Ashdown or Trace Elliot for a 4001?

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:30 am

Thanks for all the input, but still not sure what to go for yet.

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:25 pm

I tried a MK500 for a few days recently. It sounded great but there were a few issues. None of my basses got the input meter to read above -7 dB on average with the input gain control dimed, whereas on any other amp with an input clip LED I could easily get the LED to light up, so insufficient gain from the input stage. There was a fairly loud buzzing from the amp regardless of what I did, even with nothing plugged into the amp. The buzzing got worse when I engaged the EQ by a considerable amount. I opened the amp up to see how it was built, very nice construction overall but the heatsinks for the output transistors are pretty small, neccesitating the dual fans which pull air into the amp and over the heatsinks. The problem with this however, on a rack mount amp, is that the hot air is exhausted out the sides of the amp right in to the rack case! Stupid design that I see far too often with amps. The hot air should be blown out the back so the rack will not heat up. The Harmonic Emphasis control can be addictive, I loved what it did to the high end on my V63. The 12 band graphic takes too much time to get a sound, I think the ABM range would be better in this regard. I wish the amp had two 1/4" output jacks along with the Speakon connector. The amp was pretty heavy for it's output of 575 watts rms (31 lbs.). but then I am spoiled by my Walter Woods (650 watts rms, 7 lbs.)! I have heard nothing but great things about the ABM amps so you should be happy with one of those, just avoid the Mark King model.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:36 pm

Hey Peter, just a thought. I realize this is a "Rickenbacker Forum" but Perhaps there could be room for an "Equipment Reviews" topic.

A person could give reviews on various equipment and in turn read other reviews. It could be very informative.

moonliner · Post by **moonliner** » Fri May 19, 2006 3:32 pm

Basses and amps are such a personal thing as we all have our own tonal preferences .... I would play through as much stuff as possible and take notes. That is the only way you are going to find what tone makes YOU happy.
All that said, if you decide you want to go with Ashdown, I would recommend going with the high end model if you can afford it.

jon · Post by **jon** » Fri May 19, 2006 3:45 pm

Peter, where are you? There must be somewhere you can try these out...

Jeffrey, I'm really surprised you couldn't get above -7db - I can easily overload the vU meter on my ABM with my 4003 straight into the amp (obviously I then turn the input down). Is there a passive/active switch on the MK500?

Speakon connectors are technically safer and Ashdown cabs accept them without problem. It is possible to get Speakon to jack cables for other cabs.

I'll admit that I'm slightly biased, but if you saw the Live 8 footage, you may have noticed how many artists used Ashdown, including U2, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney('s bass player) etc.

A list of Ashdown users is here:

Ashdown artists

It's a reasonable array of talent...in my opinion, not without good reason.

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri May 19, 2006 4:09 pm

The MK500 does not have an A/P switch, so I was a bit perplexed as to why I couldn't get sufficient gain with any of my basses. I agree that Speakons are superior connectors, it is just that my two Traynor cabs only have a single 1/4" jack on each one and I do not want to mod them, being vintage '60s cabinets. I could make a cable as I have loads of NP4 connectors on hand, I am just being lazy! In the end, the weight of the amp and the buzzing is what made me return it.

cornishmusic · Post by **cornishmusic** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:47 pm

I've used a Trace 1 x15 and 4x10 set up for a long time - one thing I notice is that the tone seems slightly different every time I turn it on - even though I use the same settings - very strange!

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:09 pm

Ashdown is looking good at the moment. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a 2 X 10" combo against a 1 X 15" combo? Does the 2 X 10" have as much bottom end?

Jon, I live up in the sticks in the North Yorkshire Dales. We have only just invented electricity up here!

jon · Post by **jon** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:49 pm

Peter, I have a 1x15 and 4x10. The 4x10 has almost as much bottom as the 15. I am told that the 2x10 does not, but I haven't heard it for myself. The treble response of the 15 seems to have improved with age, but it sounded a bit dull at first.

I can find an Ashdown dealer in your neck of the woods (Viking in Northallerton), but not a Trace one.

Just got electricity eh? Bet you'll have running water all summer though!

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:25 pm

Running water? We have that coming through the roof as we speak!

I am doing a gig with Steve (owner of Viking Sound) next Sunday. I'll have a word with him if I haven't got sorted out by then.

henny · Post by **henny** » Sat May 20, 2006 2:35 am

Trace Vs Ashdown - Hell, that's like Alembic Vs Rickenbacker - such a tough, tough decision.

Each are fantastic... I've not been fortunate enough to try the new Trace 2006 gear yet, but I hear it's fantastic.

You know my thoughs regarding Ashdown: wow!

I use their 4x8s and 1x15s in stereo, fantasticly-bright English-made cabs. Mnnwah!

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sat May 20, 2006 2:42 am

It's still looking like Ashdown!

los_sentidos · Post by **los_sentidos** » Sat May 20, 2006 5:02 am

I use an older Trace amp but used a new 500w one for a gig on Saturday and it's was 'ok' been really into Ashdown in the past but I've my heart set on a Matamp now! As you live in Yorks Peter go to te factory and get them to build you one!

edski · Post by **edski** » Sat May 20, 2006 5:29 am

FWIW, I have a Trace BLX-80 in decrepict condition...but as a pre amp it is a sound a I like a lot. Makes me waffle about getting a newer combo amp versus getting a power amp and rack and figuring out how to mount the Blx-80 amp chasis in the rack...

I really haven't found "it" in the combo amps, and that Trace is one of the few pieces of electronics I actually like. Others I just tolerate.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:52 am

Peter, over the years I have used quite a lot of different bass rigs. The two that really did it are my 1973 Hiwatt 100 head and 2x15 cab (fitted with Altecs) and my current Ashdown rig. OK, the Hiwatt had more balls, mojo, grunt, whatever. Today it would be me that was grunting if I had to shlep that rig to a local club gig.

I have used Acoustic and Trace as well. The Trace rig was a 350 head and a 4x15 Acoustic cab. The Trace was OK but a bag of nails when it came to gigging. Bits just started to go wrong/fall off at regular intervals.

I now use an Ashdown ABM 500 head with two 2 x 10 cabs. I use just one cab on its end for rehearsal, recording and small gigs, and both cabs for larger gigs, and for those nice but infrequent big gigs the DI out on the Ashdown is the business.

I use just a touch of the valve drive and steer clear of that dreadful sub octivider thing. I use this rig with all my Rics, Fender Jazz and Steinberger EUB. It has, for solid state, loads of valvey mojo, warmth, push and projection. The build quality is very good and for us chaps that will not see 40 again, or almost 50 in my case, is very portable. Hope this helps, Bob.