Ashdown ABM 500 EVO III w/Aguilar GS212 cab- Anyone own this setup?

dedoonbass · #1 02-16-2013, 11:31 AM

Well, I have been searching for months now and have found the amp head with the tone I love, the ABM 500 EVO III. Unfortunately I have to buy it online and have been forced to use high-quality youtube videos as my basis for gear comparison. (High-end stuff is not usually stocked in my area, especially for bass).

My proposed rig is an Aguilar GS212 with the ABM head running @ 8 ohms, so I have the option to add another 212 in the future. Can anyone weigh in on what this would sound like and how the 2 would compliment each other?

From what I can tell, I think I will be happy. That Aguilar cab sounds right up my alley.I love warm, full tone with good punch and nice controlled deep lows.
Any help or other cab suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

pickles · #2 02-16-2013, 09:20 PM

I had those together at one point and did not feel much synergy. Both scooping things in different ways. Wasn't great. IME best heads with gs212 are the mesa big blocks, mpulses, gk rbs, Markbass f1, db750, ag500. I loved the bass tasters clip of the ashdown just didn't like it with my cabs.

dedoonbass · #3 02-17-2013, 07:18 AM

Hey thanks for the reply. I am trying to mate a cab with that head.
Any cabs you can suggest that would be well suited to it? I love the sound of the Ashdown head and want something that is going to compliment it well. My preference is for a 2x12 because I plan to add another in the future.

Thanks

RickenBoogie · #4 02-17-2013, 07:24 AM

Aguilar DB 212's might pair better, they're more mid-focused.

pickles · #5 02-17-2013, 08:54 AM

Why not ashdown cabs? Or epifani like pino? Id actually suggest starting a new thread - best cabs with ashdown evo, you'll get more response i think.

dedoonbass · #6 02-17-2013, 10:41 AM

The DB 212's are unfortunately a bit more than I would like to spend.

I would really prefer a 2x12 cab so I can run two of them at 4 ohms in the future, thus utilizing the amps full potential.

It seems there are no Ashdown 2x12's available in my area, and I really don't want to haul two 4x10's to get the 4 ohm load. On the same point, 1 4 ohm 4x10 limits my rig to that one cab..
So to me, the 2x12's are a more flexible and portable option. I've never looked into Epifani, thanks for the suggestions.
Could you describe in greater detail what you didn't really like about the GS212's. I have found other people quote that exact rig in other threads and they really enjoy it. I play mostly fingerstyle and really dig old-school warm tone (Love low-mid growl and good bottom). I understand that playing styles vary greatly, so am just curious if it didn't work for you because your style differs from my own.

Thanks

big evil robot · #7 02-17-2013, 11:50 AM

I've tried the ABM500 with the Ashdown VS212, it doesn't jive well either, very mushy with little definition.

To my ears, the ABM clicks with 410s and 610s really well, it brings their midrange grunt to the forefront.

pickles · #8 02-17-2013, 09:20 PM

It didn't sound horrible, but those other amps i mentioned made great, distinct tones with the gs. The word id use with the ashdown is "bland". I play rock, funk, and pop mostly with sadowskys and a p-bass, sometimes modulus or stingrays etc.

dedoonbass · #9 02-17-2013, 10:18 PM

Interesting, glad I looked into this. I did some searching on this site and it seems alot of people run this head with more mid-focused cabs like Bergantino's, etc.
I started a new thread about this head to try and get some more responses. Thanks for your help.