Ashdown... Need Gain!!!!

[PunkRockBass]

Hey,

I run an Ashdown MAG300H through a MAG 410T and a MAG 210T. At first the whole amp was serving me well, but now its not doing too well. I want some Gain in my sound. I've tweaked with the settings til' my heart's content and still cant find a 'Gainy' sound. My bass is a Fender American Standard Jazz Bass by the way and have a Boss ODB-3, Boss BF-3 and Artec Big Dots Tuner. Do you think replacing my MAG300H for an Ampeg SVT-450H will fix my problem or should I get something like the SansAmp RBI?

I suck with amps.

Thanks

[skankdelvar]

Not sure what you mean by 'Gain'? More distorted? More compressed? (I notice you're not running an external compressor in that chain). Louder (or apparently louder)?

An ampeg will give a bit of a different tone compared to your mag and may be marginally louder. A sansamp will help to add some different color to your tone. You may also get a different sort of tone by running your ODB3 with more distortion and / or output, your amp input gain lower and your output volume higher.

Sometimes, if it's a certain sound you're after, it may be other components in the chain that need changing, such as the bass, the pedals or the cabs.

[PunkRockBass]

Sorry, when I mean gain, I mean the SVT kind of sound. I've been looking at the VT Bass. Apparently you can get some great clean and distorted SVT sounds from it.

[RhysP]

Going from the MAG to an Ampeg 450H probably won't solve the problem as they're both solid state amps.
If you're already using Ashdown cabs why not get a used Ashdown ABM head? That'll get you closer to the sound you're after due to the valve preamp. They go very cheaply on Ebay & I dare say they turn up for sale on here.

[PunkRockBass]

Yeah, i was thinking about upgrading. Thing is, I still won't get that SVT sound I want. I'm really interested in buying the VT Bass pedal though. When I get a bit more money I might upgrade to a ABM head... not sure.

[RhysP]

What about this then:
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=48322"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=48322[/url]

That's a great price for an SVT3 Pro - that'll definately give you the sound you're after.

[PunkRockBass]

Problem is I dont have £400 at the moment. I NEVER have money when theres a good deal ha.

[RhysP]

[quote name='PunkRockBass' post='486401' date='May 12 2009, 09:29 PM']Problem is I dont have £400 at the moment. I NEVER have money when theres a good deal ha.[/quote]

No, me neither - it's a bastard, isn't it?

[PunkRockBass]

[quote name='RhysP' post='486405' date='May 12 2009, 09:32 PM']No, me neither - it's a bastard, isn't it?[/quote]

Yup! And then, you buy something, and the next week theres another great offer! Oh well, thats life!

[RhysP]

Right, let's find you some serious tone for f*** all money - have a look at this:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hartke-Bass-Attack-the-UK-Sansamp_W0QQitemZ180353552183QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item180353552183&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hartke-Bass-Attack-t...93%3A1|294%3A50[/url]

& here's a review of it from bass player magazine which says it'll do a decent SVT sound:
[url="http://www.bassplayer.com/article/hartke-bass-attack/may-05/8580"]http://www.bassplayer.com/article/hartke-b...ack/may-05/8580[/url]

Edited May 12, 2009 by RhysP

[PunkRockBass]

[quote name='RhysP' post='486413' date='May 12 2009, 09:40 PM']Right, let's find you some serious tone for f*** all money - have a look at this:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hartke-Bass-Attack-the-UK-Sansamp_W0QQitemZ180353552183QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item180353552183&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hartke-Bass-Attack-t...93%3A1|294%3A50[/url]

& here's a review of it from bass player magazine which says it'll do a decent SVT sound:
[url="http://www.bassplayer.com/article/hartke-bass-attack/may-05/8580"]http://www.bassplayer.com/article/hartke-b...ack/may-05/8580[/url][/quote]

Ha thanks, but im okay. I'm gonna wait till I get some money (next month) and have a look EVERYWHERE for a sh*t cheap Ampeg.

[RhysP]

Saving up for a secondhand Ampeg is your best move - if you want the SVT sound you won't be happy with anything other than an Ampeg.

[PunkRockBass]

[quote name='RhysP' post='486421' date='May 12 2009, 09:47 PM']Saving up for a secondhand Ampeg is your best move - if you want the SVT sound you won't be happy with anything other than an Ampeg.[/quote]

Will an Ampeg still sound great through my MAG cabs?

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='PunkRockBass' post='486432' date='May 12 2009, 09:58 PM']Will an Ampeg still sound great through my MAG cabs?[/quote]


Should do, my Ampeg sounds fantastic through my ABM 4x10 and MAG 1x15.

[PunkRockBass]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='486437' date='May 12 2009, 10:03 PM']Should do, my Ampeg sounds fantastic through my ABM 4x10 and MAG 1x15.[/quote]

Awesome =]
Thankss!
Now I just need to find an Ampeg

[Protium]

How far are you pushing the preamp?

[PunkRockBass]

[quote name='Protium' post='486459' date='May 12 2009, 10:26 PM']How far are you pushing the preamp?[/quote]

Whatttt?

[Protium]

[quote name='PunkRockBass' post='487117' date='May 13 2009, 06:25 PM']Whatttt?[/quote]

OK... Rephrase: How high do you set the input volume (preamp control)

[PunkRockBass]

[quote name='Protium' post='487122' date='May 13 2009, 06:32 PM']OK... Rephrase: How high do you set the input volume (preamp control)[/quote]

That depends on where I'm playing. Most of the time like, between quarter to and half past, if that makes sense.

[Protium]

[quote name='PunkRockBass' post='487146' date='May 13 2009, 07:00 PM']That depends on where I'm playing. Most of the time like, between quarter to and half past, if that makes sense.[/quote]

Not really, as a "half past" position is not possible on the control

Try setting the input a little higher, use your ears not the VU. It may sound crap but worth a go.

[PunkRockBass]

[quote name='Protium' post='487159' date='May 13 2009, 07:10 PM']Not really, as a "half past" position is not possible on the control

Try setting the input a little higher, use your ears not the VU. It may sound crap but worth a go.[/quote]

ha sorry i meant 12 o'clock

[Machines]

If you like the Ashdown then get upgrade to an [url="http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/section.asp?section=abm"]ABM[/url] - has a valve preamp which will give a nice natural gain. Clipping the preamp on the MAG won't sound too good.

[PunkRockBass]

[quote name='Machines' post='487172' date='May 13 2009, 07:18 PM']If you like the Ashdown then get upgrade to an [url="http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/section.asp?section=abm"]ABM[/url] - has a valve preamp which will give a nice natural gain. Clipping the preamp on the MAG won't sound too good.[/quote]

Yeah, I could use my Birthday money next month and sell my MAG300H for an ABM500

[slaphappygarry]

The sound your brains and ears want to hear is an Ampeg. Put your pennies away and wait.

Spend wise and spend once.

[Protium]

Or go out and test out as much gear as you can