RandomBass

That needle needs to be heading up towards the red, even entering into the red briefly on loudest notes. Check you have the Passive/Active button set correctly: out for passive, pushed in for active. Boosting EQ (my faves are the 180 and 340Hz sliders, with a tad Bass knob boost too) will push the needle even more. Unless you are getting a healthy signal on the VU, you wont be pushing the power amp with a strong enough signal to get the most out of it. My ABM500 is extremely loud, with an incredible amout of grunt there. It handles any gig I do with a single 15" cab (a Compact). I had a MAG600 before (which I miss, mainly because of it's EQ frequencies) and that was equally as loud. They have the same 575W output stage, only the preamp and facilities are different. Let us know what knob & slider settings you are using.... Cheers Geoff

you say you are having to boost the signal to the input? Where is the needle on the meter when you play?

[quote name='grunge666' timestamp='1340416740' post='1704329'] They both laughed when I took it out the box - Orange Bass Toaster 500! LMFAO! [/quote] yeah i got similar comments from my drummer at the time lol

[quote name='Zenitram' timestamp='1339698398' post='1693007'] Right. It makes the strings like on a harp. Makes sense in my head now. Thanks. [/quote] I'd never thought of it before. Possibly also explains the shape of a grand piano. Ahhhh.......

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1339515333' post='1689661'] Not all bad though, as I'm hoping it's because this will be the new batch of US- built MBE cabs. [/quote] Now wouldn't that be nice.... and don't forget to weigh that LB if you get a chance, I'd love to know...

Where did you buy this from. You mentioned a shop, but I don't seem to be able to find anywhere that stocks it... Cheers Geoff

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1339261449' post='1686081'] The GK 212MBE is an even better price, and hence I just ordered one. Hopefully it will be what I'm looking for, and give me the sound I want, but if not I plan to take full advantage of Thomann's 30 day money-back offer. They had a B-stock item for slightly cheaper, but I have heard the QC can be a bit off with these cabs, as you can expect for the price, so went for brand new. The difference in price was negligible anyway. This should be slightly smaller than the LB cab, but a lot lighter. I really don't think the 14kg Ashdown quote is right, but I'll know soon enough. The LB cab will now provisionally be for sale! Thanks every for your advice, and hopefully I won't be back here whinging in 3-5 business days [/quote] Good stuff! Did you get round to weighing your LB212 - I'd be interested to know what you find...

[quote name='Hazza' timestamp='1339432557' post='1688388'] They sound just fine - I guess it was just the music shop guy trying to make a sale! [/quote] What an outrageous suggestion

If you like the Ashdown sound (I do) thats a good path to take. Thats more than i started gigging with (EB180-15 with a 12 inch extension to get the full 180 watts) - you will be in a good position to start with, and to 'improve' your setup as you need. Cheers Geoff

Did anyone here ever have a try, or buy, the LB550? If so, your thoughts/observations would be most welcome. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1339244039' post='1685785'] I have a BF Compact and a Midget and, like a lot of users have said, you will find no issues with volume using one or the other for gigs. Both are a one hand lift, a featherlight 12kg and 9kg respectively, and easy to manoeuvre - the Midget ridiculously so. If you have space for the Compact then it comes down to what sound you prefer. I prefer the more balanced overall sound of the Compact but generally use the Midget on its own for rehearsals because it is lighter and smaller. Adding more bass on the EQ helps bring it nearer the sound from the Compact, but it does lack a bit of bottom for my taste. In combination they are absolutely superb - the ranges complementing each other. If I *had* to choose just one it would be the Compact every time (but I am pleased to have both). [/quote] I totally concur with this, even though I don't have a Midget any more. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1339241127' post='1685737'] If you like the cab why not just put a handle on the side and carry it with one hand. something like this, [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/large-strap-handle-43826?c=maplin&utm_source=gcs&utm_medium=gcs_search&utm_campaign=L93AZ&utm_content=Handles"]http://www.maplin.co...content=Handles[/url] [/quote] Which looks very much akin to the handle on the side of my Compact lol. And dimensionally matches up. So it must be good

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1339238670' post='1685689'] Thats very interesting.... I'd never thought to question 14kgs, and took that as gospel. If it does indeed weigh nearly 30kg, then I can worry less about the reduction in dimensions and more about bringing the weight down. It also means I'm incredibly strong..... The Compact would therefore become a serious option for me, although outside my budget. I'm off to buy some bathroom scales! [/quote] I'd be interested to hear what your LB212 weighs...

Ah ok Cornwall - yes quite a distance from me lol. In my experience I found the Midget to be upper-middy. However you would be able to eq it out. Add more low end to balance things out more. I'd value Lozz's input on this The weight thing is interesting. Ashdown state the LB212 weighs 14kg, and I was interested in getting one. However, a fellow basschatter had one for sale, and I expressed an interest in it - he kindly weighed it for me and it came in at a fraction under 28kg! Bear in mind a Compact weighs 12kg (I have weighed mine and it is pretty much bang on that weight - although obviously my scales aren't scientifically calibrated lol, but they can't be too far out). Get a suitcase, fill it with clothes etc until it weighs 12kg, and carry it in one hand - that's pretty much what it is like to move the Compact around. I've never needed two hands to move it. Cheers Geoff

Either will be giggable volume-wise, the difference is in their tone as Lozz mentions above. The Midget is more mid present in my experience, and might need a bit of eq to bring the bottom end back. I prefer the Compact because for me it is the perfect all-rounder, needing virtually no eq at all. And i would say it does have a 'fuller' sound compared to the Midget. If you are local you are most welcome to come and try mine - where are you based? Cheers Geoff

Either will be giggable volume-wise, the difference is in their tone as Lozz mentions above. The Midget is more mid present in my experience, and might need a bit of eq to bring the bottom end back. I prefer the Compact because for me it is the perfect all-rounder, needing virtually no eq at all. And i would say it does have a 'fuller' sound compared to the Midget. If you are local you are most welcome to come and try mine - where are you based? Cheers Geoff

Either will be giggable volume-wise, the difference is in their tone as Lozz mentions above. The Midget is more mid present in my experience, and might need a bit of eq to bring the bottom end back. I prefer the Compact because for me it is the perfect all-rounder, needing virtually no eq at all. And i would say it does have a 'fuller' sound compared to the Midget. If you are local you are most welcome to come and try mine - where are you based? Cheers Geoff

Methinks the answer may lie in the title. Although the BFCompact may only be slightly smaller than the LB212, it is less than half the weight and as such will be significantly easier to move about single-handed. I'd try one in the flesh if you get the chance. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='pikeman' timestamp='1339160778' post='1684612'] Looks like I'll have to start saving for a Midget now. [/quote] GAS strikes again! Lol. I did that, didnt get on with the Midget in the end so we divorced lol. Ended up with a dual Compact stack. Im back to a single cab (Compact) and happy as Larry. Not Hartke, of course.

I used mine with my Compact and Midget stack - much like Lozz did. Great sound and no problems. Geoff

A good choice, Sir.