Laney RB3 vs Ashdown Five Fifteen

[Your Tourniquet]

So I just got into a new band, but I am lacking an amp... *gulp*... so I need to buy a new amp, like, now...

So I've narrowed it down to 2- Laney RB3 and Ashdown Five Fifteen.

Laney:

+ Should be loud enough to get over drums (65W)
+ DI socket for live playing
+ Smaller size and side handles makes it really portable, even in my tiny car
+ Looks bloody cool too
+ I have good experience with Laney
- Not as powerful as the Ashdown?

Ashdown:

+ Definately loud enough (100W?)
+ Looks nice
+ Had good experience with Ashdown
- Lacking a DI! :eek:
- It's very big and bulky... my poor back!


Right now it's looking like the Laney's going to win. Anyone think I should change my mind? Upwards price is about 150 quid.

[Polyamarous]

It makes litle difference, they are both very solid amps. Base it on personal sound preference is all I can say.

I perosnally would get the Ashdown though.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

Personally, I would just save up a bunch more money even though you need the amp now (I'm sure you could probably find someone to loan you one), and then actually buy something bigger that's able to gig with easily.

[Your Tourniquet]

Personally, I would just save up a bunch more money even though you need the amp now (I'm sure you could probably find someone to loan you one), and then actually buy something bigger that's able to gig with easily.

I have absolutely NO-ONE to borrow an amp from 3 nights a week. At all. After reading a load of reviews, the ashdown seems a bit too much on the big and bulky side for me, and it has reliability issues. I think I'll go with the Laney, since it seems to suit my needs a lot better.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

I have absolutely NO-ONE to borrow an amp from 3 nights a week. At all.

Oh, see, I didn't know you were going to need one that often. That sucks, though, because then you're just going to spend some more money down the road on a bigger, better amp.

Good luck, though!

[Polyamarous]

What I can suggest is you just borrow money, get half-decent, big combo (cough, asdown) and then later on get an extension cab.

[Your Tourniquet]

What I can suggest is you just borrow money, get half-decent, big combo (cough, asdown) and then later on get an extension cab.

I've had to borrow money to get this much! :eek:

There's always Behringer, too... my ex-band's bassist played my bass through one at a gig and it sounded really nice.

[Polyamarous]

HOw much exactly do you have if you don't mind my asking.

It would help us alot.

[Your Tourniquet]

140 pounds. No more than that.

[rh15951]

Neither of them amps will be loud enough to play over drums and a guitar... But if I had to choose, it'd definitely be the Ashdown.

[the101er]

^^I disagree, the Laney has a DI, where-as the Ashdown doesn't, therefore means it will be louder if the venue has it's own PA.

Plus Laney's have great slap tone :p

[rh15951]

^^ Any good sound guy will either have a DI box or will mic the amp up. In any moderate volume practice situation, neither of those amps will be loud enough.

Plus the slap tone mainly comes from the bass itself.

[the101er]

I was using an Ashdown MAG stack at a festival I played a couple of weeks ago, and the sound was awful, even after I had altered EQ.

(This was playing with my BB1100, which normally has a fantastic slap sound)


But anyway, I suggest Laney :thumb:

[Your Tourniquet]

The Laney also has a 12 inch speaker, which will sound more focussed and punchy than the 15 am I right?

[Machines]

The Laney also has a 12 inch speaker, which will sound more focussed and punchy than the 15 am I right?

But also lack the bass response of the 15. It depends what sort music you play really. If you're going to be playing rock/metal i'd opt for the Ashdown, for funk/jazz then the Laney.

[Your Tourniquet]

But also lack the bass response of the 15. It depends what sort music you play really. If you're going to be playing rock/metal i'd opt for the Ashdown, for funk/jazz then the Laney.

It's punk that I'm looking for, so probably the Laney.

[Machines]

Just be aware you'll struggle to play gigs with the Laney, even the 100w Ashdown is pushing it.