A new amp for that Ric-y goodness . . .

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:23 pm

Okay, the situation is as such: I have a Genz-Benz 1x15 combo which is really awesome, and Fender Bassman 60 combo which is . . . not so awesome. I'm thinking of selling the Fender and getting another combo amp . . . I don't have the money for an amp head and cabinet (and frankly, I don't need something with that much power). I'm still undecided as to whether or not to do this, but I wanna have a good amp for home and a good amp for school (so I don't have to truck them back and forth every time I'm on holiday). Also, in the back of my head, I wanna get an amp with different tonal qualities from my Genz-Benz, and I also wanna test out Ric-o-Sound sometime, just to see if it's cool or not.

The only combo I've really been considering purchasing is the Ashdown MAG300-210 . . . the one with the MAG amp and the 2x10 cabinet for about $500 or so . . . does anyone have experience with these amps, or Ashdowns in general, for that matter? What do they sound like? Are they boomy (as I experienced the Ampeg combo to be)? Do they retain their tone at low volume levels? Do the combos have headphone jacks, or some way that I could listen to myself play without sound actually coming through the speakers and disturbing people in the house/dorm?

I know it's a lot of questions, but I'm just curious as to what people's opinion of Ashdown is, and if getting the combo would be a worthwhile investment? Are there better combos out there that are not ridiculously expensive and that would make a 4003 sound awesome?

delberthot · Post by **delberthot** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:45 pm

I have an Ashdown stack with 2x15" cabinets and I don't find them to be boomy - they can be if you want them to be. You won't have any problems with 2x10"s.

Before I got this, I looked at the opposite end of the size scale - a Markbass 1x15" combo not much bigger than the speaker inside it and light enough to carry one handed. These put out about 280w on their own or 400w (I think) with an extension cab. The reason I didn't get it is that the have the neodymium speakers which I have been told generally don't like to be pushed hard or they break so that put me off them but if you're not a hard player, then they do sound good at all levels.

I liked the GK 800RB that I used for about 5 years. You can get the newer version of this amp in a combo with either 2x10" or 1x15" as well.

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:01 am

If you can swing the extra $$$ for Ashdown's ABM series, I'd recommend it. They sound much clearer than the MAG line. I use the ABM500 EVO II head with ABM cabs.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:16 am

ampeg

throw_this_away · Post by **throw_this_away** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:49 am

I was in the same position as you a year ago... except that I had a 130W Tubeworks 1x15 combo (prob very similar to your rig as Genz made it). I was thinking a combo with 10's to pair up with it so I could use ric o Sound.

I say get a Genz 2x10 cab to add your combo (should give more power if your combo was like mine).

THen as you save more money, get a head. Then another cab (12 or 15) after that still.

A head and cab is the way to go for sure.

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:58 am

I have the MAG300 1x15 combo, and am floored at how good it sounds in that small a package. The 307w is plenty too. I have plenty of PA support, but that little amp puts out mucho stuff. I see that MF or AMS (forget which) has them discounted even more.

rickinroma · Post by **rickinroma** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:57 pm

I have just purchased an Ashdown Combo, the ABM Evo II, 300W with a 15" speaker.... It sounds gorgeous.. I was oriented to the new Ampeg B200R but the italian importer has no idea when it will be available.. so I decided to go for the Ashdown
No regrets at the moment

jon · Post by **jon** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:05 am

That's a nice combo Francesco, I have one myself. Believe it or not, as time goes by, it just seems to sound better & better...

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Thu May 11, 2006 7:29 am

I am also looking to upgrade my amp. I do not play out, so I do not need much, but definately more than my current 35W combo box (Ibanez), which is pretty weak.

I do want to continue my journey to get that "Squire sound", but what kind of new 100-200W combo amp will be good for that? How about the new Line-6 "Lowdown" series that replicated old amp rig sounds?

http://www.line6.com/lowdown/overview.html

Alot of you seem to like the Line-6 bass pod. I assume that they have used alot of the same technology in the lowdown amp.

I have read alot about Ampeg here, and have been watching on eBay for deals on the old V-4B head, but I think I'd rather go with something new and not way out of my price range (maybe $1000 max). I'm not sure what the BA-500 runs, or the kind of sound to expect out of it.

Thanks

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu May 11, 2006 7:56 am

I just got the new Ampeg B200R and am very happy with it.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu May 11, 2006 7:57 am

ya that line 6 amp looks interesting ...

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:20 am

That B200R does look nice, and about the same price as the Line-6. I don't see the B200R on the Ampeg site though. Is it a discontinued model? BA-210SP looks good though.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:24 am

The B200R is brand new. Theres virtually no information out there about them. I took a leap of faith and bought mine sight unseen.

I love it.

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:36 am

Yes, I see now Scott. I think the others do not have the XLR out or preamp tube. Does it have headphone output? Mute switch?

Maybe it's the same as the B-100R as far as functionality?

http://www.ampeg.com/manuals/B-100R.PDF

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu May 11, 2006 10:06 am

I wrote up a mini review here:

http://www.rickresource.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=6169&post=227992#POST227992