ASHDOWN users, Flaunt your rigs!

jg919 · #1 08-02-2010, 04:56 AM

Hi all!

I have been using my Ashdown 4x10" cabinet (the higher models, with the circular-handle design, nameplate in the top-centre of the grill and rated at 650 watts) for a few years now.
As soon as I plugged into it (post purchase) I was stunned by the unbelievable clarity of the tone, the grainy yet smooth sound texture and sheer power of this cabinet. I was using a 1984 Marshall 3540 400 watt bass amp.
Since then, I have never had any problems with the cabinet. The vinyl is ageing (with road-wear), and the grill has some dings and many scratches, but it still sounds better than any and every cabinet I have heard since (Mesa, Trace-Elliott, Ampeg, GK, Aguilar, Mark Bass, Hartke, Epiphani, etc...).

Now, I use a Gallien Krueger 700rbII into it, with compression and various effects (octave, overdrive and Q-tron+ mostly), and I dare not stray from this incredible setup - portable, versatile, powerful. A '95 Musicman Sterling is what bass i mainly use.

As a testament to Ashdown, I would like to invite users to share their opinion on their own Ashdown gear, as well as share what they use it with (amps/cabinets/basses/effects).

All the best!

JOHN.

tom once dead · #2 08-02-2010, 05:14 AM

Do a search for the show your ashdown thread. You'll find plenty of Ashdown eye candy there.

the clam · #3 08-05-2010, 05:41 AM

I have an ashdown mag300 115c with the 2x10 extension cab that I've been gigging with for 21/2 years (2, 3 gigs a month easy). Never had a problem, may get another for a spare. Both my Fenders sound fantastic through it.

Snipper! · #4 08-05-2010, 07:36 AM

I bought an Ashdown rig in 1998, the head is an ABM800 Klystron Bass Magnifier, only 200 of these made because the name had already been patented by someone else, together with a ABM 410 and an ABM 1510...........my experience.......the head is fabulous, it's a good 800watts, lot's of headroom, old school fat sound, treble focused on the twang of string windings more than hi-fi hissy, the cabs shift a lot of air too, lot's of comments on the fact that people 'felt' the bass as well as just hearing it.......

Bad bit's...the original vinyl covering for the old ABM range was awful, ripped easily and became unglued in a matter of months, (I got it all carpet covered and added metal grills at Ashdown) the cab's are weighty but not too bothersome (the sound is there), the head.... been knocked over on it's side a few times and now and again I've provided this rig for all day kinda fest's, 10 hours of continuous running and use...no problem, the only thing replaced was the VU but this was a good while after I'd bought it. Before I bought this amp I tried everything from Eden to Hartke, the Ashdown performs, no doubt about it.

Adam Bomb · #5 08-05-2010, 03:36 PM

* $ ~ = < D O O O O O O M M M ! ! ! > + ~ $ * ~

--Bomb

canshaker · #6 08-05-2010, 03:40 PM

Snipper! · #7 08-05-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canshaker

Yeah, that'll do it!

jg919 · #8 08-08-2010, 03:02 AM

Hi Canshaker,

wow. Glad I posted my question haha!

Cheers!
JOHN.

canshaker · #9 08-08-2010, 03:28 AM

Cool, John. We're gonna be touring Australia after the new year. Hope you can make it out to a FILTER show!

Gav4003 · #10 08-08-2010, 05:01 AM

The head is not what I use now but...

Dubista · #11 08-08-2010, 05:06 AM

How do you find that 810? I'm keen on grabbing that one as a stepping stone into the world of big cabs. I only have the MAG410 atm and LOVIN' IT.

jg919 · #12 08-08-2010, 04:29 PM

Hi again Canshaker,

Definitely will! I'll see you there haha.

All the best,
JOHN.

Gav4003 · #13 08-09-2010, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubista

How do you find that 810? I'm keen on grabbing that one as a stepping stone into the world of big cabs. I only have the MAG410 atm and LOVIN' IT.

BUY IT! It's the mag 810 there, best cab I've ever owned, and I've owned my fair share.
If it ever packed in working (can't ever see that happening) I would buy the same one again without a seconds thought. Tone is incredible, it has been abused beyond a joke and it is surprisingly not too hard to move around as far as 810's go.

lowphatbass · #14 08-09-2010, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Bomb

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I have one of those older EB180's(made in the UK) and it's a beastly little thing, matches-up perfectly with a Bag End 1x15 cab!!

AaronD · #15 08-09-2010, 07:02 AM

Quick question, i am purchasing my first head and cab but i know NOTHING about them so i need someone to tell me if the Ashdown MAG 300H EVO II and the Ashdown MAG410T is any good for a first rig?

PSPookie · #16 08-09-2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronD

Quick question, i am purchasing my first head and cab but i know NOTHING about them so i need someone to tell me if the Ashdown MAG 300H EVO II and the Ashdown MAG410T is any good for a first rig?

That sounds like a pretty solid 1st rig to me.

Snipper! · #17 08-09-2010, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronD

Quick question, i am purchasing my first head and cab but i know NOTHING about them so i need someone to tell me if the Ashdown MAG 300H EVO II and the Ashdown MAG410T is any good for a first rig?

If you can stretch to the 500 head........it's nice to have headroom/power in the bank so you can draw on it....when you need to.

Snipper! · #18 08-09-2010, 09:03 AM

Early ABM 800...

OhThePeacock · #19 08-09-2010, 10:36 AM

I wanna see some Little Bastard rigs

LuvMusic · #20 08-09-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhThePeacock

I wanna see some Little Bastard rigs

Per your request!!!