la bam

I too have gone back to the dark side. From a barefaced SC to a mark bass ported 610. The 610 is amazing - sound superb, easy to move around at 34kg, has wheels and bar, and i NEVER have to worry that i wont have enough oomph on stage.

If you haven't got the pedal because you thought you needed it, I really wouldn't bother with it. Compression can really mess your sound up if you don't really know what you're doing. I'd avoid using it until you personally think that's the exact effect you need.

I recently bought a Evo iv ABM 600 and I have to say it is quality. It's looking like it's going to take over as my first choice amp. Firstly - power. Well, more than enough. Through my 6x10 it'll blow walls down. Secondly - build quality. It's built like a tank. All quality. Leather, metal, stitching, components - all top notch. It's amazing how you forget how a good amp should feel and be built after dealing with lots of throwaway class d stuff. Thirdly - Tone. What tone do you want? They're all in there! Granted they're not all that obvious to find, but theres some real lovely tones from classic Ashdown, to full on reggae, smooth funk and slamming ampeg style. The eq is second to none. You quickly learn what cutting out boosting a certain frequency does to shaping your sound. Some smooth it out, some add grit, some thickness, is a good learning curve. Fourthly - in the mix. The amp really sits well in the mix. I've spent about a day looking for a tone I was after, then did some recording and it genuinely couldn't have mixed in better, and that's without any tweaking or adjusting. Add to that great customer service, reliability and an amp that's built to last and you've got a great amp.

The older ABMs and ABM combos are hands down the best value second hand amps and cabs out there. Also, no one mentions it, but the fact there are so many available is testament to how well they are made and how long they last.

Good topic! When I first started bass and want much good, I used to roll all the tone off and it disguised sloppy, clanky playing. Eventually I played with it fully open, which accentuates any sloppy playing, and made a concious effort to iron out those playing errors. It took a while but improved my playing and technique no end. I now mainly use the tone pot fully open and then roll it off a bit which seems to give a nice sound with a bit of punch.

The evo2 i had didnt have the compressor on, but this compressor on the evo iv is pretty much outstanding for what i use it for. No hassle, no dramatic changes, just great compression at the turn of a dial. Its very very balanced without squashing before 12 oclock. the more you add the more your sound changes but the core compression (used for balancing output) is fantastic. The valve drive is more warm and gradual. So you can use it with a little bit of drive and it warms up your sound without grit, (you can tell the difference b switching it in and out) then the more you go the nicer it becomes. As always with this, make sure your input is registering fairly high to help the valve drive. The finish really is top class. the handle is like a piece of hand crafted furniture. really thick, strong and superbly finished. Job well done, Ashdown.

