ashdown MK500 top

[jwstoker]

I can lay my hands on a second hand Ashdown Mark King 500 top.

http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=113

What are the user experiences (experiences; no unfounded opinions from wannabe expert please). I m serious

 

[4-string]

What are the user experiences (experiences; no unfounded opinions from wannabe expert please).

Hey now, unfounded opinions is what we are all about.

I really dig my MK500. It gets fairly close to the ABM line if you want, but has lots more clarity in it. I love the harmonic emphasis. Plenty of power, and easy to dial in.

 

[innsmouthface]

a bit of a different opinion here...i used to have one, and just hated it it doesn't colour the instrument's tone at all, and with my p-bass, just sounds downright terrible. i think it has something to do with the fact that the p is passive, and the mk's input is designed for both active and passive basses...which means that you have to really turn up the input gain, and even then, the p sounded really thin and just...not like a bass. also, don't expect it to sound better the more you turn it up, it sounds exactly the same at basically any level - which may be a good or bad thing for you.

of course, as you have active basses, this will likely not be a problem for you, and on the other side, the eq is great, and it is a powerful, loud head. just dont expect to get a good pickstyle tone out of it.

now i have an ampeg svt 3-pro, and am very happy with it...just so you know where i'm coming from.

 

[jwstoker]

a bit of a different opinion here...i used to have one, and just hated it it doesn't colour the instrument's tone at all, and with my p-bass, just sounds downright terrible. i think it has something to do with the fact that the p is passive, and the mk's input is designed for both active and passive basses...which means that you have to really turn up the input gain, and even then, the p sounded really thin and just...not like a bass. also, don't expect it to sound better the more you turn it up, it sounds exactly the same at basically any level - which may be a good or bad thing for you.

thnx guys! these are usefull replies
This i just what i want: no colour of the tone/sound.
I played a Glockenklang, but they are too expensive for me.
And the Sandberg is basic a jazzbass setup, so may be that wil be different in sound than a P bas.

 

[innsmouthface]

yeah, i know sandbergs, they are great basses!

 

[jwstoker]

I just fell in love of the sound and playability. I think they are not yet know in the States. They are areal threat to Fender

 

[anthowl]

looks a lot like the ABM series (I'm an all Ashdown user, including ABM).
this would be good and i like the idea of the expanded eq section.

you may regard this as unfounded opinion if you like.

 

[jwstoker]

you may regard this as unfounded opinion if you like.

LOL! no way pal! always take you guys seriously from downunder

Do you happen to know how to connect two cabinets to the mk500? The rearpanel seems to have one jack and one speakon connection. Can I use those simultaniously?

On the abm500 there are two pairs of connectors.

(see the manual on the Ashdown site)

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I own a MK500 and it really is an amp in it's own world. A very very hi-fi sounding amp and a very in your face amp as well. The MK500 is not as tame as the ABM500(I own several ABM 500's) but it can be mild if you want it to.


If you want a very modern hi-fi sounding amp with more balls that most amps out there at that wattage poin deliver,then the MK500 is a winner.












And yes I happen to be an Ashdown endorser(over a decade)

 

[jwstoker]

And yes I happen to be an Ashdown endorser(over a decade)

then you must be able to tell me how to attach two separate cabinets to this thing!?
one jack-jack and one speakon-speakon cable?

and (for budget reasons) I want two MAG cabinets (the 2x10 and later the 1 x 15). Are those ok to use with this amp?

 

[JAUQO III-X]

To use to different cabs. You will just need a speakon cable for one cab and a standard 1/4" speaker cable for the other one.


On the back of most of Ashdown cabs you will find a standard cable input and a speakon input.



As far as cabs, just make sure you're running the right ohms and the proper wattage.

 

[anthowl]

ah, that helps me also.
you can run the speak on and the 1/4" outs simultaneously?

my ABM head happens to have two speakon outs, but i was still wondering.

i suppose you could always daisy chain them anyway, could you?

 

[JAUQO III-X]

i suppose you could always daisy chain them anyway, could you?

Yes you can.

 

[jwstoker]

Yes you can.

sorry, but what is " daisy chain" ? serial? and if so, what happens with two cabinets with both 8 ohms?

 

[JAUQO III-X]

sorry, but what is " daisy chain" ? serial? and if so,

After you hook your cab(s) to an amp you can also hook up another cab to the the cab(s)s that are hooked up to your amp.

what happens with two cabinets with both 8 ohms?

When two 8 ohm cabs are hooked up together the ohms now become 4 ohms.


If you have an amp that runs at 500 watts at 4 ohm, when you hook one 8 ohm cab up you will not get the full 500 watts from the amp. If you run two 8 ohm cabs to the amp you will then get the full 500 watts or you can just run one 4 ohm cab to get the full 500 watts.

 

[jwstoker]

After you hook your cab(s) to an amp you can also hook up another cab to the the cab(s)s that are hooked up to your amp.

When two 8 ohm cabs are hooked up together the ohms now become 4 ohms.

If you have an amp that runs at 500 watts at 4 ohm, when you hook one 8 ohm cab up you will not get the full 500 watts from the amp. If you run two 8 ohm cabs to the amp you will then get the full 500 watts or you can just run one 4 ohm cab to get the full 500 watts.

So.... to get practical:
What if I buy two cabinets (the MAG 210T and the MAG 115), how should I connect them? Both cabinets are 250W and 8 ohms.

One on the speakon and one on the jack? or should I connect them daisy-wise?

Sorry, but I m new to this and I can need some prof advise..

 

[JAUQO III-X]

So.... to get practical:
What if I buy two cabinets (the MAG 210T and the MAG 115), how should I connect them? Both cabinets are 250W and 8 ohms.

One on the speakon and one on the jack? or should I connect them daisy-wise?

Sorry, but I m new to this and I can need some prof advise..

All you have to do is hook one cab to the back of the amp and hook the other cab to the cab that's hooked up to the amp.

Or if you have four speaker input jacks on the back of the amp just hook each cab into it's own input jacks on the back of the amp.

 

[jwstoker]

thnx YAUQO!

I made one mistake:
one cab is 150 Watts (the 1x15") and one is 250Watts (the 2x10")
and the cabinets together: can I just add up the Watts (400Watts)?
Wil these make a good fit with the 575Wattrms from the mk500? Or will i damage the speakers?

 

[JAUQO III-X]

thnx YAUQO!

You're welcome and it's Jauqo (No I wasen't offended).

I made one mistake:
one cab is 150 Watts (the 1x15") and one is 250Watts (the 2x10")
and the cabinets together: can I just add up the Watts (400Watts)?
Wil these make a good fit with the 575Wattrms from the mk500? Or will i damage the speakers?

To be honest I'm not sure on that one.

 

[anthowl]

...add up the Watts (400Watts)?
Wil these make a good fit with the 575Wattrms from the mk500? Or will i damage the speakers?

i'm not sure on this one, but i think that'd be okay if you didn't run the amp full up or so it's pumping over 400 watts worth of volume.
i'd say impedance is the more worrisome issue.

before you try this though i'd looks for further clarification,
cos i don't wanna be responsible for some gear death!