BassAdder60

Just ordered some 2mm Prime Grip to try 👍

I agree but my guitarist isnt using a really heavy bass tone I notice the difference more with the drums tone and the bass guitar tone

I’m about to start using the Shape “out” on my ABM600 as I plan to pick play instead of fingers I think the shape ( pulls mids etc) makes pick playing an easier result as you get bottom end and top clarity

I’m a lover of playing bass with a pick as it suits the rock stuff I play but I keep holding off using a pick as the fullness of bass tone with fingers is also a great tone and I’m about to set myself a task … 1: achieve a great tone using a pick with as much fullness as I can get 2: still achieve that great pick clarity 3: sit well in the mix ( single guitar band, guitarist uses Marshall 4x12 Im using a PBass loaded with nickel rounds and my ABM600 through my Ampeg SVT212AV cab About to add the Ampeg Opto compressor and Ampeg Scrambler drive pedal for max punch and a bit of grind when required Will probably use the Shape Out on the ABM and add a little mids back to give me the most full bottom end Any tips for making this work where I don’t feel lacking in that warm full finger tone sound ?

My first ever bass amp was Marshall !

Having returned to the bass playing world three years ago I have found that some of the amp choices for us bass players seem somewhat wanting. Having played big heavy Ampeg SVT CL heads in the past and before that Ashdown ABM I can never recall we thought they were lacking in heft and power. Today with so many amp choices and many now Class D for the light weight option they do appear to have more issues with either cutting out, early failures, difficult to repair, and wattage ratings that do not seem to match the perceived output volume. I will say that for some folks it’s not an issue if you get your sound through venue PA rigs but when you need your own amp to do the work having the power to project and be heard is vital. Im not knocking class D as it’s the future but I’ve had more faulty, problematic, lacking in power amps since I’ve tried class D compared to say the ABM600 which is an amp I believe I can trust in it’s power, heft and ability to be repaired if required.

Definitely get the 15 as I’ve heard people say the single 12 is boxy sounding

I agree it should of been loud, it was but perhaps not as loud as I expected it could be. We do rehearse at very loud levels sometimes as it’s our chance to blow away the cobwebs. Probably too loud for a typical large pub but as a comparison my ABM600 master is on around 9 to 10 o clock and it’s louder than the PF800 or seems it for sure.

The input was at approx 3pm and red light occasionally flickering. The input pad was not engaged Master was as 12:00 o’clock and this was our rehearsal rooms ( loud rock band ) Using my SVT212AV cab that is normally a very loud cab Maybe the PF give out their power in the latter part of the output volume but after reading about PF shutdown issues and now the odd whining noise on start up it’s time to say goodbye.

I think refund .. I’m sure there is a better choice out there for me in the Ampeg range just haven’t found it yet. Needs to be a powerful loud amp but not all valve. I’ve played in the past SVT CL heads and SVT3Pro ( under powered ) PF500 and PF800

Final update it’s booked to go back. Noticed a funny whining sound coming from it at startup ( not the fan ) That was the final nudge to return and pop the ABM 600 back on top spot

Ok amp report .. tried the PF800 with the band Nice amp and great tone .. but .. It seems to be underpowered in comparison too which is disappointing for a 800w head. Will try again with perhaps stronger input signal and see how it fairs

And … it’s rock and roll !

It’s rock and roll .. always sounds better loud !!

I liked the Ampeg Di a lot it’s a great pedal and definitely has the Ampeg tone. Mine was used briefly in front of my RM800 head Eventually I sent it back as for near £200 it was a luxury I didn’t really need. I tried several well known Preamp pedals but the Ampeg was the nicest for me and rock

How would the B6 fair in a gig situation with amp / cab and no PA support for say rock covers ? Im interested in sounds and effects that would be needed but as a puritan of normal bass sounds / tone I’m wondering if it would be total overkill Also any noticeable tone suck from it ran front of amp ?

Indeed that was also recommended to me with my ABM cabs Wish Ashdown used better drivers as stock but I guess it’s all about price and profit

It will need to be very good to take prime role but there is definitely something good about Ampeg tone.

I’m liking the PF800 a lot and it will be put to the test at a loud rehearsal soon. There is a difference to the EQ on the Ampeg ( easier to get a great sound ) compared to my ABM600 which has so many more sounds. The compressor on the Ampeg is really nice too Watch out ABM as you may be relegated to back up amp status !!

The RM series cabs have very average drivers and the boxes are made to a budget I tried the compact ported ABM cabs and they ( larger boxes ) especially the 115 had more welly and authority to the sound. The ABM Pro Neo and standard ABM cabs are far better but you’re right get a better cab / driver and they sound good even when pushed My SVT212AV sounds better the louder it gets ! Problem is it’s heavy but I can lift it fine and only need one cab

Good amp choice 👍

Ampeg Svt212av sorted Amazing cab and even one cab works very well ( they are 4ohms ) Ive had the PF115LF series and they are not a patch on the SVT212AV Highly recommended and not too heavy to move around

I love being in a band and gigging Im very relaxed and confident live so I can enjoy the night and my band buddies generally get a buzz from it. I love rehearsals and everything related to band work. If I could make a living from it I would !

Good advice … you need to enjoy it or stop doing it or change the part you don’t enjoy !

On and off I’ve been in bands for 40yrs and in that time I’ve only really enjoyed my current band. Ive learnt to only work in a band with people that are good to spend time with and are mostly more talented than myself ! I think if you’re not enjoying it and before quitting look for or start a new band more to your liking. Play different or better venues but don’t give it up as like most I’ve done that many times before. So to a fellow East Anglian based bassist decide if it’s for you and if not and you cannot influence any change then look for a new band. There are many bands starting up again so you have opportunities to enjoy playing bass how you like it