Ashdown Mag 300, inputs, active bass sensitivity

[UpperBout]

I just bought an Ashdown Mag 300. I am running into 1 Mag 2-10 cabinet and 1 Mag 1-15 cabinet. I play 2 Alembics, a Series I and an Essence 6. It seems that no matter which input I use, this amp is not very sensitive to the active output of these bases. The manual states that I should use the Low sensitivity input with active bases. The VU meter barely registers at all, in either input, no matter what I set the input sensitivity to. I can't even get the VU meter up to the red when I slap all strings with an open hand and the sensitivity is all the way up.

This might just be because I am unfamiliar with Ashdowns. I am used to my old Trace-Elliot AH500X, which would definitely get up to the red on the input indicator.

It also doesn't seem like this amp is very loud. I would expect to be getting all 300 watts with the two cabinets. But this amp doesn't seem as loud as my old Trace, which I seldom ran at anything more than 250 watts. (A single 8 ohm JBL cabinet)

I have changed batteries. I will try a new cable next.

It does sound great, though - I just want more *ahem* balls as it were.

Anyone have this experience with Ashdown Mag 300?

Tom

 

[alexofc69]

I just bought an Ashdown Mag 300. I am running into 1 Mag 2-10 cabinet and 1 Mag 1-15 cabinet. I play 2 Alembics, a Series I and an Essence 6. It seems that no matter which input I use, this amp is not very sensitive to the active output of these bases. The manual states that I should use the Low sensitivity input with active bases. The VU meter barely registers at all, in either input, no matter what I set the input sensitivity to. I can't even get the VU meter up to the red when I slap all strings with an open hand and the sensitivity is all the way up.

This might just be because I am unfamiliar with Ashdowns. I am used to my old Trace-Elliot AH500X, which would definitely get up to the red on the input indicator.

It also doesn't seem like this amp is very loud. I would expect to be getting all 300 watts with the two cabinets. But this amp doesn't seem as loud as my old Trace, which I seldom ran at anything more than 250 watts. (A single 8 ohm JBL cabinet)

I have changed batteries. I will try a new cable next.

It does sound great, though - I just want more *ahem* balls as it were.

Anyone have this experience with Ashdown Mag 300?

Tom

This is my opinion based on previous experience. Dont get me wrong, I love Ashdown stuff! I have an Ashdown Labs MK500 and two MAG 410T cabs.

My first experience was with the MAG300 about 4 years ago. I think they are...crummy. All I play are active basses. MTD,ESP,Schecter etc. I could not get any drive or good tone and it always seemed slightly overdriven. The retailer sent me a replacement to see if I could get better results.
Nothing, just weak mud! Wel,l I was starting to get a little better tone and then a few months into it. It went up in SMOKE!
I agree it had no balls compared to other 300 watt amps.

 

[badboy1984]

I have same setup as you and i have no problem with it. I run both G&L Tribute L25k and Warwick EMG, the input was high for those two after some EQ and pedal so i have to use compression and limiter to limit the volume because it is so loud.

I use my fender passive jazz and it also very loud for the amp. Not sure is my pickup or what but they all seems to do well for me.

 

[dave_bass5]

Ive got a MAG C-115 combo. I dont use it any more as its a bit hit or miss what i get out of it but when i was using it (almost 100 gigs) it worked fine. I never used it with another cab but it was always loud enough for those gigs.
I only used a Fender HW1 Jazz with mine but i could get the VU reading differently depending on what button was pushed in. IIR its also dependent on the EQ settings, maybe try pushing the low EQ right up, just to see if it makes a difference to the VU.

Its not one of the EVOII MAG's with the compressor in it is it? Maybe that needs adjusting. Just a thought.

 

[UpperBout]

No, It's not one of the new ones with the on board compressor.

I recently sent an inquiry to Ashdown (essentially the same as my post here). This is what they said:

<<Begin Quote>>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Guy Morel
Date: Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 2:34 AM
Subject: RE: Technical Service Query from Ashdown website
To: TomHug

Hi Tom,

The sensitivity of the Mag 300 should be very similar to the Trace-Illiot.... The High Input should definitely give you a lot higher reading on the Vu meter... It's designed for
passive basses....
If you are not then I suspect you may have a problem with either or both Jack sockets.
You will get 300 watts out of your set up when the Vu meter reads 0 dB.

