Mr.T

[quote name='Delberthot' post='356586' date='Dec 17 2008, 01:19 AM']I haven't experienced a trace compressor as my TE stuff was all 7-band but I have this forsale [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31351"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31351[/url] It can be as unnoticable or in your face as you need it to be. I used this for ages but prefer the natural sound of my own syle with my Warmoth. didn't realise it was there most of the time unless I wanted to squash everything[/quote] Looks interesting, but I am thinking more of a pedal. The Ashdown 'Dual Band' looks similar to the Trace SMX.... any thoughts as I have read very mixed reviews?

Hi, I might be in the market for a compressor to replace the one built into my Trace SMX (as I have a new amp). Any suggestions? The Trace compressor is dual band and (I think) 8:1 Thanks.

In my early Bass playing career, I used to play with (for) people who sound like your 'leader'. .... The key word being 'used'! It is your shout, but I know what I would do.

Oh dear, this will put the cat amongst the pigeons then.... I found my 'bottom end' cab today, and.... shock/horror.... it wasn't a 15! I A/B'd an Aguilar GS112 with my Trace 15 and (This hurts for me to say)..... (Run for cover).... The little Aguilar had a warmer bottom end. Not as loud as the Trace watt for watt, but that's Ok I can blend with my amp. I wouldn't recommend the Aguilar as a standalone cab for all you 'hi-fi' guys, but to just warm up my neo 2 x 10 it is ideal. So, job done! My new rig is sorted. I have shed a few pounds on the cabs (41 of them to be precise), gained a few on the amp but.... I can carry it on my own and it sounds superb (to my ears... and that's what counts). It has more of everything (if and when needed) than my old Trace... and I didn't break the bank! I can honestly say, and not the usual just because it is mine, "my toys are better than yours type Bullsh*t", with my old Status going through it, it is the best sounding bass rig I have owned. (I was going to say "I have heard", but that might cause arguements). Anyway, thanks again for all the advice... I am a happy bunny!

[quote name='sk8' post='350389' date='Dec 10 2008, 08:27 AM']i don't think the shuttle and neox combination sounds tinny. Sounds great with my P Bass[/quote] Hi, Please don't think I was suggesting that it sounds 'tinny'. I am just interested in how some of the newer kit compares with the older stuff like my Trace, in a typical pub 'covers' type setting.

[quote name='Skezza' post='349982' date='Dec 9 2008, 05:38 PM']Hi I have just won a mid 80s TE 4 x 10 combo with the GP11 preamp sounds fantastic but i can find out nothing about it. Any help would be great. [email protected][/quote] Hi, I used to own a Trace 4 x 10 combo in the eighties.... and loved it. Mind you, that's probably one of the reasons my back is shot! Enjoy.

Looking good!....... (And lightweight). I am sure that it sounds bright, but do you find that it sounds as deep as something a bit more 'Old school'? (I am curious, as I haven't played a 'modern' rig). But, I have seen bass players using modern kit that I think sounds 'tinny', like all middle and top with no bottom end.... Which could be because that's how they like to sound. I am finding that my current set up has soooo much of everything. (Unfortunately that includes weight). I would love to be a true lightweight convert, but am yet to be totally convinced.

Hi Bass Ferret, I agree with your comment... "Horses for courses", and am curious as to what equpment you use and what style/s of music you play in your band? As you have read the manual for the Eden amp, you can probably now see why I only need a 'deep and moody' 15" cab as I can blend it with the 2 x 10 that I have, which (IMO) benefits from a bit more bottom end.... (With the style I play). Yes, the Eden is a heavy old brute... but it sounds awesome to my ears! I haven't gigged it yet and am hoping to find something lighter than a cast-iron rack to transport it in... (lol).

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='349506' date='Dec 9 2008, 11:09 AM']I find Eden's approach confusing, very light amps and very heavy cabs.[/quote] Hi, Just to clarify.... My rig consists of: Eden WT800 amp Ashdown 2 x 10 cab with superfly drivers Trace 1 x 15 'compact' cab All I am looking to do is reduce the weight of the 1 x 15 to 20 kilos, without losing any bottom end. I don't need a 'hi-fi' 1 x 15 as I can blend the out put to my cabs with the Eden amp. p.s. My Eden amp is as heavy as a truck, but my aim is to be able to load my own gear without putting my back out. I don't mind how many trips I make to the car, just want to be able to do it on my own!

