markorbit

Hi Rich,  you are welcome to come and try my Ashdown ABM with your BB2 if you want. The ABM is what I'd been looking for. I'm now not looking for another amp... and the VU meter gives the right vibe as well 🙂

Well... my own amp journey has had me moving away from the Class Ds and eventually brought me back to the Ashdown ABM. Real authoritive, warm and punchy tone. First time I've been this happy with an amp for a LONG time. Only thing I would say is disengage the default preshape tone and use the EQ. Yes it's a bit bigger and heavier but it's not a monster. The ONLY disappointing thing is the Compressor which when on is already too much... but I like the Gain to work the meter and the valve.

On 27/09/2018 at 22:07, Shaggy said:

 

Bruce did get a great sound from his Precision. You have to get the action right so when you dig in the frets add to the tone. I think his D string is close to fretting out. A Marshall Super Bass on the edge of breakup helps get that bottley sound too. A well setup Precision bass where the action can go low is a thing to behold for rock.

On closer inspection it isn't the Terror Bass that is in his live rig but four AD200s. Pics here. https://orangeamps.com/artist/john-mcvie-of-fleetwood-mac-2/

6 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Old-school sounding amp, check out the re-emerged Orange Terror, now with added Clean switch. 

I was somewhat surprised to see Fleetwood Mac's John McVie has chosen the new Terror Bass for his recent stage rig. Obviously this guy can play what he wants no matter the cost. Perhaps I should check the new version out. I tried the old one and found it a bit limited tone-wise but maybe the new Clean switch allows more variation. I quite like John McVie's tone usually - just a simple, warm tone that works.

On 25/09/2018 at 16:56, Ghost_Bass said:

I would go as far as to say that a HPF is a must have in this day and age where almost everybody is going through the PA in pubs/etc.

Guitar amps shouldn't even be released without one! 😂

Guitar amps should have them on by default and undefeatable. GET OUT OF THE BASS RANGE YOU PLANT POT !!! 🙂

Another plus one for Ashdown customer service. They aren't afraid of a ringing telephone either.

I think the ABM is a reasonable substitute for an all-valve amp. Doesn't get you there exactly - but set the valve drive at the sweet spot and go.

1 hour ago, wateroftyne said:

Here's a little walkthrough of the Handbox R-400 I made, which is buried away in that thread somewhere.

I really consider it as a 'Walkabout Plus'.

 

Great video! Thanks for doing that. Really useful 🙂

These are killer preamps. Mine had a lovely warm solid-state sound.

I'd second the 'get a louder cab' as well. I can't think of anything that is either smaller or weighs less than the Walkabout that will get you the same type of sound.

It's been a few years since I owned a Walkabout. I've been searching for a good smooth, warm, old-school amp for a while recently but don't wish to go all-valve either.  I'm now considering getting another Walkabout !!! Everything else is falling short and I've bought a good few to compare along with the ones I've previously owned. Also, my love of Class D is at it's lowest point. Everything was falling short.

So I bought an Ashdown ABM and got the closest to that warm, valve sound I seek. It doesn't bloom like a Walkabout can as it's more immediate but it doesn't lack real warmth!

I have an original first EVO version. You have to defeat the default EQ shape first to get the mids back but from there I can tweak the EQ slightly, wind the valve-drive to about 2' 0 clock and with fingers it delivers a lovely rich velvety tone with my P. I guess there is a reason why so many pros use Ashdown ABMs.

The latest Mesa D800+ claims to be somewhere between the Walkabout and the Carbine. Might be worth a try but from what I've heard it's more modern than old-school.

I was also impressed with the vintage sound of the Ashdown Rootmaster heads when I tried them. Just not a fan of the look. If you grab one I'd recommend the 800 watt version.

1 hour ago, converse320 said:

Its a shame all the discussion on fixing hum is relating to the 50T.   Nothing on the 20T that I can find.

I think the hum is louder on the PF50T. My PF20T does hum but less than the PF50T from what I remember. It's not that noticable on the PF20T.

2 minutes ago, Bridgehouse said:

Funny, I just got a ctm15 from @Bigwan and it’s pretty much silent compared to the pf20!!

My CTM15 was also silent... it was the same one 🙂

On 12/09/2018 at 22:16, converse320 said:

My 20T arrived from Kenny's.  Well packed, everything as it should be, and very fast delivery.  Can't fault them.   Some immediate comments, using it with a 4 Ohm Mesa 1516.  Its noisy, quite a lot of hum coming through the speakers, which actually gets rather annoying after a bit when you are playing quietly.  I'm not sure this is a fault, or my bad mains.  As an update - I've left it on overnight and its got a lot better - punchier and sounds much more interesting.  Still hums though.  I'll try some different mains cables, and maybe ask Kenny's if they'll swap the valves out if it doesn't resolve it.

I think the hum is how they come. My PF20T is the same. There's a thread on Talkbass with instructions on how to reduce it further... it involves adding a capacitor or something. It's not a tube issue. In my experience it's common with all the PF tube amps. You'd think Ampeg of all manufacturers would get this right. I knew this when I bought it but at £299 I can live with it.

NOW SOLD, MANY THANKS!

On 15/08/2018 at 12:03, Jack said:

Up until the Evo IV models I completely agreed with you but the new models are so much tighter and less woolly.

