alexa3020

Cambridge

I'm pleased to report I have been the beneficiary of Ashdown's excellent customer service and the amp is on its way to me fixed - big thanks to Dave Green.

The problem doesn't appear to be with the amp. so that leaves the cab or speaker cables as the most likely culprit. So I am a bit concerned now that I could easily blow it again if plugging in to the same setup.

Dave said it could be a short in the speakon cable. I think I can test this with a multi meter, but probably need to watch a tutorial/seek help on this to know what I'm doing. 

Alternatively it could be the cab. I've no idea what I'd need to test to verify its ok. Will probably make a post in the repairs forum for some advice. Mind you, the cab was used after the head blew with a mag head and a different speaker cable. So I guess the Speakon is the more likely.

On 20/08/2024 at 16:15, DGBass said:

The fuse holder on these amps have a handy space to stash a spare fuse. I never leave home without one, luckily so far never needed a spare. If its the input fuse that's blown, swapping it with another of the same rating( usually a T4A 250V anti surge on ABM600's - it will say on the back what your version has) and type will give you an indication of what might be the issue. If the amp powers up normally, it's likely something to do with the mains supply that blew it in the first place. If the replacement blows, its likely you have a problem with the amp. The modern transformers on these amps rarely give any problems, it could be a shorted output device(s) on the output circuit board if the input fuse is blowing instantly. ABM's are easily repaired, and Ashdown UK have great customer service. It would be well worth calling them up to have a chat with about fixing your amp.

Bad news, the fuse blows every time its powered up. I have contacted Dave Green at Ashdown. The amp itself is pretty much mint and has done maybe 25 gigs, is not used for practice and stored in a bag at home. 

Lets see what happens

Playing through my ABM 600 last night, eq set great and a nice bit of grit and harmonics through the valve drive. it really was sounding lovely. Then all of a sudden nothing, no light on the vu, no sound and no power. Tried swapping power cables but no joy. I can only assume its the fuse next to the kettle lead input that has blown.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is it just a bog standard fuse I need to get? Should I be worried if it is that fuse has gone?

Im normally really prepared at gigs, but its never occurred to me to bring spare fuses.

Luckily the sound guy had a mag 300 head available. I used to have mag 300 210 combo - I found it pretty gutless, but I paired it with my Genz Benz 212 and it sounded superb with power on tap. just goes to show how important a decent cab is.

Russ bought an ABM cab from me. Really good person to deal with. immediate payment and excellent comms throughout.

incidentally i just bought a fosi audio bt20a bluetooth amp to power some old tannoy hifi speakers - it was cheap on prime day.

it uses the 3116 chip. i have to say its pretty good as a 'hifi' amp. To my ears that setup easily beats the Q acoustics m20 active speakers that i was tempted to buy.

I have the 212 version - Brilliant cabs and really loud!

GLWTS

Up for grabs is my Ashdown ABM 115 cabinet. 300w @ 8ohms, great cabinet, no tweeter, but still has plenty of high end & not too heavy.

Just not getting used enough - it deserves better than being used as a table to place my morning cup of tea on!

Collection preferred, but may be able to meet up if reasonably close.

Hartke HA5500 - as good as any amp I've owned

Ashdown ABM 600 - on par with the Hartke

Trace Elliott Elf - I love this amp, plug in with EQ set at noon and you're good to go. Plenty of volume too when paired with the right cab

The best sounding amp I've heard live is an svt. I have had limited playing time with one, but I was a bit underwhelmed when using one. Probably a bit of a learning curve when you're not used to tube power sections

How about the presence knob on the Sansamp bass driver? Or the behringer bddi if you're on a budget. Sounds like it might do a similar thing. 

Interesting, so the valve drive control is essentially a blend knob? I'm interested to run the valve drive at max and back off the input gain to see if it gives a clean tubey sound. I was kind of worried I'd degrade the tube quickly if I did that, but from the sounds of it, it would probably last longer as the amount of drive would be less, because my input gain is less

I had 2x210s and moved them on. One of the reason for this is because I thought they lacked clarity - seemed a bit dark sounding, so they weren't for me. I thought they would really benefit having a tweeter.

