paul j h Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Hi All, I have just returned to the wild and wacky world of bass, bought my vintage Precision, and have been looking out for a suitable amp. Currently I only play at home but this may change but not for ages. I have bought an Ashdown Klystron 575 watt combo on a whim, obviously huge and very loud, which I collect tomorrow, I have been using a small Crate 50 watt amp in the mean time and have realised that in truth I don't actually need much more volume. My question is will the Ashdown still be useable at home volume levels or does it need to be cranked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 I'd not worry at all; you can get as good a sound at house volume as you can cranked. TBH you are better off having all of that extra headroom in case you get to a situation where you are playing with a loud drummer and you have no PA support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 ^ ^ This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 If you can get away with playing your 50 watt Crate at full pelt and the neighbours don't complain then the Ashdown ought to sound sweet; if I remember correctly a 500 watt amp is only twice as loud as a 50 watt amp... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul j h Posted April 7, 2014 Author Share Posted April 7, 2014 Neighbours are not a problem, we live in a detached stone cottage with about 18 inch thick walls. Is that right though 500 watts is only twice as loud as 50? surely not, if so I am really looking forward to trying this tomorrow, I thought it would be complete overkill. I will post an update sometime tomorrow evening. Cheers for the replies guys. Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 [quote name='paul j h' timestamp='1396878421' post='2418248'] Is that right though 500 watts is only twice as loud as 50? [/quote] In pure mathematical terms, yes; you need to x10 to get x2 volume. However, in real terms it will sound way louder than twice your existing 50w. The other thing to take into consideration is speaker numbers and their sensitivity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 ... the Crate is probably an optimistic 50 at that but in any case you've got the walls to cope with the new toy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 (edited) [quote name='paul j h' timestamp='1396878421' post='2418248']...500 watts is only twice as loud as 50? surely not...[/quote] That's rather much an over-simplification; you'll find out when you try it out what the [i]real [/i]volume is. 50w, 500w or whatever can only be compared if all other factors are equal (same cab, same room, whatever...) and is of no practical use. One can safely say that the average 50w amp will not be able to be as loud as an average 500w amp, but that's all. 500w is no big deal, either. It's the signal supplied and the gain/volume knobs that determine how loud it is. Turn it up until it's loud enough and that's it. Who cares if that's 50, 500 or 5000 watts..? Use your ears to judge, and have fun. Don't ignore warnings about protecting your hearing, of course, if you're playing [i]really [/i]loud. Edited April 7, 2014 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 The sound quality and detail of a great amp is worth it - even if 575W seems too much for home use. Amps have volume controls!!! I use my 900W Genz heads in the house and I only gig in an orchestra so I never get to crank them. But they sound amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1396881171' post='2418306'] I use my 900W Genz heads in the house and I only gig in an orchestra so I never get to crank them. But they sound amazing. [/quote] This - I use my 500 Fusion in the house too. Get the sound with the gain and moderate the overall volume with the master. That's what they're there for, isn't it..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 [quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1396869368' post='2418097'] I'd not worry at all; you can get as good a sound at house volume as you can cranked. TBH you are better off having all of that extra headroom in case you get to a situation where you are playing with a loud drummer and you have no PA support. [/quote] + to this reply If you end up finding other musicians sooner than you currently anticipate You're ready to be up & running straight away... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul j h Posted April 7, 2014 Author Share Posted April 7, 2014 Thanks guys I feel reassured now. Cheers Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsgbass Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I never worried about having to much POWER, as not having enough. Like the other gent mentioned previously, amps have controls on them. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/MuF1Mg5.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 It is 10x the watts to get twice the volume. That's going on using the same spec'd cab though Watts means very little on its own in relation to volume (decibels). How much air the speakers can move & how well the cab around them has been designed are the important factors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Your only issue will be the difference in weight...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonic_Groove Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 (edited) As others say you can set the volume as you wish. However for me the cooling fans on Ashdown &[b] other makes of amp[/b] that are on all the time are too loud for home or low volume studio use. Not just the fan mechanics but the air they suck in. Not an issue in a band environment. Edited April 9, 2014 by Sonic_Groove Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Can't they be replaced with silent types...? I recently replaced my Promethean fan and it's almost silent - cost about £15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul j h Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 Hi I got the amp home yesterday, I had a brief play, there is no issues with the fan (fans X 4) I believe. The amp sounds great, my worry about the volume is not an issue anymore as others have said I just use the volume controls. The only issue is when punching in the drive control and using the amp with the drive activated there is a noticeable hum, this is not present when using the amp with just a clean tone. Any ideas? I am not that technically minded so in plain English please. Cheers Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 [quote name='paul j h' timestamp='1397032552' post='2419834']...the drive activated there is a noticeable hum, this is not present when using the amp with just a clean tone. Any ideas?...[/quote] Good afternoon, Paul... Do you get this 'hum' if you try the same but with nothing plugged in..? When the hum is present, unplug the jack from the input socket; is the hum gone, or still there..? If the hum is gone, it's your bass (or cable...) that's picking up the hum. If the hum remains, it's inherent to the amp, and will be difficult to get rid of. I don't have any knowledge of this specific amp, but the first test is to see if it's inside the amp or coming from outside. What's the verdict..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashdown Engineering Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 [quote name='paul j h' timestamp='1397032552' post='2419834'] Hi I got the amp home yesterday, I had a brief play, there is no issues with the fan (fans X 4) I believe. The amp sounds great, my worry about the volume is not an issue anymore as others have said I just use the volume controls. The only issue is when punching in the drive control and using the amp with the drive activated there is a noticeable hum, this is not present when using the amp with just a clean tone. Any ideas? I am not that technically minded so in plain English please. Cheers Paul. [/quote] When the drive is engaged that brings the 12AX7 in the pre amp into play so could be that thats on the way out and being noisy so that would be the first thing to look at, the amp will be a few years old so swapping out for a new one should help... If that doesn't help feel free to give us a shout on 01245 441155 and have a chat to Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul j h Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 Hi, now that is what I call customer service (see above) many thanks Guy, I will give it a go tomorrow and let you know. Cheers Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Nice one Mr Ashdown :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72deluxe Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1396881572' post='2418316'] This - I use my 500 Fusion in the house too. Get the sound with the gain and moderate the overall volume with the master. That's what they're there for, isn't it..? [/quote] How do you manage it? I find it deafeningly loud with the master on as low as it'll go (any lower and it doesn't register a signal). Perhaps I should just use one channel instead of the tube/fet blend (but then it doesn't sound right!) Tips appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) [quote name='72deluxe' timestamp='1397145035' post='2421158'] How do you manage it? I find it deafeningly loud with the master on as low as it'll go (any lower and it doesn't register a signal). Perhaps I should just use one channel instead of the tube/fet blend (but then it doesn't sound right!) Tips appreciated! [/quote] I'm sorry, you'll have to speak up a bit... Seriously though I can get down to a usable 'house' volume. Are you referring to your Shuttle? If so, I have no experience of that amp, but sounds like if you're using two channels simultaneously you may find it harder to keep the SPLs down. OR you could always turn down at the bass? Edited April 10, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1397065516' post='2420341'] Nice one Mr Ashdown :-) [/quote] Agree, quality customer service that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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