Beedster Posted January 21 Posted January 21 I gigged my Ashdown 200 Drophead for the first time on Saturday and could not have been happier. Tone was fatter and smoother than I'd get for the same volume with SVT but could still bit like an angry Jack Russell when needed. And I have to say, of all the big tube heads, I thing Ashdown take the prize for best aesthetics also, especially mine.... 7 Quote
Beedster Posted January 21 Posted January 21 21 minutes ago, kuetsum said: Would any of you valve enthusiastic share the the thoughts on ashdown compare to other full tube amp? Such as ampeg svt classic ? I gigged my Ashdown 200 Drophead with matching 115 for the first time on Sunday and could not have been happier. Tone was fatter and smoother than I'd get for the same volume with SVT but could still bit like an angry Jack Russell when needed. And I have to say, of all the big tube heads, I thing Ashdown take the prize for best aesthetics also, especially mine.... 3 Quote
kuetsum Posted January 21 Posted January 21 1 hour ago, Beedster said: I gigged my Ashdown 200 Drophead with matching 115 for the first time on Sunday and could not have been happier. Tone was fatter and smoother than I'd get for the same volume with SVT but could still bit like an angry Jack Russell when needed. And I have to say, of all the big tube heads, I thing Ashdown take the prize for best aesthetics also, especially mine.... Ashdown looks to have way too many for me to look at Is the drop head only full tube? Pre+power? Quote
Beedster Posted January 21 Posted January 21 20 minutes ago, kuetsum said: Ashdown looks to have way too many for me to look at Is the drop head only full tube? Pre+power? Full tube. 200w. Simple. Lovely ❤️ 2 Quote
SamPlaysBass Posted January 21 Author Posted January 21 2 hours ago, kuetsum said: Would any of you valve enthusiastic share the the thoughts on ashdown compare to other full tube amp? Such as ampeg svt classic ? I owned an Ashdown CTM 100 a few years back and I’m currently using the SVT CL above. The Ashdown wanted to distort earlier and didn’t go as low and deep as the Ampeg. The Ashdown had a brilliant distorted sound, proper Live At Leeds. It didn’t have loads of low end, but I was using it through an Ampeg SVT-HE 4x10 cab which isn’t known for its low end so YMMV. The Ampeg is deep and rich. Much less keen to distort, but it does have three times the power of the CTM 100, resulting in greater headroom. Voicing wise, I prefer the Ampeg, but if I was playing in a band where bass was front and centre, the Ashdown would clinch it. I really love the Ampeg for what I play, which is rock and soul based blues. 1 Quote
kuetsum Posted January 21 Posted January 21 2 minutes ago, SamPlaysBass said: I owned an Ashdown CTM 100 a few years back and I’m currently using the SVT CL above. The Ashdown wanted to distort earlier and didn’t go as low and deep as the Ampeg. The Ashdown had a brilliant distorted sound, proper Live At Leeds. It didn’t have loads of low end, but I was using it through an Ampeg SVT-HE 4x10 cab which isn’t known for its low end so YMMV. The Ampeg is deep and rich. Much less keen to distort, but it does have three times the power of the CTM 100, resulting in greater headroom. Voicing wise, I prefer the Ampeg, but if I was playing in a band where bass was front and centre, the Ashdown would clinch it. I really love the Ampeg for what I play, which is rock and soul based blues. Thank you Sam Very useful information 1 Quote
la bam Posted January 21 Posted January 21 I had the ctm300. Genuinely couldn't get it heard in a band situation. Sounds nothing like a svt to my ears. Wasn't even that valve like. But others seem to like them. 1 Quote
andy67 Posted January 21 Posted January 21 (edited) 6 hours ago, kuetsum said: Would any of you valve enthusiastic share the the thoughts on ashdown compare to other full tube amp? Such as ampeg svt classic ? I my opinion, the SVT is the best valve amp ever but there are many great ones about too. I’ve had an Ashdown LB30 that was a wonderful little valve head and kicked out more than said 30watts. Actually I also had an Ashdown CTM-15 valve head that was a brilliant home practice amp that kicked ass lol but prior to this I had an original Trace Elliot V4 that was an absolute monster . My head was turned by the SVT Classic though 🥰 Edited January 21 by andy67 2 Quote
SamPlaysBass Posted January 27 Author Posted January 27 On 21/01/2025 at 12:51, E sharp said: Not trying to detail this thread, but I've been in contact with Bassworks about their 5 string version of that model. Just trying to get a free weekend when I can drive to Hinckley to try one. Paul Genuinely fantastic basses, everything I’ve ever wanted from a working, gigging bass. Beautiful details and great support from Bruce. I’m really happy with mine. Bruce’s workshop is great as well! 1 Quote
Merton Posted January 27 Posted January 27 24 minutes ago, SamPlaysBass said: Genuinely fantastic basses, everything I’ve ever wanted from a working, gigging bass. Beautiful details and great support from Bruce. I’m really happy with mine. Bruce’s workshop is great as well! One day I will have the money to persuade Bruce to make me a 32” 5, your bass always sounds ace in your Insta clips etc! 1 Quote
