chrisdaman Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) ok so the band i'm in are looking at starting to do open-mic nights, hoping to progress onto small venues so i need to upgrade my amp, the current one i have is a "white horse" 80watt 1x10 amp, its ok for practicing, but i dont want to push it and blow it up, so i'm looking at amps around the 300watts mark more specifically the Ashdown MAG 4x10 300: [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid12868/cid687/ashdown-magc410t300-307-watt-4x10-bass-combo-evo-ii.asp"]http://www.andertons...ombo-evo-ii.asp[/url] i cant afford to have the cash and buy 2nd hand, so it'll be a credit card purchase (you only live once to be honest ) what other options are there? i know amps are a personal choice, and weight isnt an issue at the moment, as i'm a young fairly fit lad , andertons is the closest BIG music shop to me, although there is a newly opened stagebeat in farnborough so i might go and have a look. another option, if i was to credit card / finance it, is to go all out and buy a cab and head, been looking at the orange terror bass 500 with an ashdown 4x10 cab. I've been using an Ampeg 200w head with a trace 4x10 cab at the rehearsal rooms and it gives a really punchy sound, so i'm after 4x10 ideally. The guy that runs our practice rooms says that ashdown cabs are awesome, and that the amps can be un-reliable, now i know bad news travels fast, but is there anything to sustantiate these rumours? any help / suggestions would be awesome and much appreciated Cheers Chris Edited February 10, 2012 by chrisdaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcapener Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Really your best bet would be to buy a head and cab, just so that you have a bit more flexibility. The orange terror bass is a wicked little amp I would have one if it went to 2ohms. As cabs go it's all personal preference, there are so many 4x10's on the market you wont have trouble finding one, just try lots of different ones before you spend and you wont go wrong. Good luck in your hunt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 [quote name='chrisdaman' timestamp='1328369909' post='1526123'] i cant afford to have the cash and buy 2nd hand, so it'll be a credit card purchase (you only live once to be honest ) what other options are there? [/quote] Bank loan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 A Terror with a 410 will be as much volume as you`ll need for anywhere, they are insanely loud. Saying that, they`re not the most versatile of amps eq-wise. As you`ve mentioned liking the Trace 410, maybe look out for one on here in the for sale section. If intending to use your credit card, (apologies if you already know this) sort out a Paypal account and link the card to the account, then you can still buy 2nd hand off of here, providing the seller accpets Paypal. Andertons have quite a good bass section - def worth a morning/afternoon listening to various cabs/amps - you should get a good picture of what you`re after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisdaman Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 here are another 2 that have caught my eye: tc electronics BH500 Ampeg Portaflex PF-500 what are peoples opinions on the brands and their products? TC stuff seams to have a lot of oomph for the money thanks for the advice so far, in terms of paypal i didnt know you could link it to a credit card, thats interesting hmmmm nothing like owning new stuff though, the smell and excitement etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Tipping Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Try them out man .. totally pointless asking other people opinions on sound etc. on a forum ... although you really should buy the terror bass head.. well that'll be the one you walk out of the shop with when you do try them . It's more versatile than people say and it oozes tone .. something you aint gonna get from a boring ashdown (IMO). Don't go on Watts alone my 100w Ampeg BA115 sounded as loud as a ABM300 combo I a/b'd at a gig infact the ampeg kicked back was a far clearer stage monitor. My terror bass rig sounds about twice as loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I agree with Dave above ^^ but I would recommend steering clear of heavy combos and opt for something a bit more lightweight, purely for practical reasons really. If you're going to be doing small-medium sized gigs then it's going to be a pain to lug a massive Ashdown combo round, and plus I think you'll be happier overall if you split the head and cab up so you can add or take away cabinets as you desire. I'm young too, and whilst I absolutely loved my old Eden rig (4x10 + WT800) it was a nightmare of a setup to small, lower key affairs. As for Ashdown's reliability, well having not owned Ashdown before I couldn't comment too much but I know several people who have had malfunctioning Ashdown rigs (one of them even went up in flames). I don't know what Ashdown have done to amend their quality control issues, hopefully something drastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alstocko Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I recommend the Marshall MB range (not just because I'm selling a 2x10 combo at the moment! ) but they have an awesome tone, huge flexibility and more reliable than the ashdowns in my experience. They also run at a huge 450W for their price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Downside of that Ashdown combo is it's a big heavy thing to move about. Even for a fit young lad, you may find it a pain in the jacksy. I've heard the Marshall combos are even heavier but I've never lifted one, the poor reports about them a few years back put me off. But there's been a few folk on here wham are very happy with them. I'd go & have a try at loads of rigs & find out what you like the sound of. I went down the 2x10 route after much researching & trying out different things as it has a wider dispersion than a 4x10 (when placed vertically) & I can add another 2x10 if I ever need it. The TC Electronics stuff are apparently very good value & plenty loud enough despite the issue regarding how many watts they really are. If your budget allows, have a look at Markbass & also ask Alex at Barefaced if he'll take card payment (no idea if he does or not). Get to a shop & play! