HP BASS Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 Hello, I'm new here so please be gentle with me! I've been playing for about 30 years but never been much into "gear" (don't hurt me)..had the same Trace Elliot GP7 with a Marshall 1550 cab (yeah, I know) most of that time, but they both finally blew up before a gig last week. I have a Vintera Mustang and a Warwick Fortress 1 5 string, play mainly function gigs (with PA that has sub) and the odd bit of blues. Want something pretty small and light if possible. Longevity/reliability is also a high priority.. I don't want something with a lot of upkeep or that can't be fixed if needs be. I'm in Essex, and would also like to be able to try before I buy, in London is possible. Any suggestions please? I have a few ideas but I'll see what you say first.. thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 From the not wanting something with a lot of upkeep/that can’t be fixed comments I’d look at Ashdown, especially as you’re in Essex (as are they). In my opinion Fender & Ashdown work very well together. But I’d def look at used gear, really maximise your options. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 Based on my own experience an Ashdown ABM and Barefaced Two10S (both secondhand) would fit your requirements and budget. I bought mine from two upstanding chaps on this site for £975 total and it's an amazing setup. The ABM isn't as light as a solid state amp thanks to the valve preamp and sturdy frame, but it's hardly backbreaking, and the Two10S is incredibly light, easily liftable with one hand. Ashdown have great customer service, and Alex the main guy at Barefaced is always open to discuss gear requirements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 Boss Katana 210 combo has everything anyone needs. Minimal upkeep, everything in one box, relatively light (21kg) and all the fx and sounds under the sun. And you can get them for around £450. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HP BASS Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 Thanks all that's helpful. I'd not come across much Ashdown, but they certainly seem to get a lot of love on here, I will check them out. Happy to go 2nd hand if I can find the stuff.. can't see any Barefaced 2 10s around on a quick search, but will keep looking. I've considered the MarkBass Traveler 102p.. have played Mark Bass combo at a gig and loved it, but I'm put off by the potential repair didifficulties. Hopefully mot such a problem with Mark Bass cabs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HP BASS Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 Presumably ABM heads will likely need a bit of care and upkeep for the valve preamp? How about the Rootmaster class Ds? With a MarkBass 102p? Worth a try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HP BASS Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 27 minutes ago, la bam said: Boss Katana 210 combo has everything anyone needs. Minimal upkeep, everything in one box, relatively light (21kg) and all the fx and sounds under the sun. And you can get them for around £450. Hmm.. I'll have a look around, would like to try one out, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HP BASS Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 9 hours ago, asingardenof said: Based on my own experience an Ashdown ABM and Barefaced Two10S (both secondhand) would fit your requirements and budget. I bought mine from two upstanding chaps on this site for £975 total and it's an amazing setup. The ABM isn't as light as a solid state amp thanks to the valve preamp and sturdy frame, but it's hardly backbreaking, and the Two10S is incredibly light, easily liftable with one hand. Ashdown have great customer service, and Alex the main guy at Barefaced is always open to discuss gear requirements. Presumably ABM heads will likely need a bit of care and upkeep for the valve preamp? How about the Rootmaster class Ds? With a MarkBass 102p? Worth a try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 9 hours ago, asingardenof said: secondhand Gets you way much more for your money! People are always trading in on the next new thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 I think with the class D stuff you mostly have to eat the fact amps aren't that fixable anymore. That's not to say they can't be fixed but it often involves spending more than they are worth. Even more reason to buy a lightly used one and hope for the best. Save some more for a spare you can leave in your glovebox. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HP BASS Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 4 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said: I think with the class D stuff you mostly have to eat the fact amps aren't that fixable anymore. That's not to say they can't be fixed but it often involves spending more than they are worth. Even more reason to buy a lightly used one and hope for the best. Save some more for a spare you can leave in your glovebox. Yeah, I can't have my cake and eat it I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 1 hour ago, HP BASS said: Presumably ABM heads will likely need a bit of care and upkeep for the valve preamp? How about the Rootmaster class Ds? With a MarkBass 102p? Worth a try? Definitely worth a try, but Dave Green at Ashdown is very good about doing any repair work for a reasonable fee so even if something does break it's not going to break the bank. They're pretty solid amps so should last for a while before you even need to think about it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 1 hour ago, HP BASS said: Happy to go 2nd hand if I can find the stuff.. can't see any Barefaced 2 10s around on a quick search, but will keep looking. They don't tend to break easily so get held onto, and when they become available secondhand they don't hang about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 (edited) There's an Ashdown ABM iii 500 Evo for £175 (North East) but the guy is a BCer. Edited April 30 by warwickhunt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 There's also this worth considering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 And this (I swear I'm not getting any kickbacks from Ashdown or anything - I wish!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 For a cab, you can't get much lighter than GR Bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 I'd go straight for a Fender Rumble 800 or 500 combo. Job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 4 hours ago, HP BASS said: I'd not come across much Ashdown, but they certainly seem to get a lot of love on here, I will check them out. The Ashdown founder was actually the Trace Elliot founder More love for Ashdown from me too. I have the RM500 EVO II. Love it to bits 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDean Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 6 hours ago, HP BASS said: Presumably ABM heads will likely need a bit of care and upkeep for the valve preamp? Not really. The preamp doesn't see massive voltages like power amp tubes. It should tick along happily for years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HP BASS Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 6 hours ago, MichaelDean said: Not really. The preamp doesn't see massive voltages like power amp tubes. It should tick along happily for years. Ah, I see, thanks. I guess when they go they just go quickly? But I guess that can happen with any sort of failure... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HP BASS Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 8 hours ago, police squad said: The Ashdown founder was actually the Trace Elliot founder More love for Ashdown from me too. I have the RM500 EVO II. Love it to bits Yes that looks good if I go the Class D route.. I've seen an ex-demo EVO I going a bit cheaper, need to look up what the difference is. Ashdown also have RM 300 EVO II on their website but can't see any anywhere to actually buy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HP BASS Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 11 hours ago, asingardenof said: And this (I swear I'm not getting any kickbacks from Ashdown or anything - I wish!) That's very cheap!? I guess probably a few years old. Didn't know you could actually buy through here, will look into that too.. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HP BASS Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 12 hours ago, asingardenof said: They don't tend to break easily so get held onto, and when they become available secondhand they don't hang about. They are tempting... can't see any 2 10s anywhere though unless order and wait from Barefaced. Will try to see if I can try one of their other cabs, that might tempt me to take a punt and wait for the 210s... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 11 minutes ago, HP BASS said: Yes that looks good if I go the Class D route.. I've seen an ex-demo EVO I going a bit cheaper, need to look up what the difference is. Ashdown also have RM 300 EVO II on their website but can't see any anywhere to actually buy... The difference between the RM500 EVO I & II is that the I has a shiny front panel rather than matt and is double the weight (tho still only about 4kg). Volume, EQ and soundwise they’re the same, I’ve had both, still have the EVO II. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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