Pow_22

I still think its really quite naughty of ashdown to list the CTM15 as all valve, puts me off buying one to be honest. I don't like companies who lie

oh, that IS cheap AND local!

Yup, the lightweight gear just doesn't do it for me, particularly the cabs. Each to their own I guess

I know their flats were re-badged GHS Precision flats so whether GHS makes their rounds too?

Cherry red Epiphone Rivoli (now lives with the bassist from The Sea Pinks) Vintage Sound City 200 (a mark 3 ones not one of the crap mark 4's) - now lives at Skyhammer Studios

A Rickenbacker 4005 in jetglo or the 70's P bass Baz Fratelli plays in the Fratellis (think its a 74, black, thumb rest on E string side, walnut cap at headstock)

[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Had a number of ashdown over the years right from their MAG range up to a DP200 valvce head. [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]Always liked the tone (the Spyder series in particular) but always felt they were underpowered.[/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]The example I always revert to is my Hartke HA2500 (250w) would eat my ABM 500 (500w) for breakfast volume wise with the same cabs/bass set up.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Recently played through a CTM300, whilst it was nice it just lacked the power and balls of the Ampeg SVT. [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]Nowt wrong with the tone or reliability for me, just the lack of power/volume[/color][/size][/font]

Ive always had good luck with Elites Groundwounds. Not Hotwire smooth but certainly not GHS Brite/D'addario Halfround rough

Thanks for the replies people I don't think its a volume thing to be honest, the SB12 is only 22 watts! I think micing it is the way to go. Re:Barefaced - it is an option I tried with several other heads (orange, ashdown, marshall and ampeg) No denying the weight, it was just too much a sacrifice on tone for me

[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Ive recently joined a new band who have ‘out of hours’ access to a rehearsal space run by the singers friend. [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]Its an old converted loft type building so a flight of stairs to access our space.[/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]The band is a 5 piece with 2 x guitards, drummist and a singist.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]My current arsenal of ampage is an Ampeg V4Bh with a 410he cab for gigs (and used to rehearse in my last band) and a vintage Ampeg SB12 fliptop for home/recording. [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]The guitarist mentioned that they will be using 2 x 100w Blackstar combos and with a drummer I’m thinking I would need my big rig.[/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]However, lugging the 4x10 up a flight of stairs doesn’t enthral me and I know the SB12 wont have the beans.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Ive asked about the possibility of renting a cab from the studio but they only have bass combos which I know will be the usual Ashdown/Trace rehearsal space stuff.[/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]I do feel that playing through a nice valve amp gets me the main part of my sound (a valve amp [/color][/size][i][size="3"][color="#000000"]just[/color][/size][/i][size="3"][color="#000000"] on the point of break-up, still fat and meaty) so I don’t really want to rent a generic solid state combo and spend the night battling to get my sound.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]The option the guitarist has mentioned is micing up the SB12 and sticking a bit through the PA. [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]Whilst not a loud band the SB12 will certainly need help.[/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]Having never mic’d a cab up before im wondering if its just as simple as setting my sound, sticking a mic in front of the speaker then setting the level on the board?[/color][/size][/font]