Why do you dig your Ashdown?

Billy Low · #1 04-17-2011, 12:06 AM

I have noticed that many of the Ashdown owners only speak when spoken to directly about their brand of choice. I think it's time that folks step up to the microphone and tell TB what it is exactly about your Ashdown product that you dig!!!! Also, if you have pics of your rig please be kind enough to share them.

Me: I own an ABM 900, and what I really dig about it is the massive sound that comes from it. When plugged into my 410 with the gain @ 11 o'clock and the master @ 1 o'clock there is some nice, massive low end belting going on. Certainly can feel my pants leg flap when I stand in front of my rig!

tonymcbony · #2 04-17-2011, 01:00 AM

I like mine mainly for the vintage feel with modern punch.
Warm and punchy, ya know?

Billy Low · #3 04-17-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonymcbony

I like mine mainly for the vintage feel with modern punch.
Warm and punchy, ya know?

I can agree whole heartedly!

crguti · #4 04-18-2011, 05:13 AM

I like how my Ashdown ABM 500 can handle the 5th string. It's warm, clear, punch and loud... and only used with an ABM 2x10 cab !!!. I don't even need another cab.
The 12ax7 tube in the preamp section is sweet. It gives the perfect warm sound to the bass.
Getting an Ashdown was the best move I have ever did. I'm getting a lot of compliments with my sound now.

P.D.: not to confuse Ashdown ABM sound with the poor and low quality MAG series.

s_mcsleazy · #5 04-18-2011, 05:23 AM

well i use ashdown cabs with my old fender bassman and all i can say is those 1x15's sound how i always wanted the bassman 2x15's to sound. plus being british i tend to stick by things from my country and out off all the brittish amp makers (trace elliot, orange, marshall ect ect.) ashdown has always been my fave. in the uk they're gear is pretty inexpencive compered to other companys aswell. a brand new ashdown 8x10 over here is £450 and if you haggle you can get it down to £400.

most clubs in the last couple years in glasgow brought in ashdown amp because they're like old peaveys in reliability and price.

any other companys worth mentioning where you can buy a brand new 1x15 and only pay £125. not really

BruceBass3901 · #6 04-18-2011, 07:30 AM

I adore the sound of my Ashdown EB180-15 combo. I know it's only the 'entry level' Ashdown amp, but it still has the fantastic clear, warm and punchy sound. I am proud to stand up and say:

'My name is Bruce, and I am an Ashdown addict'

I'm looking to get the ABM500 head and match it with the ABM 410 cabinet and eventually a 115 as well

bassfreakah · #7 04-18-2011, 07:42 AM

What about that Mark King amp I heard that thing was Phat as Hell. I am an ampeg user, but that amp sounds like it could be a winner.

Electricblue · #8 04-19-2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceBass3901

I adore the sound of my Ashdown EB180-15 combo. I know it's only the 'entry level' Ashdown amp, but it still has the fantastic clear, warm and punchy sound. I am proud to stand up and say:

'My name is Bruce, and I am an Ashdown addict'

I'm looking to get the ABM500 head and match it with the ABM 410 cabinet and eventually a 115 as well

I loved mine too, until it fried itself within 4 months.

Sliderbass · #9 04-19-2011, 09:05 AM

I'm actually on my third ABM 500 EVO III. In all fairness, Ashdown was GREAT in dealing with this! I reached out to them directly and got a reply almost instantly. They ate shipping on both ends on two returns without blinking. Number three is just fine. Hopefully I saved at least one person from getting a bad amp...

eyeballkid · #10 04-19-2011, 09:08 AM

wow... Ive had two of those ABMs, both gigged to hell and back and the most dependable amps ive ever had. mine were both UK made though.

Btw Slider.. if ya feel "iffy" about that BTA, Ill take care of her for ya!

Sliderbass · #11 04-19-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

wow... Ive had two of those ABMs, both gigged to hell and back and the most dependable amps ive ever had. mine were both UK made though.

Btw Slider.. if ya feel "iffy" about that BTA, Ill take care of her for ya!

The first EVO was "made in PRC" so I guess that's the PC way to say made in China these days. Interestingly enough, the "keeper" says made in UK. Confused....

...and I do owe you a reply. I'm finally feeling batter after my neck surgery(sorry if I came across as a bit of a jerk, blame the meds, man...). I still can't lift anything over ten pounds. Its not going anywhere else so don't worry.

eyeballkid · #12 04-19-2011, 09:28 AM

no apologies needed!!!
its weird that you somehow got sent a UK model to replace a chinese model seeing as how they stopped making UK models once they moved em... consider yourself VERY lucky in that regard.

Electricblue · #13 04-19-2011, 09:39 AM

I would love a MAG600 head right now. If it wasnt for Ashdown's terrible reputation for reliability, I would purchase one.

Sliderbass · #14 04-19-2011, 09:42 AM

It doesn't add up for sure. its a misfit I guess....

Just like me

Either way, I love the sound. The pre is very adjustable and its clean when I need it and just a little dirty when I want it.

eyeballkid · #15 04-19-2011, 10:59 AM

I think the reputation is ONLY with the lower lines.. ie MAG and Electric Blue as they have almost exclusively been chinese made.. the ABMs and other English mades are near bullet proof.

hennessybass · #16 04-19-2011, 11:20 AM

Current rig is - Ashdown Little Bastard and (one or two) Ashdown ABM compact 15 cabs.

I bought Ashdown because I thought it sounded good. Tried a bunch of cabs, and settled on an Ashdown ABM 15 and a ABM Compact 15. I have since traded the full size 15 for an additional Compact 15. They are great sounding cabs, they are priced pretty well (especially the one I got used). They are super light weight too. With the two little cabs I am set for small gigs, or I can stack em for a monster 2x15 rig (about the size of a 6x10). Still super easy to move and light weight! I can load in one cab, the LittleBastard, bass and gig bag on my back back, all in one trip!!

Added the Little Bastard pretty recently. Box construction feels a little flimsy, but so far has handled everything I've thrown at it and sounds pretty good to.

Sounds good, no problems, rig size flexibility, light weight and easy to move... what more could a dude ask for?

Will take some pics to share soon.

JAUQO III-X · #17 04-19-2011, 11:25 AM

I've been using and endorsing Ashdowm amps and cabs for well over a decade. I loved the sound from the first time I played out of an Ashdown rig.

Ashdown is more versatile than a lot of people seem to give them credit for. I play pretty much every major genre there is thru my Ashdown rigs and they deliver each time. I own UK built Ashdown heads as well as China built and I have yet to run into a problem.

I really love the solid thick brick wall with just the right amount of midrange punch sound that I get.

As far as reliability goes, name an amp company that doesn't(or haven't had) have a run of lemons at some point?

I once had to change the bulb in the meter once on a 210 500wt combo.

hennessybass · #18 04-19-2011, 11:05 PM

I'll go...

cell phone pick, but you get the idea.

crguti · #19 04-20-2011, 07:52 AM

I love to see how people get big gear to play in their bedrooms.

3tsb · #20 04-20-2011, 08:03 AM

it has every feature I would ever use live. You can turn up the tube grind for some dirty drive, hit the pre-shape if you want to slap or get a nice reggae sound, or kick in the sub-harmonic for an octave effect. I really haven't had the need for anything else.