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What's my new Bass combo ?

I’d like to hear some feedback on the Ashdown too. There’s an Ashdown cabinet in my local classifieds I’m very curious about.

As for the Rumbles, I had a chance to demo the 200 and 500 side by side. I thought I would like the 200 better, but I walked away preferring the 500. Plenty of rich, warm bottom end, with just a little more punch and clarity. And the 500 has “raw power” in spades!

the big difference I notice is the 500 has the extension out, and the Ashdown doesn’t. Might be smart should the need arise, that would probably tip the scales for me. But the Ashdown is about 10 lbs lighter!
I’d like to hear some feedback on the Ashdown too. There’s an Ashdown cabinet in my local classifieds I’m very curious about.

As for the Rumbles, I had a chance to demo the 200 and 500 side by side. I thought I would like the 200 better, but I walked away preferring the 500. Plenty of rich, warm bottom end, with just a little more punch and clarity. And the 500 has “raw power” in spades!

The big difference I notice is the 500 has the extension out, and the Ashdown doesn’t. Might be smart should the need arise, that would probably tip the scales for me. But the Ashdown is about 10 lbs lighter!
If the Ashdown doesn't have an extension speaker output, that would be a deal killer for me. You have absolutely no flexibility to play larger venues if you don't have the ability to add an extension speaker.

Same kind of thing with Eden's current batch of combos. They all have an extension speaker out, but if you use it, that will disconnect the internal speakers. Reason for that is the internal speaker(s) are 4 ohm to get the most out of the amp as-is. By comparison, the Rumble's speakers put an 8 ohm load on an amp that can run down to 4 ohm. At 8 ohms it puts out up to 350-watts rms. Add a second 8 ohm cabinet and now the amp sees a 4 ohm load and sends out up to 500-watts to be split equally between them. That arrangement just makes great sense to me.

Eden's older combos used 8 ohm speakers allowing you to add another speaker for both more power and more air movement to play larger venues. Now the only "replacement" speaker cab that makes sense with Eden's current combos is their 410 cab because it's the only real step up to allow you to play larger venues. Everything else is a sideways move and not necessarily an improvement. So if that Ashdown doesn't have an extension speaker output, OR if it behaves the way the newer Eden combos do, I wouldn't even consider it regardless of how little it weighs.
 
If the Ashdown doesn't have an extension speaker output, that would be a deal killer for me. You have absolutely no flexibility to play larger venues if you don't have the ability to add an extension speaker.

Same kind of thing with Eden's current batch of combos. They all have an extension speaker out, but if you use it, that will disconnect the internal speakers. Reason for that is the internal speaker(s) are 4 ohm to get the most out of the amp as-is. By comparison, the Rumble's speakers put an 8 ohm load on an amp that can run down to 4 ohm. At 8 ohms it puts out up to 350-watts rms. Add a second 8 ohm cabinet and now the amp sees a 4 ohm load and sends out up to 500-watts to be split equally between them. That arrangement just makes great sense to me.

Eden's older combos used 8 ohm speakers allowing you to add another speaker for both more power and more air movement to play larger venues. Now the only "replacement" speaker cab that makes sense with Eden's current combos is their 410 cab because it's the only real step up to allow you to play larger venues. Everything else is a sideways move and not necessarily an improvement. So if that Ashdown doesn't have an extension speaker output, OR if it behaves the way the newer Eden combos do, I wouldn't even consider it regardless of how little it weighs.
Exactly! Unless it’s for home practice, my basic criteria for a combo is an extension speaker with that 8/4 ohm configuration. It’s “still a combo” but has basically the first 2/3 of a head + 2 cabinet setup. Sure, you’re locked in to using those 2 components together- but they’re perfectly matched, and usually cheaper than buying comparable head/cab from the same manufacturer.

I even know a player in town who had a Markbass CMD 121p with matching cab. The head died, so he just pulled it out, got a GK head and kept on rockin’ with the Markbass cabs.

There’s a narrative on TB that combos are amateur; but I think the devil is in the details and choosing combos wisely makes all the difference
 
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Mint Used Markbass Jeff Berlin OR CMD [with tweeter] 151? [$650-750]

Or give Ashdown a shot not big in USA but popular over yonder.

Also can jump on 'Rumble Bandwagon' [not a fan] they have 15" speaker cab and can buy head separately, they no longer have 500 watt head [replacing?] so you have to look used.
 
