Ashdown CTM 100 Versus the Ampeg V-4B

[BluesBrothers51]

I'm revisiting the idea of purchasing an all-tube bass amp. I don't want to return to the days of lifting/hauling a 300-watt head @ 65-85lbs. The compromise for my short list of purchases is between Ashdowns CTM 100 @ roughly 40 lbs. and Ampegs V-4B @ 40 lbs as well. I looked on YouTube for any reviews comparing the two specifically for sound. I wasn't able find a video comparing the two. Some of the additional variables I'm reviewing include; price, and features/options. Any all-tube amp players with any experience working with these two heads? - I'd appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Wasnex]

Here is a thread from awhile back: Anyone played both an Ashdown CTM100 and an Ampeg V4b? | TalkBass.com

Ideally you need to play both and judge for yourself. I realize that may not be practical.

I can provide some tangentially related comments that may be helpful. What do I mean? I haven't played either of these amps, however I own a 69 and 87 SVT, a PF50T, and a CTM300.

My understanding is the CTM100 has the same preamp circuit as the CTM300. I believe the CTM300 output section is designed for max clean headroom, while the CTM100 is designed to be a bit more squishy and transition better into OD. The preamp voicing is fairly dark and emphasizes the low mids similar to an SVT. The CTM lows are full, but not particularly deep sounding. My perception is the preamp seems sort of like it's designed to make a modern full-range cab sound like an SVT through and 810E. Also, the preamp is set up to produces some decent OD.

This video is fairly representative of how the CTM300 sounds, and the CTM100 should be similar:


I think the CTM300 may have a wider range of tones than the Ampegs, but figuring out how to dial in a specific sound can be challenging. Also I find it easy to get "not-so-good" tones with the CTM300.

Eventually I figured out a trick. Start with the tone controls at about 9:00 and limit adjustments to +/- 2. I.E. you can turn the tone controls down to 7:00 or up to about 11:00. Within this range the controls are fairly intuitive, although the treble control may seem like it is working backs. There are a lot of good tones available between 7 and 11.

That doesn't necessarily mean you can't turn the controls higher and find great tones, only that the sound may not change in a predictable manner. Another possibility is you may twist a knob and not hear any change at all.

The various tone select buttons produce useful and predictable changes to the tone and feel of the amps.

If your bass has a relatively hot output, it may be impossible to get a clean signal the hotter input If this occurs, try plugging into the other input.

From what I understand SVT, PF50T, and V4B all have a pretty similar tone profile. These amps can easily be dialed in to be fairly flat. However, IMHO the Ampeg 810E is fairly dark and one of the least transparent quality cabs I have played through. Most people seem to think of the Ampeg sound as the SVT and 810E.

If you don't know the basic Ampeg sound, make an effort to find and play one of the amps I mentioned. IMHO the Ampegs have a far more intuitive tone stack than the CTM. By this I mean when you turn a tone control that sound changes in a predictable manner.

Which would I pick if I could only keep one amp? Probably neither. While they both sound awesome, I learned to play through a blackface Fender, and that feels closer to home for me.


Good luck!

 

[BluesBrothers51]

Here is a thread from awhile back: Anyone played both an Ashdown CTM100 and an Ampeg V4b? | TalkBass.com

Ideally you need to play both and judge for yourself. I realize that may not be practical.

I can provide some tangentially related comments that may be helpful. What do I mean? I haven't played either of these amps, however I own a 69 and 87 SVT, a PF50T, and a CTM300.

My understanding is the CTM100 has the same preamp circuit as the CTM300. I believe the CTM300 output section is designed for max clean headroom, while the CTM100 is designed to be a bit more squishy and transition better into OD. The preamp voicing is fairly dark and emphasizes the low mids similar to an SVT. The CTM lows are full, but not particularly deep sounding. My perception is the preamp seems sort of like it's designed to make a modern full-range cab sound like an SVT through and 810E. Also, the preamp is set up to produces some decent OD.

This video is fairly representative of how the CTM300 sounds, and the CTM100 should be similar:


I think the CTM300 may have a wider range of tones than the Ampegs, but figuring out how to dial in a specific sound can be challenging. Also I find it easy to get "not-so-good" tones with the CTM300.

Eventually I figured out a trick. Start with the tone controls at about 9:00 and limit adjustments to +/- 2. I.E. you can turn the tone controls down to 7:00 or up to about 11:00. Within this range the controls are fairly intuitive, although the treble control may seem like it is working backs. There are a lot of good tones available between 7 and 11.

That doesn't necessarily mean you can't turn the controls higher and find great tones, only that the sound may not change in a predictable manner. Another possibility is you may twist a knob and not hear any change at all.

The various tone select buttons produce useful and predictable changes to the tone and feel of the amps.

If your bass has a relatively hot output, it may be impossible to get a clean signal the hotter input If this occurs, try plugging into the other input.

From what I understand SVT, PF50T, and V4B all have a pretty similar tone profile. These amps can easily be dialed in to be fairly flat. However, IMHO the Ampeg 810E is fairly dark and one of the least transparent quality cabs I have played through. Most people seem to think of the Ampeg sound as the SVT and 810E.

If you don't know the basic Ampeg sound, make an effort to find and play one of the amps I mentioned. IMHO the Ampegs have a far more intuitive tone stack than the CTM. By this I mean when you turn a tone control that sound changes in a predictable manner.

Which would I pick if I could only keep one amp? Probably neither. While they both sound awesome, I learned to play through a blackface Fender, and that feels closer to home for me.


Good luck!

 

[BluesBrothers51]

Thanks for the information-helpful!