pendingrequests Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 So i have been using the Ampeg Portaflex series for over 4 years now (I think!). Great wee combo and super handy. However, at times it has never given me the tone I'm after and I have always struggled to get volume. I tried the PF-800 head, but it wasn't worth the extra bucks. I could get another cab, but after seeing Death Cab for Cutie on Monday and what he runs, I basically want to copy that sound! So! Looking at the ABM-600 head and maybe going for the ABM115 EVO and the ABM-210H-Compact. That way depending on the gig/space/car room, I can add/remove a cab if required. I assume the tonemaster/toneman is the cheaper end of the ashdown range? http://www.thomann.de/gb/ashdown_toneman_115_deep.htm So thoughts/opinions? In conjunction with this, I had a Ashdown 1x15 combo 'Electric Blue' cab since I was 16 and it is still probably the loudest and best amp I have ever owned. Hence my push to go back to Ashdown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0175westwood29 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 ive got a ctm-100 absolute beast of an amp! and for a all valve 100w head really not that heavy! use mine mostly with an 810 but last night used a 410 and it sounded awesome! andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Not sure about which amp head, although Discreet has just started using an Ashdwon, think the ABM500, and he really rates it. But I`d go for two of the same cab. That way you`ve no need to adjust eqs when only using one, as the sound of a 210 and a 115 is likely to be different - and before people pop up with the old "all speaker sizes sound the same" I mean that the cabs are likely to have been voiced different. With two differently voiced cabs you may only ever get the sound you really like when using both, so will always be disappointed when just using one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 The ABM is a cracking head - Discreet has my old one. I'd agree stick to two of the same cab type too, probably two 2x10s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 If Ashdown don't make the cab you want, I've always found them very helpful and open when it comes to custom orders. EG if you need a 4 ohm 4x10 or something, they will make it for you. Worth a note just in case you don't see the exact cab combination you are after, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBass3901 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 I can vouch for the ABM 600 being a cracking head and that is what the bass player for Death Cab for Cutie is using these days. I can also recommend the ABM NEO cabs. They have stacks of volume and great tone on tap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluRay Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 I have CTM 100 and ABM 500 heads. The valve tone on the CTM is sublime (plenty loud enough in the context of a noisy band, and surprisingly portable for a tube amp), but I tend toward the ABM for most regular gigs - especially if I don't know the venue, or when backline needs to be moved on/offstage sharpish. I've tried various combinations of Ashdown cabs. The ABM NEO 210s are hard to beat really - light and very articulate and punchy. Probably just one of the new 1000w sealed versions would do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctorbass Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 The ABM's are great heads. If you want graphic EQ and tons of clean power, I can thoroughly recommend the JJ-500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Just got hold of a Rootmaster 800 - great little head. I was upgrading from an Ampeg SVT-7 after its notorious reliability issues reared their ugly heads and it died on me mid-gig. I got the Ampeg fixed, but the RM-800 just sounds better to my ears. The EQ voicing is just a little more musical, somehow, plus having the built-in compression, fuzz and octaver is handy (especially the compressor). No issues with it as of yet, although it's only got a few gigs under its belt so far and, unlike the Ampeg, I haven't heard any scare stories. Definitely worth giving one a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 (edited) Ah glad you like it - I would feel somewhat responsible if you didn't! Edited November 12, 2015 by Merton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markorbit Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 ABM600 and whatever cabs you fancy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassix Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 This is quite interesting, looks the same as the RM800 but in 500 watts, probably would've got this if it had been available when I got ABM, not that I'm complaining! http://www.thomann.de/gb/ashdown_rm_500_rootmaster.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 I have the ABM1000 & ABM 400 , with ABM neo cabs The ABM combos have the ABM400 & a great . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.