Eden or Ashdown? Advice on new rig please...

[Markee123]

Hi all!

I'm new here and after hours of scanning some great posts looking for answers, I thought I'd ask for some advice.

I'm in the market for a complete new bass rig.

I've narrowed my choice down to two setups but, cannot decide which way to go.

Option 1:

Used Eden D410XLT

Used Eden D215XL (one blown speaker to repair)

New Eden WTX1000N

As the d410xlt is likely to overpower the d215 (when repaired) I thought a wtx1000n would be the ideal choice to balance the cabs?

Option 2:

New ABM 500 EVO III Head

New ABM 115 Cabinet

New ABM 410T Cabinet


I can get a good deal on the ashdown rig and even buying all new it still comes in way cheaper than the eden rig.

Although, the price is not important as I want a rig that will last for years.

I'm a finger player mainly but, I do a little slap & pop, plus pick work when needed.

Any advice welcome

All the best & HAPPY CRIMBO!!

Mark

 

[Markee123]

Anyone??

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

A 410 + 115 is alot of cab.

Are you sure you need that much?

Perhaps you'd like be good with just the eden 410. Its a very efficient and loud cab.

Eden sounds great and the cabs are reliable. I'm hesitant to recommend their amps as their customer service record is not exemplary.

Ashdown is nice too.

You might want to also compare weight if that is important to you. Eden cabs are pretty heavy comparatively speaking.

Based on price and weight I'd probably go with the ashdown rig. However, eden does sound dang nice.

 

[Jay Corwin]

I've never played Eden so I can't comment on the features, but I would be a little cautious buying a rig from someone who has already blown up at least one speaker. Especially on high end gear like Eden.

 

[ajunea3]

The two biggest factors I look for in a rig are tone and volume. Looks like either rig will give you enough volume, so for me it would come down to which tone I prefer. I say search the internet for as many sound clips of the two amps as you can find (or play on them yourself - nothing beats first-hand experience), and make a decision based on that.

That being said, I'd go with the Ashdown.

 

[MaceTheBass]

Eden.
You can skip the 215, as the 410XLT gives you plenty volume.

 

[Markee123]

Eden.
You can skip the 215, as the 410XLT gives you plenty volume.

I thought as much!

Thanks for all the replies.

I have played through a wt550 into a 410xlt and really warmed to it.

The reason I was going for the wtx1000n is the amount of tweaking available - can't afford two buy wp100 & power amp at the mo so I figured I'd get the best of both worlds with the wtx1000n.

If I go with just a 410xlt I'm not gonna need the power of the wtx1000n - trouble is their wtx500 model looks like it lacks fine control? Any experience or recommendations on the wtx500?

Thanks again for your thoughts1

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I do *not* like the sound of Ashdown cabs - but I love their amps.

What I run is an Ashdown ABM 400 into an Epifani NYC 4x10 that sounds freakin' GREAT - - And for really big gigs, I have an Epi 2x10 that can add, giving me a 6x10 setup. And though some folks have said the ABM 400 is "Underpowered", I can tell you that I had *no problem* doing five sets at mondo volume with this setup - and it sounded dandy.

Were I to pair an Eden with an ashdown head, I'd expect a more mid-focused response (my Epis are very flat, with a very, very slight mid-scoop). I'm not wild about Eden cabs, but they are MUCH better than Ashdown (in my opinion).

I've read good things about the wt550, so I'd say just go with the head and the 4x10.

 

[MaceTheBass]

Regarding amp choice, first try and see whether you like the tone, then think how much tweakability you need.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Well the wt550 does have a semi-parametric eq does it not?

That gives alot of tonal flexibility.

 

[JazzyLambert]

Eden, every time.

___________________________
Can't Groove @14

 

[kazuhank]

Ashdown, every time.

 

[Rocksolid]

I would go the Eden amp and 410xlt - I don't think the 215 fits into the equation at all. If you still feel you need more I would get a 210xst to go under it. I ran this set up for years and it slams. I only moved on my 410xlt as I got a 610xlt 2nd hand.

I have a friend that uses an Ashdown amp and has had good results with an Eden 410xlt also.

 

[4-string]

Ashdown ABM series have beautiful drive, if that's important to you.

I've owned both Eden and Ashdown, and loved both. Personally, I would probably go for the Ashdown rig, but I would swap the 1x15 for another 4x10.

 

[orlando123]

I love the warmth of the Eden and I own an Ashdown which is nice too, very straight to the point as far as settings. I would probably go with the Ashdown myself. I think the Eden stuff is really overpriced. If the Eden rig was all new and money was no object I would go Eden. You should be straight with the 4x10 and 15" Ashdown I would think.