How to set my Ashdown evo II to get that sound ?

Something · #1 09-09-2011, 05:00 AM

Hey folks !

I play on Ashdown evo RC II for several weeks and I have to admit that this amp is powerful and warm.
I like it very much !

But I have some difficulties to get this type of sound which I adore.

Jamiroquai - If I Like It I Do It (Live at London, Intel Secret Gig) - YouTube

So Ok some will say that is a question of playing, fingers and all that.

I know...

But if I could have some advices on the settings I could make on my amp it'll be great.

I play on a Lakland DJ5 which is a great bass and I think it's a very good combination with Ashdown, but I want to get this sound sooooooooo much !

Thanks by advance guys !

gillento · #2 09-09-2011, 05:52 AM

Paul Turner has one of the best sounds in the business. His live sound is DI only (A-Designs RedDi, Ridge Farm GasCooker and recently he is using a RMI Basswitch).
So basically his sound comes from either his Fender 66J or the Alleva Coppolo 5 string.

As for your DJ5/Ashdown ABM combo, it is a perfctly great setup.
I'dd add a tiny bit of tube gain, keep the lows rather neutral and slightly boost the low mids ( 2 first sliders from the left)
On your bass I'dd slightly favour the bridge PU.

JoshuaTSP · #3 09-09-2011, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillento

As for your DJ5/Ashdown ABM combo, it is a perfctly great setup.
I'dd add a tiny bit of tube gain, keep the lows rather neutral and slightly boost the low mids ( 2 first sliders from the left)
On your bass I'dd slightly favour the bridge PU.

Spot on!

Out of most amps, I think getting that tone should be fairly simple. Since the ABM pretty warm sounding already.

Good luck!

Something · #4 09-09-2011, 06:28 AM

Thanks for your answer Gillento !

Sure Mr Turner is great and his sound is wonderful !

I'll try the settings you told me. I have a gig tomorrow night, it's a good occasion

For now my amp is set like this : bass 1 o'clock, mid 2, highs : 1.
First slider from the left : slightly boost
Second : 3/4
Third : 3/4
Fourth : slightly boost

Something · #5 09-09-2011, 06:29 AM

And thanks Joshua

Ashdown users, is it simple to you to get a good modern slap sound with this amp ? Cause for now I didn't got it...

JoshuaTSP · #6 09-09-2011, 06:35 AM

You might even have good luck removing the EQ altogether and just setting the tube mix to the appropriate warmth.

I don't slap, but the Ashdown is more of a "vintage" sounding amp naturally.

meRTKendrew · #7 09-09-2011, 06:43 AM

I've found that boosting that first slider on the left to be very very useful in getting this sort of tone. He sounds incredible.

-RTK

Son of Bovril · #8 09-09-2011, 08:24 AM

yeah stay away from that low bass eq, the low end is cut back and it is mostly low mids with the jazz bass burpy sound

BassmanPaul · #9 09-09-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Something

Sure Mr Turner is great and his sound is wonderful !

You don't have to call him Mister. You got permission to use his first name when you bought his recordings!

AND I loved his playing! I must listen more to his band.

R Baer · #10 09-09-2011, 12:17 PM

Paul, if you aren't familiar with with Mr. Turner's (lol) playing, you MUST check out these clips. The first clip, Runaway, has absolutely one of the most badass P-Bass sounds I've ever heard. Paul is just a monster player and I would kill to have the groove he does! He has an Aguilar rig behind him in these clips, but I would agree that is probably a Reddi DI in that sound.
Jamiroquai - Runaway Live from Abbey Road - YouTube
Jamiroquai - Travelling Without Moving Live From Abbey Road - YouTube

Jacques · #11 09-11-2011, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Something

Thanks for your answer Gillento !

Sure Mr Turner is great and his sound is wonderful !

I'll try the settings you told me. I have a gig tomorrow night, it's a good occasion

For now my amp is set like this : bass 1 o'clock, mid 2, highs : 1.
First slider from the left : slightly boost
Second : 3/4
Third : 3/4
Fourth : slightly boost

Here is Paul Turner with the BASSWITCH IQ DI. I can get you his settings of the EQ if you want, but do not forget a lot of his sound is just amazing talent

Regards

Something · #12 09-11-2011, 01:34 PM

Thanks so much but it wont be necessary

I had a gig last night and I must admit I had the best tone (for my taste ok) of all my life !

I've set my amp like this : bass 12 o'clock. Mids 2,15. Highs 2.
First slider : 2 dots from flat
Second : 2.5.
Third : 2.5
Fourth : 3.

Not so Turnerish for the time but what a sound I had !!!

Thanks to all for your answers !

hasbeen · #13 09-11-2011, 02:27 PM

on top of the gear/settings, don't forget to move your right hand back towards the bridge.

gillento · #14 09-11-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

on top of the gear/settings, don't forget to move your right hand back towards the bridge.

first of all!

Something · #15 09-11-2011, 02:59 PM

Yes ! My hand is playing here most of the time or in the middle of both pickups.

On the bass I've set both pickups on full and the tone at 50%. Works great !

Onox · #16 10-23-2011, 04:09 AM

What would be your recommendation for the Paul Turner Slap Tone in "Travelling without moving" on the Abbey Road Session?

Jamiroquai - Travelling Without Moving Live From Abbey Road - YouTube

Fender Jazz Bass, Ashdown ABM EVO II Amp and Ashdown ABM 210 Cabinet.

gillento · #17 10-23-2011, 09:46 AM

both PUs full .... and go!

Onox · #18 10-23-2011, 09:57 AM

With flat EQ?

gillento · #19 10-23-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onox

With flat EQ?

As always: go easy on the lowest frequency, boost some of the low mids (left slider) and hi mids (right slider)
No drive needed here.

When someone like Paul Turner is playing live (on stage or in some live studio session like this) they don't fiddle with the amp's EQ between songs (as his DI feed is pre EQ and no mic is used). They adjust their playing technique (finger, slap, pick) and/or plucking hand position to get different sounds (apart from apparent overdrive/distortion, delay, wah,...).
Usually PT slightly favours the bridge PU but his right hand often wanders between both PUs.
I am always amazed how he manages to get some very deep growly P-like sounds with the bridge PU favoured.