Need info on an Ashdown rig

[esa372]

Hey, TB.

I've got a gig coming up in a few weeks, and we have to use the club's backline. I usually dread using club gear, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it's an Ashdown ABM 500 EVO-III, with an ABM 810 Cabinet - I've heard good things about Ashdown, but never played through any.

I was just wondering if anyone here has experience with this rig. What can I expect in terms of tone, power, and performance?

I'll be playing fretted and fretless Fender Jazz basses; the band is something in the hard blues/funk genre.


Thanks!

~esa

[badboy1984]

Ashdown ABM stuff is pretty decent. The 8x10 may not sound like the classic ampeg 8x10 tone but it should give you plenty of punch and volume easily. To me, ashdown cabs is always sound mid scoop but that maybe me. I would say ashdown tone is more vintage/classic rock tone, but it could do all sort of music easily with the right EQ etc.

[jarrod cunningham]

IMO from personal usage the ashdown is a ampeg killer . I had a older uk made abm810 and it was freaking impressive ! Better tonal balance and doesn't sound what most call ampeg mud .

[bassguppy]

I never played an Ashdown 810 cab but have used the Ashdown preamp with a 410 & 115 and Ashdown 115 combo which is the ABM500 in combo form with a 210.

Loved it!!

Sweet spot for me with the Valve Drive control was around 11 o'clock. Sometimes a little more.

[1kinal]

The ABM810 is one of my favorite cab. I'll take one over an ampeg 810 anyday. The ABM500 is perfectly suited for this cab. You'll get a warm, big sound with plenty of low-end.

In short: expect to be happy!

[rodl2005]

the EVO is the ONLY hybrid amp apart from the Mesa Walkabout I've EVER really liked.
Or -"only amp without power amp tubes in it. (apart from the Mesa WA) "

[esa372]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

I found out that I can use the ABM 500 EVO-III or an Eden WT800. Any ideas which head would sound better through the Ashdown ABM 810 cabinet?

(I'm familiar with the sound and operation of the Eden head, but not the Ashdown.)

I'm guessing that the Ashdown head would be very well-suited for their cab, but you never know - the Eden may in some ways be better.

Any suggestions?


Thanks!

~esa

[big evil robot]

I'd probably favour the ABM500 over the Eden, the ashdown to me has better growl and punch.

[R Baer]

The ABM500 is one of my all time favorite heads and I used one for years. Paired with an Ashdown 810, you have a great rig at your disposal. My advice would be to try and set up some form of sound check with the club ahead of time where you can spend some time with the amp. While I love the ABM500, it can take a a bit of tweaking to coax a great tone from it. IMO, it's not a particularly great sounding head with everything set flat, but it can sound quite amazing for rock with the right EQ.

Personally, I never could get a sound I liked without having the SHAPE button engaged, so I would suggest first starting with the EQ flat and engaging the SHAPE circuit. For a decent SVT type sound, try pushing the gain rather hard and set the tube blend to about 75%. Then try a slight boost to the 340Hz slider (the SHAPE button cuts a little too much mids for my taste) and boost the 1.3kHz slider and treble a few dB. Keep in mind that combined with that 810 cab, this rig can put out a lot of volume and low end that can easily overpower the room. Try to keep your volume reasonable and lay off the bass knob unless you really need it (that SHAPE button adds +8db @ 50Hz, and I rarely ever needed to add more than that).

That said, while I consider the ABM500 a great rock head, if your'e doing a bunch of funk style music and you need a good clean slap tone, you might be better off with the Eden for the gig.

[esa372]

Thanks for all the info, guys; I'll let you know how it turns out.

(The gig was moved to January 13)

[BigOldHarry]

Yes, do - I've been using my ABM500 with Epifani cabs for years and dig it... I've read that the newer Ashdown cabs are good (I didn't like the old cabs so much... But I *love* the my amp...)

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I've read that the newer Ashdown cabs are good (I didn't like the old cabs so much

I have a pair of Ashdown 410 cabs that I've been using for over 12 years and they are still going strong.

[praisebass]

Not the rig you ask about - but it's an excuse to show off my ABM EVO II combo and ext. cab. It and my G&L L2000 fretless are very happy together.

I just did enter the drawing for the ABM head and 8x10 cab so I'll let you know how that sounds as soon as it shows up at my door?

Seriously though, I would print out the manual and take it with me:

http://www.musicalstore.net/manuali/...ABM500_ENG.pdf

[esa372]

Just to follow up...

I did the gig with my 75RI Jazz Bass plugged directly into the Ashown head, which fed directly to the 8X10 cab - no effects at all.

The sound was burly and powerful, but it couldn't seem to reproduce harmonics quite as well as my rig does; they were downright inaudible, at times. The same was true when I slapped (which I do rarely, just for effect). The amp just seemed to "ignore" most of what I was doing with harmonics and slapping.

I think if I had some time to work with it (and had an outboard compressor), I might be able to coax a few more subtleties out of it, but I only had about 30 minutes to get set up.

The fixed-frequency EQ sliders we a little limiting; I prefer the parametric-style EQ, where I can select frequencies to cut or boost - they (would've) come in handy for tuning the cab to the room.

But, over-all, I dug the rig. The sound was full, present, powerful, even, punchy, and clear, just not quite as harmonically rich as I would've liked. But, as I said, that could be due to my unfamiliarity with it, and my limited set-up time.

Would I do it again?

Yep!