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Ampeg or Ashdown head?

I

IanEllis

Jan 28, 2008
24
0
37
#1
I am trying to decide between the Ampeg SVT 3 Pro or The Ashdown ABM 500.

I currently use a Yorkville XS400 and run it through a Yorkville 4x10 and I figured I would sell the head and run which ever head through through the cab. Now to my second question. I am assuming that it would not be a problem to run either head through the cab but I can fully admit my ignorance.

In short, Opinions on either head?
 
#4
I love my ABM 500. Try to get a used UK made one-I believe the chinese made ones are the same design but with cheaper components. Never had a problem with mine and very versatile if you get to know all the controls properly. You can even get a clean, almost hi-fi tone if you need it, although it's roots are definately in the older school warm sound. Change the pre amp valve for a Groove Tubes ECC83 (simple 5 minute mod). YOu won't regret getting one of these.

Peace

Kurt
 
#5
The ashdown is only scooped if you have the "scooped eq" button in! It is mid city! The ampeg simply has less power and less tone. Just get the ashdown, run it into 4 ohms and be very happy. Do it. Now. Why are you still waiting?.......:smug:
 
#6
I vote Ashdown... I've got a brand new ABM 500 evo II (made in china) and I'm very happy with it so far. I haven't played an SVT-3, but I actually prefer the tone of the ABM 500 to the SVT-classic when I tried them back to back at a guitar shop.

From what I gather, regarding ashdown liability, there was a whole run of british-made ashdowns that had problems, and one of the earliest runs of the chinese made models had problems as well. It seems that in some cases the amps shipped to the states were meant to run on European voltage and that after a while they were crapping out. AFAIK, the problems have been rectified completely.

Something else to consider: at NAMM I saw the ABM 500 EVO III's... the only noticeable difference was the addition of an onboard compressor (like the Klystron series). Might be worth waiting for, or you might be able to get a series II at blowout prices when the new ones are introduced... As for me I'm perfectly happy with my series 2 ashdown.
 
#7
didn't someone else pose this same question just a week or two ago?
i'll give you the same answer i gave them.

i sold my 3pro to afford my Ashdown. the Ashdown has more clarity while retaining the warmth and general old school tone of the Ampeg. better power handling, i've found the EQ to be much more useful, and the sub octave is fun to play with, and i've even found a few uses for it! i got the rackmount version, so it looks damn cool too!
 
#8
I can pretty much dial in a pretty good, gigable sound on most pieces of gear. I've tried numerous Ampeg heads & combos & you can get a pretty spiffy sound out of them.

But, I have an Ashdown C115 500 Combo and ABM 210 cab for my rig and am very happy. It has balls, the valve drive is great, good clean tone. Sometimes I put the subharmonic generator to about 8:00 o'clock to add some underlying beef
to the tone. Very versatile and loud enough for most situations.
 
#9
I liked My 3PRO when I had one. Was reliable, great sounding, versatile-from old valvey sound to modern slap easy! & easily loud enough. I like the Ashdown Evo I used for a while too. Had a Bit more headroom(have to use EQ volume on the 3PRO if it runs out in normal mode....then U can also get a nice tube distortion if U want) & was punchy & warm sounding too! I dunno- I liked 'em both! try 'em both if U can!
 
#14
Another vote for Ashdown, the tone is very full, tons of character. Then turn the tube on and even MORE character. It's a great unit.

Full featured, too. One thing I really liked about it is that the EQ's are in just the right spot for tweaking. On many amps, you want to hit the low end and end up getting part of the low-mid mud, or wanna boost highs, but get the high-mid ringiness too. Centers are just right on the ashdown.
 
#20
It's an old post, but hey some people, like me, may read it!

What I have not read here, but very true, is that the Ashdown EVO does not weigh a ton. Easily transportable on your own, it has 1 handle. Car in, car out, no problem. If you are a recreational player and want the most power, warmest tone at least effort, this is it. I have a 12" Earcandy cab with it for practice. Then the Ashdown 410 8 Ohms with the 12 inch cab and boy, so much power, such a small setup!

My EVO unit was $1,250, which is what I paid, vesion 1 from England. One Gig it blew out on me, and yes, no warranty anymore so $175 repair costs and dead on the gig. The shop said they had resoldered everything as it was poorly done in the first place, and fixed the blown parts to boot. After that, I have never had anymore problems and years of fun.

Once in a while, I eye another amp as Ashdown is really all I know. But why? I would buy another one as you can't beat the tone, but I'd have it checked by an amp shop to make sure before I gig it.
 

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