shine182

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. 

On 21/06/2020 at 19:21, umcoo said:

I picked up an AlphaBass a few months back.  Really enjoying it so far. and great for my needs.  Don't need masses of power, but don't want anything too small that distorts too early.  Like Pow_22 says, it's reasonably lightweight and has a good general tone.  It doesn't seem too coloured like an SVT, but it also isn't super clean and sterile sounding.  Just a nice medium.  Don't know if you use effects, but it handles drive and fuzz pedals nicely.  I use a Damnation MDB-1 with mine to add a bit of grit.  

Not had chance to try it with the band yet, but don't anticipate any problems. I've been really getting to older Peavey gear lately.  Often maligned, but good quality, USA-made stuff that's tough as old boots.  Can't argue with the prices either.

 

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

On 17/06/2020 at 12:55, Pow_22 said:

Yup, I have one (might've been my old post you saw).  Lovely amp and just at the right wattage to be able to drive the valves without ever wanting for clean headroom.  Not massively heavy compared to other valve heads.  Can be had for a decent price and doesn't cost the earth to revalve.  Heres a few shots of mine

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? 

24 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

The Korean ones are decent imho 

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 

2 hours ago, thodrik said:

I was meaning the later series of Trace Elliot amps that were released around 2006 once Peavey bought them from Gibson. You can find them second hand. 

However an old Peavey, SWR or Gallien Krueger amp might be more what you are looking for. 

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. 

1 hour ago, thodrik said:

An Ashdown ABM has some similarities to  a classic Trace but is capable of a good amount of dirt. However it is not a Trace

The Peavey era 12 band series had a drive circuit that could get very dirty indeed. Is it a classic Trace Elliot amp? No, but they are nice amps. 
 

Myself, my main amp for the last ten years has actually been a Mesa Walkabout. It isn’t all valve but it sounds like it. 

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. 

43 minutes ago, thodrik said:

I had a GP7 SM300 combo for about 15 years. Never let me down. 

I also had a GP12 SMX 300 for about 6 years. It was a more flexible amp than the  GP7 SM300, just for the extra EQ features alone. The dual compression was nice but I didn’t really use it as I felt it sucked out the low frequencies a bit. The valve feature on SMX added a tiny bit of warmth but there was no real drive or grit to speak of so I needed a pedal for that. Great amp though and was my main backup amp when I was touring. 

I got a V6 in 2013 though which I preferred to both the other Trace amps so the other Trace amps were sold. Nothing wrong with the amps but I had barely used them for years. The V6 does not deliver any of the classic hi-fi Trace Elliot clean tone and the EQ features are very limited but it is a fantastic amp for a deep valve warmth. So it is probably my favourite Trace amp as a result. 

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? 

36 minutes ago, DiMarco said:

Grit from driving a solid state? First time I ever heard that. Any grit from SS sounds flat and ugly in my book.

The SMX are hybrid amps and part of their charm is the little tube that's in their pre section making things sound more lively then any regular solid state can or will give you. The two band compressor in there does magic stuff in the total bandmix with your bass, too. Great amps which I do recommend.

Me I took it a bit further and now use the Hexa Valve (and a Cali'76cb compressor). Compared to any of my other amps (and I have owned a LOT of them) this one is miles beyond any of them. And at nearly 30 kilograms it damn well should be.

 

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

6 hours ago, paulmcnamara said:

My original and first pro Trace rig with the AH350 115 & 210, then at a Bass Centre (Wapping) annual sale in the mid 90's I picked up a NOS Hexa Valve amp for about a third off the retail price.... a great upgrade! Pics are quite old..... Both amps were great and worth trying to pick up when they occasionally appear........

 

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 

29 minutes ago, Deedee said:

As @TheGreek has said, there are are many different models and eras to choose from.

If you're not wanting to go for one of the larger rather lovely UV lit 3U heads, my favourite 2U model is the AH250 GP12 SMX. Plenty of power, easy carry, a very (very) subtle valve in the pre, dual band compressor, pre-shapes 1 & 2 for blending in with the graphic and my favourite feature the EQ balance with which you can effectively 'tilt' the EQ with a simple turn of the knob to suit the room without having to mess with your graphic.

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. 

44 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

I have two 150 SMC and a 300 SMC (amongst others) - completely happy with them.

I don't think that there is "a best" TE head - they're all good AFAIK.

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 

[quote name='bigsmokebass' timestamp='1483264454' post='3205668']


Thanks Shine but I already have a T'bird and ideally would be looking for something different to my arsenal.
Thank you nevertheless and happy 2017
[/quote]

No worries! Happy New Year to you too!

Would an ebony Gibson Thunderbird tickle your fancy?

Has anyone ever come across an Ampeg SVT 215 cab? I seem to have been searching for a uk based one for years... Totally impractical I'm sure

PM'd