Looking for an additional bass cab to use for band rehearsals
I currently have the excellent Ampeg SVT212AV cab which I use with my ABM600 head ( huge sound )
Ideally want a good loud but cheap cab as a backup or use at rehearsals etc but to use on its own
Ideally a single cab and weight isn’t a major issue but nothing more than a 410 cab etc
I play loud heavy rock to pop rock so it needs to be punchy and loud
Are the RM410 Ashdown cabs loud ?
They are lighter than some I believe
Looking at a budget of circa £300 to £400 ideally
I believe on some earlier models the VU didn’t do much
The models today show an accurate display of input signal which used in conjunction with using your ears can set the ideal input gain to the amp.
I’ve been noticing how much more signal my Ashdown VU meter shows on my low E string compared to say the A string
Ive lowered my pickup slightly more ( already angled to match neck radius etc ) and I saw a better result where they appear more matched
So another great feature on the Ashdown amps makes a useful balancing gauge on strings !!
Will see how much more balanced at rehearsals but at least I can get max input settings without fear of crashing into the red zone too often when playing the E string !
In addition to the Ashdown RM500 another great amp is the Orange Little Bass Thing head 500w clean amp and very tube like sounding. Simple EQ and loud !!
Funny thing yesterday I was trying my ABM600 with my Mark Bass 151HR cab which I plan to use for rehearsals etc ( lighter than my SVT212AV)
I can get a very nice sound using Shape OUT ( on ) and boosting some of the mids
The 151HR can handle the deep lows nicely
Hopefully it will be loud enough on its own for rehearsals and perhaps smaller venues?
It’s about 8kg lighter than my SVT212AV
You will love it .. and for a great tip really get to know the EQ
You can get so many tones out of it
My top tip is pull down the 340hz slider as that improves the tone massively and up the main mids control instead
I don’t use the Shape Out feature as it’s too boomy live but again if you wish to use Shape Out ( on ) then boost 340hz and you get a fab tone
I’m definitely coming round to this way too
As a guitarist you can benefit from so many pedal variations depending on the music but as a bass player I’m enjoying the simple good amp and cab sound and EQ to suit the room and band
Last night I was using my Orange Little Bass Thing via my Ampeg SCR-DI and TC Spectracomp pedals
Nice sound
At break I pulled the cable out and went direct into the amp without pedals and set my EQ and bang .. what a better sound, the weight and tone of the amp were just better and had more heft behind the notes
Needless to say I’m ditching the SCR and TC and be happy with this great sounding amp and my ABM600
Dual lock is very strong ( in fact hard to remove items if you get 400 variant )
I did use it on small mini pedals once and it’s perfect but I’m back to trusty Velcro for ease of moving pedals etc.
Mine stay put nicely but are always on so only get an occasional stomp !
Having never used pedals before with bass I’m now sporting a tuner , Compressor and then Pre amp into a flat sounding amp
Mine are on the floor as I can step on the preamp drive pedal if and when required, same for tuner