Ampeg Portaflex 500 vs Ashdown ABM 300 (evo IV)

[RumbleMan3]

You pretty much hit it on this post.
Get your Ampeg.

 

[adk teleman]

I have the PF800 essentially a 500 but with a bit mor power into 2 PF15LF cabinets. For me, this is the sound! Deep,’lots of punch clear definition, all the Ampeg goodness you could want. The Ashdown is a great amp, great features, but, it doesn’t deliver the Ampeg sound. Let your ears do the deciding if your budget can support it.

 

[BrentSimons]

Come on... someone say SOMETHING! ANYTHING!

I’m not asking for much. Just even a simple comment one what you thought about one of these amps. Really, no one has ANYTHING to say?

I’m literally shocked, I’ve never seen a thread so dead, with 107 views...

I'm enjoying your posts? Rawk on mate!

 

[RumbleMan3]

I'm enjoying your posts? Rawk on mate!

Ok... we got off to a slow start, but in the end, the discussion has been good and I’ve gotten some good knowledge and review from some users of these amps.

Honestly I’ve never experienced a thread so dead before. Who knows if anyone would have ended up replying if I hadn’t have said something?

 

[BrentSimons]

Ok... we got off to a slow start, but in the end, the discussion has been good and I’ve gotten some good knowledge and review from some users of these amps.

Honestly I’ve never experienced a thread so dead before. Who knows if anyone would have ended up replying if I hadn’t have said something?

I had an Ashdown 300 Evo II years ago. It was a very flexible amp. At the time I was trying out a bunch of preamps (a la Geddy Lee ) and sort of moved away from amps. With the pre shape engaged you are already starting with a great sound. Bass boost, treble boost and a slight dip in the midrange. You can then use the eq knobs and sliders to taste. I didn't find the tube overdrive very useful for my tastes but it does add some warmth. It looks like they may have added to its depth on the version IV? The sub harmonics really adds some lows to fatten up the sound but really doesn't sound like an octave pedal unless you crank it. Again this is just my vague memory.
It is bulky. Twenty pounds and change but it's built like a tank!
I've only used the Ampeg PF series a few times but I was able to get a decent tone quickly.
Hope this helps!
Brent

 

[Steve Dallman]

I am aware that the Ampeg is more popular and it seems to me more people have used them than the Ashdown.

It is also interesting to note that I listened to a few more videos of these two amps, trying to discern some differences as best I could, and I would say the ABM is not very tube sounding, for a tube amp. It sounds like it’s trying to be more modern but using tubes.

The Ampeg is the opposite. It’s solid state but the dynamics of it sound a lot more tube like to me, and that warmer, kinda compressed sound u get with tubes, but I’m not getting that much with the ashdown, but perhaps the videos I’m listening to aren’t good enough representations. As I said in my original post, I’m gonna have to listen to both these amps in person anyway.

+1 for the Ampeg. It’s much closer to the “Ampeg sound” which is what you’d hope for from ampeg. And at that price it doesn’t nail it like it would with actual tubes, but it gets the gist of it, a lot closer than the ashdown does, and many other amps for that mater. So for me, that’s a winner.

The initial preamp in the PF500 is a mosfet run at 60volts. I’ve used both my PF-500 and a Pro 7 and found negligible differences in tone or response except for higher headroom with the 7. I am very happy with the preamp in the PF500 (although I have “upgraded” to a PF800 and keep the 500 for backup.)

 

[BogeyBass]

The Ashdown amps basically have bass and treble. And all the sliders are near the same frequency as the switchable mids a SVT has. I'd take the 300 watts over the class D 500 any day.
The EQ is similar to having all the SVT settings cut/boost at once. Not just one like a SVT

Ashdown is a mosfet amplifier
And uses more higher performance mosfets according to some engineer opinions.

Both amps will do modern to grind. It's really the bass and the player. Any further assistance in tone comes from a zillion pedals available these days.

I wouldn't take bias from demo videos. Most of them are mis leading. Your hearing one players specific style.

Personally I have no interest in either. But if needed I'd prefer the Ashdown.

 

[evs]

I have played both, although I think it was the ABM600, not the 300.

I love both the Ampeg and the Ashdown sound.
I imagine that if you like that type of classic, ballsy sound, then either of those two will keep you happy.

They are more alike than different, neither are modern or sterile sounding, both have balls.

For me personally, the Ashdown with the sub harmonic engaged, just a bit, was possibly my favourite sound ever.
Can't go wrong either way.

 

[jeff7bass]

The Ashdown Rootmaster 500 is more like the PF-500. Maybe look at that. Seems to be a hit.

 

[BassAdder27]

So which one did you go for ?

Ive just gone away from my PF800 to the new Ashdown RM800 Evo II head

Ampeg was good but a one very good sound, I’m hoping the RM800 gives me more, we will see !

 

[jeff7bass]

So which one did you go for ?

Ive just gone away from my PF800 to the new Ashdown RM800 Evo II head

Ampeg was good but a one very good sound, I’m hoping the RM800 gives me more, we will see !

Looking forward to the review of the RM-800 because they're not out there yet.

 

[BassAdder27]

Well the RM800 EVO II arrived today

Firstly it’s a loud amp and easy to get a great tone straight away, in fact easy to get several good sounds out of it.

Fan is very quiet so ok for studio use if required

All the features just work really well and it pairs nicely with my PF115LF Ampeg 400w 8 ohm cab
The RM800 puts out 400w at 8ohms

It has a classy look about it too

 

[BassAdder27]

Since owning the Ampeg cab I’ve sold this and now use Ashdown Pro Neo cabs and I’m pleased with the result.
Lighter and smaller to carry around

 

[BassAdder27]

Further update .. now back with a PF800 paired with the SVT212AV cab
Superb sound but also have the Ashdown abm600 EVO IV and that sounds good too

 

[WarBeer]

Further update .. now back with a PF800 paired with the SVT212AV cab
Superb sound but also have the Ashdown abm600 EVO IV and that sounds good too

I know this thread is a bit old, but I'm curious about your experience with these two amps specifically. Do you find the SS of the Ashdown to have more "rounded, weighted, punch?". Is it heftier on the bottom? This seems to be what most people say about SS vs class D...so, I was wondering how you think they compare? Also, do you find that you can get a bit of a "touch-sensitive, glassy" sound with the tube drive of the Ashdown?

I fell in love with the sound Robin Mullarkey got on the Zero 7 album "When It Falls". Specifically on the outro groove on the tune Somersault...starting @ 4:03



Since this is a "studio" recording...do you find that the amp "in person" can get this sound?

 

[mav]

I'm gonna say the Ashdown will have more push, presences and headroom with it being a solid state power stage. It's not that heavy to carry around and the the handle are really comfortable.