On the plus side, I thought the other claims were true. Extremely well made and plenty loud enough.

Presumably you still get the valve drive, octave and compressor regardless of if pre or post is selected. What about the shape🤔

24 minutes ago, ahpook said:

 

I'm having to put a lot of time at the moment into getting faster at picking as my band's songs run at about 140bpm with flurries of 8th and 16th notes. Ouch. The only way I can do is to cane practicing. Increase the bpm a bit at a time until I get faster....sorry not to be able to offer anything more insightful than that !

 

140bm - ouch indeed! Sounds like I'm on the right lines with what I'm doing at the moment. Set my metronome to increase every few bars and play a line/scale in 16ths over the top of it. Hopefully if i focus on doing a little bit of that everyday the pick playing will naturally improve. Thanks for the advice

Resurrecting this thread and just changing subject slightly. I know that some of the tracks I play would be better with a pick. I've always played finger style and my technique is decent, but I really feel I've hit my limit with speed - I can play through c major scale in 16ths comfortably till about 95bpm - above that is doable but not as clean as I would like. I know with a pick I could go faster. But I just don't sound as good playing bass lines with a pick. Also with finger style I'm usually muting with my right hand, but you can't do that with a pick (unless your palm muting). How long does it take to master playing with a pick and does anyone have any decent exercises they can recommend?

Bought a trace Elf from Sam.

Excellent dealing with you from start to finish.

Thanks

Alex

28 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

 

Nope.  I hadn't touched it it for a few days and when it switched it on today it's conked out.  FFS.  It's been used about an hour.  It powers up, but nothing.

 

I'll need to chase up Thomann.

Oh dear, well I was on the fence about getting one of these - but that's me put off. I think maybe an elf or gnome might be better as a backup. Played an elf last night and was super impressed.

On 29/03/2024 at 07:41, NancyJohnson said:

I've been cranking the thing up.  Blimey!  Epic.  I'm really impressed with the output, clarity, transparency etc.  It's completely silent too; no interference from dimmer switches (like the A/O 900).

 

I suppose the real test would be when I get in a room with people, but if it's no good for that, then I'll just use it at home.

 

It's stupid cheap; at £68 it's less than a night out at the pub and a kebab.  What's not to like?

 @NancyJohnson have you had the chance to play it in a band environment? 

50 minutes ago, SimonK said:

 

He's so good he needed 200 drummers:

 

Proves my point really. Amazing playing and skills on show over a simple drum beat. Reasonably entertaining but very gimmicky. If that's on my playlist I'm skipping.

Get him in a band with some musicians of a similar calibre and you might get something special! maybe.

9 hours ago, SimonK said:

I'm trying to work out why no one has mentioned probably the most talented bass player alive today and very definitely a youtuber:

 

No doubt he is an incredible  player and I find some of his videos quite entertaining, I cant help but think he is wasting his talents on these videos. I'd like to hear him play in a really great band with  a great drummer. Perhaps he's already done this but it hasn't shown up on my radar yet. Maybe Youtube is the best way for talented musicians to make decent money now - which is a bit sad really.

Plus one for Pat Finnerty 

Also like Dead Wax, Drumeo, That Pedal Show

9 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

I’ve always thought of the Shape button as the “get out of the way” option, it just seems to put the bass in a place all of its own.

That's exactly what it did - all the flabby  mids that seemed to be getting in the way, it removed. Similar thing with the sansamp bass Di for me - I've got quite a mid rangey bass & it gets rid of the unwanted frequencies

Spent the day at the recording studio, going through various ampeg amp Sims. Wasn't 100% happy with the tone. Re-amped the Di through the Ashdown and a trace 410, shape on and slightly boosted mids, and that was it - the sound I was after and so much better than what I had before. I've never usually engaged the shape button live, but it worked so well recording  I might have to start using it live.

Hi @Alanbass

Here's some photos (I've tried as best I can) 😄. I've never tried to get a really low action - as it is, is good for me. 

Traded a TC head for a markbass head with Kim. Easy hassle free deal.

Many thanks