Nickthebass

For me - an effects loops on head are a waste of space. I’d rather be able to hook up 2 8 ohm cabs to the 4 ohm tap if it were possible.

This was exactly my point. A common modular rig includes two 8 ohm cabs but with the set up on most (all?) valve power stages that I’ve seen you can’t run both cabs off a single 4 ohm output without a splitter. Personally it would limit the gig-ability of an amp if I was limited to using only one cab. It sounds like there is a big quality / relatability compromise in building that flexibility that I wasn’t aware of - hence the question.

I could bring 3 Js so there would be a few with the right number of pickups.

A good DI is a must to me. The ability to connect two 8 ohm cabs (without daisy chaining) via Speakons would be great. (I know you can get 1 to 2 adaptors but it’s another thing to lose!) There’s probably some physics reason that means most valve amps have only one output each for 4 and 8 ohms. The ability to use the DI without a speaker load would be useful, but not a deal breaker. PS: I’d look to come down from Edinburgh for a NE bass bash!

With two basses the double bag is hefty but doable. I’ve done two basses and a 900w rig on my own in one trip on multiple occasions. The protection is pretty sound - if I’m moving stuff myself I doubt I’ll use a hard case again. Whichever two basses are going to the gig get stuck in the bag. The front pocket on the Mono isn’t the biggest, but the headstock pocket is pretty useful. (Mine holds my watch, wallet, pencil phone and ear plugs.) I’ve had my double bag something around the 8 to 10 year mark (can’t recall exactly) and it’s still doing a great job.

Apologies if this has been sorted but wanted to share. I had a very similar issue (deep buzz with the drive on - no noise with the drive off). It turned out to be short/failure on a component (capacitor I think) in the Valve Drive circuit that was sending too much current through the circuit. As a by-product it was over overdriving the valve (made it extra hairy extra fast which I was sort of enjoying).

Thanks. I did think about GK but most of the new stuff looks to be class D. I went down the Ashdown in the end. It just made too much sense.

I get the feedback loop between gain stage, EQ etc. - it’s more that I’ve never had that visual thing saying “don’t be shy - you can give it some more beans”.

Thanks - with that visual gain stage reminder ... I might be a bit more brave with the input gain that I would have been!

Thanks for this - definitely a good back up option. I've ended up going down the Ashdown route though. The ABM-600 just makes too much sense in particular from a UK support point of view. I had a couple of lovely chats with Dave Green and he has ended up making me a rack mount version which should be landing with me today.

You make a good point Phil. To be honest though the older I get the less wedded I am to particular pieces of gear, particularly back line and pedals. I want it to be reliable, loud and reasonably portable - anything else is a bonus. At the end of the day I have yet to meet an amp that I can't do without (from a tonal / performance stand point). It's only a "can't do without" if it's my only amp of an appropriate size / power. I've got a new Ashdown head arriving today which will likely be my primary amp for the next wee while as I get used to it. It'll sound different to the Streamliner but that's fine - maybe the difference will be something I prefer even if it's only because it is different and the STM has been the only amp I've gigged for the past 10 years. Neither amp is going to make my sub-Jamerson fumblings sound any more closer to the man himself.

Thanks for this. Looks like the 4 Stroke is discontinued though. ABM is en route!

For anyone keeping score ... @Lozz196 was on the money and wins a small prize. I spoke to Dave at Ashdown yesterday and a rackmount ABM600 should be with me tomorrow.

Thanks very much for this. I may look into buying a spare power module to stick in the drawer in case of disaster! I'm still a massive fan of the Streamliner and in particular the pre-amp. If the worst ever came to the worst and the power amp did explode and was un-fixable I would still keep it as a DI box / pre-amp. In fact ... is someone happened to make a Streamliner style DI box I could be persuaded to be in the market for one!

I was waiting for you to chime in on behalf of Handbox! 😆 The lack of a UK network is a bit of a downer TBH.

Haa!! That’s what I thought. I had some bad experiences with earlier ABMs being a bit wooly but I’m banking on that being partly down to lack of experience on my part.

Looks like Glockenklang’s only new head is a class D. DB751 is about £2k too much (budget added after you posted) and the AG700 is class D. The Ampeg solid state stuff looks to be all class D other than the SVT3 - which is a good shout. Hadn’t thought of the Orange option. Thanks

I’m looking for a new head as an alternative to my GB Streamliner 900 (which I plan to keep). The list of requirements is pretty short … loud, reliable, not class D (nothing against class D, I’d want something different and easier to fix). Also good after sales support / repair (UK based for preference either dealer or distributor) and preferably 2 speakon outs. Budget in the £800 ish range ideally. I don’t really need super twinkly top end, more like “warm Jazz bass” but. I’ll back myself to get a good sound out of most amps. Am I talking myself into an Ashdown ABM600? Any other bids? For those interested the head will be atop (one or both) a Gen2 Barefaced Midget T and Gen2 Compact. Gigs at the moment are either folky / singer songwriter or blues(ish).

I’m thinking about an ABM600 as an alternative to my (much loved) GB Streamliner 900. How are you finding the ABM? Still loving it? Tell me that I won’t miss the extra 300 watts of power amp! 😆

The place I have been going to was recommended by a former Streamliner owner that I contacted from here. Turns out my issue this time was two preamp valves needing replaced.