Ashdown or Laney

[cooch]

Looking at buying a new rig and after looking at plenty of reviews of gear on the net, have narrowed it down (based on value for money) to one of the following:

Option 1. Ashdown Mag 300H, Mag 410 cab and Mag 115 cab

or

Option 2. Laney RB9, RB 410 and RB 115

Both set ups 300 watts, both around the same price, any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated.

Mike.

p.s - Currently running an Epi Thunderbird thru a Peavey TKO

 

[dxbass]

Having owned a Laney RB4 (160 Watts) and now the owner of a Mag 300H and a Mag 4x10 cab, I would definitely recommend the Ashdown.

 

[Rhythm5]

+1 on the Ashdown, but I like the ABM series much better.

 

[irvinz]

ashdown, for sure. yeah, obviously i like the abm better, it is supposedly their flagship model. lol.

its the perfects -. blue -mags - . abm
or know known as klystrons

 

[GeoffByrne]

I've only experienced the Laney R2. It had a lovely tone, but suffered from a sad lack of volume, although I play guitar through a Laney VC30 which is excellent.

I play bass through an Ashdown MAG400 (UK built redface - nearer 500W) and I love it - big & deep. I suppose you either like the sound or not - I do.

 

[*smb]

I play bass through an Ashdown MAG400 (UK built redface - nearer 500W) and I love it - big & deep. I suppose you either like the sound or not - I do.

Me too and me too. They're great amps. Second hand MAG heads are cheaper and better than the new ones btw.

 

[casio]

Ashdown hands down!
although im not a fan of the MAG series, they still manage to beat the laney in the essential issues: volume, build quality and plain old good looks!
As far as bang for buck value goes, ashdown all the way!

 

[jpsexton]

+1 for the Ashdown! If you can get an ABM even better.

 

[RBasss]

Laney makes decent all-tube guitar amps but I would stay away from their bass stuff. Everything I've seen in the R Series is very underpowered and the cabinets feel and look cheap. I would definitely go with Ashdown.

 

[cooch]

Cheers for the replies, so it looks like Ashdown all the way, budget can't stretch to ABM or UK built MAG, any major problems with Chinese built MAGs

 

[lunarpollen]

... although I play guitar through a Laney VC30 which is excellent.

amen to that

i hope to never part with my VC30

 

[GeoffByrne]

Cheers for the replies, so it looks like Ashdown all the way, budget can't stretch to ABM or UK built MAG, any major problems with Chinese built MAGs

The Chinese-built amps don't enjoy as high a reputation for reliability as the UK-built items.

 

[jpsexton]

Cheers for the replies, so it looks like Ashdown all the way, budget can't stretch to ABM or UK built MAG, any major problems with Chinese built MAGs

My ABM500 is a later Chinese version and it's just fine. It's the same amp, just built somewhere else. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Rhythm5]

I've got an ABM500 for sale. Let me know if you are interested.