shine182

Feedback most appreciated! I'll have to look into these Barefaced cabs!

Ok I'm not going to lie I'm really drawn to the look of the orange brand aesthetic Those that own one or have experience of playing one can you share? Specifically volume for a loud indie rock band set up in a rehearsal situation? Two guitarists with 30watt vox / 40watt fender combos etc. Also what are they like to move around? I hurt my abdomen a few years back, so the days of single handedly moving heavy cabs is just not an option

Interesting, can you expand a little? Are we taking power rating / sensitivity / frequency response etc?

Ok, I might just have been one of those who drove round in his youth with subwoofers in the boot of his car.10's always seemed a little light and a 15 couldn't keep up... But 12's seemed just perfect. My first home made bass guitar cab featured 12's, but with branded gear I've not tried them, not once. Anyone with experience to share?

So, the Ashdown stubby 30 is on its way back to Ashdown Enginering to figure out what got busted in post when they sent it to me. Lacking a bass amp again in desperation I plugged my peavey classic 20 guitar head into the 410 and musicman hoping to get a sound I could bear to listen too in the interim. Well call me Terrance and smear me in butter the sound it produced on the clean channel at practice volume was actually pretty darn good. I flicked the inbuilt attenuator thing from 20watt to 1watt and low and behold fat valve goodness. Admittedly I've farted louder before it reached the onset of breakup, but for practice I'm quite pleased with it. Anyone else tried a valve guitar head into a bass cab before? Appreciate it might not be all that good for either the amp nor speakers long term etc.

Can I ask what kind of figure you got it for? I see one on reverb now for £500, but that's alot more than I've seen previously. Not saying they are not worth that mind!

Yes I played a V4BH for years though a 1x15 and 2x10 SVT cab. I thought it was a great amp. The trick was just to max out the bass, run the gain about 2 o'clock, dial mids and treble to suit and turn the master till it got gooey :). Similarly played a Soundcity 120B for years with the same cabs and occasionally an old 8x10 SVT I had. That was a totally different beast. I found jumper leading the channels worked a treat as each lacked either treble or bass, but together we're very usable. You got any recordings of the alpha bass? I be interested to hear!

Lol uncooked bat Ain't that just the truth! Ohms wise it matches up fine and it wasn't lacking trouser flapping capability. It's a seriously good sounding and looking piece of kit and to be fair Lee from there sales dept has been totally on it. Perhaps your all right and I should just cool my heels and hope they can get round to sorting it, given the current situation etc.

Yes good point, I'd been so excited about the purchase and it sounds great but the replacement they offered wasn't in the nice surf green colour, which means they'd have to fix the one I've been sent and don't get me wrong I'm not bashing Ashdown but I've just been a bit put off I'm certain it's an problem they could do without too hence thinking just cashing in my chips so to speak.

Hi, Purchased myself the above about 4 weeks ago direct from Ashdown through reverb. Out of the box it looked great being limited edition in surf green, but when I plugged it all into my 410 ABM and musicman sub... Nothing. Assumed the fuse had gone so grabbed another amp lead and hey presto. Except there was crackling and volume spikes. I thought perhaps the leads so bought new and a week later they arrived. At first it seemed to be ok but then the same issue and now no output at all. Checked the valves, they all seem seated and glowing. Ashdown say to return it but they are being a bit slow... Anyone out there had similar issues? It did sound great when working but I'm thinking of going for a refund and looking for something else

That looks like a lovely piece of kit! It's gone from bad to worse with the Ashdown. If only these alpha bass heads were more readily available!

Ok so, I've just purchased an ashdown stubby and right out of the box I'm having issues. To be fair ashdown are being helpful and are offering an exchange and or tec advice to try resolve etc due to the issue that likely occurred in transit, but I came across a old add post for a peavey alpha bass and it sounds right up my ally so to speak. Anyone have any experience of owning one? Thanks

There seems to be a consensus that it very much depends on the individual instrument as opposed to the era or origin of manufacture! All interesting stuff!

Isn't the Affinity range the most budget option they do? I'm not saying the equals a bad bass, but there's got to be a difference?

Ahh yes I'm feeling that, used to have a Korean p-bass, foolishly sprayed it surf blue, in my younger years, and parted for a trace elliot cab, but I remember it was pretty decent!

Hi, Any thoughts on older Squire Jazz basses? What are we thinking is the best era to purchase without spending Fender money? Thanks Alex

Ahh I see, I'll look into that, although after all my blurb about SS I think I've found what I'm looking for in Ashdown's CTM 30 Little Stubby. The EQ seems a little more refined and the drive much more tamed than the 15. It's got an out for recording and I can see it sitting very nicely on my old Ashdown ABM 410 plus no class d power section, being all valve, and at a very reasonable price.

Yes, peavey might be a good shout. I'll look into that. In the back of my mind I've got it that the had a range of valve heads also, before the more recent stuff. Sure its all rare as hens teeth though. But an older SS Peavey might be just the ticket. Guess it will be a buy to try kind of thing at the moment tho.

That's my fear, that a trace purchase will just be too clean. I suspect I'm searching for sound that a solidstate trace just can't produce! Now I've only used a Soundcity 120B and an Ampeg V4BH head for an extended period in the world of 'valves'. Perhaps I need to try something different that's valve based. I don't need big volume, just home recording and enjoyment really. Ashdown CTM 15's and 30's seem a little clanky and I don't want loads or drive. Orange terror bass heads seem a good option perhaps? Or a old 50watt Selmer? Any recommendations out there?

I used to own a Elgen 100w solid state bass head and the girt, or let's just be honest the distortion it produced, when not pushed to the absolute limit was actually very musical, growly and compressed. I punted it on for £60 or so and find myself missing it some what Don't get me wrong valves are great and I'm a big fan, but I think there's somthing to be said for a good solid state preamp. Might investigate the new Orange little bass thing, but not a fan of class d poweramps after a nasty experience with an Ampeg portaflex! Older Trace Elliot gear has never failed to impress me. The AH250 GP12 SMX, after a little research, following recommendations on here, seems the best if all worlds! Now to find one lol

They look like great rigs! I enquired about the twin valve for sale on here, but the seller is too nervous to have me arrange a couriered and apparently it has quite a noticeable hum? Is that your experience with the hexa valve? Was it noisy on idle? Thanks

Ohh I like the sound of that! Could certainly entertain a valve pre also. That's the thing, there's seem so many versions to choose from I'm a little lost. I pondered an ashdown ABM for a while simply because there's not many bells and whistles so to speak, but playing a mates, it's not quite what I'm looking for. Perhaps the only way is to just dive in and give one a whirl given they they are all pretty much incredible value. There's a valve twin on here that I'm trying hard not to buy, but it might get the better of me.

That's the one with compression isn't it! They came a little later I believe and indeed could be the best 150/300watt heads they made? What about the AH / SM / GP7 series I ponder?

Hi, So, thinking about purchasing a more retro solid state bass head. Been using valve heads for years but somehow missing that grit you get from driving a solid state. Not after mega Watts for this purpose, but equally don't want a total fart box. Always loved trace gear, particularly 130 combo I had. Albeit sporting a slightly compromised speaker enclosure. Anyway to the point, I lost track of all the variations trace put out in head versions, so if you were to suggest the best 150/300watt trace head they made, what would it be? Thanks Alex

Hi, does anyone know of these cabs were available in the UK? Anyone played one? Thanks