Ander87

I think that's your answer. And if you still have a Helix you can run an Ampeg sim through your Ashdown with the EQ disengaged. Aha! Yep I'm on the fence about moving or keeping the HX effects. Potentially settling for the ABM 600 ltd @ £400, then I'll have to assess whether I want to keep the HX Effects or just get a Darkglass pedal (the distortion I use on my HX) and make a small pedalboard.

Hm thank you for the notes @BassAdder60 it seems like the ABM is a big winner, unanimously! I was expecting Ampeg to put some more resistance to it ha! Curious about the EVO V but can't justify the price... ... Yes, I'm seeing the ABM 600 for about 450-500 often... this particular limited edition one claims to be UK made and hand wired... Is the 'regular' ABM 600 EVO IV also UK made / hand wired? Not sure if that one I checked is too good to be true... Will defo ask some questions and check on the Ashdown owners thread, thank you! Ander.

Well... It seems I've found a 20th Anniversary ABM 600 EVO IV nearby home for £400... ... this is the quilted panel with silvery front - assuming it's a good price even for a regular ABM 600 - don't care much about the "limited edition-ness"... Shall I pull the trigger? 👀

Thank you! Yes, I've always obsessed over a small amp, hence my Eitch T900 I put in my gig bag... ... Having said that, I always drive to venues and rehearsals, many times I use the HX Effects into the rehearsal room if I'm feeling lazy or rushed to pack cables etc...! What I'm saying is, despite my obsession for portability, I don't really need it - that does not mean I'm after a huge Ampeg, but the size of the ABM 600 is defo enough. Also I'm pushing 600w on 8ohm with the Eich T900... Assuming the 350ish of the ABM on 8 ohm will be plenty for stage in pubs and the like...

Hmmm! thank you both! Am I right in going for the ABM 600? Any other model I should research or consider? I'd like to not have to dough out for my Eich T900 so I've a 'buying power' of about £500-600. Saw a mint ABM 600 for £450...! Sorry, I spend all my day trading basses and rarely change amp heads

Hey gang, I'm in a bit of a mess so I figured I could do with your help. I come back from active Stingrays into a HX Effects, Eich T900 and a Barefaced Big Baby 2. I've swapped the Stingrays to Fenders + cash in the bank and now I have two passive American Original Precision and Jazz. I really like their sound but I'm ready for a change. The Barefaced is staying as it projects massively and clearly and it's lightweight etc. I am after a head with more colour, and my first instinct was Ampeg. I tried an SVT 7 Pro at a rehearsal room and funny enough I quite liked it! I always push the treble and low on the Rays and I play punk rock and neosoul. So I need a fat clean, a punchy clean and a dirty sound and I'm sorted. Now I start to dig around and it seems like the Ashdown is all the things the Ampeg could be and I have yet less idea about Ashdowns other than the crappy ones you often see in rehearsal rooms. I love that scooped, trebbly character you can pull from an Ampeg but from my research it seems you can make those with Ashdown too... ie. Ashdown will cover Ampeg but Ampeg won't cover the warmth from Ashdown.... ... Any other players I should consider? I don't love the drive/controls on the Aguilar Tone Hammer so that's discarded... Mesa Boogie Subway D800+? Thanks! Ander.

... I'm always switching between Stingrays and Precisions, so.... Musicman & Fender... After letting go of my Rays and putting some money in the bank... American Original 60s Jazz (Sonic Blue) and American Original 60s (Lake Placid Blue). Genuinely surprised, these two are a-mazing!!!! Will tell you more once tried out on rehearsal...! I had a stunt with an active Fender but realised it's not my thing... for active basses I'll choose Stingray 10/10 but realising I'm most of the times on the same settings, I'll just do the EQ on the HX Stomp / Amp and go...! Best, Ander.

Ah, just came back from an idilic sunny drive back from David's after collecting his (my!) American Original Jazz bass. Even though we got to speak due to another bass, this turned out to be a great happenstance. It had been a while since my last Jazz and David's offer was absolutely fit for my needs. The bass was in perfect condition as he mentioned and you can tell is was beautifully taken care of. We had a great chat and David was super welcoming, I felt very comfortable dealing with him with perfect communications. ... Sometimes, GAS allowing, one realises the human value of this community, dealing with the wonderful people that keep it alive and make you keep a smile on your face: David is one of these gentlemen. Deal with absolute confidence.

this is the most Commerford I’ve seen Sean play! What a guy!

The posts above precede the expectation of meeting Karl when buying his (my!) Elite Precision. He's just a top gentleman, super quick communications, information, responsiveness and accommodating in meeting halfway to my favour. Can't recommend him enough!! Have a good one Karl and thanks again!

Met with Darren to purchase his lovely American Original 60s P - all as in pictures/advertised, great communications and accommodating to find a point in between for the sale to take place. Super lovely chap that I would most definitely recommend!

Sold my dearest and beloved SR5 special to Chris and I know it'll go to a loving home - very good communications and fast payment, serious business and no fiddling about! Up to date with logistics to pick it up and all in all just an absolute gentleman to deal with. Would most definitely recommend! Enjoy that beast Chris!

very good summary that I totally agree with. very true….! But even those are coming up! I kinda regret not haven’t jumped on one of those CS precisions that were around the 1800-2200 mark less than a year ago…! Best, Ander.

I agree with your sentiment buddy, but it’s fair to expect definitely “more”. What that “more” is is complicated for everyone and depends on pockets but for me personally I can do up to 2k£ to be impressed with a bass (inflation will bring that up for sure eventually). Above that I can’t justify. For others that point is 1k, 8k, etc and that’s perfectly fine. very true on incremental increase bringing marginal gain though. Ander.

Hm... I'm very much like the OP here - I have learnt to love P basses (growing up I thought they were the most boring thing, eh!) and most of the basses I've had have been either P basses or Stingrays. When the P needs call, I find myself drooling for the CS Fenders and do dream of ever having one - but then I think 'hold up, get a Limelight for one third of that and make it more yours' and that 'want' disappears. I do think it's an itch to scratch and I would like to try one. In a past life when I was playing guitars I played a Private Stock 594 worth 10k£ and to be honest it felt like your "regular" 3k£ PRS, so I understand many of the sentiments here. Having said that, I've heard and read that if you want a NOS, CS feel-like Fender, the American Original 60s in nitro / Vintage II series are on par sound and finish wise - and you get to do your own relic as time goes... Best, Ander.