LukeJackson Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 (edited) Hey guys So im thinking of upgrading my ashdowb mag 410 cab to the abm 410 cab but is it worth the money? Whats the massive difference? Soze sound etc My mag is the older one with the blue speakers Edited February 9, 2014 by LukeJackson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 It is a subjective thing but 'theoretically' the ABM is a better cab than the MAG cab but you would need to take into account the actual cost differential. IMHO (having tried an ABM 2X10/4X10/8X10 and a MAG 4X10) if I could afford it I'd go for the ABM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJackson Posted February 9, 2014 Author Share Posted February 9, 2014 Would you say it is a big difference? Or just subitle ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 I had an ABM 1x15 and I wasn't too keen on it. On the other hand, a local venue I play at, swopped their MAG 410 for an an Ampeg SVT classic 410 and the sound improved phenomenally. It's one of these. http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Ampeg_SVT-410HLF_Bass_Speaker_Cab/AMPEG-SVT410HLF?CAWELAID=1830893008&catargetid=1873944471&cadevice=c&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CMuYzY2VwLwCFYUIwwodnn8AUA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handwired Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 I've tried both these and found them to be similar in tone but the ABM had a certain strength to the sound which felt reassuring. The early ABM's were made in the UK and were expensive, the later one's were made abroad cheaper and sold cheaper which affected the used price of the UK made ones and they can be picked up very cheaply. So ABM wins, UK made is preferred. MAG for boys ABM for men. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 It wasn't chalk and cheese tonal differences between ABM and MAG... they were both wooly! [size=4] [/size] [size=4]I felt that the ABMs tended to hold together more whereas the MAG sounded like it was running out of headroom and wasn't far off it's limit. Just talking about the 2 4x10s as it isn't fair to compare the 8x10, though to be fair the 2x10 was an early ABM combo it was probably the best matched of them all. From which you could deduce that you need to consider which amp you are using when comparing the cabs (hasten to add I did use the same amp with the ABM/MAG 4x10). [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I've been looking for smaller cabs than a 4x10 and all I can find is 4x10's... I think if I were upgrading, given the choice I would try something other than ashdown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spud19870 Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Having owned the ABM 4X10 it provided good bottom end but struggled with the mids. It was however much better sounding than the MAG equivalent. If you are going brand new for an ABM then I would suggest looking at the forsale section on here. You can get much more cab for your cash. What head are you running with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave74200 Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 [quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1392017301' post='2363512'] It wasn't chalk and cheese tonal differences between ABM and MAG... they were both wooly! [size=4] [/size] [size=4]I felt that the ABMs tended to hold together more whereas the MAG sounded like it was running out of headroom and wasn't far off it's limit. Just talking about the 2 4x10s as it isn't fair to compare the 8x10, though to be fair the 2x10 was an early ABM combo it was probably the best matched of them all. From which you could deduce that you need to consider which amp you are using when comparing the cabs (hasten to add I did use the same amp with the ABM/MAG 4x10). [/size] [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave74200 Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Another 'Ashdown cabs sound wooly' claim. Because of course, bands and artists like U2, Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Blockheads, Elbow, Pino, John Entwhistle, Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam etc.... Would use wooly sounding equipment wouldn't they. For the record, whenever I play through my ABM amp and cab, people are totally blown away. A reputable sound engineer in Cardiff said it was the best bass tone he'd ever heard. Too many people on here jumping on the bandwagon I feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 (edited) I ran two ABM 410s for a bit and thought they sounded very good indeed. Haven't used a MAG though so can't give a comparison I'm afraid. If it weren't for the fact that I literally got tired of hauling them both around in a VW Polo I'd still have them, no question. They were both UK-made if that makes a difference. Good value, too. If you look hard enough you should be able to pick one up for around £150. Edited February 10, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 [quote name='dave74200' timestamp='1392072948' post='2364477'] Another 'Ashdown cabs sound wooly' claim. Because of course, bands and artists like