Yes Ashdown DID make a change to the latest ABM based on this general criticism. Bear in mind it didn't seem to be an issue to lots of pro players but the ABM600 is voiced slightly differently to it's predecessors.

I also agree with avoiding the preshape button and using the EQ. In practice this means pushing IN the button to defeat the preset EQ curve, the opposite of a Trace Elliot for example.

NOW SOLD, THANKS.

Oh dear sorry about this. Yes it is sold... and a fine piece of kit it was.

Probably the best Ashdown head I ever played through was this Klystron Classic range. The head and flight case is nearly worth the price alone!

I had one of these and it really was something special. The best warm valve sound I'd ever had at low volume. I've had V4Bs, Heritage and vintage B-15s, Jules Monique... but I'd vote my old V4 combo top in terms of what I expect from a valve amp.

Sold to a loyal customer 🙂 🙂 🙂

NOW SOLD SORRY. THAT WAS QUICK.

I'm considering a change of preamp again which means my Noble will be available.

It was bought brand new by me in October 2017 directly from Jack in the USA and after a few weeks wait it was mine. Importing from the USA meant the cost to me (including customs and import VAT) was exactly £886 total.

It's as minty boxed as it gets with all supplied 9v cables plus the extra 18v cable so you can power most of your other pedals without needing an additional power supply or batteries. The Noble will handle that.

Build-wise it is TOP quality through and through and the two tubes and Jenson transformer deal with the business end in the manner you'd expect. Features a simple but effective EQ on board.

Not sure what I wish to try next... but if you have something high-end I might be up for a trade with cash balance if necessary. Things that come to mind are the Monique (maybe even the full amp version), ACME Motown DI, Avalon U5, Broughton P15 or similar. I've had Millennia STT-1 and Reddi... both good but I'm looking to try something different.

(pics to follow soon!)

Professional heavy-duty 4U moulded 4U rack case by SKB. I don't think I ever used this (hangtag still attached) and it has been stored since new. Just a few minor scuffs to distinguish from new. The equivalent model today (with less comfy handles) is a whopping £170. This is the deeper rack (not the shallow one) and rack depth is around 17 inches or 44 cm.

I could probably find some more rack screws if you need them.

Collection from Doncaster or I can post.

Seeing as my other Precision sold I'm going to be keeping this one so it's no longer for sale.

What we have here is essentially a parts bass (TOP quality parts mind) with a handmade neck by a well-respected luthier. The fingerboard is brazilian rosewood, there are green luminlay inlays on the side of the neck (a great idea, wish all basses had these) and a MM-style spoke truss wheel making Precision neck tweaks a breeze. If you were speccing a P what would you have...!!

Body is lightjtweigh alder, bridge is Kluson, pickups are Lindy Fralins. Tuners are Gotoh GB640. The Fralins (which I recall were 5 or 10% overwound) give a nice warmth and are an improvement on the Fender originals it was previously fitted with. The passive electronics use solderless connections. It's currenty fitted with a gold anodised pickguard but I also have a Tort I could swap over if you prefer. The finish is nitro and shows a few scuffs. This bass was always planned to be a player.

Nut width is vintage so around 1.75". The neck radius is NOT vintage 7.25" but flatter. I can't remember what we chose... maybe 11". It's a neck that feels full but comfortable. It feels like a BASS which is what I wanted.

I decided to not put any logo at all on the headstock but you can if you want...

I will include a brand new Thomann hard case.

Oh I nearly forgot... check out the Jaco neck plate.

NOW SOLD. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST.

This is a tough one to let go as they are now discontinued with no one-to-one replacement. This is a Fender Precision 1963 reissue in what was perhaps the best colour in Faded Sonic Blue. It was bought new by me in December 2016.

Sound-wise, it's typically rosewood with the 63 pickup warming things up nicely. It is fitted with the original worn-in Fender nickel rounds but in the vintage case are all the extras, including an unopened set of Fender flats alongside the other Fender case candy and case keys.

Condition is excellent though a close look at the decal reveals a little wear in one spot, probably from a restring. These decals are applied OVER the lacquer as per the originals hence they are prone to wear. It's not that noticable but worth a mention. You can judge for yourself in the pics.

Sadly you cannot buy these new any more. If it sells it sells, if not, it's not a bad thing to hang on to. Only reason I'm offering it is I'm trying to stick to one bass... and I like my black/maple P currently which is what I played in my youth. Just feels like home.

Bass is in Doncaster, you are welcome to come and try it and I also have the original Fender shipping box so I can courier.

BASS NOW SOLD
A new Precision purchase means I ought to replenish some funds! I bought this from Rich on here just over a month ago. It has been nicely customised with a mint(?) pickguard that looks the business (the original Tort IS included in the sale too), faux earth strip, thumb rest and strap button on the rear of the headstock. The red nitro finish with the roadworn wear looks great. Action is good with straight neck.

Comes with nice Westfield gigbag and original Fender blurb in the bag pocket. This is priced a full £500 cheaper than a new one... which looks much like a used one 🙂

The bass is in Doncaster but I have packaging for a courier if needed.

Please note I'm NOT looking for trades thanks... I'm trying to settle on my new Precision !!