Help me choose my next amp.

[cassius987]

It's down to these two, neatly summed up here for comparison:

Markbass TA501
Input Impedance: 500 k
Effects Return Impedance: 33 k
EQ – 40 Hz center +/- 16 dB
EQ – 100-800 Hz +/- 16 dB
EQ – 700-6000 Hz +/- 16 dB
EQ – 10 kHz shelf +/- 16 dB
Built-in Effects – VPF: Center frequency 380 Hz cut
Built-in Effects – VLE: Variable cut 20 kHz down to 250 kHz
Built-in Effects – Compressor (1:1 – 1:inifinity)
Built-in Effects True Bypass?: YES
Output Power: 300 Watt RMS @ 8 ohms; 500 @ 4
New unit street price: $1000

Ashdown ABM EVO III 500
Input Impedance: 3.9 M
Effects Return Impedance: 22 k
EQ – 45 Hz center +/- 15 dB
EQ – 180 Hz center +/- 15 dB
EQ – 340 Hz center +/- 15 dB
EQ – 660 Hz center +/- 15 dB
EQ – 1.3 kHz center +/- 15 dB
EQ – 2.6 kHz center +/- 15 dB
EQ – 7 kHz shelf +/- 15 dB
Built-in Effects – Push Flat/Shape: +8dB @ 50Hz & 4kHz, -8dB @ 400Hz, filter slope - 6dB/octave
Built-in Effects – Valve Drive (tube preamp)
Built-in Effects – Compressor (1:1 – 1:infinity)
Built-in Effects – Subharmonics (bass octaver)
Built-in Effects True Bypass?: DON’T KNOW
Output Power: 300 Watt RMS @ 8 ohms; 575 @ 4
New unit street price: $800

Oh yeah and... don't consider the differences in weight. For this discussion I don't want that to be a factor.

The opinions and ideas raised here may very well influence what I purchase, or save up for... Right now I've got that Ashdown's predecessor, the EVO II, which just lacks the on-board compressor. But since I'm so nonplussed if I have to bring pedals to a show I'd like the option of the onboard--it's probably worth disproportionately more to me than to the average shopping bassist.

[ricaddic]

I own both the Ashdown EVO III and a Markbass Little Mark Tube head, am planning on getting theTA501 head too, although I do like the Ashdown, the Markbass blows the Ashdown out of the water IMO. the sound and tone of my basses are outstanding, as far as the onboard compressor on the Ashdown, I think over compresses and squashes my sound to much, I use a EBS compressor in my pedalboard, but hands down, its a little more expensive, but the Markbass is the better gear to me.

[rickaddict]

I voted for Ashdown, but I'd like my vote removed. I voted too fast and didn't realize that we were talking about the Markbass TA501. Too early in the morning for me I guess! I thought we were talking about the Little Mark/ F1 or similar.



While I did have the chance to A/B my Markbass F1 to Ashdown's Klystron 500 and EVO III a couple months ago ( I preferred the Ashdown), I don't feel like I have had enough experience with the TA501 to vote.

I played through a TA501 for a few minutes a few years ago when they first came out. I liked it, but then I never saw another one.

Obviously, the best scenario would be for you to try both out but I'm guessing that that isn't possible.

Good luck!

[cassius987]

as far as the onboard compressor on the Ashdown, I think over compresses and squashes my sound to much,

You know about the rotary dial on it though right? I've heard clips and I couldn't even tell the compressor was doing anything.

[rickenbrother]

I own both the Ashdown EVO III and a Markbass Little Mark Tube head, am planning on getting theTA501 head too, although I do like the Ashdown, the Markbass blows the Ashdown out of the water IMO. the sound and tone of my basses are outstanding, as far as the onboard compressor on the Ashdown, I think over compresses and squashes my sound to much, I use a EBS compressor in my pedalboard, but hands down, its a little more expensive, but the Markbass is the better gear to me.

Ange, from watching your FB vids, I hear you getting an excellent range of sweet tones from your Genz Benz Shuttle amp. How do the Markbass and Ashdown amps compare to the Genz Benz Shuttle amp in tone?

Sorry I can't vote here since I don't have any experience at all with Ashdown amps.

[cassius987]

Any links to the vids? I've never played a Genz-Benz... Do any of them feature a built-in compressor? I'm kind of shooting for that.

To be honest I'm really leaning towards the TA501 right now, and I'm mad at myself because I didn't pull the trigger on one that was only going to cost $450 used around a month ago.

[rickenbrother]

Joshua, I think you'd need an FB account to see Ange's vids.

[ricaddic]

Hey Joshua, how is it going, yes I do know about the rotary knob, as soon as you activate it on mine, you can hear the difference, i was just stating my preference of the EBS compressor over the onboard one, and like the difference of the two, the EBS does more what I want, ok Joey, the Genz Benz is awesome too, I like their shuttle amp which is what I have, haven't tried or heard all their other models but I have the shuttle 3.0 300 watt head, with two 10" cabs, the amp is clean and delivers a nice tone by its self, however, to get more of a fuller and thicker sound more like a studio sound as heard on the video's you are referring too, keep in mind that my bass is going through my pedalboard into the amp, my pedalboard single chain goes, bass into Radial basebone-into Tech 21 VT pedal-into a Aphex bass xciter-into an EBS multiband compressor, and into the amp, ok which is why I like the Markbass, unless i'm going to use the EBS octobass or Ebs unichours, which are also at the end of the chain in my pedalboard, I just plug directly into the Markbass head and don't even include the pedalboard..