RandomBass

Thanks Valhalalf, interesting thoughts there. I made a comment elsewhere that I didn't feel the MiBass had the same 'clout' that my ABM has sound wise, and I still stand by that. I also find it difficult to put my finger on it, and perhaps it is similar to the solid state vs valve debate, only this time it's one type of solid state topology vs another one. I really don't know. I thought my ABM would be up for sale by now - but I'm going to give the MiBass a few more gigs before I do. I'd love to be able to afford to have both, unfortunately I can't, and I'd really like to go lightweight... maybe I'm not ready for it just yet. Or it's not ready for me? Just to add more confusion I've got a Terror Bass on it's way from another BC'er - it's something I've wanted to try out for ages, if only because it uses the same control knobs as my bass lol. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1328884606' post='1534350'] Woo hoo my Mibass 550 has just arrived, sadly I'm at work so can't use it till the gig tonight. First impressions though nice and light, but not too light that it'll get knocked of a cab easily and the knobs and sliders feel very nice. Very impressed. Can't wait to hear it. [/quote] So, how did it perform? I'm keen to hear your thoughts. Cheers Geoff

Ohm My God. Sorry, couldn't resist it

[quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1328884606' post='1534350'] Woo hoo my Mibass 550 has just arrived, sadly I'm at work so can't use it till the gig tonight. First impressions though nice and light, but not too light that it'll get knocked of a cab easily and the knobs and sliders feel very nice. Very impressed. Can't wait to hear it. [/quote] And I'm looking forward to your thoughts about it. Cheers Geoff

I'm like peety, just got a MiBass 550 and am very impressed with it. I think my ABM possibly has more 'clout' (technical term, no idea what it means or describes) sound wise - but it's marginal. And tonally they are very alike. The only downsides are lack of mute, and valve and compressor can be done with my pedal. The upsides more than outweigh (pun intended) though! Cheers Geoff

[quote name='phatbass787' timestamp='1328297020' post='1525242'] So it's loud with a great EQ but you don't like that it's so small.... Isn't that the point of the MiBass? ;-) [/quote] That's exactly why I am impressed with it - I never said I don't like that it's so small. Cheers Geoff

Hey 4 strings, where are you based? Geoff

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1328273531' post='1524723'] Thanks, Geoff, really useful. Mine will be used with a Compact too. I'm waiting for the Matamp 500 to be ready as that would be my first choice (for no other reason than liking the idea of it being a Matamp!) with the Mibass being the second option. Matamp will allow a week test as I can't get to the factory in the foreseeable. I'm still looking for somewhere to try a Mibass so you impressions are valuable. [/quote] If you do get a chance to try the mibass with your compact, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts too. Cheers Geoff

Well back again folks, after a band practice last night. We were trying out a new rehearsal room, with supplied drums, backline, keyboards and PA. The supplied bass gear is an Ashdown ABM500 4x10 combo, an earlier version. Crackly pots galore lol. I gave it a quick try but switched to the MiBass and BF Comapct which I'd also brought along. The MiBass looks so dinky atop the compact, I'm used to full size MAG and ABM heads! Below are some thoughts I had from last nigths session, with some comparison to my ABM. Input I don't like the tiny VU meter - its nothing compared to the full size one I'm used to, and I have to keep bending down to peer at it. The upside is that Ashdown appear to have fitted a red peak LED behind the VU screen, allowing you to see easily (and at a distance - I was across the room for part of the time) when you are overdriving the input. Controls The Active, Deep, Shape and EQ swtiches feel a bit cheap to me, but they won't be getting much use anyway - I generally start flat and use the EQ to get the sound I want, so the EQ switch will probably be permanently switched in, the others out. The front panel looks like it was lifted from the Little Giant to be honest (and I have read somewhere that the MiBass preamp is based on it's class D predecessor). All the rotary knobs and sliders are all smooth and nicely weighted. I was surprised to find myself missing the Compressor and Valve drive of my ABM, though. I hadn't realised how much I use and rely on them I guess. I know the compressor gets knocked by people, but I've not found it bad if used gently. I need to think about this. EQ I love this to bits. I've never had a semi-parametric EQ before so it took me a short while to get to grips with it. It was worth it though. Being able to hone in on a specific frequency range to manage (cut or boost) is just great. I was able to get a nice bit of 'growl' with the lower mids boosted. For info only as I normally cut treble, full treble boost adds very little noise or hiss to the sound. Output Once I'd tinkered with the EQ to get a pleasant tone, bit of bass boost, and lower-mid up a fraction more with the parametric knob at about 10 o'clock, I gave it some welly (a technical term which I can't explain now). It's definitely loud - not Terror Bass bonkers loud, but certainly on a par with my ABM500. More importantly, the tone doesn't seem to suffer adversely as the volume is turned up, even to max. I don't know how many Watts it is pushing into my single 8 Ohm Compact, but I'd say its just as much as an ABM. So overall I'm impressed. I miss a mute switch, and don't like the tiny VU meter. It's loud and and has a great EQ section. However, sitting on the Compact it looks so small and non-descript - almost like an over-sized car stereo. Maybe that's the attraction - discreet but powerful. Cheers Geoff

I've not yet had a chance to give the Mibass a proper band situation work out yet, hopefully at the weekend. However, there are a couple of interesting things I've found. Firstly the input gain seems much more 'responsive' than previous Ashdowns I've used. Notably I'm not having to go above 12 o'clock on the input to get a nice amount of movement on the VU needle: the same bass into my ABM needs a lot more, usually up to 3oclock. I guess it could possibly be a different type of pot used (linear vs log taper). Secondly, the VU meter background lighting flickers to red when I'm overloading the input - with such a small VU this makes it really easy to see when it's peaking. A nice touch. So far I'm very pleased. I got it as a B-stock return from Thomann, but honestly can find nothing wrong with it which might suggest it's been used and returned (eg scratches, greasy fingerprints etc), and functionally it works like it says on the tin. Can't be bad for £370! Anyway, I promise to do my duty and report back when I've been able to give it a proper workout. Cheers Geoff

My highway 1 jazz has polished up nicely in a couple of places, and looks good in the wine finish. The nitro isn't to everyone's liking, but works for me. That sunburst is rather nice though Cheers Geoff

Just received a mibass 550 and had a quick play through my compacts. Impressive indeed. Tone not far from my ABM500 and love the parametric eq. Missing the mute though lol. I can live with that though. Quiet fan, and dead quiet when I'm not playing. So far I'm liking it, see what its like in a band situation at practice though. Cheers Geoff

Damn predictive txt. Lol That should read, I think that is what they are saying. Geoff

So basically the 4 ohm output will handle 2.67 ohms. I think that is what view are saying? Cheers Geoff

Well mine is on It's way at the moment, hopefully arriving tomorrow. I've always liked Ashdown, and have been looking to lighten the load for a while - hopefully this will do the trick. Looking forward to trying it with my compacts. Cheers Geoff