I saw this on a deal i couldnt refuse as i needed another amp, as i need 2 (1 for gig and 1 backup etc). Ive always liked ashdown and previously had: mag300 & 4x10 deep cab. (my first real bass rig). superfly and 4x8 and 1x15 cab. (completely underpowered). little giant 1000. (i thought it was impressive). abm evo2 115 combo and 2x10 cab. (really liked this). However, my main amp at the moment is a markbass evo - simply because it has upto 12 amp models on it (all very impressive) and a tuner and fx if needed, as well as x2 channels. It was really well, my only gripe would be the eq is a tad bland. Anywho, back to the evo iv.......... This thing is built like a tank - very solid and you can tell its been made for the road and rigours of playing. Not just solid, but well built and finished. So, in the house i thought id try it with my 6x10 .............. it nearly blew the roof off! so, winding everything and i mean everything back, i was able to get a volume that wouldnt upset people 10 streets away! and WHAT a sound! I cant quite describe the sound - its kind of nice and warm, but in no way harsh, and really really well balanced across the strings when using the compressor - no need to dig in or hold back to get a lovely sound. Its very controlled and gives the right amount of sustain per note when playing normally. ie its not too fat or too thin, just lovely. Then onto the twiddly things .... the valve drive adds a real nice warmth without going all svt. But on turning up, its easy to see how you can really drive this to a nice level and dirt if needed without it sounding false. Its certainly an improvement on the previous versions. The compressor works really well - fantastically well to be honest. Simply turn it up to 9oclock or 12 oclock for really nice control without any clamping or change to sound. Job done. The sub harmonic button is not something i really use, but it does work well if you like that. Now, for the best thing ever ...... the EQ. I didnt think id ever be interested in eq, but having previously had an evo2 i knew what boosting the high and low mids can do. Well, this is a different beast. It can do what the evo2 did, then a million times more. I struggle to think of a sound you couldnt get out of this amp with such control, with or without the valve drive. It really is impressive. Add to that a whole host of pro level inputs, outputs and DI options and youre prepared for anything. Ashdowns biggest strength (and ive always said this) is none of the above, but its how it sits in the mix. Now, for me, this amp is SO much better than any of the other ashdowns ive played, and more importantly much more flexible too, so i really cant see how it wont be a perfect fit with a bit of eq twiddling, and drive adjustment. Oh, and the output volume through a 6x10 ? enough for anything, and i mean anything that can be thrown at you! So dont worry about volume. i'll know whether this becomes my go - to amp as soon as weve had next practice. Signs are very promising. Ive spent ages finding a kind of svt sound that fits our band, but im sure this could do that in spades if needed.

I had the 210tv 8ohm and to be honest it was unbelievably light, loud and responsive. I genuinely never had very lm3 nowhere near half. You'll be happy with it.

Tiny Turner. Stung.

If you're lucky you may find a tech21 VT bass amp for £400. That does the svt style.

You can pick up 8x10s ridiculously cheap. There's always ones on eBay for under £100. A 6x10 maybe a better option but they're usually more expensive. A 4x10 should suffice though if driven properly, and is more flexible as you can also dad another 4x10 if not, and they're easier to carry around. As a very rough guide you would want your amp head to be giving out approx 300w at 8ohm (depending on cab). If you need more clarity try changing your eq on your current rig to see if that makes a difference - add some high mids. If you love the ampeg svt sound there's ways to get close, but you'll never be spot on. A VT pedal, flyrig pedal etc will definitely get close and be more flexible. You'll then just need to know that your loud enough with your current amp and cab. If it was my choice id probably be looking to spend £100 second hand on a cab (you can get some real bargains), and the rest on a better head.

Not on the courier site I used. You can quite easily go through their process without that information being offered.

That's not correct. It says click to say you have read and understand the prohibited items list. Basses and cabs are NOT on that list, so its fair to assume that theyre ok to send and fully insured. It even pops up to says 'we recommend you insure your item for its full amount.' and 'click here to insure your item for its full amount'. THAT is misleading.

Markbass Evo. X2 inputs and x2 channels. Switchable too and blendable. Built in tuner and x2 do outs. Fantastic for things like this.

I have a markbass 6x10. That was made to be 6ohms. Which is a great compromise. Plenty of power and no risk with ohmage.

I was thinking the exact same thing.

Great stuff! I do have a bit of a soft spot for ashdown. I've previously had mag300, superfly, little giant and ABM 500 Evo ii combo. I was looking for a backup amp for my markbass Evo which I have set up as an svt emulator, which works well in our band. I know the ABM won't sound anything like an svt, but I do know itll fit in with any mix when required and give years of trouble free service on the road.

I've just ordered an Evo iv 600 as I really liked the Evo ii. Should arrive next week. It'll be interesting to see how updated it is.

One of my main issues is that it asks you to check the prohibited items list, to check your item is not on it and ok to send, which amps and speakers do not appear on, so assumed ok, then confirms you are fully insured - which you are not because of the unmentioned restrictions and reductions list, and even smaller print of reduced insurance despite paying full cost of insuring an item for that value. Be careful everyone.