Quilly Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Hi all , looking for a reliable and cheap 1x15 backup. The Ashdown Toneman looks good ...is it ?? Seems to in the same price range as the Harley Benton range on Thomann. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 I've just ordered the Musik Produktiv version, with the 2x10 instead of the 1x15. Hasn't arrived yet, but on paper they look good. From the research I've done, the amps are the Ashdown MAG 300 Evo III, which got good reviews. Cheaper speakers & built in China reduce the price, but hopefully, the Ashdown name will mean good build quality. I noticed the Toneman manual on the Ashdown site states that it has a 5 year warranty (if you register online), so that's got to be worth something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 They have a nice look to them, 'vintagey' . I'm only looking for something as a back up. I think for occasional use they should be fine...at the same time I want something that will sound reasonably good. Sound quality instead power is what I really need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 3 minutes ago, Skybone said: I've just ordered the Musik Produktiv version, with the 2x10 instead of the 1x15. Hasn't arrived yet, but on paper they look good. From the research I've done, the amps are the Ashdown MAG 300 Evo III, which got good reviews. Cheaper speakers & built in China reduce the price, but hopefully, the Ashdown name will mean good build quality. I noticed the Toneman manual on the Ashdown site states that it has a 5 year warranty (if you register online), so that's got to be worth something. Let me know when it arrives as to what its like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Will do, though I've just had an email saying that they're out of stock, even though it was marked as in stock when i ordered it the other day. Like the vintagey looks, but really like that the FX loop jack's are on the front and the fact it's a 2x10. Bit more expensive than the Toneman, but still a relatively inexpensive amp, from a respected manufacturer (and the warranty is good too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 15 minutes ago, Skybone said: Will do, though I've just had an email saying that they're out of stock, even though it was marked as in stock when i ordered it the other day. Like the vintagey looks, but really like that the FX loop jack's are on the front and the fact it's a 2x10. Bit more expensive than the Toneman, but still a relatively inexpensive amp, from a respected manufacturer (and the warranty is good too). Was also considering the GK 115 cab. lightweight and just £264, has a tweeter. Must sell off something first.(Dem's the rules) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 (edited) I had the 300w toneman 1x15 combo for quite a while. It's a good portable amp and you get more out of it by adding an extension cab, with the toneman cabs a good price (though I went for a great value lightweight rootmaster instead). I found it perfectly functional and gigged it quite a bit. It's got everything you need but it's not going to "wow" you on any level. It's just a good quality amp. Play a decent bass through it with good strings on it, run your effects through it and you're sorted. If it's just a backup etc you can't go wrong. Unless you're looking for lightweight. They are compact, I remember measuring mine because I couldn't believe it had a 15" speaker. The guy I sold it to was also surprised at how compact it was. While it didn't blow my socks off it did give me enough confidence to stick with Ashdown ever since despite my love for Fender, Trace Elliot, Vox, Gallien Kruger and Hartke Amps. You can see it in the background of this pic on top of a rootmaster cab. Edited January 28, 2019 by uk_lefty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 1 hour ago, uk_lefty said: I had the 300w toneman 1x15 combo for quite a while. It's a good portable amp and you get more out of it by adding an extension cab, with the toneman cabs a good price (though I went for a great value lightweight rootmaster instead). I found it perfectly functional and gigged it quite a bit. It's got everything you need but it's not going to "wow" you on any level. It's just a good quality amp. Play a decent bass through it with good strings on it, run your effects through it and you're sorted. If it's just a backup etc you can't go wrong. Unless you're looking for lightweight. They are compact, I remember measuring mine because I couldn't believe it had a 15" speaker. The guy I sold it to was also surprised at how compact it was. While it didn't blow my socks off it did give me enough confidence to stick with Ashdown ever since despite my love for Fender, Trace Elliot, Vox, Gallien Kruger and Hartke Amps. You can see it in the background of this pic on top of a rootmaster cab. Sounds good (except for the weight) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Just now, Quilly said: Sounds good (except for the weight) They aren't heavy as such but if you've got a long trek with it you could do with side handles instead of just the one top handle. Best carried with two hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 1 minute ago, uk_lefty said: They aren't heavy as such but if you've got a long trek with it you could do with side handles instead of just the one top handle. Best carried with two hands. I didnt realize it only had one handle...until you pointed it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Yeah but you just hold the other hand underneath it. Or put it on wheels. Or make your father in law carry it so he feels like he's part of it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 The AMP 300 arrived today, very impressed with it out of the box. Not the lightest, but still luggable at around 24kg, the single strap handle should fare well. Time will tell. So far, only tried it briefly at home, so not too loud, will have to wait until next rehearsal to turn it up. Plugged the HD500x into the Effects Return, but still needs the volume turning up. Sounds good though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Well, rehearsal was cancelled this week due to various members deciding that the word 'might' means it's ok to make other plans... Anyway, had a bit more of a play with the amp, and I must admit that I'm impressed. The effects loop delivers what I wanted & why I bought it, however, I tried it plugging straight in to the amp, and playing with the knobs & buttons. With the EQ button in, and playing with the knobs, I managed to get a good sound from it, not a great sound, but that would take a bit of time and a lot of tweaking. The Sub Harmonic knob is interesting, and you can see that it'll have its uses. The Overdrive is nice, with a good blend of clean & dirty, and it's footswitchable, though the footswitch is sold separately. TBH, I've never really ever noticed Compression, so I can't comment on it's efficacy. However, the biggest revelation was made when I switched the EQ off, and the Deep & Bright switches on. To my ears, it sounded amazing without the EQ. Result. Hoping that the next rehearsal won't get cancelled, and I can bring it along to the next session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 With my Ashdown Rootmaster I find bypassing the EQ for active basses works best. Having a footswitch in for the overdrive is really useful, but kore useful on the Rootmaster where you can fit a two button switch and do the sub harmonics by footswitch too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Took it the AMP along to rehearsal last night, everyone was very complimentary about it, and it sounded great IMO. My only criticism was that the low end seemed a tad muffled, but I don't know whether that was down to my earplugs or to the fact that the amp was sat on the floor, where before I'd been using the rehearsal rooms rig of an old Peavy amp with 2 4x10 stacked cabs. Next time, might try raising it up a bit and see how it sounds then. Still did 2 trips from the car, but at 24kg, the amp is still pretty manageable, and no concerns about the strap handle (two side handles would be nice, but could well impact on the price). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 The height of those two 410s is likely making the sound clearer - pop your Toneman on top of another cab and I`d bet the muffle is reduced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 That's exactly what I was thinking... saying that, no one else mentioned it being muffled. Will have to start saving up & get the matching 2x10 cab as well I suppose. (Not that £157 for an Ashdown 2x10 cab is going to break the bank) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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