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 If you can rustle the cash up i have a TC 500 watt combo for sale here http://basschat.co.uk/topic/166177-tc-electronic-bg500-115-combo-price-drop-brand-new-condition-with-roqsolid-cover/page__fromsearch__1 And i could deliver it to Camberley i reckon Drop me a line if you want a chat about it Just a thought, could you use Paypal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 [quote name='chrisdaman' timestamp='1328389576' post='1526423'] here are another 2 that have caught my eye: tc electronics BH500 Ampeg Portaflex PF-500 what are peoples opinions on the brands and their products? TC stuff seams to have a lot of oomph for the money thanks for the advice so far, in terms of paypal i didnt know you could link it to a credit card, thats interesting hmmmm nothing like owning new stuff though, the smell and excitement etc [/quote] I`ve got an Ampeg PF500, and it`s a really great amp. It definatley provides that full, rich Ampeg sound. Rather than go through my opinions, here is my full review of it: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/136339-ampeg-pf-500/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 [quote name='risingson' timestamp='1328403235' post='1526622'] As for Ashdown's reliability, well having not owned Ashdown before I couldn't comment too much but I know several people who have had malfunctioning Ashdown rigs (one of them even went up in flames). I don't know what Ashdown have done to amend their quality control issues, hopefully something drastic. [/quote] I think the Ashdown reliability concerns stem from the Superfly, which had issues with overheating, and a batch of faulty transformers they received around 2006 sometime. They were the ones which were going up in flames. TBH Ashdown seem to be as good as any others in respect of reliability nowadays. I'm not (nor ever have been) an Ashdown owner, so I've no particular axe to grind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 [quote name='Musky' timestamp='1328454068' post='1527226'] I think the Ashdown reliability concerns stem from the Superfly, which had issues with overheating, and a batch of faulty transformers they received around 2006 sometime. They were the ones which were going up in flames. TBH Ashdown seem to be as good as any others in respect of reliability nowadays. I'm not (nor ever have been) an Ashdown owner, so I've no particular axe to grind. [/quote] The friend of mine's rig that went up was an ABM 500, it started smoking at a gig and then caught fire. I've not got anything against Ashdown either really. Not my thing, but actually I think they sound pretty decent and I never complain if it gets supplied as part of a back line at a gig. I've actually gigged my friend's ABM 500 rig as well in the past and never had problems. He must have gotten pretty unlucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisdaman Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 i'm going to have to spend a day in andertons then arent i lol the stagebeat near me is very dissapointing to be honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Tipping Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Sounds like a great idea! I know this sounds obvious but take your own bass with you. Also take along the pedals you use .. or make sure they have what you use there. Finally (and this one sounds daft) ask if you can pick the cab up ... Take it for a stroll the length of the shop. With so many lightweight great sounding cabs I would stay away from anything you can't easily lift on your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisdaman Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 i'm going wednesday to andertons, almost certain im after the ashdown ABM500 2x10 combos, offering the power i'm after but playing them will tell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Tipping Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Lucky boy! The music shops around me are fairly pants .. been a while since I've been in a great shop. Make sure you try out loads. Esp. the wee orange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisdaman Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) well this combination has caught my eye tbh, buy well and buy once, not cheap and buy twice i'm confused, if the amp is 500w @4 ohms and the 2x10 cab is 450w @ 8ohms, the amp wont blow the cab will it? the ohmage and wattage differences confuse me amp: [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/Products/Product.asp?id=20198&DepartmentID=685"]http://www.andertons...epartmentID=685[/url] cab: [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/Products/Product.asp?id=20200&DepartmentID=686"]http://www.andertons...epartmentID=686[/url] they work out at the same price as the ashdown ABM 2x10 combo i've seen (25% off matching cab and head) combo: [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid10645/cid687/ashdown-abmc210t-500-evo-iii-575-watt-2x10-combo.asp"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid10645/cid687/ashdown-abmc210t-500-evo-iii-575-watt-2x10-combo.asp[/url] Edited February 7, 2012 by chrisdaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 500w @ 4Ω amp would put out about 300ish w @ 8Ω. If you add a 2nd 8Ω cab, then you get 500w from the amp (250w to each cab). That cab looks like it's a 1x15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I personally wouldn't go for the Ampeg cab, it's overpriced compared to the competition. The Ashdown & TC cabs look to be better value, though I would go & try them out & see what you like the sound of. Also worth taking a look at is EBS. They have this... [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/EBS_Amplification.html"]Click this.[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Genz_Benz_Offers.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisdaman Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 That ampeg head and cab are rated as follows: Amp: 500w @ 4ohms Cab: 450 @ 8ohms So those would be ok, but to get the full 500w id need 2 cabs at 8ohms each giving 4ohms in total impedence? Sorry for my n00bness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Don't worry too much about wattages, that's not the most important thing for volume. You're better off asking about peoples' experiences. The cab is more important than the head generally for volume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 [quote name='chrisdaman' timestamp='1328661156' post='1530964'] That ampeg head and cab are rated as follows: Amp: 500w @ 4ohms Cab: 450 @ 8ohms So those would be ok, but to get the full 500w id need 2 cabs at 8ohms each giving 4ohms in total impedence? Sorry for my n00bness [/quote] That`s correct. The PF-500 puts out, I think, either 350 or 375 watts at 8 ohms. Re this, I`ve used mine in rock bands/punk bands, and, with an efficient 8 ohm cab (104 Db sensitivity), never needed it on more than 4 on volume. Ampeg cabs sound great, but aren`t the most efficient (usually around 99 DB sensitivity). The difference between 99 DB & 104 Db is one hell of a lot - a single 410 with 103 or 104 DB will be more than enough for most people with 350 watts going into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisdaman Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 well i went to andertons today, and a mixed bag of a day really, i didnt like the ampeg pf500 and 1x15 cab, i tried the ashdown abm500 1x15 combo and it's sooo much louder (well to me anyway), another band member came with me, and he was instantly impressed to by the difference, it would add sooo much depth and low end to the music we play at the moment BUT then my application for finance was declined? so a bit gutted, but i know what to go for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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