very good.

17 hours ago, 0175westwood29 said:

Oh the changes things, might go for the 600 then! 

This is the right answer I think (assuming any price differential isn’t a problem).

You kick yourself for having not enough power but you’ll never kick yourself for having too much and having to turn down. (At least in my view!)

😁

9 minutes ago, asingardenof said:

Headroom is good apparently, so if you can afford it go for the 600. I have it and it sounds awesome, but I'm starting to realise I'll probably never get close to getting the full 600W out of it so I'm sticking with my headroom hypothesis...

I agree - better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

ABM600 - two nice efficient cabs (I’d go Barefeced but other cabs are available 😁) - and Robert is your father’s brother. 

On 04/08/2023 at 17:15, MungoBass said:

 

Thanks Nick. Responded to. 

Good luck with the sale. 

PMd offering a trade with cash your way 

11 hours ago, BassmanPaul said:

I use a 2KW capable Class D Stereo power amp as the backbone of my bass rig. I built a tube pre-amp to drive it and if required FOH. In its four space SKB case I can easily lift it with two fingers. .

 

What you're suggesting is, in my mind, overkill. That said to each his/her own.

What power amp were you using? Are you still running this rig? If not - why not? 
 

I probably would look for a solid state pre-amp but it sounds like you are / we’re doing exactly what I have in mind. 

11 hours ago, jrixn1 said:

 

I've not had a setup based around a power amp, but for a while I was using a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2 and a Barefaced Big Baby 2.  It was a flat setup (Shuttle is flat with the EQ set neutrally), and I used the DI in pre-EQ mode so that any EQ was just for the stage.

 

When I switched to powered speakers, I had an MXR M81, a clean DI which I used similarly in pre-EQ mode.

 

Is there a reason you want rack gear?  It's large and heavy...

I’m using “rack” as a short hand for a separate pre-amp and power amp driving the backline speakers.

I could just use a head and run into the effects return with another EQ after the BassRig but I’m trying to get some ideas and feedback from others who have been down this road.

Did you use the Shuttle because that’s just what you had to hand or was it a deliberate decision?

52 minutes ago, jrixn1 said:

 

Which Barefaced cabs do you have, and what type of venues are you playing?

 

I have a pedalboard setup into an active PA speaker for my stage monitoring, and the same signal DIed to FOH.  I used to have that extra step where I could tweak my EQ independently of FOH but I never really used it, so got rid of it and don't miss it - I credit the active speakers in giving me a consistent on-stage sound, which I never previously had with traditional bass cabs.

 

I do sometimes make small EQ tweaks during soundcheck from venue to venue, and so yes those will go to FOH - but as you say, FOH make their own balances and tweaks on top anyway.  I'm not sure there's any value to anyone to be sending literally exactly the same unaltered tone from one venue to the next.

A Midget T and a Compact.

I’m playing a mix of places. Some I have to cover the room from the backline, others the backline is for onstage only. Potentially also some in-house backline.

It sounds like you’re doing pretty much what I have in mind. Did you ever do it with a power amp and passive speakers? What was the additional EQ stage that you were using?

10 minutes ago, BassmanPaul said:

Personally considering the amps you already own I would just go with what you have.  If you don't want the amplifier's pre-amps contribution to your overall sound then just plug your effects into the Return jack.

 

Yup - that is an option. To be honest it just feels like over kill. Also the both the heads have a distinct sound of their own - especially the GB unit.
 

If I go into the effects return then (from looking at the Ashdown manual) I’d be bypassing the EQ section and going straight which I don’t want to do. I’m looking to go from the pedal board to a “room tuning” EQ section and then to a power amp. 

I'm looking for thoughts, recommendations, pros and cons of moving to a pre-amp / power amp rig rather than a head.

I have a small pedal board based around an Origin Effects BassRig SV to get "my sound" which is sent to both the front of house and back-line. I'm currently running a pair of Barefaced cabs powered by either an Ashdown ABM600 or a GB Streamliner 900 but I'm considering replacing the head(s) with a power amp and a graphic EQ (or similar).

The back-line rack would only need to deal with volume and the oddities of the room. The pedal board deals with tone shaping, compression, drive and all that. I'm giving FOH a "finished" sound for them to balance / tweak to the room and mix and want to do the same with my back line.

Someone in BC land has probably been down this (or a similar road) before but it would be totally new to me. Any thoughts on power-amps to check out (or avoid), similarly rack-mount EQs (or similar) as well as any big compromises / issues that people have bumped into? 

PM’d

PM’d

On 17/05/2023 at 17:16, pbasspecial said:

Hi BC’ers,

I was lucky to pick up a s/h Super Vintage in 

mint condition yesterday and had a little play around with it today. Seems like a great pedal and built like a tank too. 
I just wondered what your thoughts were and if you have an tips/settings, pedal chain placement, etc  you’d recommend to get the best out of it. 
Thanks in advance. 

Like most here - I treat it like an amp and stick it at the end of my signal chain just after a compressor. Effects / whacky noise pedals get patched in ahead of the compressor. 
 

Personally I cut the lows a little, boost the mids a bit and run with the gain just on the edge of breakup.

Many apologies folks. 
 

Sale withdrawn for now. 

3 hours ago, ern500evo said:

Used the ABM600 for its first proper gig last night. It sounded fantastic. I can’t believe how much different this thing sounds to my old ABM500. Definitely pleased with this one so far 

What difference are you hearing? I have the rack mount ABM600 but it is my first Ashdown head since playing some old knackered stuff in a rehearsal room about 15 odd years ago. 

PM’d

Sold subject to sending cash and posting. 

Hi there,

One pair of DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups. I had them in a mid-80s Squire Jazz a number of years back and they sounded great!

£80 including UK postage. Price drops to £65

https://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/standard-bass/ultra-jazz-pair

Price drop - £35 inc UK postage

Boss TU2 tuner.... it tunes....it mutes!....it...errr....that's about it.

Typical bomb proof Boss build quality. Comes with the original box.