Regards,
Guy


From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 07 June 2008 18:38
To: Guy Morel
Subject: Technical Service Query from Ashdown website

The following request for technical service has been submitted

NAME: Tom

AMPLIFIER: Mag 300

DEALER: second hand (eBay)

DATE OF PURCHASE: 10 May 2008

PROBLEM: I just bought an Ashdown Mag 300 which I am running into 1 Mag 2-10 cabinet and 1 Mag 1-15 cabinet. I play 2 Alembics, a Series I and an Essence 6. It seems that no matter which input I use, this amp is not very sensitive to the active output of these bases. The manual states that I should use the Low sensitivity input with active bases. The VU meter barely registers at all, in either input, no matter what I set the input sensitivity to. I can't even get the VU meter up to the red when I slap all strings with an open hand and the sensitivity is all the way up. This might just be because I am unfamiliar with Ashdowns. I am used to my old Trace-Elliot AH500X, which would definitely get up to the red on the input indicator. It also doesn't seem like this amp is very loud. I would expect to be getting all 300 watts with the two cabinets. But this amp doesn't seem as loud as my old Trace, which I seldom ran at anything more than 250 watts. (Into a single 8 ohm JBL cabinet) I have changed batteries, so I am sure they are not flat. It does sound great, though - it just seems like there should be more sensitivity and volume for this type of bass. Should I be getting all 300 Watts with this configuration? Is the VU meter (and input sensitivity) behaving as expected? What is the correct procedure and configuration for active basses like these Alembics? Tom
<<End Quote>>

 

[OlSkewl56]

I've got one the vu meter doesn't move much on. It's going into an Avatar 212 neo, and a mag115. I don't run it with either bass or bright boost on, nor the sub harmonics. I play an active P special into the low input as well. I've got the gain set at 3 o'clock and play with the volume at 3 too, maybe a bit more on occasions. It will keep up with my guitar player (Marshall 1/2 stack and if he is conservative), but I mic it when we're gigging. I like the tone I get, but there have been a few times I wanted to jump out in front and it won't.
I like the tone enough that I'm wanting the Evo 500 next.
If I peak gain and volume the meter will react some, so I try to just ignore it altogether!

 

[OlSkewl56]

I forgot , it's a couple years old now,

 

[orlando123]

I'm using my Ashdown Mag 300R with an SWR Goliath 4x10 cab and it cranks. I have a Brubaker Brute MJX-5 and a Cort Curbow 6 string that I use most of the time with great response from both basses. I also have an SWR Big Ben "18" that I cant wait to use with the Goliath. My Goliath is 8 ohms and it's still pretty loud just using that one cab.

 

[Doctor Robert]

I just bought an Ashdown Mag 300. I am running into 1 Mag 2-10 cabinet and 1 Mag 1-15 cabinet. I play 2 Alembics, a Series I and an Essence 6. It seems that no matter which input I use, this amp is not very sensitive to the active output of these bases. The manual states that I should use the Low sensitivity input with active bases. The VU meter barely registers at all, in either input, no matter what I set the input sensitivity to. I can't even get the VU meter up to the red when I slap all strings with an open hand and the sensitivity is all the way up.

This might just be because I am unfamiliar with Ashdowns. I am used to my old Trace-Elliot AH500X, which would definitely get up to the red on the input indicator.

It also doesn't seem like this amp is very loud. I would expect to be getting all 300 watts with the two cabinets. But this amp doesn't seem as loud as my old Trace, which I seldom ran at anything more than 250 watts. (A single 8 ohm JBL cabinet)

I have changed batteries. I will try a new cable next.

It does sound great, though - I just want more *ahem* balls as it were.

Anyone have this experience with Ashdown Mag 300?

Tom

I just repaired an Ashdown 300 with this same symptoms. It turned out to be an open coupling capacitor (C4, 1 uf at 100vdc)in the tuner out jack circuit. The send and return, and tuner all loop back to input so if there is an open jack or open component the signal will be very weak or non-existent. It was hard to find, no schematic and had to use my scope to find it. Finally did though and the amp sounds great, it cranks!!! I am sure my customer will be very pleased

 

[rovito]

Ashown amps rock!

 

[aigman]

I just repaired an Ashdown 300 with this same symptoms. It turned out to be an open coupling capacitor (C4, 1 uf at 100vdc)in the tuner out jack circuit.

Hi Doctor Robert, was wondering if its an issue of removing the capacitor entirely, or does need to be replaced with a different one?
My ABM is doing the same thing, it sounds choked with my Stingrays (weak vu response), but it loves my passive Aria (needle jumps at the slightest pluck!), all are plugged into the high gain socket, the low gain input just doesn't have anything to offer!

Thanks Dinosaur Punk for posting about this... it's been a not-so-groovy mystery for awhile.

 

[aigman]

Actually, nevermind, it was solved with lowering the pickups. Magnets were Choking the sound. Also got a big difference engaging the "push flat" button. That in itself solved a big ongoing volume issue I was having. Thanks anyway guys this was a great tutorial of sorts.