Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Well Peter... how is it working out?

First the disappointment... "Made in China" plastered all over the carton. I was working with a pro bass player on Sunday and he had the earlier (Assembled in the UK) model, he said that they always have been "Made in China" but only now are they printing the truth.

Second the good bits... All the ornaments jumped off the mantlepiece! Really sounds nice, but I think that it needs the extension cab. I haven't gigged with it yet but I feel that it will be the dogs b*llocks!

More when I have given it "Rock All"!

So far as I'm aware the Mags have always been made in China....

I am jumping into this thread late. I have vast experience of both makes. I used Trace's for 8 years solidly (12 band graphic combo's 1x15 + 4x10) and never had a problem. I only got rid because it was the 12 band graphic 4 x 10 combo and it was heeeeeeeeeavy ! Got an SWR combo to replace it......hated it with a passion. Played one gig and it was px'd for an Ashdown ABM which has been my solid reliable workhorse for 6 years. Ashdown are great, I am a featured Ashdown Artist and I rate the ABM range, I also use am ABM 2 x 10. It is a portable and powerful rig. Having said that I loved my original Trace 1215 combo. That was a class amp that played around 200 gigs with me. I have toyed with venturing back to a Trace combo and "choosing" If I had to be critical of Ashdown it would be that they are too bass end heavy. Sometimes it is too much and just sounds like mud. More often than not I have the bass knob is at 8 or 9 o'clock to give it clarity. They are fine amps all the same.

"So far as I'm aware the Mags have always been made in China...."

I don't believe that to be the case. There was a time when the MAG line was made in England and then production was sent to China later. I gleaned that info from an on-line interview with the head of Ashdown.

How's this for a bargain? Bearing in mind that the full RRP here is £399 and they can be picked up new for £319. Also it is a 300 not a 500.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Ashdown-MAG-500w-Bass-Amp_W0QQitemZ7420203938QQcategoryZ58719QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Absolutely outragous, although I have seen a few things go on ebay for more than their list price. Perhaps the seller is hoping people will concentrate on the Ashdown name.

How are you getting on with yours?

It's sat here beside me as I type. I will be giving it some tomorrow as I am (supposed to be) in full rehearsal over the next couple of weeks as we have a load of new stuff for some big gigs (10,000+ punters) next month. One of which we are second on the bill.

e <= There's the missing letter from my post above (outrageous). Hate it when that happens.

Those are some hefty gigs you have Peter. Any of them down south?

No, all up here, Redcar Live (at the racecourse) and the Corus Summer Gala are two of them.

I just played this morning through an Ampeg BA 115 combo with my C64 at church. It was pretty nice, even though it was only 100 watts, it had nice volume. I never had it past 3 1/2 on the volume knob and it came through well. Ampeg also makes a B115HP that is 220 watts RMS with a horn. That might just do the trick for me. Plus, it's made here in the USA, which is a major plus for me. Any opinions?

The BA series are nice for the price. I have the BR series, just bought the new b-200r. It has a horn and now a tube in the pre-amp section. Plenty of watts (220) and a nice sound. They have added a preamp tube to the BA115T and the BA115HPT. I originally wanted the BA115 when I bought my BR100, both solid state. I changed my mind looking at the new 200r vs BA115T. I thought the 200R had more presence. I paid 550 for the 200R.

I'll probably get either the BA115 HPT or the Line 6 Low Down 300 Pro combo. I'm also looking at the Peavey Combo 115. I just don't really want to lug around a heavy, bulky rig anymore. Right now I'm leaning toward the Ampeg.

"I'm also looking at the Peavey Combo 115. I just don't really want to lug around a heavy, bulky rig anymore."

Ever pick up one of those Peavey combo amps?

Ever try picking up an Community 4x12 cab? A Peavey combo isn't nearly that heavy. Those 4x12's are back breaking! At least the Peavey will fit in the car.