Ashdown ABM500 - volume

kubickixfactor · #1 02-02-2011, 04:38 AM

I've just changed my rig (for the first time in 15 years!). I've got a second hand Ashdown ABM 500 2 x 10 combo after my faithful Peavey megabass died. I decided to just go for something a little smaller.

I was expecting a good "toppy" sound, but it seems to be a lot louder on the lower notes than the higher ones, so nothing in the higher range really cuts through. For example playing open, E and A strings are a lot louder than D and G. Even with a lot of low cut it's the same problem (just sounds a bit weedy). I've tried with my Warwick, Kubicki and Musicman and they're all the same.

My old rig was bi amped into a 1x15 and 2x8 and I know I'm not going to get the same range, but can't say I'm loving this amp at the moment. I've had it checked over by Ashdown and no problems.

Are there any other Ashdown owners who've had the same problem?

rovito · #2 02-02-2011, 05:46 AM

I had the same problem with mine. Very dark sounding. I love the basic tone but the low end was too much for my tastes. This seams to be a trend of a lot of the current offerings. I hated my Mesa M6 Carbine and my GK MB212 for the same reason. I currently use the Mag stuff. It gives the same basic tone as the ABM but the lows are not as dominant and the mids really stand out giving some focus to the sound. The Mega bass was a great, underrated amp with a sound of its own.

badboy1984 · #3 02-02-2011, 05:46 AM

What you describing about the bass note is louder than the higher one is what I called the sound of Ashdown.

I've play Ashdown Electric Blue, MAG and now i use a Spyder 550 valve and they all got that problem you describing.

Also Ashdown cabs/speakers is always mid scoop type of sound. They don't product clean sound in my ear, some like it and some don't. I certainly like it in my taste.

Personally preference at the end ......

I use ampeg cabs on with my ashdown head and things is alot even.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Electricblue · #4 02-02-2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badboy1984

What you describing about the bass note is louder than the higher one is what I called the sound of Ashdown.

I've play Ashdown Electric Blue, MAG and now i use a Spyder 550 valve and they all got that problem you describing.

Also Ashdown cabs/speakers is always mid scoop type of sound. They don't product clean sound in my ear, some like it and some don't. I certainly like it in my taste.

Personally preference at the end ......

I use ampeg cabs on with my ashdown head and things is alot even.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Just flick the bright switch on? Or, adjust your pickups so the G side is nearer than the E side.

rovito · #5 02-02-2011, 08:21 AM

I agree about the pickup adjustment. I tend to tilt mine pretty hard. Low on the low strings and closer on the high strings. I also find the front pickup affects the tone more than the rear.

JAUQO III-X · #6 02-02-2011, 08:31 AM

I have yet to experience the problem described with any Ashdown rig I use. And if one wants their Ashdown to sound dark or bright just use the eq on the amp in accordance with the eq/tone knob on the bass. And make sure the pickup height is set up accordingly.is not the same.

But with all due respect every ones experience is not the same.

Ashdown endorser.

AlPBass · #7 02-02-2011, 10:06 AM

I've experienced the same thing. There was a rehearsal studio I was going to for a while where the room had an ABM 500 with ABM 410 cab, and I also found the sound much too dark. It was nice is the sense that it sounded very warm and organic, but just not much in the way of upper-end clarity. But I think that that's Ashdown's thing, they have an old 50's/early 60s sound to go with the old 50's/early 60s look of the amp. If the guitarists in the band can keep their sound in check, the darker sound shouldn't be a really big issue. For me though, that wasn't the case at that time, so the Ashdown didn't really work for me in a band setting.

kubickixfactor · #8 02-02-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electricblue

Just flick the bright switch on? Or, adjust your pickups so the G side is nearer than the E side.

No bright switch on this sadly (had one of those on my megabass!) but I'll take the advice and try moving the pups a little closer and see how that helps. Playing with the EQ just doesn't do it for me yet but I'm going to give it a fair shot before I move it on for something else. I do like the tone - I just don't like the way it seems to process such a big bottom end.

Still, good thing about buying second hand is you get to play with it and decide whether to keep it, and there's not much loss to sell it on and try something else.

Amazing how amps move with the times - I used to have a Trace rig that was all top end like the Peavey...

**nostatic** · #9 02-02-2011, 11:21 AM

I ran an ABM500 for over 10 years. Loved it. Only sold it to go lightweight. I was doing jazz, alt pop/rock, and playing in a house band for a jazz/blues "pro jam." I found it to be warm and ballsy with the ability to crank when needed. Never found it too dark. I ran it dead flat with mostly towards the tube preamp side of things. No subsonic - that can muddy things.

Honestly my favorite head I've owned so far and if it didn't weight 30lbs I'd still have it. Mine was an original UK-built, not sure if that matters. It did not have the compressor.

chris lykins · #10 02-02-2011, 11:25 AM

I agree about it being a little dark with some speakers but when paired with a cabinet that has the ability to go bright, its a great sound. With my Berg HT322 it sounds amazing, growly,warm, and plenty clear. FWIW I have an older british model as well.

JAUQO III-X · #11 02-02-2011, 11:32 AM

I also have one of the EVO III 210 combo with the compressor on it. I never use compression live or during recording. Technically I have no use for it.

The overall EVO III head doesn't sound that much different that the UK built ones. And I'm basing that off of having UK built EVO II's and the new EVO III's.

kubickixfactor · #12 02-02-2011, 11:41 AM

Interesting - this is a UK one as well, would have been first generation, 2002 without the compressor (and the blue speakers). Guy at Ashdown stripped the amp out and checked it over while I was there and reckoned it hadn't been pushed hard at all.

I'll persist I think.......wouldn't want to let it go too early if there's a killer tone in there waiting to get out.

**nostatic** · #13 02-02-2011, 12:04 PM

I had the head only - my guess would be the cabinet is the culprit. Pull the head out, slap it in a small rack box and run a different cab.

BigOldHarry · #14 02-02-2011, 12:07 PM

I dig ashdown heads (I use one)
I do NOT dig their speakers.

Try different speakers. Remove the head, jam it in a Rack Bag and go from there.