I run my LB through a 4x10 at 3/4 volume for 3-5 hour practices
and yes it does get hot.. but not nearly as hot as you'd think. Ill be doing my first gig with it tonight...45 min set with PA support. we'll see how it goes.
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new amp day!!! Ashdown Little Bastard
- Thread starter DerekP
- Start date
I run my LB through a 4x10 at 3/4 volume for 3-5 hour practices
and yes it does get hot.. but not nearly as hot as you'd think. Ill be doing my first gig with it tonight...45 min set with PA support. we'll see how it goes.
slaphappychappy said:
I'd be very happy with the pf500. The LB-30 ain't gonna get near the versatility or volume of that.
& yes Bassman62 I realise that physics is geometry
I even had to bail the LB-30 last nite's gig ( 100-150ppl in a nice carpeted room). We just got too loud! I wasn't going thru the PA, & the li'l fella wasn't gonna make it.
So, out came the GB Shuttle from the gig bag
The pf 500 is ok. It is a little flimsy.
If u look thru pf500 posts, they have a few issues, none of which I have encountered, but time will tell. It's defiantly feature packed, but also one has to question the build quality. I've had it to half volume so far, and my 350 was much louder at that point and it was Ashton. It's good, i just wouldn't say impressive.
If u look thru pf500 posts, they have a few issues, none of which I have encountered, but time will tell. It's defiantly feature packed, but also one has to question the build quality. I've had it to half volume so far, and my 350 was much louder at that point and it was Ashton. It's good, i just wouldn't say impressive.
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
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- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
Hey guys, I just picked one up in a trade and it arrived today. I'm getting a hiss/buzz though that gets a lot worse if you turn up the treble or plug in the "high" input. It was packaged well, but I'm thinking a good bump on the Fed Ex truck (or dropping of the box) could have screwed up a tube. Thoughts? Should I get some replacement tubes and give that a shot?
I've been eyeing one of these. I have a trust worthy solid state amp, I want to compliment my rig with a tube. I'm a little concerned about the 30W, how would you compare the lb's 30W to solid state Wattage?
Brown Santa arrived! Now I have to sit in my cubicle and stare at this awesome box until the whistle blows.
Got home and plugged in.
Dingwall ABZ -> LB 30 head -> Mesa PH 115 8ohm
The sound out of the box is good. A little more bright and lean in the low-mids than I recall from my test with the same bass and a different cab. Also, much louder than I remember. Much. My apartment walls were shaking at less than 12-o'clock. I have little doubt that I could fill a studio with sound for a jam.
I also paired this up with my Mesa PH 212, and found it quieter and less fun than the 115.
The EQ has a decent range. The voicing switches are fairly interactive between the low and bright switches. With the low boost comes a boost in the highs that made for too much hiss with the bright switch on, so those two tend to give the best sound when they are on/off or off/on. The bass switch definitely moves the flavor from big pillow low to focused and tight. The mid switch is very subtle, and I can't honestly note anything happening when flipping it. Any advice for what to listen for?
I'm not madly in love at first thump, but I see potential. The thing that started to set hooks in me is the dynamic nature of it. I started plucking without a lot of digging in, which gave nice, pleasant tones, but not the character I expected. As soon as I dug in, it became obvious that the more agressive finger-picking brought out some growl; warm mid-range growl, not upper mid-snarl. I may have an issue of "the brave, not the arrow" here. I think I need to push away from my technique comfort-zone with my M6 Carbine head to appreciate what this Bastard can do.
I'm certainly looking forward to getting into a live jam to hear this amp open up. I expect that a "practice amp" tag for this low-watt head isn't even close to the way this should be thought about.
Dingwall ABZ -> LB 30 head -> Mesa PH 115 8ohm
The sound out of the box is good. A little more bright and lean in the low-mids than I recall from my test with the same bass and a different cab. Also, much louder than I remember. Much. My apartment walls were shaking at less than 12-o'clock. I have little doubt that I could fill a studio with sound for a jam.
I also paired this up with my Mesa PH 212, and found it quieter and less fun than the 115.
The EQ has a decent range. The voicing switches are fairly interactive between the low and bright switches. With the low boost comes a boost in the highs that made for too much hiss with the bright switch on, so those two tend to give the best sound when they are on/off or off/on. The bass switch definitely moves the flavor from big pillow low to focused and tight. The mid switch is very subtle, and I can't honestly note anything happening when flipping it. Any advice for what to listen for?