U2, Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Blockheads, Elbow, Pino, John Entwhistle, Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam etc.... Would use wooly sounding equipment wouldn't they. For the record, whenever I play through my ABM amp and cab, people are totally blown away. A reputable sound engineer in Cardiff said it was the best bass tone he'd ever heard. Too many people on here jumping on the bandwagon I feel. [/quote] Of course they wouldn't have bothered recording multiple bass tracks through a multitude of processors in extremely professional environments and mastered the sh*te out of each track would they..... I actually like the MAG in some situations. Works very well with my LH500. With the Reidmar it can lack some high mid/high end definition. It all depends on the other variables, ie. bass, strings, head, technique etc. The ABM was probably more tolerable of different heads. Both are decent enough cabs in my book. Construction quality on the ones I've used has been excellent. FWIW I sold the ABM and kept the MAG as my throwabout 410. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0175westwood29 Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 can also add my views in, have to wait till thursday to try the 810 out in anger with the guys but never sounded muddy to my ears in the shop, there was a darker more bass heavy sound which i liked. why is it you want to change to the abm? they go very cheap secondhand on ebay maybe grab one and do a a/b? andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 [quote name='dave74200' timestamp='1392072948' post='2364477'] Another 'Ashdown cabs sound wooly' claim.... Too many people on here jumping on the bandwagon I feel. [/quote] Not in my case; it isn't a 'claim', it is a recount of the sound that I heard when I played through all but the ABM 2x10 combo. One man's wooly is another man's deep/mellow/etc. and I personally didn't like the tone (inc' last week when I used the rehearsal rooms 8x10 instead of my Berg 2x12... but that is just MHO! After saying that you'll still note that I suggested that the OP go for the ABM over the MAG, I didn't try to persuade him to try brand XYZ, if he likes Ashdown then go for it. Oh and on the subject of users; give me free Ashdown gear and I'll use/advertise it all day long. Oh hang on, that last bit was a lie! [size=4] [/size] [size=4] [/size][size=4]Vive la difference. [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave74200 Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 They don't offer endorsements so the artists buy their own Ashdown gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJackson Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 Ill be running the abm500 head If anyone can suggest a cab for around the same price id be More then happy to look into it =) cheers for the input guys so any suggestions? Ive looked into eden cabs which caught my eye and warwick which im 50 / 50 with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1392055951' post='2364164'] I've been looking for smaller cabs than a 4x10 and all I can find is 4x10's... I think if I were upgrading, given the choice I would try something other than ashdown. [/quote] 2x12s are smaller than 4x10s & are a vast improvement in most departments. I'm happy with a 2x10 for now though & my current one shifts more air than my Trace 4x10 could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handwired Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 [quote name='LukeJackson' timestamp='1392081293' post='2364548'] Ill be running the abm500 head If anyone can suggest a cab for around the same price id be More then happy to look into it =) cheers for the input guys so any suggestions? Ive looked into eden cabs which caught my eye and warwick which im 50 / 50 with [/quote] I had an USA Eden 410 xlt at the same time I had the 410 ABM and Eden wins hands down. I can't comment on the Warwick. How much are you looking to spend as I have a couple of Markbass 410's comming up for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dumelow Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 im selling an abm 115 500w@8ohm if youre interested. served me well over past year sounds fantastic. downgrading to a little jam amp now im not gigging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJackson Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 Around 300-500 roughly And as much as I like 1x15s I can never get on with them alone 410 and 115 though...oh yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handwired Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 [quote name='LukeJackson' timestamp='1392114852' post='2364743'] Around 300-500 roughly And as much as I like 1x15s I can never get on with them alone 410 and 115 though...oh yes [/quote] Then you need my Mesa Powerhouse 4x10 + 15 all in one box that's up in the for sale section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJackson Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 As tempting as that is the weight and size isnt the most practical for me but god damn I do love a mesa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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