Sparky Mark

I struggled with the mids on my LH for some time before giving up and selling it. The minimalist EQ is fine if you like the head's basic tone, but if not your stuffed, and left searching for a pedal to help out.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1209889' date='Apr 24 2011, 11:07 AM']Virtually all cabs have various inputs, well if they don't they should have![/quote]
+1 I havent seen a new cab that doesn't have parallel inputs for daisy chaining. Just don't buy cabs with one input.

Noticed something strange on the TC website....they show the BH500 linked up to 3 cabs in the suggested rigs section? Assuming they are all 8 ohm cabs and the BH500 minimum is 4 ohms this will overlaod the BH500. Or are the 210s 16 ohms?

[quote name='4-string-thing' post='1209013' date='Apr 23 2011, 10:49 AM']I'd be tempted to try your head with better cabs, loads of people seem to think that there isn't much between the Mag and ABM heads so maybe upgrading the cabs would be a better idea?

The Mag stuff is budget, but I've had good comments at gigs about my sound (70's P through a mag head into an old Acoustic 2x15 cab)

I'd at least look at swapping one of your cabs for a 15" which IMO would give you a better bottom end.

Some may disagree but I've always thought that an average amp through good speakers will always sound better than a good amp through bad speakers![/quote]

+1 about better cabs. I'm a recent convert to 12s. I realise cone size isn't supposed to be an indication of tone, but the 12's I've tried all seem to have a level of warmth that in my experience a lot of 10's don't. A good 2 x12 cab ( or 2 x 112) would be my choice unless the greater sound volume of a 410 is essential.

I think the MAG series achieve their budget price level by:-
1) using established technology and components which may be cheaper? (But maybe not for long due to thru hole parts becoming obsolete).
2) Chinese manufacturing.
3) keeping it simple (although the octaver and compression are frills not all budget amps offer)

I recently had the opportunity to A/B an ABM500 Evo 2 head with 210 + 115 ABM cabs and a MAG600 Evo 3 head with 210 + 115 MAG cabs.

Started with the MAG, punchy, clear, good tone with EQ set flat, and 1.6k pot boosted really brings the sound to life. Anyhow, overall sound was pretty balanced and clean with EQ centre freqs well positioned for adjusting to almost any tone. No distortion facility (other than by sending the VU meter into the red with extreme EQ settings).

Then went to ABM and I thought something had gone wrong! Massive bass, subdued mids and little top end? With the EQ set flat the tone seemed massively mid scooped when compared to the MAG. I wondered whether the cabs were responsible so I swapped the heads over, but there was no real difference, the ABM staying very dark. Even the sales guy was surprised at how soft the ABM sounded in comparison. Valve drive was the extra tonal facility but I didn't play too much with extreme settings for distorted tones.

I had to boost the mid, high mid and high sliders on the ABM to approach the definition of the MAG. Interestingly the MAG has a lo boost button which works at 50Hz, whilst the ABM does not, almost as if this boost is part of the ABM's preset flat EQ. By switching back from ABM to MAG I was able to get the ABM to sound just as deep and round as the ABM, and was able to boost the ABM mid and top to get the MAG type sound.

The power stage of these amps is identical, the difference is in the preamp. The ABM has more EQ (7 bands) than the MAG (5 bands plus hi and lo boost buttons) and the valve drive is a benefit if you want to set a different footswitchable tone. The ABM also has a lot of extra facilities not directly linked to sound but to operation (mute, footswitchable octaver, comp, valve o/d etc).

This is where I'm going to get shot, but for me the ABM flat seemed much more suited to old school warmth, but could be EQ'd to punchier tones, whereas the MAG flat seemed much more neutral. Based on this I have now bought a MAG600 and can confirm that through my Bergantino HT112ER/EX stack it is every bit as capable as my LM3 for about half its price.

I'm hoping reliabilty of the ABM and MAG are the same as the bit that does the work and gets hot (the power amp) is the same. It usually follows that the more parts there are the more there is to go wrong, so the MAG may even have a slight advantage.

I really like Ashdown amps (I now own three) and had the ABM been at a similar price to the MAG, probably would've gone that way, but the extra £275 just didn't seem worth it as I do have a VT Bass pedal for valve type tones, but I'm still going to keep my eyes open for a used ABM500 Evo 3 all the same.

[attachment=78125:MAG_Rig.jpg]

Here it is

Best tone and weight is the Hydrive 410, compact size (for a 410) and can be had for around £300 secondhand ( but worth it).

410XL heavy but compact size with great tone, silly cheap secondhand. I had one for 15 years, built to last and loved it.

4.5XL even bigger and heavier than 410XL. If you need the extra oomph and can carry it, and need a big 410 this is the best choice.

But IMO a 410XL is a better cheap choice/compromise, and you won't look silly using it in a small venue.

