BassAdder60

I’m very fortunate that the band I formed last year are fantastic people and a joy to spend time with. We enjoy rehearsals and a beer or two and just returned from the studio

It’s the issue with Norfolk and Suffolk music venues in the main So few decent ones left

PF800 arrived today and it’s a sweet match with my SVT212AV cab I’ve had these amps before when I had my Ashdown cabs and i always thought they sounded nice but nothing special! However … paired with the Ampeg SVT212AV cab it’s a lovely sound and easy to get a quick EQ that sounds good Even the onboard compressor seems good enough.. So pleased my Orange Little Bass Thing head will shortly be going up for sale as I don’t need three amps !! Will use the ABM600 for some gigs and the PF800 for others 👍

Dave Green at Ashdown was originally at Matamp so he may be able to help with any questions

I agree you ideally want a 500w rig through a couple of speakers ideally. If you don’t care about weight you can pick up some old heavy gear with decent power ratings I would look for at least at the two cabs you mentioned although the older ABM compact 115 cabs perform well if you have two of them. You sometimes see the cabs for sale circa £100 each ( were one or two on here for sale recently ) Ashdown stuff is really good especially the ABM series and RM series amps

New amp day .. new Ampeg PF800 on its way Had one of these last year that I purchased secondhand and later sold in favour of other amps. I miss the Ampeg tone so it will be a nice pairing with my SVT212AV cab

Yes very pleased so far. I did have to dial back slightly my input gain as although I couldn’t hear it through the speakers the DI was picking up a slightly distorted signal Small tweek and it was perfect for recording

Had a session in the studio Sunday and the ABM600 performed very well using the D.I. output post EQ Pbass did the job well too No need for a pick or flats just fingers, fresh roundwounds and good EQ

You may need to tweek the truss rod as they will have slightly more tension than the stock strings

Ask for Dave Green .. excellent guy

I think I’m making progress Adjustments to EQ on my ABM600 ( turned down the mids ) Using a 2mm JD Big Stubby pick and PBass tone backed off I’m getting a good sound. Naturally not the same as fingers but getting close. Im recording in the studio at the weekend and wanted to use a pick as I think it records better

If I recall the PF350 has a built in limiter and has a history of shutting down to protect itself. You may of been pushing the amp too hard with a single 112 cab unless you’re playing quietly ! I tried the PF500 with two 210 Ashdown cabs and it felt underpowered, the PF800 I tried was good. The Ashdown RM500 and RM800 both have plenty of power with one or two cabs.

From a fretting point I agree they are great. I didn’t like the plucking feel with pick or fingers. I can see for some styles they would be great, just not for me

I think you’re right .. fingers have a slow attack compared to a pick. Im finding thick nylon picks have less attack compared to say tortex

Resurrecting this old post as I’m looking at a similar challenge Playing in my rock band on my PBass with fingers I get a full sound. I love pick playing too but always miss the fullness of the tone even if I take out some mids and top. I also turn down my tone control on the bass Tried flats and it didn’t work for me Should I boost more low end on the amp ( ABM600) or something else ? I know I will not achieve an identical sound but somewhere close would suffice. Playing AC/DC, Lizzy, Foo Fighters, Green Day etc etc

I’m looking at the Elixir coated strings in gauge 45-100 for my PBass Whats peoples experience with them ? Worth the extra cost ? I play rock with pick or finger style and like a warm punchy and yet clear tone.

I’m swopping back to roundwounds as I miss the zing and clarity in my rock band I can see the advantages of them but I miss the roughness of rounds from a finger plucking sense

Update … didn’t like flats on my PBass after rehearsals Didn’t work in the rock context for me so back to rounds

Update .. band rehearsals and I didn’t get on with the flatwounds For my rock band I felt the sound was too mellow so I will be taking them off.

Yes I hear the woody tone of the bass, it sounds more like a bass to me on flats. Warm depth to the sound and allows pick playing too without sounding thin

Interested to what your reason for swopping to Flatwounds was Mine was seeking a warmer tone with thump even when using a pick The other benefits came later ie longevity and smoothness etc

Thanks .. I’ve tried the shoulder in picks apart from triangle picks of course ! I have loads of different picks already so ideally don’t want to keep buying too many more. I read the Nylon Big Stubby was popular with Flats hence why I’ve purchased some to try I have Tortex in 0.73, 0.88, 1mm, 1.14mm also Nylon 0.88 and 1mm then Ultex in 0.88 and 1mm A few Primetone picks, some Dava Control, Adam Clayton picks, etc etc

Having discovered the benefits of Flatwound strings and for my PBass playing rock bass ( nothing too heavy ) think AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, etc I am now trying to choose a good pick to use. I am trying to keep the “ full thump” tone and can’t decide on the warmer Nylon Picks or Tortex Picks for a brighter tone. So far I’m going between Tortex 1.14mm Dunlop Purple or Dunlop 1mm Nylon Ive also got some 2mm Big Stubby Nylon on the way to try. Trying to avoid the clanky bright tone but more deep thump tone of classic rock era. Don’t suggest fingers as I’m preferring pick playing in my current band

I’m really enjoying the smooth feel too Makes slides etc so much easier on the fingers They seem to play better with a pick compared to rounds as much better thump and less clang Hopefully they work at next band rehearsal and my studio visit this month

What I’m learning using flats … The tone has a woody thump vibe and with a pick ( nylon ) it sits well for rock and has a sound that is typical 60’s 70’s rock It works very well with a PBass and my Ashdown abm600 rig. Plenty of wallop and thump and so much kinder to your fingers. Reduced string noise too