Ashdown MAG410 distortion

jcburn · #1 01-09-2011, 09:58 PM

Hi everyone - can someone confirm with me the following.
I've recently bought a new Ashdown rig - ABM EVO III 500 head (350 watts at 8 ohms) and Mag 410 (8 ohm cab, 400 watt handling).
I typically play in a very loud band with 2 guitars and drums, and at a recent rehearsal, whilst the rig did the job, it only just did it "comfortably".
So I had a play at home on the weekend to see how much actual volume I could get from it, and came across something a little odd. With the input gain at around 1-2 oclock(with this setting my loudest input signal only just clips the red at its peak) and the master at about 3(with this setting I would have assumed heart stopping volume) the speakers are definitely distorting, but my rig doesn't sound that loud to me, It's not the amp distorting from what I can see, the sound is definitely the speakers.
A little dismayed I did some searching on TB and I'm assuming now that my EQ may have something to do with this. I realise that the volume settings described are quite high, however I didn't think it should be enough to distort the speakers, but what I will disclose is the bass dial I have boosted to 2 oclock and the 180 and 340 hz sliders boosted about 2 notches. I have done this to beef up the bass but should I just pull everything back to flat and start again? And could this be the reason my speakers are distorting but not producing high volume?

QuakingDutch · #2 01-09-2011, 10:01 PM

It distorts quickly, but will get a little louder. It only runs at about 180 watts without an extension cab, though. If your EQ is too set too high across the board, it will distort faster. Are you sure it is the speakers distorting? Also, is the deep switch on?

QuakingDutch · #3 01-09-2011, 10:07 PM

Ed.- It's not 180 watts, 350 should be right. Thought you were talking about the Mag model. Sorry.

QuakingDutch · #4 01-09-2011, 10:11 PM

In that case, it might be the speakers seeing how the MAG series cap isn't really "meant" for the ABM head.

BEKyle · #5 01-12-2011, 11:16 AM

I have the same amp and run the master all the way up and use the input for volume. This gives me more headroom. Try this and you should get to 11-12 o'clock without distorting. If you still need to be louder you may need to add another 8 ohm cab or go with a more efficient cab.

RickenBoogie · #6 01-12-2011, 12:16 PM

+1 add another 8 ohm 410 and you'll have it all.

jcburn · #7 01-12-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEKyle

I have the same amp and run the master all the way up and use the input for volume. This gives me more headroom. Try this and you should get to 11-12 o'clock without distorting. If you still need to be louder you may need to add another 8 ohm cab or go with a more efficient cab.

Cool idea man thanks - although I'm sure it's not the amp distorting, it's the cab being pushed too hard. It may be all in my head as I played a metal gig (Metallica covers) last night. There was more than substantial FOH support, but even onstage the guitarists and drummer are LOUD and it held it's own with input at about 1 oclock and master (of Puppets!) at 1-2 oclock.
I will definitley add another cab at some stage, just cant afford to at the moment.
I also wondered to make a slight benefit if adding an Aphex Aural Enhancer with big bottom into my signal chain would give me a little more "perceived" volume if set up correctly?