[quote name='wookie' post='1172943' date='Mar 23 2011, 08:57 AM']PM'd with further offer![/quote]

And replied to.

[quote name='wookie' post='1171751' date='Mar 22 2011, 08:54 AM']PM'd[/quote]
And replied to.

Another 'now it's even more of a bargain' bump!

Withdrawn from sale.
This is the best cab I've owned, but I'm not playing many venues that require a 410 at the moment. So I'm thinking of selling it to fund something smaller, like a couple of single 12 cabs. Here's the specs:-

IMPEDENCE
4 ohms
SPEAKER SIZE
4x10 in.
BASS PORTS
front
TWEETER
1" compression driver with custom horn
POWER HANDLING
800W RMS (AES Standard)
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY
3.5 kHz
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
35 Hz to 20 kHz
SENSITIVITY
103 dB SPL
WEIGHT
65.92 lbs / 29.9 kg
WIDTH
23.39 in. / 59.4 cm
HEIGHT
29.13 in. / 73.9 cm
DEPTH
18.9 in. / 48 cm


To confirm, it's the 4 ohm version, in perfect condition and comes with a silverstone cover and dolly. Looking for offers around £[s]625[/s] [s]£600[/s] [s]£575[/s] now only £550!

I'm based in Harlow, Essex.

Cheers for looking.

[attachment=74677:mb410ii.jpg]

What rig are you wanting to trade up to?

What was the original colour?

[quote name='lollington' post='1109859' date='Jan 31 2011, 06:59 PM']Hijacking the thread somewhat, but recently picked up a LH500 myself.

Does anyone else notice a notice jump in volume around the 6 mark? Seems to be pretty quiet up till then....[/quote]

There are dozens of posts on BC and TB noting this characteristic of the volume pot.

Collected from where in S Yorks?

[quote name='Freddiel75' post='1095593' date='Jan 19 2011, 08:15 PM']Bought this new for £290 back in May but now looking to fund some new stuff and this baby has to go.

Fantastic sound

[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Ashdown-MAG414T-Deep-Bass-Amp-Cab/C5W"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/...ass-Amp-Cab/C5W[/url]

Will get some Photos up at the weekend.

£200 - collection or willing to meet half way if you don't live to far away.

Cheers
Freddie[/quote]
Where from?

BUMP for an amazing bass and a great guy. Tried this bass tonight when picking up something else. I'm no fan of 5's but this bass is something else!! It's feather light, beautiful full even tone across all strings up and down the board, fit and finish you would expect from a proper Spector and in A1 condition.
T, just a tip, put your reduced price in your first post title (use full edit) - it should fly out at £800! This bass is worth twice that.
Cheers,
Mark

[quote name='eddbass' post='1066646' date='Dec 22 2010, 12:08 PM']for sale my ashdown abm 300 head in very good condition everything works as it should, with ashdown cover and foot switch. I have the manual also.£250 delivered by courier to uk mainland address.pm your email add. for pictures or txt or call 07971265841 Eddie[/quote]
Has this sold? If not, you may get more interest with a few photos and where you are based.

[quote name='fluffo' post='1081069' date='Jan 7 2011, 02:02 PM']Mark what depth is the case[/quote]

Good question. It's 17 inches deep overall, with the front mounts recessed 1.25 inches, so will accept amps upto approx 16.5 inches deep.

Another price drop bump. It's gotta go! £22.

[quote name='lozbass' post='1078221' date='Jan 5 2011, 08:15 AM']I'll be at my local Dawsons later and will have a go on one of the Epiphone EB3 short-scales (I think they had three in stock when I last looked) - I'll report back.[/quote]
I thought the new Epi EB3's were all long scale - hence serious head dive. The Epi EB0's are short scale I think.

Price drop bump now £25.

[attachment=67912:HPIM0519.JPG][attachment=67913:HPIM0520.JPG][attachment=67914:HPIM0521.JPG][attach
ment=67915:HPIM0523.JPG][attachment=67916:HPIM0524.JPG]

SOLD Wood construction, black carpet covered with feet, carrying handle and metal corner protectors.
4 off 1U blanking panels and 20 off chrome and 4 off black mounting screws included.
It's 17 inches deep overall, with the front mounts recessed 1.25 inches, so will accept amps upto approx 16.5 inches deep.
Only £22 collected from Harlow, Essex. SOLD
Cheers,
Mark
SOLD

Having a senior moment.....will create this topic in other stuff for sale!

Having a senior moment.....will create this topic in other stuff for sale!

SOLD - Wood construction, black carpet covered with feet, carrying handle and metal corner protectors.
4 off 1U blanking panels and 20 off chrome and 4 off black mounting screws included.
Only £30 collected from Harlow, Essex.
Cheers,
Mark