.... I'd be happy with a 12 if it does the job.

By lightweight, I mean up to 20kg. It doesn't need a tweeter, just needs to sound as good as my Trace 1 x 15 but weigh a few pounds less. I have run with my 2 cabs using the blend control.... didn't really need to use the bi-amp facility.

[quote name='redstriper' post='348009' date='Dec 7 2008, 06:13 PM']The Ashdown mag 115 deep is just 20 kg and in your price range. Used ones usually go for under £100 on ebay and there was one on this forum recently for £80 - check out the for sale section. The sound is deep, moody and reasonably loud for a single 15, although I replaced the speaker in mine with a kappalite 3015 LF for extra depth and volume. I think there might be a newer model which weighs more, so make sure it's the earlier lightweight one.[/quote] Hi Redstriper, First off... Thanks for your suggestions regarding my 'rig'... I am well chuffed with the 2 x 10 and the Eden. The only problem I have now is that I ran the Eden through my new 2 x 10 with my old 1 x 15 Trace underneath it and well, to put it bluntly it sounded ****ing awesome! So I really will just have to buy a lighter 15 incher. I am not saying the 2 x10 didn't sound good on it's own, it does. But... Paired with the 1 x 15 and some serious power from the Eden, it all just came alive! And... soooo much volume I could knock our drummer off her stool and make our guitarists ears bleed. (Should I wish to do so). At the same time being as clear as a bell, it made my old Trace rig sound 'muddy'. So... The Mag115 is the one to go for, not the ABM (For lightness). I will take your advice and load it with a Kappalite as you have been 'spot on' so far! Hi Rasta, All I can say is "Your Markbass must be pretty darn good, to make you want to sell that Eden!".

[quote name='Rasta' post='347019' date='Dec 6 2008, 08:25 AM']Glad the Edens gone to a good home, i miss it already........... Enjoy the Eden[/quote] It has and I will...Thanks... The Eden will be loved and cared for.... Any suggestions on a 12" or 15" bottom cab that I can add to my new rig? Must be.... Light (20kg or less). Deep and moody sounding (I can blend both cabs to taste using the Eden, which is a rather nice feature) Less than £200 (I have spent rather a lot of cash this week... for a poor Cornish lad) Preferably 8 ohms to keep it simple.

[quote name='redstriper' post='345992' date='Dec 4 2008, 11:40 PM']Nice one - how does the cab sound compared to the old trace? The Eden has a great reputation and tons of power - I'm feeling a bit jealous now [/quote] I have only run the cab at home so far, but could crank up my smx250 'all the way up' with no distortion. The tone of the Ashdown cab seems to be pretty similar to my Trace 2 x 10. I can't wait to try it all out 'in anger'. The Eden might be a bit over the top, but my thinking was I can always get a lightweight 12 or 15 to put under the 2 x 10.... and make some serious noise!

[quote name='MB1' post='345839' date='Dec 4 2008, 07:32 PM']MB1. Superfly Conversion???[/quote] Lightweight 'Ashdown' drivers, the cab can be easily picked up with one hand... The cab is now rated at 500W.

One month and 53 replies on from my original post asking about lightweight cabs, I have my new rig sorted.... BassChat style!!!! I have bought an Ashdown ABM 2 x 10T with a 'superfly' conversion from EzBass (Cheers Chris... Great guy to deal with). and Tomorrow I am picking up an Eden WT800 amp from Rasta. So.... Am I going to be a happy bunny, or what?

Thanks again for all the replies. I'll wait 'till the 2 x 10 arrives, have a listen to it (I am hoping it sounds as good as my Trace 2 x 10)... then decide where to go from there. Could be I'll then be looking for a lightweight 1 x 15 to run with it... and keep my Trace amp, which I know I like! I am not too fussed about 'how many' trips to the car I make with my gear, it would just be good to do them on my own.

p.s. I have just found some pretty scary stuff about Ashdown amps and reliability, although it was from 2006. Does anyone know if Ashdown have this sorted now? Thanks.

