What do you think of Kustom and Laney Bass Amps?

SamWebsterbell · #1 04-04-2010, 08:48 PM

Ok so this is a thread to see what you guys think about Kustom Bass amps, i went to my local music shop recently to buy an Ashdown MAG head with 2x10 ABM cabinet.

But i saw this amp, never heard of the make Kustom before and so i asked if i ould try it, it was a 4x10 with a head. For slightly less than the ashdown setup. The amp had a few dings but the tone was good. though a little tinny.

Also there was a Laney RB9 head with a 4x10 cabinet which was dirt cheap, but didnt have the tone of the ashdown that i like.

Ok baring in mind i play punk, funk, rock stuff, similar to nirvana, rage against the machine and a bit of the chilli peppers (yes i like to slap).

My band currently plays at medium sized gigs and my two guitarists are using 2x12 100w amps which are bloody loud.
Im currently using the Ashdown electric blue 180w 15 inch amp, its good but i need something louder.

I want to know what you guys think about these set ups and what you think i should choose.

RickenBoogie · #2 04-05-2010, 05:23 PM

Well, I think that Ashdown is better than either one of those other 2. Kustom is an old time brand, sort of mid entry level gear. Laney's alright, but Ashdown wins this battle.

Thankful birds · #3 04-05-2010, 05:34 PM

I disagree. The ashdown has a great warm, vitage sound, which is great if it's what you're going for (for me it usually is). That said, I own a Kustom Groove 210c that is my favorite amp I have ever owned. It's 600 watts into 2 X 10" eminence speakers ina deep combo. I've never run into a situation it couldn't handle, and I always get compliments on my tone. Plus, it's super portable and very versatile.

That said, stay away form some of the newer combos, they do tend to be a little weak and not as well made.

D.M.N. · #4 04-05-2010, 07:11 PM

I vote for ashdown as well. If I ever go back to SS amps, it will sure as s*** be ashdown. They just sound good to me. Solid and powerful. One of my favorite contemporary bass players is Jacob Sproul, the bassist/vocalist from Rose Hill Drive, and when I saw him, he was using a Ashdown rig and a Jazz Bass, and damn, it was good.

stoolpigeon · #5 04-05-2010, 07:12 PM

Easy choice: Ashdown

SamWebsterbell · #6 04-07-2010, 06:15 PM

so you think the 2x10 will be loud enough,cos they wont let me turn it up in the store. Can't really afford the ashdown ABM 4x10 and i have been told the MAG cabinets are kinder ****.

Floyd Eye · #7 04-07-2010, 06:17 PM

Vintage Kustom gear is a totally different animal than modern Kustom gear.

terrelli721 · #8 04-15-2010, 03:05 PM

I've had both. The ashdown 115 bass combo was a very good amp, but I have a kustom groove 115c combo that I gig with, and that coupled with a Sansamp programmable bass driver put's my tone over the top. I love ashdown, but the Kustom I have I'll put against any ashdown, ampeg, ie, and feel comfortable.

MEKer · #9 04-16-2010, 08:45 PM

My vote goes to the Laney RB9 300 watter. Now mind you that a single Laney 4x10 is 8 ohms. To get the max 300 watts you need to be running at 4 ohms so I'd get the 2nd 8 ohm 4x10 as well.
But either way is fine depending on what you wanna do.

I will say I like the construction and solidness of a Laney over an Ashdown---maybe its me but Ashies just seem a little fragile.

Kustom is long time nice company, but---and please correct me if wrong---their cabs are particle board since they went cheap overseas manufacturing. I know their PA cabs are. Big turn off for me.

In the end, you'll get what you get and good luck to you.

Of course---there is always a sharp lil G-K.

leonardobass · #10 04-28-2010, 05:21 PM

first of all do you know the kustom model you were looking at? I must say i'm a kustom fan,i've owned a small combo and i just bought one of their new Deep end hybrid heads,and i'm very happy with it,kustom now has a great team of engineers behind it,guys that worked for companies like peavey and ampeg,i think it's worth a try.The ashdown amps are pretty good also,although the mag series are the low level entry amps.But my best advice is try your band's riffs on everything you can within your price range and pick what sounds better to you.

pudgychef · #11 04-28-2010, 06:17 PM

I haven't played a modern Kustom...but I did gig a bunch on Laney and Ashdown gear at clubs in Seoul. I found that the Ashdowns were warmer and better at that vintage tone as mentioned, but were more finicky. The Laney's reminded me of Yorkville/Traynor or Peavey gear, maybe not incredible tone machines but very reliable and always usable in any situation. Oh, and loud