Pow_22

My only ever issue with the numeorus Ashdown's ive used is not the tone (yes its more 'vintage' sounding than most but not necessary muddy) its the claimed power. Ive used everything from a MkI MAG 300 head with 410 and 115 cabs, Spyder 330 head with 410 4ohm cab, 2x10 MAG combo, 300 ABM head etc etc and all have seemed way under powered. As a comparison - my old Hartke ha3500 head through a MAG 410 cab was MILES louder than both an ABM 500 and a MAG 600

Another Bolton boy, welcome

Ashdown Little Bastard and 1x12 cab?

[size="3"][color="#000000"][font="Calibri"]How expensive have valve amp techs gone recently! The last time I used one was around 2 years ago when a full service of my Sound City 120 including 4 EL34’s, few solder points, new jack socket and a few caps replaced was £160 with renowned local tech Dave Lunt.[/font][/color][/size] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font] [size="3"][color="#000000"][font="Calibri"]However, trying to get some prices for my WEM Dominator to have a re-cap, new power valves (which I already have and will supply) and a general service and the few ive had back say their standard charge for a service is £100-£130 and im not sure that even includes parts!!!! The amp works fine despite its tatty appearance but is a bit crackly. Given its from 1963 – and im pretty sure all original – id like new power valves for peace of mind (plus the spares I have are a tested and match pair of Brimars vs the current no-name ones) and caps so I don’t have one ‘blow its load’ all over my innards (oooooh matron!)[/font][/color][/size] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font] [size="3"][color="#000000"][font="Calibri"]Am I just being a bit of a skin-flint or should I rightly be a bit shocked? So far ive contacted 3 local techs (one of which is apparently no longer that local), should I keep looking o just accept that to whack 2 new valves in, caps and a service is going to cost me probably about what the amp is worth?[/font][/color][/size]

its all i had in me parts box. Ive ordered some similar looking ones from Maplin that shoudl arrive soon

Cheers for the replies. Went down with my P bass on saturday to try it out. It is VERY tatty with about 50 years worth of dust on both the outside and inside. Anyway, it still works find if a little crackly. Think this is the bass version - whilst it dosent say ''bass'' anywhere on it it is loaded with the 15" celestion as VtypeV4 mentioned. Sounds lovely when driven and came with a Mullard ECC83 and 2 x ECL82 power valves (aparentrly they are half power/half pre). Did some haggling and he took my old Hartke 15w combo and £50 for the amp. Will post picks once i get it cleaned up and stick some spare chickenheads on it.

No. Mines like new which actually annoys me, i really want the arm contour to wear a little bit. I think they look amazing with a little wood visible on the arm contour but then im just wierd like that

I dont think this one is the bass version. Will find out tomorrow

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1366308572' post='2050929'] [sub][url="http://s142.photobucket.com/user/garethadavies/media/DSC01093.jpg.html"][/url][/sub] [/quote] What's the year of the black one on the far left, that is absolutely stunning and similar to mine

Have a chance of trying one of these out this weekend. Been after a small valve combo for a while so hopefully ill fall in love and we'll both live happily ever after etc etc. Anyone tried one of these as a bass amp at all? Most google searches just throw up 6 stringers going on about them.

I had a SC120 and would say it wasnt loud enough for me. Tried through various combinations of cabs but against two guitards and a reasonably loud drummer it just turned to a fuzzy mush. Lovely tone at quieter volumes tho just didnt have the balls at louder levels. Ive always wanted to try a SC200

Have to agree with Oli. They are probably the least valve-like sound ive had from a hybrid. The dual tube Ashdown's are more valve-like than the OTB sound wise but even then you arent close to a full on valve amp. My Hartke LH500 can be quite good with its brimar 12ax7 in with my flats loaded P - but again, nowts like a full valve amp

I know this will cause some major abuse on here but i gigged last week using the headliners Orange bass terror. Have used them before so as soon as i saw it i though ''ohhhhhh bollocks''. To me they just sound like someone has put an angry bee in an empty ale can and stuck a micropohone next to the hole. Horrible things

Big Picato fan here having used both their halfs and full on flats. Vastkly under rated in my opinion. Love their flats at £20 a pop from Strings Direct

Im with Lefty (or sometimes we can be found discussing all things low end in a drunken stupor int local) over in Little Lever

I wouldnt mind a go of the Bugera badged valve/hybrid amps. The clone of the SVT CL and the 4 pre amp Valved effort

Anyone help identify this valve i found in a box in out loft (not my uncles loft!). From what i can tell on Google its a blackburn coded mullard? Its a Cv491 with the codes 'Gf2' and 'B4F4' on the bottom. I have no means of testing other than whacking it in one of the Hartkes and seeing if it works. Can post pics later if it helps

[size="3"][color="#000000"][font="Calibri"]Anyone know where I can get one of these knocked up using my current plate as a template? Id even consider a plastic ‘simulated’ anodised guard if necessary. The bass is just a cheapo ‘project’ ive picked up. Being sunburst and glossy maple I think it would look great with an anodised guard, chrome pup cover and tug bar. [/font][/color][/size] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font] [size="3"][color="#000000"][font="Calibri"]Tonewoods have one cheap(ish) but id need it made up to fit the bass rather than messing round with a generic one to try and get it to fit.[/font][/color][/size]