Ashdown 180 head... do I want it?

[rojo412]

While I'm not really in dire need of a new head, I came to the realization that I only have the one currently (old GK800RB).
I spotted an Ashdown 180 head locally and the price seems reasonable, specs seem good enough, and I'm gonna check it out... if I'm not wasting my time, that is!

I really don't know much about Ashdown. I hear good things every once in a while, but I really don't know anything about what they sound like. No dealers in my general vicinity.

How do they compare to GK? (My current favorite amps)
How does this amp compare to others in its price range?

The price is right enough where I'd take a shot and see what happens and if I didn't dig it, I'd sell it to a friend who needs a bass amp.
Just want to make sure it's not one of those "Oh, you don't want that! TRUST ME!" kind of things.

The cab I'd be using (most likely) is an SWR Henry Jr 4x8" and the sound I'd be after is clean and clear for jazz/funk, but able to be dug into on occasion.

[rojo412]

To answer my own question...

YES. I wanted it.



Bought it and took it to practice. Plugged it into the Avatar 2x12 cab...

Very nice! I like the head a lot. While I was used to my GK and had that feeling at first of "I don't know if this will work for me," a few adjustments and I was digging it.

Great tone, this actually has a VU meter, not a silk screen/LED thing. I like that. The sub octave tracked well and I am definitely going to try it some more.

Ashdown... you get a thumbs up!

[John Swartz]

I have the EB-180 combo with 15" speaker and I love it. I've paired it with an 8 ohm cab (Ashdown Mag 210T - 2 10" speakers and a tweeter) to get the full output from the amp and it rocks. If your cab is 8 ohm, you can pair it with another 8 ohm cab.

John