Advice - opinions sought - Ashdown MAG 420 vs 300

[Uncle Rodney]

In my rehearsal room there is an Ashdown MAG300 EVO II which I've taken a fancy to. Been looking for one, seen many but sadly all just too many miles away.

 

I now see an Ashdown mag 420 rootmaster bass amplifier -  that's not too far away. Fitted with a 15” celestion bn15 300x speaker.

 

It will be be for home recording and occasional small gigs. I like a box to have lotsa knobs so I can dial in all kinds of tones, DI, (external) FX etc.

 

The spec look to be the same just a different front panel layout. Only downside is "made in china" - thoughts?

[Skybone]

Been using a Chinese built Ashdown MAG 2x10 combo for about 6 years, been utterly reliable in all that time.

 

There's only been one time it didn't sound great, but that was because it was plugged in to an extension that was also running an LED light strip. Moved it to a different wall socket, and it sounded fine.

 

IIRC, the MAG's were built in China too. Have a look on the back.

 

The Rootmaster range had a good reputation as well.