Ashdown Rig Vs Markbass Combo

Ashdown is the sh*t. nuff said.

 

As you already own the Markbass amp, consider getting an extension speaker to make use of (up to) the full 500 watts of your amp. You would probably want another 12" speaker and considering you already like the tone you would just get more of what you like.

 

Find out what existing Markbass cab is closest to what is in that combo, and add another.

 

If you get a 2x10 go for one in the shape of a foldback wedge.

 

There's a lot of love for Ashdown on this forum. You may want to check the review section.
The New York 121 would be the appropriate extension which would give you a 2x12 and able to use the full 500 watts of your Markbass amp. You may want to check the price of this extension cab before considering the swap.
Also, play the Ashdown equipment before you swap. It may not make give you the tone you like with the Markbass equip.
Good luck with your choice.

 

The Markbass Traveler 121 cab will perhaps give you a bit more oomph than the NY121 cab due to it's bigger size. Not sure, though, since I have never played the NY121 cab. I do have a CMD 121H combo, though. It sounds delicious.

 

First of all, you should be able to adjust the gain and master so that the amp does not clip. I belive the gain knob on the left side of the head is there to optimize the input signal from your bass and the master on the right is to control the overall volume (someone please correct me if I'm wrong on that). So don't just move the amp if you think it's clipping too easily, I think you can fix that.

Also, I found an NY121 used at GC for under $300 and it pairs perfectly with that combo. I've sold my 4x10 because it hasn't left the house since I bought the NY121. I think the combo plus the extension cab is all anyone should need for just about any gig.

Having said that, if you can try the Ashdown, do it and see which one you like better. And then stay away from the classifieds here lest you get gas for something else.

 

I have to second the opinion that you won't know what's going to be best until you try the Ashdown rig next week - a lot of love for Ashdown around here, and with the 410 it will definitely be a hairier rig, but YOU have to be sure it still sounds good to you.

If not, save up for the extension cab - I, too, run 500 watts through 2x12, and it's more than I need (which is a good thing!).

 

Just FYI, on my Markbass combo and LMIII head I run my gain at about 1:30 because that's the point at which the clip light stops coming on when I play as hard as I'm gonna play. Then, I usually get by with the master volume at around 10:00 for most gigs, sometimes more or less a bit.

 

I own an earlier Ashdown ABM 500 head which I run through a variety of cabinets...Bergantino HT322, AE210, AE112, or Epifani T310 (came with the Ashdown as a package/ local purchase).
Just a great sounding head. It matches up so nicely with all of my cabs. The two basses I play through it, a Modulus Q5 with EMG pu (active, bright, modern) and Yamaha BB3000 (passive, warm, vintage), always sound great to me throughout heir tonal range.
I don't use the tube distortion full on...doesn't sound good to me, but I will sometimes add a bit of it for variety.