Want a more punchy sounding amp

SamWebsterbell · #1 05-17-2010, 04:34 PM

Could anyone suggest a set up for less than £700 ($1000). Ive looked into barefaced cabs and ashdown cabs.
I have a friend who is selling me an Ashdown ABM 500 head for very cheap. (£250)
So I have around £450 to play with, how do i get a more punchy sound?

Heres some clips of my band, Ive played around with EQ's but I think it may be my 12" speaker or the amp. (using ashdown 180w).
http://soundcloud.com/face-of-innovation

I just want it to sound more punchy and less flat. But I don't like the sound of alot of treble or high mids.
Advice please, is it the amp or am I just being anal.

Im going to buy a new amp anyway, so which do you suggest?

rpsands · #2 05-17-2010, 04:36 PM

Barefaced cabs, Hartke amp.

SamWebsterbell · #3 05-17-2010, 04:48 PM

which hartke amp?

Rick Auricchio · #4 05-17-2010, 04:49 PM

Describe "punchy."

rpsands · #5 05-17-2010, 04:50 PM

LH500 if you want to stay under budget. If you've already got an ABM500, get a Barefaced double midget and call it good.

jelwood · #6 05-17-2010, 04:55 PM

GK amps are known for the punch they have. If you want to buy new, you could get their 700rb-II and 410RBX cab for 1K flat, but for a lot less if you buy used. Just the other day I saw a guy using a Trace Elliot head into a "Tech" 412 cabinet (he was on a Warwick). Had insane punch, unbelievable. Probably out of your price range there, but maybe something to think about down the road?

Bob Lee (QSC) · #7 05-17-2010, 06:02 PM

Make sure your playing is punchy, or else it'll be hard to get the amp to add it in.

Queg · #8 05-17-2010, 08:54 PM

Punchy as in dynamic jump?
My unprofessional experience with some factors:

- Highest wattage (real RMS, not peak) power amp you can afford (clean headroom.. depending on the amp, if you have to turn turn it way up past 2 O'clock to get to your volume... it's probably compressing)
- Modern vented cab designs/speakers with high sensitivity, power handling and xmax. Power handling (again RMS, not peak) should at least match your amp's RMS rating.
- Less sound-shaping crap between your instrument and the amp (effect pedals, distortion and O/D's, obviously compressor/limiters)
- Active pickups or on-board preamp.

Greevus · #9 05-17-2010, 11:19 PM

I agree with GK. Prices are great in the US, not sure about UK, and they are definitely "punchy". I think the 800RB is a great choice, but so are any of them I've played. Also play 400RBs and MB2-500.