ASHDOWN 4X10 BASS CAB

[TheOnlyJuan]

I just purchased an 88 Carvin pb 200. I got a lot of help when I asked if the pairing was good with Carvin 210s. Here's the problem. I am on a pretty tight budget and the only Carvin 210s that I could find cheap were on ebay for $228. I decided to do some more shopping around and I ran into a used ASHDOWN 4X10 BASS CAB which is $40.00 cheaper. My questions are: is this a good cab?; and will I be able to get good sounds when paired with the Carvin head. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[TheOnlyJuan]

BTW - I forgot to mention that I am also looking at a USED GALLIEN KRUEGER 410SBX 4X10 BASS CAB that will also save me $60.00. Please do not confuse the fact that I want to save a couple of bucks with settling for something that I will wind up regretting. If I should go with the Carvin 210s new and at full price then so be it, but if there are other options then...

 

[4-string]

I guess this is a MAG series cab? I used to have one of those, and I think it's a great cab for the money.

 

[TheOnlyJuan]

I am kinda new at this. Are you referring to the GK or the Ashdown?

 

[TheOnlyJuan]

Found it. It is part of the mag series.

 

[TheOnlyJuan]

Update....I could not go with the GK 410SBX as it was a little too pricey for me at the moment so I still stayed with GK but I went with the 410MBX. That paired with my Carvin pb 200 may not be much compared to you guys but at least I do not have to listen to my rumble 30 anymore! It was nice and served its purpose (rumble 30) but it's time to move up in my evolution.

 

[Bass Unique]

I have had a number of Ashdown MAG speakers and have always been disappointed by the low bass output. The speakers in the earlier MAG range (particularly blue line) fart out really quickly, ie they have very little excursion. In fact each speaker is limited to around 40W so at 160W in to the cab, lots of distortion results. They are also not rated highly for thermal power - considering it is a 410 and less than 400W in to the whole unit, each driver is pretty weak.

Unfortunately, the cabs are also really heavy and cheaply made (unlike the ABM range) - there is a reason why they are cheaper than a better 210!

The good points on the MAG410 is it is sensitive and has a nice tone, especially if you dont push it, and of course, it is about the cheapest workable 410 out there.

I would personally use a better quality excursion limited 210 or 212 in vertical alignment or you will find you will want to change it again soon.

 

[jewbageled]

I have a Ashdown Mag410T. Based on the information on the back panel, the cab is rated at 300 watts and was built in 1999. I picked it up second hand for $100, the tweeter is blown out and there is no tweeter control in the back.

I play anything from really dirty, distorted punk to softer, smooth, christiany, churchish, worshipy, folk music. I like this cab alot (even without a working tweeter), even BETTER than my bandmates ampeg 810 (which I use in the punk band). While my ashdown doesn't have as much intial low end as the fridge, it has some sort magical middle, punchy, growly quality about it, that I find the fridge to lack. To compensate for the low end, I just boost the low on my amp a tad- it works great for me.

There's my very amateur take on my ashdown cab. Here's what she looks like:

 

[TheOnlyJuan]

To Bass Unique and jewbageled,
I appreciate the input from both of you but the point became moot when I went to purchase the ashdown. So I instead went with the GK 410MBX. It should go well with my 88 Carvin pb200 which arrives tomorrow and of course is used as well. For now it should fit my needs of defining my sound (rumble 30 can't do it) and doing the ocassional gig. Oh, and jewbageled...your equipment should never be considered amateurish. If it works for you then kick it!!