Beedster Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 As above, I've been lugging my Mesa rig, all-tube 200w head with two 2x10s to rehearsals for a while, and having got fed up of the leg work decided to use my Avalon into the PA. However, there was an Ashdown 15" combo that I thought I'd try first, and it sounded absolutely spot on from the moment I plugged in, punchy as hell and lovely sweet tone for a Precision with heavy flats. Having checked them on eBay they go for a couple of hundred quid? I asked the guy at the studio about it and he said that everyone tries to buy it off him but it's going nowhere! I just I don't get it? No idea why I posted really 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 I always find that valve heads and multiple cabs only really sound at their best when they are really given the beans. Or, maybe you’ve just discovered you really like 15” drivers... Or, you just like the baked in tone that the Mag 300 has.. Or, a change is as good as a rest? No idea why I replied either 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 I quite like the preamp on the old MAG amps, the EQ bands are in useful places and I find it easy to dial in what I need. Also, these are quite a small box for a 15", if I'm thinking of the same model, so there may be some sort of mid-bass hump going on that suits your tastes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 We have one where we rehearse and it always takes me an age to get it sounding decent. Oddly I have a MAG head I use for home rehearsal as my 1000w terror bass head might be a little overkill and that sounds great. I am not sure if they changed the design/ spec at some point but if I dial in mine the same as the other theyndont sound the same. I ave even taken it in there to see if it’s an effect of the room and it isn’t. So I would try before you buy if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grenadillabama Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 I wonder if those Toneman amps are exactly the same ? We can't buy those in the States. (I have a MAG300 and it is a trusty head ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 (edited) I had an old red front MAG400 head when they were Uk built. It was glorious. Thick, chewy, and really loud. Edited October 6, 2018 by fretmeister 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 9 minutes ago, fretmeister said: I had an old red front MAG400 head when they were Uk built. It was glorious. Thick, chewy, and really loud. I like a bit of chew in my bass too....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Mark Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 I had a UK built MAG (cant remember whether 300, 400 or 600) but it sounded great. Maybe not having the extra features (complications?) of the ABMs gave the MAGs a more direct and punchy delivery. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herman Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 Just got hold of this fine ashdown mag 300w combo + 210t deep cab recently, absolutely love the sound, plenty of headroom & bottom end, it's not to heavy to move around either, I used Markbass gear for a few years but certainly wouldn't change back. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Mark Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 58 minutes ago, herman said: Just got hold of this fine ashdown mag 300w combo + 210t deep cab recently, absolutely love the sound, plenty of headroom & bottom end, it's not to heavy to move around either, I used Markbass gear for a few years but certainly wouldn't change back. Which Markbass gear did you used to use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herman Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 104hf cab & LM3 head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderpaws Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 There’s a 410 Mag300 in one of the Rooms at the Rehearsal place we use. It sounds warm and is punchy. Easy to get a sound out that works well with 3 guitarists. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 Ah, Ashdown amps, a conundrum if ever there was one. They really don`t get the kudos they deserve imo. Sound great in the mix, are easy to get a variety of great sounds from, and are very reasonably priced new, let alone second hand. Ok, some of the amps/cabs/combos are heavy in relation to some of the other modern gear that`s about, but when you hear the sound in the mix, well that weight is worth it, certainly to me. And they`re not stupidly heavy anyway. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 I've used nothing but Ashdown for the last 15 years or so (except for supplied rigs in studios or at festivals) and have had everything from a 'Perfect Ten' combo (I think that was its name) to my current ABM 600 & Rootmaster 800 heads, via earlier ABMs, Mag heads, an EB combo and a Touring combo. All have been excellent - I wouldn't have carried on buying them if they weren't. I can't see me straying from the brand in the future, either, great support from the guys at Ashdown (not that I've needed much) and plenty of power and tonal range. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 Only been using Ashdown for the past 2 years, Dave, and my Rootmaster is a 500, 800 is just showing off imo 🤣 , but my opinions are pretty much the same. I`ve bought/sold a lot of Ashdown gear to get the "right" set-up for me - all have sounded great, just wanted to find the most efficient set-up for my needs and now have it. The sound, reliability, value for money, I just can`t think of buying a different brand of amp/speaker now. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 Is it true that Ashdown will repair your amp for free no matter what? If so compared with Markbass who only authorise one repair company which entails paying to post the bloody amp for the dubious pleasure of having a company you don't know look at it and quote whatever they like. Can't buy parts or download schematic for it. Put me right off MB. If the Ashdown stuff is truly immortal I shall definitely investigate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 Well I`ve only had one Ashdown item not work properly, was a dodgy tweeter on a cab and they replaced that for me free of charge. I don`t know if everything would be dealt that way, but in my dealings with them they`ve been excellent. I really rate them, both their products and the way they deal with their customers, and them being only an hours drive from me really helps if I ever need anything modding/fixing/looking at. Rather than sort couriers etc I`ll just pop the item over and explain what is occurring - the usual charge to enter the workshop is a packet of biscuits, no getting through the door without one 😀 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 11 hours ago, stewblack said: Is it true that Ashdown will repair your amp for free no matter what? They put a 5 year warranty on everything the sell new, and they design and build with a view to keeping things going indefinitely, the amp heads in particular. I'm pretty sure they repair free of charge within the warranty period, but there's likely to be some fees once you get beyond there. I can't think of many, if any other manufacturers who can match that though. You can approach Ashdown directly which is great, as there's no middle men complicating things and trying to take a slice Eude 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 Every time I see a MAG combo at a rehearsal room, I shudder! Can never get a decent sound out of it. Laney RB series heads are seriously underrated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 4 minutes ago, The59Sound said: Every time I see a MAG combo at a rehearsal room, I shudder! Can never get a decent sound out of it. Laney RB series heads are seriously underrated... The problem is that one bassist's perfect tone is another bassist's terrible sound! Ashdown are very good amps for people who like amps that sound like Ashdown. Fortunately, I am one of them, but there isn'a a one size fits all bass amp as far as I am aware. Every time I see a MarkBass stack in a rehearsal room, I shudder, but plenty of people use them and like them. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Mark Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 44 minutes ago, FinnDave said: The problem is that one bassist's perfect tone is another bassist's terrible sound! Ashdown are very good amps for people who like amps that sound like Ashdown. Fortunately, I am one of them, but there isn'a a one size fits all bass amp as far as I am aware. Every time I see a MarkBass stack in a rehearsal room, I shudder, but plenty of people use them and like them. I've got both ( plus Ampeg, Hartke, Bugera, GK and Line 6) and can get what I like from both (all); I've found it to be a matter understanding the 'nominally flat' EQ starting points of the different manufacturers signature tone (some more pronounced than others) and adjusting that to taste. We are spoilt nowadays that there aren't many bad amps out there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 1 hour ago, Sparky Mark said: I've got both ( plus Ampeg, Hartke, Bugera, GK and Line 6) and can get what I like from both (all); I've found it to be a matter understanding the 'nominally flat' EQ starting points of the different manufacturers signature tone (some more pronounced than others) and adjusting that to taste. We are spoilt nowadays that there aren't many bad amps out there. It's a good point, the rehearsal studio I use in Leicester has good gear, but it happens to be Mark Bass, which I only ever use when I am there - so in readiness for the next rehearsal, I have written down the EQ details from Mark Bass's site in the hope of understanding what's going on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 I started using Ashdown after the tonal comparisons to Trace Elliot. They aren't that similar TBH but they do represent great VFM - I bought a EVO11 combo for home use for about £100. Recently acquired a Little Giant head which needed some servicing and a small repair - as we all know Ashdown provide great CS - sent it down to them - serviced and repaired in a few days, they paid for the courier to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 On 09/10/2018 at 22:54, stewblack said: Is it true that Ashdown will repair your amp for free no matter what? If so compared with Markbass who only authorise one repair company which entails paying to post the bloody amp for the dubious pleasure of having a company you don't know look at it and quote whatever they like. Can't buy parts or download schematic for it. Put me right off MB. If the Ashdown stuff is truly immortal I shall definitely investigate. I'm not sure if it's a standard approach, but they've just fixed an amp FOC for me, great customer service 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Someone mentioned the Ashdown Toneman, turns out that Musik Produktiv are now also doing their own deal with Ashdown with the "AMP" range. Both the Toneman & the AMP appear to be based on the old ABM 300 Evo iii. Bought an AMP 300 2x10 combo recently, and had some very good feedback about it at the last band rehearsal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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