Pow_22 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Right, nothing new in that im gassing for some gear i dont have (will i ever be completely gas free?). Currently im sporting an Ashdown dual tube head which sounds really nice but just not quite there. Its currently through a 4ohm 4x10 and with my flats loaded P's sounds very close. However, i just cant help gassing after an all valve amp again and have been scouring round. Two options come up:- Ashdown BTA 300 - I know its not ALL valve but 300w through a 6xKT88 power stage sounds good. Being a gear snob i have to have matching cabs with my heads so this option would mean i dont need a new cab (though it'll be a bit of a waste running such a head through just 4 tens. Ampeg SVT 300CL - i know, i know - ampegs are poorly built and prone to break down etc but the one time i played one through a 610 HLF i was in bass heaven. Ive seen a reasonable one for £900 but would also want a matching cab (either 410HLF or 610HLF) so price wise this could cost me quite a lot. If i go for the Ampeg ill be trading in both my current head and cab (id hope for say £350?) whereas if i go for the Ashdown id only have my head to trade (£200-£250 max?). My heart says Ampeg but my head says Ashdown. Need BCers help here - opinions, bollockings, advise all glady accepted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Soundslive and Academy of Sound often have good deals on Ashdown stuff, may be worth checking them out/getting in touch? Good BTA prices [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Ashdown-BTA-300---Ex-display~ID~17452.asp"]here[/url] and [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/preowned_amps_detail.asp?stock=px-EH127XF2939"]here[/url] If cabs weren't an issue as well I'd add [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/176452-peavey-vb2-all-tube-bass-amplifier/"]Peavey VB2[/url] and [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/traynor_yba200_2.htm"]Traynor YB200[/url] as other possibilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pow_22 Posted September 27, 2012 Author Share Posted September 27, 2012 That ex demo BTA300 is the one i have my eye on. Have looked at the Peavey but my only experience with EL34's was the sound city 120 and it just didnt cut it. The Traynor could well be worth a look tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Stop worrying about the odd £2.5K & get a *BIG BASTARD* [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/43132-ashdown-427-small-block-all-valve-head.html"]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/43132-ashdown-427-small-block-all-valve-head.html[/url] You know you want to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 You won't be happy until you do what your heart says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 really heavy, really expensive but an all valve ampeg is as good as gets in my opinion, although I can't always be arsed to use mine when I do it always makes me smile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 [quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1348764933' post='1817924'] You won't be happy until you do what your heart says. [/quote] yep..... altho a Ampeg thru an large Ashdown sealed cab is not so very bad...to start with. And then look at for a 410 from £350 sh..or better still, a 610 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Get a Matamp. Also, EL34 in the SC120 aren't a big part of the sound, the active pre is unlike any other amp, and is much more significant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan670844 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 No contest all of above knocked into a cocked hat by Ashdown CTM300 is everything you ever want in a valve amp, can do ultra clean high fidelity, roaring ampeg mids, bassman tones and its own beautiful tone. It has a high end too, it dirties up very nicely better than an svt. It is every tone you ever wanted and then some, very simple to use, dial in, easy to look after, you dont need matched output tubes. You can bias it yourself change tubes without taking it out of the case in minutes. The best thing about it is the transformer derived DI like the LB30 so all the lovely power tubeness goes to the pa Soft start so you cant strip your cathodes It has serious power, rib rattle Properly designed heavy dutyt component board by someone who understands high voltage and heat! Hand made in Essex England by one of three people the designer is Matamp! (Dave Green) = Beautiful sound, Reliable, easy to live with a workhorse that you can use everyday. It is without doubt the most versatile, lovely sounding amp I have ever heard and I have had SVT's High end trace elliot back in the day. Baseman's, B15s It came out in the 60s it would be an icon enough said Only caveat is you need very good quality cabs, like Ashdown CL it will mincemeat lesser cabs in minutes regardless of wattage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan670844 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Oh and I forgot to say they are silent ( when you are not playing) even when dimed no hiss hum bliss..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pow_22 Posted September 27, 2012 Author Share Posted September 27, 2012 Yup, played a CTM and was in love although really underwhelmed by the CL cabs, it sounded miles better throught the ABM 610 to me. If i could id have one tomorrow and pair it with either the ABM 610 or the 810 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan670844 Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 The CL cabs are amazing but they take flipping ages to break the cones in, it takes some serious loud playing to get thevdrivers moving properly, the CL610 is the one to have to have amazing clarity and punch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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