Just picked up a used Ashdown 410 and powered sub rig. I'm thinking of running it with a YBA200 head. I ultimately want a Fender 300pro so I'm thinking the YBA would be a good step into the world of all valve amps.I can get one for a very good price but what I want to know is will it be any good for slap? I don't want a completely transparent slap tone (SWR, Edenetc.), just enough clarity to sound good. So, anyone with first hand experience, tell me how the YBA200 handles for slap. Thanks
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Just got myself an Ashdown stack!
- Thread starter bassbmx
- Start date
Yeah, I was thinking that but firstly I don't have the money and there's none going second hand here. Second, I'm looking for the full tube tone. Perhaps the Ashdown preamp and a 300-400 watt valve poweramp could be a good way to go.
vindy500 said:
Awesome!!! Are you in NZ now? Beautiful country aye and Raumati just seems to be a really creative place. If you're around these ways you could stop past for a jam
haha nah im living in denmark for a year, lived in palmy north up till may, are you looking at the yba on trade me?
I use an Ashdown RPM-1 into two powered cabs, I don't use the "sub out" I find that the built in variable crossover of more use plus it has an attenuator button as well.Espidog said:That would be a wonderful combination - and keep in mind that the RPM-1 pre-amp has the "sub out" socket to feed the deepest LF to your powered sub.
vindy500 said:
Yeah, that's the one. How long are you over in Denmark for? Good music scene there?
ukbassboy said:
Yeah, they're pretty pricey here but I'm stoked I managed to find the stack for such a great price.
Pimp my bass cab! Haha nice!
I've found someone here that deals Ashdown gear so I'll check out the prices for the head and pre. Anyone know where you can buy high power valve power amps?
I've found someone here that deals Ashdown gear so I'll check out the prices for the head and pre. Anyone know where you can buy high power valve power amps?
bassbmx said:
I am a 99% rock fingerstyle player but I fool around with slap when I know no-one can hear me... and I think the YBA200 sounds great. I can get a great crispy slap tone with very smooth lows/mids and sharp, but not harsh, highs (tube amp highs sound sooo good). As a tube amp this is a great amp for a big vintage warm tone, or a gritty rock tone (my choice). HOWEVER, this amp was designed with modern tastes in mind ('Scoop' control knob), so I would say as far as tube amps go, this can get a little hi-fi (without losing it's tube roots). I believe this is one of the reasons Tom Bowlus likes this amp. This is a great jack of all trades amp... not a one trick pony at all!!!!
If you like the warmth/grit of tubes... but want the odd hi-fi slap tone... I say this is the amp for you. However, if you plan to go and do mostly slap, you might want to go with more traditional amps in that genre, especially if you want 100% clarity of the low B for slapping at higher volumes. I have used a fender 5 with no issues, and the low B sounded great... but my instincts say that for the hardcore slapper purist you might want to at least A/B this amp to a high wattage (600W +) SS amp.
Try one out and see what you think. Once you get a hang of the EQ (realize that the EQ is passive, and mastering the 'Range' is key) you will have a hard time getting bad tone out of this baby. I have not played a fender 300 pro, but I have read people's comments that their tone is in the same ballpark (upper mid voicing) as opposed to ampegs (lower mid voicing) which is better for slap/clarity in my mind (upper-mid voicing that is). You may find yourself not wanting the 300 pro because 200w of tube amp is A LOT of volume and can more than keep up with the loudest drummers (and has XLR out for when the drums are mic'ed).
As far as 400W goes... for the price of a 300 (300W) pro you could get two of these (400W) easy. At the moment I am trying to convince myself that I NEED two of these amps (second to be matched with the yorkville 8x8 cab). I like this amp that much.
Espidog said:That would be a wonderful combination - and keep in mind that the RPM-1 pre-amp has the "sub out" socket to feed the deepest LF to your powered sub.
These cabinets and comments like that are making me giggle like a little kid!
throw_this_away said:I am a 99% rock fingerstyle player but I fool around with slap when I know no-one can hear me... and I think the YBA200 sounds great. As a tube amp this is a great amp for a big vintage warm tone, or a gritty rock tone (my choice). HOWEVER, this amp was designed with modern tastes in mind ('Scoop' control knob), so I would say as far as tube amps go, this can get a little hi-fi (without losing it's tube roots). I believe this is one of the reasons Tom Bowlus likes this amp.
If you like the warmth/grit of tubes... but want the odd hi-fi slap tone... I say this is the amp for you. However, if you plan to go and do mostly slap, you might want to go with more traditional amps in that genre. This is a great jack of all trades amp... not a one trick pony at all!!!!
Awesome! I'll still check Ashdown prices but that sounds perfect for what I'm doing. I don't like that really hi-fi slap sound anyway so the YBA sounds like it'll fit the bill. Thanks
bassbmx said:
The ideal would be to side by side compare an ashdown and the Traynor. As much as I like to push the YBA200... you can't go wrong by comparing (everyone's preferences are different).
p.s. note the edits to my big post.
****, I just read on a harmony-central review that there is no effects loop on the YBA. I can't run the powered 15 off one of the 1/4" outs. Would the DI on the front be suitable for sending to the sub? I really hope this doesn't end up being the deciding factor 
Never mind that. Someone said there was no effects loop but there is the pre out and power in which pretty much is an effects loop anyway so no problems.