I'm not madly in love at first thump, but I see potential. The thing that started to set hooks in me is the dynamic nature of it. I started plucking without a lot of digging in, which gave nice, pleasant tones, but not the character I expected. As soon as I dug in, it became obvious that the more agressive finger-picking brought out some growl; warm mid-range growl, not upper mid-snarl. I may have an issue of "the brave, not the arrow" here. I think I need to push away from my technique comfort-zone with my M6 Carbine head to appreciate what this Bastard can do.
I'm certainly looking forward to getting into a live jam to hear this amp open up. I expect that a "practice amp" tag for this low-watt head isn't even close to the way this should be thought about.
NOLA Bass said:
Mine's quiet as a .................... When running. Not a sound. So definitely something amiss there.
Try swapping the pre amp tubes around, you should be able to isolate if there's a problem b4 buying more.
Can anyone tell me what the pre tubes are...? Say, left to right from front. I swapped a couple & stupidly forgot to note the original positions
Watts is watts, but tube amps sound really pretty when they're a little dirty and it's not as noticeable with them as with solid state amps, so you can get more perceived volume with a tube amp. Through a big enough cab, 30w can kick pretty good. I've run a B-15 through an 810 and it's not a quiet rig by any means. But it's still 30w.
Yuck! If brown santa arrived to deliver a little bastard in my office, I'd flush that thing right away.
Since moving to my new flat, I've not had much of a chance to play amplified (somehow the SVT + 810 combo is a tad overkill for bedroom practice, well, I think my neighbors would think it was overkill).
Not sure what way to go. Do I buy the LB30 and a small cab, or do I get the drophead?
Economically, the LB30 with a cab would be cheaper, and I could get something smaller, say a 1x10 or 1x12. But man, the drop head looks sooooo nice . . .
Not sure what way to go. Do I buy the LB30 and a small cab, or do I get the drophead?
Economically, the LB30 with a cab would be cheaper, and I could get something smaller, say a 1x10 or 1x12. But man, the drop head looks sooooo nice . . .
I've got some return time on my purchase and I considered exchanging for the drop head version. For the extra cash and being stuck moving it as a heavy combo, I can't quite get on board with the idea of having the uncommon "cool" factor. If you have the funds to spend, then go for it, but I wouldn't call it a "practical" decision.
I also would suggest considering another "bedroom" practice option. I'm genuinely surprised at how loud it is through a 115, even at moderate volume levels. Not having a preamp gain control, it is tough to get to the sweet spots at low volume. That said, I bought mine expecting it as a cool apartment amp. I'm happy with my purchase so far, and only suggesting you consider alternatives depending on your style and preferences. I've also only had the amp one day.
I did look at the drop head 200w amp Ashdown has. Anyone here know how the head-only unit is intended to be picked up for transporting it? It doesn't seem to have a convenient handle anywhere. Seems a tad silly. (probably should post this in the "drophead" thread)
I also would suggest considering another "bedroom" practice option. I'm genuinely surprised at how loud it is through a 115, even at moderate volume levels. Not having a preamp gain control, it is tough to get to the sweet spots at low volume. That said, I bought mine expecting it as a cool apartment amp. I'm happy with my purchase so far, and only suggesting you consider alternatives depending on your style and preferences. I've also only had the amp one day.
I did look at the drop head 200w amp Ashdown has. Anyone here know how the head-only unit is intended to be picked up for transporting it? It doesn't seem to have a convenient handle anywhere. Seems a tad silly. (probably should post this in the "drophead" thread)
Liking it more daily.
Still trying to hear the mid-shift do something.
Today, I started picking up the radio. I was not interested in jamming with Incubus.
Still trying to hear the mid-shift do something.
Today, I started picking up the radio. I was not interested in jamming with Incubus.
sadness. i took this guy to the studio for a jam with drums, vox, and guitar with a combo amp. ran the bastard through a 410 backline GK cab. it sounded rad until the others started playing, then the fail kicked in. it lacks punch and guts for my style of playing. i don't slap/pop, but tried a bit just for giggles, which resulted in some cut through the mix, but not enough. for recording, i'm sure it would be grand. however, i can't crank it loud enough in the living room to get the sweet spot without annoying the neighbors, and it won't cut in a small rock rehearsal. time for the return shipping process to begin.
Wow! I used mine with our 12 piece motown band rehearsal last night- 3 horns, percussion etc & was fine. Different strokes....
