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Ashdown, Hartke, Berhinger....looking for new bass amp head

D

Doug White

Dec 12, 2006
28
0
Midland, TX
#1
Looking to put my Peavey Delta Bass head out to pasture, seems to be on her last leg. I've been looking at the Ashdown MAG 300, the Hartke 2500, the Berhinger BX4500H as well as some others.

We don't play big outdoor or huge indoor venues, and when we do play a large club, festival, or something of that nature, we all go thu the house system or board anyway. But I want something with sufficient power for my Carvin BR410 that I also run with a 115 cab sometimes. The 410 is rated at 800 watts/8 ohms and the 115 is rated at 300 watts/8 ohms.

I am looking to get something that will still give me enough power when I run my 410 alone since the power is less when run with an 8 ohm load.

Experiences and constructive input is welcomed.
 
#4
Hi.

I have the Behringer BX4500H (Got it for 200 Cad at a used shop). It was brand new so i thought it was a good deal.

Anyways, it sounds good. Pretty much identical to the Ashdown MAG 300 but more power. (No one at practice could tell much difference... But then again we play ear splitting heavy metal)

Theres an Ashdown 2x10 combo and a Yorkville 1x15 combo where i practice.

The ashdown is probablly the worst, i would avoid them. Really weak compared to the other 2.

The thing about the Behringer though is the added features. The ultrabass is worthless, doesn't track the E string at all, cuts in and out. The shape feature is ok, but again pretty worthless, when turned up high it kinda makes the notes go into an endless loop and really sounds out of phase with the rest of the band. (Although you can get a really cool organ sound by using the Ultrabass very low and turning the shape feature to max, but doesn't affect the E string much, but at low settings it doesn't mess it up either) But those aside the amp is fine. I use mine with a pair of Yorkville 15" cabs and it has plenty of power (And yes, it had more power than the ashdown with only 1 cab attached also).

I've since added a Sansamp RBI so i don't use the preamp section of it anymore. It sounds really good with the sansamp.

As for reliability, i've never had a problem and i abuse it weekly. I leave it on for days at time at home and use it alot. For comparison i have to have the ashdown around 8-9 with the bass and mids turned up to be heard decently. With the behringer and a single 15 i can get away at about 5-6 so it is quite a bit louder. It has a fan in the back, but is really quiet.

I'm not saying the Behringer is great, but it's just as good as the Ashdown but cheaper. (I personally think it's alot better than the ashdown, everyone in the band hates it when i get stuck with that amp)

All in all i'm very happy with mine, and once it gets replaced it will still be put to good use as my practice amp to sit at our guitarists house for when we get together. I have no trouble recomending it for people on a budget.

Hope this helps.
 
#5
The Carvin B800 is at highway robbery statis right now, I own one and I couldnt be happier. Does everything i need it to do. It will handle your BR410 and the 15 with ease. With those two cabs on the head it will be running at 500watts. With just the 4x10 it will run at 300 or 350 watts.
 
#8
+1 on the Hartke Amp. I use either a 3500 or 2500 depending on the gig. The 3500 is 12+ years old, with only a tube change. The 2500 delivers enough power, 250 at 4 Ohms and I believe 170-180 @ 8. No problems with it.
 
#10
I'd go with the Hartke or Ashdown. I've had personal experience with Hartke, and was quite pleased. I've only gotten word of mouth on Ashdown, but hear they're great.

If you're willing to plunk down a little more cash, I'd go with a GK. I have one, and am completely satisfied. It gets such a warm sound for being a solid state amp.
 
#14
I have checked:


Ash 300
HA 3500
BX3000T (the older version)

Ash sounds well. Over. The octaver works quite well, doesn't turn on and off and on etc. like one in BX3000T. Is the weakestone (307W). At our forum we kid, that it is ballsless (which is wrong).

Hartke (own one:hyper: ): the most important for me was the GraphEQ. It allows me to cut unwanted frequencies (currently it is 250 and 500Hz) precisly: ASH and B do not have the feature. I still did not learn tu use the compressor. At our forum we kid, that it sound like cardboard (which is wrong).

Behringer: what's the price, that's the stuff. Lacks graphic EQ, the octaver turns on and off and on...At our forum we don't kid at all (wrong too - this is really a reason to kid:) ).

AFAIR BX3000T is the same unit as BX4500 but power.

I went for Hartke. If it was to buy an amp today, I would again choose Hartke. Even if it costs most (at least in PL)
 
#16
metalhead387 said:
I'd go with the Hartke or Ashdown. I've had personal experience with Hartke, and was quite pleased. I've only gotten word of mouth on Ashdown, but hear they're great.

If you're willing to plunk down a little more cash, I'd go with a GK. I have one, and am completely satisfied. It gets such a warm sound for being a solid state amp.
Click to expand...

Which GK do you have??
 

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