My Ashdown MiBass 550 Experience
I recently received a Ashdown MiBass 550. A nice size micro amp and it's not heavy but it seems to be built like a mini tank I wouldn't worry to much about serious damage to it if it were to hit the floor. I spent some time with it just playing it solo(not in a band context) through a Ashdown CL610. After 5 minutes it is strongly evident that it is indeed related to Ashdown. The MiBass 550 has that low end thump and thickness that so many associate with Ashdown. I utilized various techniques and the MiBass 550 was definitely hanging. .
The next day I used the MiBass 550 in rehearsal with my band. Bass, drums and guitar( the vocalist wasn't there). Most of the music is very high energetic and aggressive with the bass very driving. With bass effects used on some of the songs sparingly. After spending so many years playing various Ashdown bass heads this little amp let it be known that it is no slouch.. Even though the Ashdown MiBass is a class D amp the low end thump was there. Now does it sound like a solid state or tube amp? I think most would agree by sound alone that it does deliver the low end and balanced highs and mids and at the end of the day I think it would pass with most players who can respect the MiBass for what it is, A micro class D amp that sounds extremely close to the big boys. If you're looking for a bass amp and in this case a class D amp with a lot of highs that can get to the point of brittle with no low end or mid balance or just basically an uneven eq spectrum this is not the amp for you.
The eq seems to do what it's suppose to do and in a good way. Overall a well balance eq system that shows through sound and versatility that it is connected to the amp. The bass is definitely warm and for a little more added thickness in the bass frequency department, if you engage the deep button you seriously will notice a difference in the low end. The mids controls does deliver that mid range growl softly or that just a little more growl added if needed. The highs are evenly balanced and not brittle at all.
I used my Xotic 4 string (ash body, maple fb) with the Hipshot double D-tuner, allowing me to drop my E and A string down to C# and F#.
Does Ashdown deliver in the micro amp department? I would give a huge yes.
If you want that Ashdown thump in a well balanced tonally compact amp, Ashdown definitely delivers through the MiBass series.
And I'm basing my MiBass 550 experience after having been an Ashdown user and endorser since 1998.
I recently received a Ashdown MiBass 550. A nice size micro amp and it's not heavy but it seems to be built like a mini tank I wouldn't worry to much about serious damage to it if it were to hit the floor. I spent some time with it just playing it solo(not in a band context) through a Ashdown CL610. After 5 minutes it is strongly evident that it is indeed related to Ashdown. The MiBass 550 has that low end thump and thickness that so many associate with Ashdown. I utilized various techniques and the MiBass 550 was definitely hanging. .
The next day I used the MiBass 550 in rehearsal with my band. Bass, drums and guitar( the vocalist wasn't there). Most of the music is very high energetic and aggressive with the bass very driving. With bass effects used on some of the songs sparingly. After spending so many years playing various Ashdown bass heads this little amp let it be known that it is no slouch.. Even though the Ashdown MiBass is a class D amp the low end thump was there. Now does it sound like a solid state or tube amp? I think most would agree by sound alone that it does deliver the low end and balanced highs and mids and at the end of the day I think it would pass with most players who can respect the MiBass for what it is, A micro class D amp that sounds extremely close to the big boys. If you're looking for a bass amp and in this case a class D amp with a lot of highs that can get to the point of brittle with no low end or mid balance or just basically an uneven eq spectrum this is not the amp for you.
The eq seems to do what it's suppose to do and in a good way. Overall a well balance eq system that shows through sound and versatility that it is connected to the amp. The bass is definitely warm and for a little more added thickness in the bass frequency department, if you engage the deep button you seriously will notice a difference in the low end. The mids controls does deliver that mid range growl softly or that just a little more growl added if needed. The highs are evenly balanced and not brittle at all.
I used my Xotic 4 string (ash body, maple fb) with the Hipshot double D-tuner, allowing me to drop my E and A string down to C# and F#.
Does Ashdown deliver in the micro amp department? I would give a huge yes.
If you want that Ashdown thump in a well balanced tonally compact amp, Ashdown definitely delivers through the MiBass series.
And I'm basing my MiBass 550 experience after having been an Ashdown user and endorser since 1998.
I had ABM EVO III and ABM cab in the past, but had to sold it. I really like the sound Ashdown ABM delivers. Big, fat and with valve drive engaged, one´s sound can be nicely driving. Today, the 550 Spyder seems to be my Ashdown favourite. After seeing and hearing the official Ashdown demo video, I fell in love with that sound. To be honest, when I saw demo video for MiBass 220 i was a bit dissapointed, because 550 Spyder sounded much more lively...But that´s just a video. Reality may be different, right ? Anyway, I appreciate your review and definitely want to try MiBass out.
