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Ampeg, Ashdown or SWR

xiolo

xiolo

Sep 2, 2006
60
1
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
#1
Hi Folks,
I'm upgrading from my little 15w practice amp and am looking at the following.
I have $800(cdn) or so to spend, leaning toward the lower end of the spectrum but...;)
Ashdown MAG 300H with 4x10 cab $849 (699 with 2x12 as combo)
ampeg BA210, 220 watts, 2x10 with tweeter. $899
SWR WorkingPro 15 1x15 with tweeter $730

All the amps are in different stores, so trying to compare them tonally has been a bit of a pain. I'll take other suggestions as well, though I'm kinda limited to what's here in town and these seem to be the best in the price range I've seen.

I play mostly in churchs and small bars/pubs, a mix of generic/light rock. I've debated getting something used, but I've yet to find anything decent in this price range (i'm in calgary,ab)
 
#3
I would recommend you to go with the Ashdown MAG 300 head. I recently tried it, and it really is an incredible amp for the money. Very good sound, versatile EQ and loud for a 300w head.

As for cabinets, I'm not sure. The MAG 4x10 is OK for the price, but not an incredible value like the 300 head is.

Personnally, I'd buy the head, and after go to every music store in you area and try the head (and your bass) through every cab that fits your budget. Without thinking about it, one will end up at the top of your list.
 
#6
HEY!!!

definatley go used, matter of fact...

i just bought a used Ampeg 410 (http://ampeg.com/products/b_series_enclosures/bxt-410hl.html ) from Long & Mcquade down by Chinook mall. Sounds fantastic, but sadly i had to return it. Nothing wrong, it was just annoying to fit into my tiny little Nissan. $600. played great, looks greats, etc, etc. No problems what so ever. Talk to Ranjit there, he's a good guy. He also plays for the local band, 'Sentient'.

St. Johns music is just across the C-train tracks from there. they got alot of Ashdown if you wanna check that stuff out. They also carry Peavey and Trace.

Mother Music up by Marborough (sp?) is great too. i fyou haven't been up there check it out! They got lots of $$$ stuff, but also some more affordable stuff too. Phone and see if they still have that used SWR Goliath jr. Last time I was up there they had it priced at $350. that and and Ashdown MAG head would be great.

Also check out Axe Music near Blackfoot and MCC on McCloud Tr. they might have some good stuff.


Anyhow, hope that helped :)
 
#9
julo said:
I bought my MAG 3OO+ 4*10 for 550 if i remember.

So i bet you get find better than 699 for this set up.

I'm very happy ith it too.

J
Click to expand...

That's $699 Canadian, julo.

I have Ashdown guitar and bass amps and think that they have great tone for a really good price. A Mag 300 head is a real bargain. I would look for a used cab. Maybe you could find an Avatar 212 or 410 in the Talkbass classifieds; maybe even a used Neo in your price range. You could certainly find an older Peavey cab to match with the Ashdown head for the time being and upgrade the cab later. Look online, research the tone and reliability issues here on Talkbass and just add the shipping to get your final cost. I live in a small town (pop. 1,500) 300 miles from the nearest city of any size and I buy most uniform produced items like amps, speakers, tools, etc. online. Not, however, unique hand crafted items like instruments.
 
#12
(i thought i posted this already, but the post isn't up...)
Alright, I bought 73jbass's Mag 600. :) Now all I have to do is find a cabinet. 375 for an almost new MAG 600 seemed like a pretty good deal, especially since it is only about 50 bucks more than a new 300. How is cross-border shipping on things like cabs? Does it get real expensive, real quick and not worth the hassle? I see there are lots of nice cabs for sale in the TB classifieds, I'm just worried about shipping up norht of the border.
Thanks for all the great info guys, you've made a new guy to the boards a loyal supporter.
A quick n00b question, can a head be matched to any cab, regardless of brand as long as the power and other spec match up?
 
#13
You made a really good purchase. I'm sure you'll love your MAG 600. It's always a good thing to have that extra power, so you're not running your head at 11.

As for cabs and customs, it depends. If you have an incredible deal in the US, go for it. You'll generally pay the taxes on it, as if you had bought it from a store (7% I think). Try to avoid UPS, as they charge a lot of "brokerage" fees that I never knew what they were for...In my experience, you'll save if you use USPS or FedEx.

If you plan to buy a budget cab (MAG 4x10 for example), I'd recommend to go new in a store near where you live. That way you'll establish a relationship with your local store, and if you ever blew a speaker or have any problem, they'll be more likely to help you.

I personnally always go for new cabinets, as I'm sure that way the speakers were not abused.
 
#14
xiolo said:
(i thought i posted this already, but the post isn't up...)
Alright, I bought 73jbass's Mag 600. :) Now all I have to do is find a cabinet. 375 for an almost new MAG 600 seemed like a pretty good deal, especially since it is only about 50 bucks more than a new 300. How is cross-border shipping on things like cabs? Does it get real expensive, real quick and not worth the hassle? I see there are lots of nice cabs for sale in the TB classifieds, I'm just worried about shipping up norht of the border.
Thanks for all the great info guys, you've made a new guy to the boards a loyal supporter.
A quick n00b question, can a head be matched to any cab, regardless of brand as long as the power and other spec match up?
Click to expand...



Very nice! Sounds like a good score :hyper: Yep, pretty much any cab with the right ohmage/wattage will work with that head. Good luck finding your cab, I bet your rig is going to sound great!
 
#17
Great deal on the Mag 600! I am not as big a fan of Ashdown's cabs as I am their amps; not that they are poor quality, just more ordinary than their amps. For the type of music you are describing a 410, 212 or a 210 / 115 stack would do great. The 212 would probably be the lightest. I happen to like the Eden 212 XLT a lot (unlike many of Eden cabs) and it only weighs about 74 lbs. It would probably cost about $400 to $450 US used. The Avatar 212 Neo has an excellent reputation and only weighs 64 lbs. They are only $341 new shipped in the US. In Ashdown I would look at either a 410 or a 115 and 210 stack. If you go for the stack, get the largest 115 box you can handle, as I find they sound fuller. Another thought would be a couple of Bag End cabs either two 115s or a 115 and a 112. They are light, loud and cut through really well. Last Spring Aguilar discontinued their "S" series cabs. They emphasize the mids more than the "GS" series and are less expensive. If you could find a used S410 it would probably be priced right and would make a good match with the Mag 600. I don't know anything about taxes into Canada from the US on used goods. It shouldn't be too bad... there must be some advantage for Canadians in NAFTA. Good luck.
 

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