Played an Ashdown tonight

prd004 · #1 05-19-2011, 01:28 AM

So the thread title sets it all up. I played an Ashdown tonight at a local open mic. I am aware of Ashdown but I don't know too much about em. Never hear much on this forum either (unless it's there and I just haven't noticed) I think it was an ABM 500 EVO, but I'm not 100% sure, through an Ashdown 4x10.

But the thing is, my bass sounded fantastic! Smooth, fat, even, yet present, just unbelievable. I gotta say I was beyond impressed! Every note I played was just "there" without being overly loud.

What are your guys thought on these amps, good, bad, or indifferent, I'd like to hear..............

rodl2005 · #2 05-19-2011, 02:35 AM

I think they're one of the Better S.S./tube-hybrid amps. If U like the old -vintage style- I do. They've always sounded good for me.

jcburn · #3 05-19-2011, 02:37 AM

Ha ha - I knew you would be on to this Rod!
Took me a while to get the sound I wanted with mine (I have the EVO III 500 too), although it had more to do with the speaker I was using. I love it. Good combo of Tube/SS.

knappymer · #4 05-19-2011, 03:49 AM

jcburn where were ya when I asked about the Ashdown 610 cabs a while back man!?! haha just playing... but seriously, how would you describe the ABM500 and the ABM 610 together? How about the overdrive? I can't find sound samples anywhere.

prd004, I had the MAG300R a few years back... I regret that sale almost every band practice. Go get some!

riotorgun · #5 05-19-2011, 03:59 AM

YouTube - ‪Osmium Guillotine - Stalker!‬&rlm;

my band live im using the ashdown mag500 and matching 410,recorded from the sounddesk.

riotorgun · #6 05-19-2011, 04:09 AM

not looking for any comments on my playing or the song or anything just thought people might wanna hear a live clip of the amp,not my amp either just what the club had.

Casperrobo · #7 05-19-2011, 04:13 AM

I love my Ashdown ABM 500 EVO III more than life itself, I would probably never change it except for maybe the Ashdown Small Block 427 all tube or the BTA 300/400. Also some are made in England and being from England it's all national pride

jcburn · #8 05-19-2011, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knappymer

jcburn where were ya when I asked about the Ashdown 610 cabs a while back man!?! haha just playing... but seriously, how would you describe the ABM500 and the ABM 610 together? How about the overdrive? I can't find sound samples anywhere.

prd004, I had the MAG300R a few years back... I regret that sale almost every band practice. Go get some!

Mate I dont have it yet! Should have it in a week or two. Tried my head through an ABM 410 and liked it, just wanted a few more speakers and an 4 ohm cab. The other upside for me is the 610 has no tweeter.

If you like once I get it I'll give you a rundown.

groovethumper · #9 05-19-2011, 06:18 AM

I've got the ABM 900 through a ABM410t and an Eden 410xlt. Just cab-wise I can tell that the Eden colors the sound somewhat. The Ashdown alone is the most transparent, clean sounding rig I have ever had the pleasure of playing through. The only other rig I was considering at the time was a Mesa Boogie. I made the right choice, It's been a truly reliable rig with tons of power and bass

spufman · #10 05-19-2011, 01:42 PM

My old Klystron 400 is a great sounding amp. The power just hangs there in the room, clear tone with beefy girth. I usually use my Markbass F1 these days because it's so convenient and also sounds great, but in a very different way. The F1 punches while the Ashdown envelopes. I'm keeping both.

knappymer · #11 05-20-2011, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcburn

Mate I dont have it yet! Should have it in a week or two. Tried my head through an ABM 410 and liked it, just wanted a few more speakers and an 4 ohm cab. The other upside for me is the 610 has no tweeter.

If you like once I get it I'll give you a rundown.

Awesome, very cool of you! Thanks!

The lack of tweeter and general design of the 610 has me dying to get my hands on one. I play with a lot of overdrive and effects, so tweeters tend to be just added weight and in the way. Glad to know Ashdown has their thinking caps on.

buckalori · #12 05-20-2011, 04:08 AM

I am playing through an EVO II 500, it is good but sometimes I find it can get a little muddy. Other Ashdowns I have played though have sounded great.

bannybassman · #13 05-20-2011, 04:11 AM

I use an ashdown Electric Blue 115 combo, and it's the best bass amp I've ever used! I love it!

jcburn · #14 06-09-2011, 12:58 AM

Hey guys - just updating as I have received my 610.
I love it! The sound from the cab is a lot clearer with less muddy low mids than the MAG to my ears. Far louder than the 8 ohm MAG cab too, and because there is no tweeter no nasty sounds from OD/distortion pedals.
Very happy with this cab. Only downside is it is very heavy, but it fits across the back seat of my Holden Commodore and the casters seem very sturdy as well.

slaphappychappy · #15 06-09-2011, 03:24 AM

i was asking earlier about the 500 watt head and 410 combo. so its good then?

jcburn · #16 06-09-2011, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaphappychappy

i was asking earlier about the 500 watt head and 410 combo. so its good then?

Hey man - I have the 500 watt EVO III. I think it's a great head. It can do clean solid state very well, and with the drive up all the way can get quite a woolly, old school rock tone. I use the drive at about 1-2 oclock where it just starts to get nasty. I definitely doesn't do distortion. very warm souinding amp with plenty of power. I dont like the compressor, but then again I've never used one nor do I see the need for me. I dont use the Octave feature but it seems to work OK.
In short - I really like it! I am a rock and metal guy first and foremost.
Before I picked up the 610 I got to loan a new ABM 410. Again it sounded great. A lot clearer than the MAG 410 that I previously had. It also pumped out way more volume than the MAG that started to fart with the amp volume it anything higher than 2 oclock. The MAG had a low mid bump that no matter how I EQ'd I could lose the "mud".
The 410 has a tweeter that I liked best off, but thats just me. I dont like tweeters. Sounded OK in the low position though and maybe a little harsh in the high position (the tweeter has a 3 position switch), but depending on your preferred sound might be fine.
All in all the 410 sounded great to me with heaps of volume. I went for the 610 basically for 2 reasons - more speakers and 4 ohms, essentially meaning louder if I needed it !
Hope that helps. I will admit that I'm not sure how this amp/cab combo would lend itself to superclean slap. It's not my style but for rock and metal with just a bit of edge I think it's great and priced nicely too!

jcburn · #17 06-09-2011, 04:00 AM

Just read your other post too and noticed yer an Aussie! Where are you mate?
Just checked out the Bass Centre in Melbourne. They will do the ABM head and 410 for $1350, or the ABM head and 610 for $1599.

slaphappychappy · #18 06-09-2011, 06:31 AM

Brisbane. Yeah saw that. I was gunna try push Billy Hyde down a little too. Although they aren't as flexible since they merged with allans. The little bastard looks interesting too.

jcburn · #19 06-09-2011, 08:42 PM

Give Pro Audio in Canberra a call too mate - not sure if they deal in Ashdown but they always have great prices and cheap shipping.

bassguppy · #20 06-09-2011, 09:16 PM

Had the ABM C115 Combo (same power section as the abm500). sweet & you can't go wrong. I do miss it and am looking for a deal on another.

Also had the ABM 414T (4 ohm) 410 cab. Sounded good, good bottom end but I ditched it cuz I'm too much of a wimp.