danbanbass Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 I'm looking at purchasing a valve bass head within the next couple of months, I've discounted Ampeg as I've owned/borrow a couple over the years which I found them to be unreliable and the eq relatively useless too. I like the look of the Orange AD200B but the lack of D.I puts me off, what other offerings are there? Cab wise I'll be using an Ashdown RM610. I use a Precision bass and play pick style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 26 minutes ago, danbanbass said: Cab wise I'll be using an Ashdown RM610 Checkout Ashdowns website for some special builds or speak to Mark. During the lockdown period Mark has been having a "tidy up" and found tons of gear he didn't realise he had so turning the components into some awesome amps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 This one. It's insanely good. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBass3901 Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 I would definitely recommend the Ashdown CTM heads. I have the 300 and it is an amazing sounding amp. Gets pretty rocky and grindy with the gain cranked, but also does the nice subtle 'warm and round' sound that you would expect from Ashdown and a tube head. The 100 also gets a lot of good reviews, with a bit less weight and a chance to get the power tubes wroking for that really rich sound. Has a DI and can be user biased, so a few modern amenities. The EQ gets a bit of getting used to, but does a decent job once you know how everything interacts. The buttons, particularly the Shift button, make a massive contribution to what the amp can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 (edited) Agree on the CTM300 fantastic amp and a straight DI and a tube DI. Honourable mention to the Laney NX400 tube. Great amp, and a valve and mosfet option - kind of 2 amps in one and blendable. They come up quite rarely, but can be got cheap. Just be careful - there are 2 models, one in the full on valve and one the solid state one. I love the self biasing option on the ashdown. That should save a fortune in trips to the tech etc, and it's a fantastic sound. More of a classic valve sound than the laney which isnt quite as warm to my ears. Also, check out the impedance out of your amp - some will only do 4ohm or 2 ohm (no use if you have an 8ohm cab). The CTM300 and NEXUS have outputs for 2, 4 and 8ohm. The one major thing I'd take into account is protection. Both the valve amps above I've had in pristine condition and you really want to protect them. However, a hard case makes them pretty uncarriable - the 2 amps above are around 30-35kg - with a case pushing 40kg. So I had a padded cover made from hot covers. Fantastic quality. Will protect against scratches and minor dings. Also keeps handles free, so literally you only need to remove the cover when it's in position on top of your cab, and only put back on when ready to move off the cab. With a hard case it's the lifting in and out of the case and extra awkward carrying that really get to you. Edited May 10, 2020 by la bam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 Ashdown CTM's, Orange AD200, or the Laney Nexus. You could always try and find a Marshall MBA400, or there's the Eden 300w valve head (don't know what it's called). Or, you could look at the Matamp GT200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 If you like the sound of the Orange AD200 get it. The fact it hasn't a built in DI is not a problem. If you really need the DI get one of those too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The fasting showman Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 You could do a lot worse than buying the Trace Elliot Twin bass head off BCer Ash in the Amps for sale forum. You can't lose money on it and it may help you decide which way you want to go in terms of circuit design etc. All the best, Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbanbass Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Thanks for the suggestion guys. The issue I’m having is that I’m trying to get an idea of stuff during lockdown but due to being a pick player most videos are finger style or slap. If there is any pick stuff it’s usually heavily overdriven or muted with flat wounds which isn’t any help to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 I had a Handbox WB100, incredible thing and super loud and light and the Ashdown CTM100, again excellent. The handbox with flats and a pick was excellent mate, believe the hype from @wateroftyne he speaks the truth! Didn't really want to sell mine but needed funds. Still have my Ampeg SVT VR which I absolutely love and yeah its heavy but well worth the carry and an incoming Ashdown CTM300 Nate Mendel build custom head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbanbass Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 The CTM100 tickles my fancy and I’d be using roundwounds on the precision 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankai Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 (edited) 7 hours ago, danbanbass said: I like the look of the Orange AD200B but the lack of D.I puts me off, what other offerings are there? I have the AD200B. Orange’s recommendation if you need a DI is to use the slave output on the back of the head in conjunction with an external DI. I’d recommend the Orchid Electronics Micro, attached by a short patch lead, and velcroed to the back of the head or cab. Alternatively, consider a cab-sim DI like the Radial JDX 48 which can be inserted between the head and cab to get an even more ‘full’ sound. Edited May 10, 2020 by Bankai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbanbass Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Thanks for the info so far guys, I will shortlist some amps to check out: Handbox WB100 Ashdown CTM100 Orange AD200B I'm after a tight full punchy sound and will most likely be using a darkglass B7K V2 also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbanbass Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 2 hours ago, walshy said: I had a Handbox WB100, incredible thing and super loud and light and the Ashdown CTM100, again excellent. The handbox with flats and a pick was excellent mate, believe the hype from @wateroftyne he speaks the truth! Didn't really want to sell mine but needed funds. Still have my Ampeg SVT VR which I absolutely love and yeah its heavy but well worth the carry and an incoming Ashdown CTM300 Nate Mendel build custom head. Probably a stupid question but which did you prefer between the Handbox and Ashdown CTM100? