ASHDOWN EXPERTS. NEED SOME ADVICE PLEASE?

[Greg.Bassman]

I've come to love my ashdown for it's incredible low end, sadly, I'm having trouble getting clarity of the notes. Anything played on the E and A strings sound ace (cause I FEEL them! lol), but anything on the D and G strings never seem to cut through enough.

I've tried dialling in more Mids and Treble, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Is this just the nature of the amp or is there anything I can do to bring them higher notes back into the mix, ie EQ adjustment? (setting recommendations please)

What do you reckon? Is there anything I can do to my current head, or am I looking at buying into another brand here?

All feedback appreciated! Cheers.


P.S- I use the ABM 500 EVO III. Here are my current setting (please see attached)

Edited April 3, 2015 by Greg.Bassman

[grenadilla]

Well, you could adjust the amp so the D string and G string are loud enough and have the right amount of bass and treble. Then play the A string. If it (and the E) is extra loud,lower the pickup to make them less-loud, Or reduce your lowEQ (50-100HZ). Or raise your high-bass EQ (100-200HZ).

[xgsjx]

Isn't that a characteristic of the Ashdown sound?

You say what your amp is, but which cab do you have?
If the cab's designed to sound like that, you're not going to get what you're looking for from it (like trying to get tea out a coffee bean).

Edited April 3, 2015 by xgsjx

[ahpook]

You need [i]that[/i] much bass boost on an Ashdown ? They're naturally bass-heavy IMHO.

Every Ashdown I've played has benefited from cutting the bass - try starting off with the rotary at ~9 o'clock and go from there.

I'd say cut that bass and turn up, you really are boosting a [i]huge[/i] amount of bass there, especially if you're using the shape control as well.

Edited April 3, 2015 by ahpook

[ern500evo]

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1428044761' post='2737304']
You need [i]that[/i] much bass boost on an Ashdown ? The'rey naturally bass-heavy IMHO.

Every Ashdown I've played has benefited from cutting the bass - the rotary's at ~9 o'clock.

I'd say cut that bass and turn up !
[/quote]
I have to agree, I used an ABM500 EVO RC for a few years and I never had the bass knob past noon, cutting it had a much more positive impact. The bottom end must be absolutely thunderous with it wound that high, which is probably the reason you're struggling to get any definition from the higher strings. Give it a try next time you rehearse.

[FinnDave]

My ABM 500 sounds much better through my current cab (Barefaced Super Twin) than it ever did through the Ashdown 410 I used to use. I would also suggest experimenting with string gauges, some of my basses sound more balanced strung 105-45, others 105-50.

[uncle psychosis]

I've gigged with one of those quite a few times and I'm amazed at how high you have the bass control, especially with the sub-harmonic control maxed out too. Try turning the bass down and adjust from there.

[JapanAxe]

Another vote for cutting the bass. With that amount of boost the fundamentals on the D and G strings stand no chance of keeping up!

[gjones]

Too much bass!!!! Get yourself an electric fan if you want to get your trousers flapping.

[Graham]

Agree with other comments, cut don't boost and have a look at your pickup hight and orientantion.

[mikebass84]

That's a lot of bass on an already bass heavy amp. Cut that and go from there

[Greg.Bassman]

Thank you all for your feedback. I've taken all of it on board and will give it a go next time I'm in rehearsal! Cheers

I forgot to mention that I used to play a lot of reggae lol, so have always been used to a very thick, sub driven tone- old habit s'pose lol. Recently, I find myself playing a lot of funk/disco- so I s'pose its time to adapt my tone!

P.S - I use the ABM 410 cab with it.

[P-ZARN]

In addition to previous suggestions, I would also use some compression to even out the peaks and troughs

[D.I. Joe]

Turn back that bass dial, dude! I've found that turning the bass knob down and slightly boosting the low-mid sliders gives me a nice tight, round bottom with plenty of definition in the context of the band. I tend to shape my sound primarily with the sliders and the mid knob and then adjust the bass and treble according to the room.

[Greg.Bassman]

Much appreciated guys! Dial the bass back- I think I've got it! lol

Cheers for the tip D.I. Joe, will have a fiddle with the sliders next time I'm in rehearsal

Thanks again everyone!

[Skybone]

Or, set all the EQ's in the mid position, turn the sub off (for now), and dial in a decent sound. Add sub to taste after that.

[EliasMooseblaster]

[quote name='D.I. Joe' timestamp='1428182429' post='2738967']
Turn back that bass dial, dude! I've found that turning the bass knob down and slightly boosting the low-mid sliders [b]gives me a nice tight, round bottom[/b] with plenty of definition in the context of the band.
[/quote]

And I thought it was just the jeans you were wearing!

[D.I. Joe]

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1428424024' post='2741152']


And I thought it was just the jeans you were wearing!
[/quote]



Good job I don't go fishing if it takes me 3 days to get a nibble!