Help me! Ashdown Electric Blue 180 Evo ii

JacksonKush · #1 08-30-2011, 10:37 PM

Hello everybody! I have a couple questions...

first, my amp has a sub-harmonic nob and when I play with it I don't really notice any changes, can someone explain what subharmonics is changing when I turn the nob?

Also my amp has two inputs, my bass, a Jackson CMG concert bass, takes a battery which makes me think it is active but if I remember reading correctly I read that the EMG HZ's were passive. If someone could clarify it would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Adam Bomb · #2 08-30-2011, 11:16 PM

Hey. I have the EB180 head.

The sub function gives you a nice little aftertaste of doom. How much depends not only on how much you crank it but how much you boost the bass frequencies on the EQ as well. Turn both up a lot (*with your overall volume low*) so you can hear what it's doing.

No harm in trying each input to see which one you like best. (Again, starting with volume *low*.)

Have fun!

--Bomb

lowphatbass · #3 08-30-2011, 11:42 PM

The sub feature is an octaver, basically it produces an extra note an octave below the one you are playing. If you're already playing a low note it's possible that the amp/speaker can't really reproduce the lower octave. If you mess around with nigher notes further up the neck you'll hear what's going on.

JacksonKush · #4 08-31-2011, 04:14 PM

Thanks for the replies guys after messing with the sub harmonic I finally heard what it was doing I would play an open E and get a normal E sounding "Dommmm" With the octaver it goes "dommm....dooooooom" hahahaha effing awesome lol

On the input question regarding active vs passive input... Are there any negative effects from playing through the "wrong" input?

Electricblue · #5 08-31-2011, 04:31 PM

Basically, the active/passive inputs are the same thing, with the active one being quieter than the passive one. You won't damage your amp through playing the wrong one. Your bass is active, so use the active input.

Active basses usually have a higher output level than a passive bass. The active input turns your gain down a notch or two to compensate for this difference.

If I was you, I would use the passive input and watch the VU meter for clipping.

Any more questions, don't hesitate to ask

Adam Bomb · #6 08-31-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacksonKush

after messing with the sub harmonic I finally heard what it was doing I would play an open E and get a normal E sounding "Dommmm" With the octaver it goes "dommm....dooooooom" hahahaha effing awesome lol

--Bomb

skarspastahair · #7 09-30-2011, 06:08 PM

I have the Ashdown Electric blue 180. The harmonics adds a lower octave (this has a slight delay when playing low notes on 5 strings)

For the inputs, I have 2 active basses - ESP f series and a Spector Euro 4. My ESP output isn't that loud so I use the active input, my Spector is f-ing loud so I use the passive.

I think the passive has a 10dB pad but not sure, this will also vary depending on the manufacturer

will33 · #8 09-30-2011, 06:55 PM

It's the other way around, active inputs are padded back to tame down a hot bass, passive is not.

OP, you can try the passive input but if you don't have much range in the volume before distortion, use the active input.

skarspastahair · #9 10-01-2011, 04:38 PM

Ohh ok, my bad, my amp just says High and Low inputs

megadoc · #10 03-03-2012, 08:27 PM

just grabbed an Electric Blue 180 used...love it...great tone with my Geddy Lee....the octavizer/subharmonic is a nice touch....

Adam Bomb · #11 03-03-2012, 09:32 PM

Yup - It's a really sweet head, especially for a bottom-of-the-liner. Snagged one new just before they discontinued. Wish it had the standard Ashdown meter (mine's with the LED) but can't complain about the sound.

--Bomb

will33 · #12 03-03-2012, 09:43 PM

Wierd, the one I heard was a boombox. "one note wonder". The amp sounded great run out to other cabs. Different strokes I guess.

abstractart06 · #13 03-21-2012, 08:30 AM

The Ashdown Electric Blue is a very clean sounding amp, in my opinion. I own one with a Mag 210 deep bottom, and it is one of the best purchases I've made. I have a Spector NS-95 that produces earth shaking lows, and the Ashdow handles it with ease. The sub- harmonic feature is fun to play around with, especially for slow moody passages. The EQ is very effective for finding the right tone you want.