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 9 minutes ago, danbanbass said: Probably a stupid question but which did you prefer between the Handbox and Ashdown CTM100? Hmm, they are both excellent and you can’t go wrong with either. I was blown away by how good the Handbox was though. Super good. But the Ashdown CTM 300 will be my main gigging amp now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbanbass Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 3 minutes ago, walshy said: Hmm, they are both excellent and you can’t go wrong with either. I was blown away by how good the Handbox was though. Super good. But the Ashdown CTM 300 will be my main gigging amp now My only concern is with Manufacturer back up if anything goes wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 That’s my CTM100 though a Barefaced Four10, nothing in the PA except vocals. Two loud guitars, loud drummer. Bass is fitted with Nordstrand Big Splits, which are a bit like a P pickup in a fat J housing. Sort of. This clip it’s just the neck pickup on full, and me hammering away in a ham-fisted fashion with a plectrum. Hopefully gives a vibe of what the CTM100 can do. I bloody love it. Can’t justify it but bloody love it 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbanbass Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 1 minute ago, Merton said: That’s my CTM100 though a Barefaced Four10, nothing in the PA except vocals. Two loud guitars, loud drummer. Bass is fitted with Nordstrand Big Splits, which are a bit like a P pickup in a fat J housing. Sort of. This clip it’s just the neck pickup on full, and me hammering away in a ham-fisted fashion with a plectrum. Hopefully gives a vibe of what the CTM100 can do. I bloody love it. Can’t justify it but bloody love it My kind of Bass player!! I'm liking the sound of that very much, cracking band and song too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 Cheers fella! No idea where you are in the country but if you’re anywhere near Surrey you’re welcome to come and give the amp a spin when we’re allowed to mingle again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbanbass Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Thanks for the offer, I used to be an East Sussex lad but I moved north of the border (Watford) to Stamford in Lincolnshire where north of the border has now moved to Humberside apparently? From there over to New Zealand for a couple of years and then back to Stamford. You could say I get around but here feels like home. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attackbass Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 Toured with the Orange AD200B and 8x10 for years and was an incredible amp. My favourite of all classic valve amps. The eq did very little but you could get very nice glassy clean tones and full on overdriven tones. Great amp. Always felt it was quite midrange focused especially when used with an ampeg classic 8x10. It sounded deeper with the matching orange 8x10 Ran a sansamp live but one show the sound guy did take 3 feeds... Sansamp, slave out and mic on cab.. I sold it after getting an Eden deal, which was a huge mistake as the WTP600 was a total dog of an amp. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 2 hours ago, danbanbass said: My only concern is with Manufacturer back up if anything goes wrong. Ashdowns customer service is legendary. Their amps are guaranteed for 5yrs and they can repair virtually anything they have made. They have an account on here as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbanbass Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 9 minutes ago, BassBunny said: Ashdowns customer service is legendary. Their amps are guaranteed for 5yrs and they can repair virtually anything they have made. They have an account on here as well. Thanks for that, I ment in regards to Handbox. All my dealings with Ashdown over the years has been great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 8 hours ago, danbanbass said: My only concern is with Manufacturer back up if anything goes wrong. I’m sure @wateroftyne can help on that score but obviously Ashdown are brilliant at that side of things too! One of the reasons behind my wholesale change. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbanbass Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 On 11/05/2020 at 06:59, walshy said: I’m sure @wateroftyne can help on that score but obviously Ashdown are brilliant at that side of things too! One of the reasons behind my wholesale change. That's good to hear and I'm sure (Hopeful) I'll have no need for anything bigger than 100w as I've 500w A/B Class solid state heads and of course my old beloved (No longer with us Trace Elliot SM 300 GP7 ran at 8 ohms) which were more than plenty. I have no desire to own another D class amp after my brief foray into an Aguiler TH500 which in my eyes was a complete disappointment, couldn't get a sound I liked in gig/rehearsal settings which I sold and ended up using a Ampeg Svt450 amp which in my eyes/ears blew it out of the water in my old Foo Fighters Tribute band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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