IMO GK is producing some of the best combo's.
You should definitely try the GK MB212 or MB210. It has a full 500w and is stupidly light.
I did A/B tests with it and the Fender Rumble 500 and preferred the GK sound much more however you may prefer the tone of the Fender. I also have the Peavey Max115 (I should say had because while it is still in my garage it is dead) and from just a short play with the Rumble 200 a while ago the Peavey had much better volume. Not surprising as the Rumble is actually only 140w unless you use an extension cabinet.... similar to the Rumble 500 which is actually 350w without the external cab.

If you're in the Sth Island you are more than welcome to come and try the GK out if you like.
 
Hey fellow bass players. Greetings from NZ. I have been playing bass ( often badly ) for the best part of 40 years & am still active in a rock trio, acoustic duo & also do some busking. Currently I am using a Peavey Max 115 which fits all these roles, has a ton of volume but is maybe a bit limited tonally. I like to keep things very simple so there are no pedals in my lineup & I switch between fingers & pick depending on which lineup I am playing with. I am looking for a lighter combo of equal power & have narrowed it down to the Ashdown Studio 15 or the Rumble 500.
I tried the Rumble 200, great tone but I felt it lacked the raw power of the Peavey. The Rumble 500 V3 has a fantastic reputation but I like the 15 inch option in the Ashdown. I would love to hear what some of my fellow bass players think of the Ashdown. Many thanks. Take care.
You should definitely try the GK MB212 or MB210. It has a full 500w and is stupidly light.
I did A/B tests with it and the Fender Rumble 500 and preferred the GK sound much more however you may prefer the tone of the Fender. I also have the Peavey Max115 (I should say had because while it is still in my garage it is dead) and from just a short play with the Rumble 200 a while ago the Peavey had much better volume. Not surprising as the Rumble is actually only 140w unless you use an extension cabinet.... similar to the Rumble 500 which is actually 350w without the external cab.

If you're in the Sth Island you are more than welcome to come and try the GK out if you like.
 
Don't mean to hijack the thread but I'm in the same situation here though not as interested in a Rumble so much.
There are lots of choices in my area and what I'm after is a more hi fi versatile combo though I can also use my heavily modified early version SWR SM 400 with a good cab (maybe the Ashdown ABM 210H?)
Would anyone pick any of the following and if so why would you pick that one? Any particular lemons on my list?
I'd be playing passive and active 4 string fretted and fretless basses and 8 and 12 string multi course basses and Chapman Stick too I suppose.

Gallien Krueger MB150
Ampeg BA-115
AMPEG B-100R
Ashdown EB 15

David Eden The Metro
Ampeg B2 1x15
Traynor YBA-2B Bass Mate Amp
SWR Super Redhead




Ashdown ABM 210H paired with a SWR SM 400









 
You should definitely try the GK MB212 or MB210. It has a full 500w and is stupidly light.
I did A/B tests with it and the Fender Rumble 500 and preferred the GK sound much more however you may prefer the tone of the Fender. I also have the Peavey Max115 (I should say had because while it is still in my garage it is dead) and from just a short play with the Rumble 200 a while ago the Peavey had much better volume. Not surprising as the Rumble is actually only 140w unless you use an extension cabinet.... similar to the Rumble 500 which is actually 350w without the external cab.

If you're in the Sth Island you are more than welcome to come and try the GK out if you like.

@Brent Cain NZ I second this suggestion to try the MB212. It can be super loud, with great tone and dynamics, and also sound great at home at low volume. Either way it thumps. And so light. Anyway - good luck!
 
Tried the Rumble 500 with an open mind and ear, not because of the hype (or so I like to think). Insta-buy first time I heard it, absolutely loving it since. Are there better? Probably not for the money, unless you go used and/or separates. Even the EQ buttons (bright/contour/vintage) can be useful - try bright and vintage at the same time (seriously).

Re: fabric grill, true it won't protect your speakers if kicked in. But if your concern is the grill getting torn up etc, it's a velcroed-on unit that can easily be replaced.
 
Don't mean to hijack the thread but I'm in the same situation here though not as interested in a Rumble so much.
There are lots of choices in my area and what I'm after is a more hi fi versatile combo though I can also use my heavily modified early version SWR SM 400 with a good cab (maybe the Ashdown ABM 210H?)
Would anyone pick any of the following and if so why would you pick that one? Any particular lemons on my list?
I'd be playing passive and active 4 string fretted and fretless basses and 8 and 12 string multi course basses and Chapman Stick too I suppose.