SamPlaysBass Posted January 30 Author Posted January 30 On 27/01/2025 at 16:05, Merton said: One day I will have the money to persuade Bruce to make me a 32” 5, your bass always sounds ace in your Insta clips etc! Cheers Merton, very kind of you. Bruce loves a challenge, shoot him a message! 1 Quote
Chienmortbb Posted January 31 Posted January 31 12 hours ago, JottoSW1 said: an elegant sufficiency of Valves Funnily enough the Nexus was the only valve amp that intrigued me. How do you find it ( under the Ashdown is not a valid answer). 1 Quote
Piers_Williamson Posted January 31 Posted January 31 20 hours ago, JottoSW1 said: an elegant sufficiency of Valves In the words of Dylan Thomas: "Oh what'll the neighbours say?" 🤔 1 Quote
nekomatic Posted January 31 Posted January 31 1 hour ago, Piers_Williamson said: In the words of Dylan Thomas: "Oh what'll the neighbours say?" 🤔 Anything they like, you won’t hear them! 1 3 Quote
JottoSW1 Posted February 1 Posted February 1 On 31/01/2025 at 11:35, Chienmortbb said: Funnily enough the Nexus was the only valve amp that intrigued me. How do you find it ( under the Ashdown is not a valid answer). It's an amazing thing but I will have to bring it to a bass bash for any examination of its capabilities, ... When Laney sold the unsold ones as Boxed NOS for £599 I went and got one. 1 Quote
Sean Posted February 2 Posted February 2 22 hours ago, JottoSW1 said: It's an amazing thing but I will have to bring it to a bass bash for any examination of its capabilities, ... When Laney sold the unsold ones as Boxed NOS for £599 I went and got one. That's exactly what I'd have said. The Laney has to be experienced. All these big valve monsters have an almost living quality that differentiates them from anything else. Quote
kuetsum Posted February 2 Posted February 2 Just look into the spec of the nexus Tube loaded, 3x ECC83 & 1x 12BH7 Preamp tube, 8 x KT88 Output section All TUBE No surprise they be good! Laney still selling on ebay at the price 649 ...o my.. Quote
SurroundedByManatees Posted February 3 Posted February 3 As I've sold my big amp stuff when the band quit, I had to shop for something nice since we are getting to play together again. This EBS popped up semi-local, so I'd went to check it out: I never even knew these existed until last week. It's a T90, full tube 90s watts. Made in China. This head sounds amazing. It has the warmth, the clarity, the grunt.... I like it even more than my former '77 Ampeg V4B. It's a good bit smaller and lighter too. The deal consisted of this head, a matching Classicline 410 cab and a flight case for the amp. All in for €650. It's a good deal I think. I'm happy with it. 6 Quote
jembullo Posted February 3 Posted February 3 Still rocking this rig from time to time when I can be bothered to lug it to gigs. I suppose 19kg isn't too bad for a valve head. As we go through the P.A these days it almost seems daft bringing this along, and I have to use the HotPlate to get a line out to front of house. Still, none of my digital light weight options sound anything like this. Keep toying with letting it go, never seen another one for sale anywhere since I've owned it. 2 Quote
Merton Posted February 3 Posted February 3 28 minutes ago, SurroundedByManatees said: As I've sold my big amp stuff when the band quit, I had to shop for something nice since we are getting to play together again. This EBS popped up semi-local, so I'd went to check it out: I never even knew these existed until last week. It's a T90, full tube 90s watts. Made in China. This head sounds amazing. It has the warmth, the clarity, the grunt.... I like it even more than my former '77 Ampeg V4B. It's a good bit smaller and lighter too. The deal consisted of this head, a matching Classicline 410 cab and a flight case for the amp. All in for €650. It's a good deal I think. I'm happy with it. Nice! Have to say this was on my “keep an eye on” list before I got the Handbox. Enjoy 1 Quote
Pow_22 Posted February 4 Posted February 4 13 hours ago, SurroundedByManatees said: As I've sold my big amp stuff when the band quit, I had to shop for something nice since we are getting to play together again. This EBS popped up semi-local, so I'd went to check it out: I never even knew these existed until last week. It's a T90, full tube 90s watts. Made in China. This head sounds amazing. It has the warmth, the clarity, the grunt.... I like it even more than my former '77 Ampeg V4B. It's a good bit smaller and lighter too. The deal consisted of this head, a matching Classicline 410 cab and a flight case for the amp. All in for €650. It's a good deal I think. I'm happy with it. One of my all time "want to try" amps! Quote
SurroundedByManatees Posted February 8 Posted February 8 On 04/02/2025 at 10:03, Pow_22 said: One of my all time "want to try" amps! You won't regret it if you happen to purchase one by accident. It's a very basic amp, but sounds just terrific, even at low living room levels. 1 Quote
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