Minininjarob Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 Bought my first bass and borrowing a little Fender amp which is pretty useless and worn out so I need to get my own. I’ve tried Fender Rumbles, they seem good, a MarkBass I tried didn’t really float my boat but an Ashdown combo I tried (I don’t think it was a new one) sounded amazing but their new ones are different to the one I tried in a shop (must have been 2nd hand). Thing is I am not sure what size of amp to go for. The perfect sound for me would be Mike Dirnt (Greenday) - clean and sharp. I don’t want something massive but weight isn’t an issue really as I won’t be carrying it round many places. I want something with some kick that I could maybe use in a local gig but also ok at home. What sort of driver size should I be looking at? 12? 15? Amps? Bare minimum is XLR output and headphone/line in connections. I do know some electronics and have a friend who rents out back line equipment who can repair amps so 2nd hand doesn’t scare me but I don’t want to buy something unreliable. Any advice gladly received!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 The larger Fender Rumble combos get a lot of love, but seeing as you loved the sound of the Ashdown I`d take a look at the Amps For Sale on here, one of the guys @FinnDave is selling a few at present. If looking for a gig-worthy combo I`d go for a 210 and 300watts as a minimum. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 20, 2022 Share Posted October 20, 2022 I think that you're making a good choice trying that Trace Elliot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minininjarob Posted October 20, 2022 Author Share Posted October 20, 2022 I went to PMT in Leeds - very helpful there - and tried out a few sub £400 combos. I found out the one I tried when I first went in was a very expensive Ashdown which might have explained why it sounded good but to be fair I was so excited with buying anything I was a bit blinded. I was underwhelmed with the Ampeg sound, just a bit unexiting really, and the volume on the one I tried wasn’t great despite a decent size driver. Tried an Ashdown Studio 12 and I wasn’t that impressed. It was ok but that was it. Also it was really hard to see where the level knobs were on them as they were so shiny. Weird I know but it bothered me. The staff said they were getting a lot back faulty too which is a shame. The Fender Rumble 40 was excellent, such a great open sound, punchy and clear. Controls were a joy to use too. So that’s what I would choose if the 2nd hand option doesn’t work out but I’d probably look for one 2nd hand as they are expensive new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 11 hours ago, Minininjarob said: The staff said they were getting a lot back faulty too which is a shame. I am not sure it is a good idea to put third party comments on here about a manufacturer’s reliability. If you buy an Ashdown, and it goes wrong, that is fair game. Remember that staff in a music shop have”skin in the game”. They may be on a on some sort of sales incentive to sell one manufacturer’s products of just have that inbuilt bias that we all have. Sorry for the rant and good luck with your search. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 (edited) First of all Ashdown will offer you the best after sales in the business. You'll find plenty of tales here about them repairing amps bought second hand and sometimes not charging. They even come on BassChat from time to time. They don't have a particular problem with reliability and most bass gear is pretty reliable. You can buy Ashdown with confidence but choose your amp on how it sounds. If you like the sound then the amp is good. So much just depends upon taste. Go for used, you are probably going to be trading up as we never find out perfect amp first time and circumstances change anyway. You may get all your money back when you trade or only lose a fraction of your purchase price. Unless space at home is an issue go for something gig-able. 2-300W and at least a single 12" driver or a 2x10. There isn't a hard and fast rule but most of these will be loud enough and a 'proper' amp is going to sound better than most practice amps even at practice amp volumes, but you found that out for yourself with the little Fender. Edited October 22, 2022 by Phil Starr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 If you're in the Oxfordshire area, FinnDave is selling a 2x10 Ashdown combo at a reasonable price in the Market Place (no connection to me, so not trying to boost a pal's sale). It has a tweeter, so should do your required clean and sharp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minininjarob Posted October 23, 2022 Author Share Posted October 23, 2022 1 hour ago, Dan Dare said: If you're in the Oxfordshire area, FinnDave is selling a 2x10 Ashdown combo at a reasonable price in the Market Place (no connection to me, so not trying to boost a pal's sale). It has a tweeter, so should do your required clean and sharp. I had seen them but it’s a long way from me in Yorkshire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 There’s an Ashdown Mark King combo in the classifieds at the moment, which has been price dropped to £300, it’s in Stockport. That’s a great price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minininjarob Posted October 25, 2022 Author Share Posted October 25, 2022 3 hours ago, ern500evo said: There’s an Ashdown Mark King combo in the classifieds at the moment, which has been price dropped to £300, it’s in Stockport. That’s a great price. Looks like a big beast!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 2 minutes ago, Minininjarob said: Looks like a big beast!!! And it’s got the added bonus of an extra sleeve, so if you ever want to use it with a different cab, you just take the amp section out and put it into its own case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minininjarob Posted November 8, 2022 Author Share Posted November 8, 2022 Thanks all for the help, I've got a GK MB112 now bought 2nd hand locally, see separate thread... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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