timmo Posted March 4, 2015 Posted March 4, 2015 I was looking at this item, thinking it would be nice to own. It costs. http://www.gak.co.uk/en/ashdown-ctm-15-15w-classic-tube-magnifier-bass-head/78749 Then i saw this. http://www.gak.co.uk/en/ashdown-dh-15-c110-drophead-15-15w-all-valve-combo/99209 Now i think it looks good,but £200 for the cab sounds a bit excessive. Is there a reason that it is so expensive, or do you need a special amp for a valve head? Can you use any cab with this? Surely there would be cheaper cabs that could be used just as well. Quote
badboy1984 Posted March 4, 2015 Posted March 4, 2015 You can use any cab on the head ..... That drophead is like a combo but the head is flip top, this means you can flip it the otherway to store. I play my ashdown lb30 via a old trace elliot 15" cab .... Quote
timmo Posted March 4, 2015 Author Posted March 4, 2015 I see. Thanks. I still think £200 is excessive, but i suppose it saves some money on needing a special case for the head for storage. I am very tempted. Is it worth it just for a pracice amp? I do like the thought of trying out a vavle head without spending over a grand to try one. Quote
0175westwood29 Posted March 4, 2015 Posted March 4, 2015 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1425489214' post='2707867'] I see. Thanks. I still think £200 is excessive, but i suppose it saves some money on needing a special case for the head for storage. I am very tempted. Is it worth it just for a pracice amp? I do like the thought of trying out a vavle head without spending over a grand to try one. [/quote] they are very nice little amps, i got mine with the separate cab as the head comes in a nice padded bag for storage. andy Quote
JamesBass Posted March 4, 2015 Posted March 4, 2015 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1425489214' post='2707867'] I see. Thanks. I still think £200 is excessive, but i suppose it saves some money on needing a special case for the head for storage. I am very tempted. Is it worth it just for a pracice amp? I do like the thought of trying out a vavle head without spending over a grand to try one. [/quote] It's not worth it solely as a practice amp as it goes plenty loud enough to gig small-medium venues with! Quote
Thurbs Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 [quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1425495856' post='2707955'] It's not worth it solely as a practice amp as it goes plenty loud enough to gig small-medium venues with! [/quote]Don't get sucked in to this, I did with the LB30 and it just isn't loud and I can't imagine the 15 is any louder. Quote
SingleMalt Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 I have the combo, nice little amp but definitely not loud enough to gig at all. I'd definitely suggest swapping the valves, mine sounded quite clanky with the gain turned up a bit, but with a GT5751 and 2 NOS EL-84Ms it sounds quite a bit better. Quote
JamesBass Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 [quote name='Thurbs' timestamp='1425544371' post='2708306'] Don't get sucked in to this, I did with the LB30 and it just isn't loud and I can't imagine the 15 is any louder. [/quote] That would depend what you pair it with, and how loud the band is! But I've used a CTM15 on a gig or two with a Barefaced super compact and it was PLENTY loud enough! If the op needs volume then there's always a CTM100 or 300! Quote
badboy1984 Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 I do small gig with my LB30 and a trace cab. Enough for that kind of stuff. For medium venue I use the same setup but use DI and my rig will be monitor only. Quote
basskit_case Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 I had the combo really enjoyed it, but for me it was too loud for home practice use, no headphone out, and a little underpowered to gig with. Quote
franzbassist Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 I used my LB30 into Ashdown Classic Neo 2x10 and 1x15s in a Jam tribute band for a while and it was more than capable. Quote
timmo Posted March 5, 2015 Author Posted March 5, 2015 No headphone out? That means it would be hard to justify using as a practice amp then, Thanks for the info. Quote
badboy1984 Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 More like a studio amp. If CTM300 and CTM100 is too loud to get the valve tone you want, then people will go for LB30. If LB30 is too loud for studio use then the CTM15 will defo work in the story. Quote
Guest monsterthompson Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1425566525' post='2708671'] No headphone out? That means it would be hard to justify using as a practice amp then, Thanks for the info. [/quote] not a practice amp. it is to get pushed/overdriven tones at "reasonable" volumes for recording. Quote
0175westwood29 Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 [quote name='monsterthompson' timestamp='1425574155' post='2708756'] not a practice amp. it is to get pushed/overdriven tones at "reasonable" volumes for recording. [/quote] this. it doesnt have the bass end of the larger 100, but sounds very nice, my home practice rig is the ctm 15 with the 212, yes i know major overkill, but when i play live i use an 810 and the 100w. you will not regret getting this head, and it does have a volume control. the plus for me is with my big pedalboard full of fuzz and dirt pedals i need something kinda similar to the 100w to get the setting near before i head to a gig or practice to fine tune, and its gonna be heading into the studio with me very soon! andy Quote
TheRockinRoadie Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 The CTM 15 is a lovely little amp but I don't think it would be loud enough for gigging. I went whole gig and bought a 100, purely off of trying the 15 and liking it... No regrets.. #poweredByAshdown Quote
Pow_22 Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 I used to play one througfh a VS-112, your not going to get gigging volume from a 15w hybrid amp but it does sound nice. On the other hand i seem to be the only person on the planet who didnt like the CTM 100 and 300 i tried Quote
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