[quote name='redstriper' post='341269' date='Nov 30 2008, 05:55 PM']The Hartke LH 500 is worth trying, not quite as smooth sounding or as versatile as the LM 11 and much heavier, but still a very good amp for the money with a full rich tone. The Ashdown has a similar sound to the Trace and will match your new cab if that matters to you. The LM 11 is very controlled, clean and warm with a flexible eq that will do anything the Trace does only louder.[/quote] I need smooth and versatile so I think it is between the Markbass and the Ashdown. As I am so far from a big store I will have to buy mail order, hence why I am asking opinions. The Ashdown is seeming favourite at the moment as... It is a UK company. It has a compressor and I like the one built into my Trace. It is only £300. I don't need a 'small' amp. If it sounds similar to my 250smx I will be happy. I haven't been able to find any reviews on the MAG600 Evo2 so does anyone have any experience with one that they could share? Thanks.

First off, apologies in advance for what might turn out to be a bit of a waffle! Well.... I have taken the first step and bought a Neo loaded 2 x 10 Ashdown cab (From a fellow BassChatter) reputed to weigh in at my 20 kilo target. Step 2.... Take the driver out of my 1 x 15 with a view to fitting the much recommended Kappalite 3015. You can imagine my surprise to find that the existing Trace driver only weighs about 10lb (So no real weight saving to be had!) Also, my much loved Trace cabinets are basically just MDF boxes with bits of plastic tube for ports. Anyway.... I am now thinking about changing the whole rig, as the advice so far seems to be something like "Go for more power and less speakers". So I am wondering.... Would the Neo 2 x 10 be enough for small pub gigs with a more powerful amp? If I do replace my 250smx amp, the replacement MUST sound at least as warm and smooth. I don't want/need grind (I use effects for that), just a nice clean bass sound.... Currently on my list is.... The Markbass LM2 because most everyone seems to rate it very highly The Ashdown MAG600 evo2 because it seems to have everything I need. I am not fussed about getting a 'small' amp and don't ever DI anymore. I just need a reasonable EQ section, a clean warm sound..... and reliability! Any thoughts?

Redstriper... Thanks for your comments. It sounds like you have already been where I am going! I went through lots of changes many years ago before finding my ideal bass (Status Empathy) which I have now had for almost 20 years. The chopping and changing I did cost me lots of cash, as I would try a bass out in a music shop where it might sound great... only to gig it and not be happy. Soon after joining my first 'proper' gigging band I just went to the bass centre in London and bought, what was then, the best combo money could buy... Trace Elliot. I have been using Trace gear ever since! I didn't think that I would ever need to look elsewhere at amplification. I don't want to go through all the hassle of trying out lots of different amps and cabs, especially as I now live out in the sticks... miles away from a big music store. I guess that I want an amp and cab/cabs that will 'do everything' needed of them, like my old Trace gear does... Only lighter weight. Stevie... In Alex's defense, I am on this forum asking for advice and suggestions... The guy just happens to make cabs. I don't feel as though he is hassling me to buy one of his.

So... It sounds like you are saying 'big but light'. Suggestions?

[quote name='gary mac' post='339293' date='Nov 28 2008, 09:51 AM']Loved my Trace rig, which consisted of 2 x 10" cab and 300 watt 1 x 15" combo... I ended up with a Genz Benz shuttle 6 and two Mark Bass cabs. Plenty of volume, but I have to say that I did prefer the sound of my Trace.[/quote] This is my concern! I could spend my hard earned cash and end up with not so good a sound. And after all 'sounding good' is what playing the bass is all about.

Update.... We had a rehearsal last night and I decided to just take the 1 x 15... (Trace 1153). I left my amp on its 'usual' gig settings. I seemed to be loud enough, but with nothing in reserve... when I turned the amp up a bit the speaker started to sound farty! My overall sound was also 'thin'. I also mentioned to my guitarist that I am looking to go lightweight and he said "Why mess with your sound... it is great the way it is". (A guitarist complimenting a bass sound... what a loving band I have!!). Anyway, So where am I with this? I still would like lighter cabs, but... I need a lot more volume/warmth than my current 1 x 15 can offer. Whatever I replace my Trace cabs with MUST be veratile and MUST sound at least as good, i.e: Big, loud, warm when I want warm, toppy when I want toppy, etc. ???

[quote name='fretmeister' post='319094' date='Oct 31 2008, 02:45 PM']Yes. I performed HYsteria last Sat night. Boss LS2. EHX Metal Muff on 1 loop, Digitech Synth Wah in the other. Blend to taste. Sounded HUGE.[/quote] Hi, What setting did you use on your Digitech BSW?