Gallien Krueger MB150
Ampeg BA-115
AMPEG B-100R
Ashdown EB 15
David Eden The Metro
Ampeg B2 1x15
Traynor YBA-2B Bass Mate Amp
SWR Super Redhead

Ashdown ABM 210H paired with a SWR SM 400
The Metro is a GREAT combo but heavy at 78-lbs. - roll it around on its casters. The amp itself will produce 300-watts rms at 8 ohms, 500-watts at 4 ohms, and 750 watts at 2 ohms (2006 and later). Pre-2006 models were 240-watts, 400-watts. and 600-watts respectively. A friend of mine has one of these and was playing a large club (~600-700 capacity) in Roanoke, VA when I lived in VA. Went to see him perform and he was using a Metro 210, plus one Eden D112XLT cab. It more than filled that club up with great sound.

The amp itself has two channels. One channel uses the hybrid preamp (has a 12ax7 tube for warmth) and the other channel is a Bi-FET channel with smooth crisp sound and 3 simple EQ's. The Metro comes with a footswitch that lets you change between the two channels on the fly if you are plugged into channel 2, which is the master channel. So you can actually set up two entirely different tone selections and switch between them as needed with the footswitch. If you do a lot of soloing or use slap on some songs and not on others, this can be very handy. The main channel has the three semi-parametric controls with shelving controls for bass (30Hz shelf) and treble (2KHz shelf). This is just like the EQ system on my WT500/800 amp.

This is a super-versatile amp matched on top of a D210XLT speaker system. The speakers will handle 350-watts, have an aggressive low-mid hump giving your bass great definition in a group, and are very nicely matched with this amp. It really has great sound. For a very brief time Eden sold the amp separately but those are as scarce as hen's teeth. But at 78-lbs, it is heavy. It came with casters, and you definitely want to use casters with it.
 
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I use the MarkBass 112 combo. It’s light loud and sounds great. I bought the extension cabinet for it but I hardly ever use it.

That's the way I wanted to go but the extension cab was no longer available here or in Australia. Would have been perfect to be able to take both to a gig and then decide on how much was needed. Now I need to decide before I go to a gig if i'll take the little amp or the big one.
 
Hey everyone. Thanks again. All things considered I feel the Rumble 500 is the best option for what I require. I like the GK combos but they are significantly more expensive than the Rumble which is a factor for me. Personally I am not a huge MarkBass fan although the size of the units is appealing. I understand here in NZ parts & servicing are quite an issue which is a negative for me. Both my gigs this weekend are cancelled due to restrictions around the virus. This has been the pattern for this year. I hope that 2021 will be kinder to all our venues & to all of us. Take care out there all of you. Thanks again
 
I like my Rumble 500 but I do have trouble getting clarity out of it sometimes. It depends if that's something that's really important to you. The overall sound is very good, though, and it's super-light. Definitely a steal at its price.

Agree the Rumble 500 and clean clear tone is not possible. Good amp though one thing I can't understand is why most bass amps have only one input jack? I want to daisy chain amps together.
 
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Hey everyone. Thanks again. All things considered I feel the Rumble 500 is the best option for what I require. I like the GK combos but they are significantly more expensive than the Rumble which is a factor for me. Personally I am not a huge MarkBass fan although the size of the units is appealing. I understand here in NZ parts & servicing are quite an issue which is a negative for me. Both my gigs this weekend are cancelled due to restrictions around the virus. This has been the pattern for this year. I hope that 2021 will be kinder to all our venues & to all of us. Take care out there all of you. Thanks again
Glad you made a decision, happy rumbling! If you haven’t found it yet...
Fender Rumble Club
I want to daisy chain amps together.
Rumble 1 FX send -> Rumble 2 FX return. Rumble 2 becomes slave, controls disabled, only power amp is engaged. All controlled by Rumble 1.

works with Rumbles 100, 200 and 500 :D
 
Hey everyone. Thanks again. All things considered I feel the Rumble 500 is the best option for what I require. I like the GK combos but they are significantly more expensive than the Rumble which is a factor for me. Personally I am not a huge MarkBass fan although the size of the units is appealing. I understand here in NZ parts & servicing are quite an issue which is a negative for me. Both my gigs this weekend are cancelled due to restrictions around the virus. This has been the pattern for this year. I hope that 2021 will be kinder to all our venues & to all of us. Take care out there all of you. Thanks again

You should like the Rumble. Great value and light. I didn't realise how cheap they are compared to the GKs now.
 
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