Hard to say until I play full band. I have a peavey 215 black widow that is a fart machine but the 15" on the ACB seems tighter sounding so far.
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Official Fender ACB Club
- Thread starter ghunter
- Start date
Customized the amp a bit. Made a cover out of an extra packing blanket and added casters. Ready to go!
I guess I can "join the ACB Club" mine was delivered yesterday and is what I had hoped it would be. Casters and slip cover should be here this week.
Mine has been sounding stellar with the full band. Present and full.
I got to play mine with the band last night. It sounded really good. Full and powerful, but still able to play with nuance.
For the last few years I've been playing solid state and using a pedalboard to get good sounds. I really like those sounds still but there is something so cool about just the amp and bass sounding good together. I'm contemplating skipping the pedal board for a bit and just letting the ACB50 do the tone shaping.
For the last few years I've been playing solid state and using a pedalboard to get good sounds. I really like those sounds still but there is something so cool about just the amp and bass sounding good together. I'm contemplating skipping the pedal board for a bit and just letting the ACB50 do the tone shaping.
Mine arrived today. It has really good fit and finish on the tolex, controls, and grille. Zero complaints there.
We have been playing it with a Jazz, Precision and Ric 4003. This amp really lets the tone of each shine through, it doesn't mask or muddy any of the characteristics of the instrument.
As you might expect, the #2 inputs are nice and clean, and the drive from the #1 inputs goes from a mild drive up to a full-on roar. In the 14x14 room we set it up in we couldn't bear to put the volume much over 1 o'clock, this was getting LOUD. We'll move it downstairs to the rehearsal room over the weekend where there's 50% more space and small cabinets can disappear.
The tonal quality is rich and full, there's plenty of low-end extension and it just exudes vintage. If that's what you're after, I can't think of another amp or pedal I have heard in the past decade that comes close to this (not counting actual vintage amps, only new offerings). If you're looking for a modern voicing, look elsewhere because it just ain't here.
I am very happy with this purchase, it is exactly what I wanted it to be. The video demo promised a lot, and in real life this amp delivered. So far.
We have been playing it with a Jazz, Precision and Ric 4003. This amp really lets the tone of each shine through, it doesn't mask or muddy any of the characteristics of the instrument.
As you might expect, the #2 inputs are nice and clean, and the drive from the #1 inputs goes from a mild drive up to a full-on roar. In the 14x14 room we set it up in we couldn't bear to put the volume much over 1 o'clock, this was getting LOUD. We'll move it downstairs to the rehearsal room over the weekend where there's 50% more space and small cabinets can disappear.
The tonal quality is rich and full, there's plenty of low-end extension and it just exudes vintage. If that's what you're after, I can't think of another amp or pedal I have heard in the past decade that comes close to this (not counting actual vintage amps, only new offerings). If you're looking for a modern voicing, look elsewhere because it just ain't here.
I am very happy with this purchase, it is exactly what I wanted it to be. The video demo promised a lot, and in real life this amp delivered. So far.
I just took my most un-vintage bass (one of the last Steinberger L2's from the 80's) with an expensive modern hi-fi sounding cable. Nope, I couldn't make this amp sound anything but warm and rich. It definitely shines with the Fender basses, but it didn't sound bad with the Steinberger either.
I'll also say that there is PLENTY of volume here, I haven't measured SPL but subjectively this has as much or more as the Mesa TT-800 I hooked up to an old Trace Elliot 4x10 last weekend. I know in other threads people were saying that 50W wasn't enough for them, but right now I'm wondering what sort of gig you'd play where this 50W wouldn't do it for you. Probably the type of gig where you'd have a full SVT rig but that isn't a combo anyway and not in the same category as this amp.
I'll also say that there is PLENTY of volume here, I haven't measured SPL but subjectively this has as much or more as the Mesa TT-800 I hooked up to an old Trace Elliot 4x10 last weekend. I know in other threads people were saying that 50W wasn't enough for them, but right now I'm wondering what sort of gig you'd play where this 50W wouldn't do it for you. Probably the type of gig where you'd have a full SVT rig but that isn't a combo anyway and not in the same category as this amp.
After listern few Youtube demo , i think Adam Clayton should asking the designer add an extra Bite button (3~8 db @ 2 ~ 8 Khz selectable range and controllable level) on the combo along with one button switch pedal. Meanwhile this mode also tighten up Low-MID when engage. I do believe this feature can let player instantly increase the BITE while he wanna add more present in the mix.
My2 cents.
My2 cents.
Being as this amp is an artists signature model, I wouldn't suggest any changes to it. But, I do find having two channels and not being able to footswitch between them kinda odd. Everybody has their own wish list though and I would make my own changes for sure. Still, I'd like to try one.
You could do all of this easily with an EQ pedal, but playing my Jazz Bass through the amp there is plenty of "bite" so you might want to hear this amp in person before you make up your mind.
I also believe the primary design goal for this amp was "get Adam Clayton's tone out of the box" and not "get multiple tones for a wide range of styles".
Beyond that, I really like the simplicity of the amp with its vintage feel, and adding features like this would completely take away from that vibe.
Is there any more information about the EQ controls for each channel available? Checked the manual and it's pretty sparse. Didn't know if everything was flat at noon and boost/cut or another setup. I've heard about fender bass amps having some different controls than may be obvious in the past.
While Fender may not have put a footswitch on the amp to switch between channels, all isn't lost. An AB or ABY pedal will give you footpedal switching. If using the Y mode, you might need a phase switch, depending on how many preamp tube halves are used on each channel.
I use a Radial ABY with my VOX AC-15C1X to go between the Normal Channel, the Top Boost Channel or both Bridged. I get a clean-ish channel a crunchy channel and a fatter crunchier channel.
I use a Radial ABY with my VOX AC-15C1X to go between the Normal Channel, the Top Boost Channel or both Bridged. I get a clean-ish channel a crunchy channel and a fatter crunchier channel.
This may sound weird, but the EQ on this amp is far from precise or wide. From my experience over the past few weeks it's meant for minor tweaking of the tone and not dramatic shaping. Flat seems to be at noon on the dials, but it just sounds so good I really don't care.
IMO if you're looking for precise EQ, either look at another amp or an EQ pedal in front of the input.
Thanks for the response and details. Would you say that's true of both channels, or primarily channel 1?
I'm actually looking two move away from overly precise and extra controls to something with less options, so I definitely want to go try one of these, I just also wanted to be a bit more informed about it than what I found in the manual.
Does anyone know if there something I can buy where I can use both channels on the amp without having to manually plug my instrument cable into each channel input jack? I want to be able to switch between the channels, not combine them.
Thanks
Thanks
