RandomBass

Infinity basses - they just seem to go on for ever....

Will the drummer and keyboard player be able to site the single large speaker so they can both hear it effectively?

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1350473664' post='1839271'] Am I the only person who saw this topic title and throught: [color=#800000][i][b]"So here it is, Merry Xmax, everybody's having fun[/b][/i][/color]"? [/quote] oh great. That reminds me I will need to brush up on that song again soon. Grrrr

I think the semi-parametric EQ is brilliant, and worked really well on the Mibass I had. Also, the input felt more senistive than usual for Ashdown so didn't need such a high setting on the input knob to get that tiny meter needle moving. What I did find is that the Mibass pre-amp went into clipping before it had a chance to drive the power amp sufficiently. By using the FX return as an input from a booster, and thus just using the power amp section, I was able to get a much louder output from the Mibass. It's as if the preamp output was not correctly matched to the power amp input requirements. Perhaps it was the particular one I had that didn't cut the mustard, and all the others are fine.

Im a fan of Ashdown amps, but the mibass didnt float my boat. I found the 550 version I had just didnt have any oomph behind it. The preamp went into nasty clipping before the power amp was being driven properly. Nice design and facilities though. Cheers Geoff

Yes I'd give it a go first and see how you get on. I remember when I first used it in anger I was concerned I wouldn't be able to fill the venue with bass, and had an XLR cable ready just in case I needed to put some through the PA. At half-time I chatted to the landlord who is a respected musician locally, and he said it founded more than fine. I'd recommend having an XLR to hand if you can, just in case you do need to put some bass through the PA if it's an option. I don't know what sort of size venues you play, so probably best to be prepared - just in case. I'm actually looking forward to experimenting with a bit of DI into our PA, as the DI on the LB30 is taken from it's own winding on the output transformer, so gets the full valve loveliness and tone.

[quote name='BluRay' timestamp='1350225133' post='1835956'] Yeah good for them - a year ago there was nowt but people putting them down. I'd love to try one of these. Value watts tend to be worth more in volume terms right? So would a CTM 300 be much more powerful (louder) than, saym, ABM 500? [/quote] Yeah with you there. I've always enjoyed my various Ashdown gear, and don't really get the bashing they seem to have got recently. Anyway, if my LB30 is anything to go by (loud enough for most gigs I do), I'd say the CTM300 would easily out-do the ABM500. That's assuming they are the same lovely Watts of the LB - which I have no doubt they are. I have to try one of these CTMs one day, even though I'm not in a position to be able to afford one at the moment. What I would like is something like an LB60, in the same casing, at less than £1k please.

sorry forgot to mention thats in a five piece rock/pop covers band.

Ive been doing pub gigs with my LB30 and BF Compact with no problem. In fact the LB is getting more outings than my ABM at the moment. At some stage I'm sure I will need to try the DI and put a little bass into the PA, and Im looking forward to experimenting with that. Cheers Geoff

Do you know what tone you are looking for? Any examples from bands or particular songs or styles? Try as many different brands as you can - GAK do have Ampeg for demo, as well as Markbass and some others I cannot remember - and I believe they became an Ashdown dealer not that long ago. If they have the ABM there, try it against some others. Ask the bass chap whether he can help with obtaining a particular tone or sound from the ABM as well as the others. You may end up finding it with the ABM after all. Good luck, and let us know how you get on. I may be in GAK later on so if I see or hear someone trying out various heads, I will know its you! Geoff

I got away with 'look what I won in a competition, hun'. I was astonished I'd got away with it - until she found the receipt about a month later. Miss Bloody Marple.

i think either the OTB500 or an Ashdown ABM500 will fit the bill perfectly. Having said that, I'm mostly gigging with my LB30 and Compact these days,....

[quote name='bassmachine2112' timestamp='1349601754' post='1828048'] Here,s a piccie of mine with a pearl scratchplate which is the original one It,s got a maple neck now as they didn,t do one at the time. It,s from a vintage musicman copy,forgot the model number but it,s a straight retrofit apart from two pilot holes for the neck screws,schaller tuners and wizard thumper pick up. [/quote] i do wish you would stop posting that picture lol. Everything about it is just right - esp the Roland gear, which id love to get my hands on one day (not necessarily yours of course lol)

For me the best upgrade money was spent on lessons

Im toying with getting a 24 fretter, passive. Ive seen the Yammy RBX series, and rather like the 270 version. Then I saw the Jackson JS2 Concert. Anyone have this or tried it? Your thoughts and wisdom most appreciated. Id read somewhere about neck dive on these, which would really put me off. that could be a myth though... Cheers Geoff

Ouch! I do hate it when suppliers don't make it clear items are out of stock when you order. Mind you, I believe you did change the order? Still a pain though.

That's good news, glad it's working out for you. I'm still tweaking the action on my Tony Butler V4 - it's close now, but I think the nut slots need to be a fraction deeper as I can really notice the difference there compared to my Jazz and my older V4 which are both effortless to fret around the top of the neck. Those V4 TB's are great basses though, aren't they? Fabulous build quality and sound in my humble opinion.

[quote name='BluRay' timestamp='1348496408' post='1814312'] If you don't genuinely need the extra power, its a big cash upgrade for the sake of saving just 4lbs. Think of all that ale you could drink instead. That's how I get through it.... [/quote] Actually it would be a 4kg saving - but either way, I like your style, young man....

With that lot running at full tilt on stage, I'd be more concerned for my hearing and innards than the cabs.

I'd like to try out an ABM1000, but can't find anywhere in the South Easst that has them in stock - they seem to be on special order. I've messed about with too many amps recently (inc Micro VR, Ampeg PF, Terror Bass, MiBass etc), eventually realising that the ABM is the one for me. Ok, it weighs 14kg but its the tone, the sound, the depth that none of the others could give. Maybe i just haven't tried the right Class D for me yet. I just love the ABM preamp stage. And I have to admit the 500 is more than loud enough for me into a single BF Compact - so the 1000 would be overkill. However, at less than 10kg it is very tempting. Just need to try before I buy... As an aside, I had a UK made MAG600 before the ABM500 which I regret selling, to be honest. The MAG eq frequencies were spot on for my tone, and easier to manage than the ABM I reckon. However I've got to know and love the ABM now - but I wouldn't mind trying one of the new MAG600 EVO 3 models. Just not convinced the valve emulated overdrive will match the true valve of the ABM. Cheers Geoff

The Ashdown ABM valve drive, when the input is set properly, gives a deliciously gritty sound to my ears. I must have a listen to that album.....

Now that looks interesting. Couldn't find it on the Zoom site, but they have the guitar version on there. My B2 has finally gone doolally after one too many beers spilt on it. I was contemplating just buying another one as I know it inside-out, but the B3 has me interested - reports on here say the compressor/limiter is much improved, which is something I really hate on the B2 (well, the limiter is much better than the compressor). Now this thing comes along...

[quote name='Lotusmark2' timestamp='1348056147' post='1808549'] Roland bass cube 30 [/quote] Same here, been using one for a couple of years now. Lots of effect options, nice and loud for its 30w 10" size. And I do believe there's one for sale in our very own classifieds section...

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1348238001' post='1811268'] Ah yes, I've played there. Might pop down later on then - didn't know they were doing jam nights [/quote] Yes we've played there too a few times. I think the jam nights are not that frequent - I only got a txt from the landlord yesterday telling me about it lol.

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1348227509' post='1811078'] What Jam are you going to Random? I'm in Brighton -ish too [/quote] It's at The Hampden Arms in South Heighton, Just outside Newhaven. A compact place but usually a good music and fine beer venue