Ashdown ABM Evo III 500, Has anyone had experience with this particular Amplifier?

[Marns]

I completely agree with the original thread; the 500w Evo I just bought was run through Aguilar cabs at a combined 4ohm impedance. At the 1st gig I used it I was at 95% and was thinking 'this amp is not 500 watts - there's no headroom!'.

Unfortunately, it's the best amp I've ever played through for tone. The technician at the shop confirms that 500w are being generated...

The new ABM 1000 is due after Namm 2012, but it costs nearly 3 times the price (£1200).

I think that, unless you are using exceptionally efficient cabs, the 500 Evo feels like a 200w.

Hope this helps...

 

[krstko]

I agree with people who said that head needs t be repaired. I played with ABM 500 EVO II with 410 cab (can't remember which) and It was loud as hell, I also played ABM 900 EVO III with only 1 output (so same power as 500) and I almost broke the windows

 

[AdamR]

PM me.

If you have some advice why not share it with everyone ? Is it a secret ?


My Mag300 was plenty loud in my situation with 2 guitars but we were the loudest. More speakers would help but who wants to lug around a 810 if they dont have to.

 

[bassguppy]

I never had volume problems with my ABM-C115 Combo combined with either another ashdown 115 or 210 cab. Only sold the combo because of weight, not reliability or tone.

No Ashdown gear in my stable currently but I would have no problem switching back.

 

[Deleted member 92857]

If you have some advice why not share it with everyone ? Is it a secret ?


My Mag300 was plenty loud in my situation with 2 guitars but we were the loudest. More speakers would help but who wants to lug around a 810 if they dont have to.

+1, I'd like to hear it too. I've got one doing the same thing. I opened it up and checked the wiring on the gain control, wiggling each wire. It came back for awhile, then crapped out again. Full disclosure: I bought mine from a local salvage company that had bought out the inventory of 8th Street Music in Philly after their fire a few years back. I don't know if mine was new or used, and it might have even been a customer unit in for repair at the time of the fire.

 

[boristhespider7]

hmm...just discovered this thread. Also have an ABM 500 Evo 3 head matched with 2 x 210 ABM cabs. Have done a couple of small gigs recently where it felt underpowered. Its a v subjective thing but i'm sure my old MAG 300 head was louder. I'm sure when i brought it it (approx 1yr ago) the ABM was louder too...or i'm deafer!

BTW, my Ashdown LB30 all valve gets about the same level of volume as the 500, although with a bit of hair ...but oh what hair ;-)

 

[boristhespider7]

Spent some time today tweeking the EQ and going through all the combinations of settings (valve drive, pre-shape etc). What struck me about the amp is that you really have to work the EQ to get a decent tone (and volume). With no EQ and pre-shape off my P bass sounds aneamic and v underpowered (quiet) even when the gain and volume are maxed out. However with serious EQ'ing i get a decent tone and the volume jumps v significantly. Jumps even more once you kick the valve pre in (i'm guessing the "grind" dial has its own gain stage to drive the valve which also boosts the signal). V different to the MAG which is much easier to get a decent tone with flat settings on the amp, but is just less versatile (less EQ, no valve pre etc)

Sounded loud enough once EQ'd but real test would be with a drummer and guitarist with full stack so can't say for sure just yet.

 

[sonic 7]

First , bridge the effects loop with a good cable and see what happens, sometimes the prong on the jack gets loose making it seem like the amp is dead . Next , open it up, remove the tube, spray the whole thing down with DEOX IT , get the pots, jacks and sliders good, also spray the tube socket good , Throw away the tube and and put in a new one. Close it up and try it now. This procedure has worked for me many times, good luck.

 

[boristhespider7]

OK took my ABM into the store today to compare it with another identical head. Instantly blown away by how much louder and punchier the other head was. Luckily just noticed this in time..only 2 weeks away from end of warranty. I'll let you know what Ashdown say is the problem.

Be worth comparing your ABM to another head if you have this issue, could be a QC issue

 

[boristhespider7]

OK, got the repair report from Ashdown today: Faulty C46 capacitor on Preamp Pcb
Fault meant that the head worked OK just at lower volume. Be worth checking out if you find your ABM underpowered

 

[Marial]

Glad to hear you're getting it sorted and under warranty. My Evo II, in a 210 combo, is plenty loud, so I'd think even if the III is a little quieter by comparison you shouldn't have any problems being heard running through a 410.

 

[boristhespider7]

OK got my 500 back from repair today. Its now seriously loud, even on only 1x 8ohm 210.

 

[chad.planet]

I'm glad your situation is fixed, boris, Because I am a huge ashdown fan. I came across my 500 EVO II quite a while ago with no part of me knowing what I was buying ( I was just buying is for the swr goliath II 4x10 he was selling it to me with. Got both for 400$... STEAL! After the purchase Ive never heard a solid state (tube pre) sound so warm and rich with beefy tone. I now own a EVO II abm C115 and I am set, this thing cranks, and sounds so damn good. So, to you all people GASsing, like I was up until a few months ago, find yourself and older ashdown ABM combo and save yourself a long headache... (ps these amps flat tend to be a woofy huge warm sound, so buy yourself a deluxe fender or a P bass, I play an aerodyne with it, and I am in Love)

CHEERS!

 

[chad.planet]

Oh I forgot, I played my EVO II through a new 700 w rated 8 ohm goliath III silver grill for the logest time, I couldn't go past 4 o clock on the output without shaking the whole studio to pieces. Definitely an issue with the amp if you are having trouble hearing yourself.

 

[Goooler]

I have an EVO II 575W. Sounds great but I can't comprehend how it can be 575 watts no matter what ohm cabinet you have? Is it 575 watts at 4 and 8 ohms? How can that be?
Thanks in advance for your replys!

 

[cjp3044]

I have an EVO II 575W. Sounds great but I can't comprehend how it can be 575 watts no matter what ohm cabinet you have? Is it 575 watts at 4 and 8 ohms? How can that be?
Thanks in advance for your replys!

We never heard back from the OP if he got his worked out!

Goooler, I have the ABM EVO II 575 watt head and I have the ABM EVO III 575 2x10 combo (plus 3 Ashdown US made Klystron cabs - 2x10, 1x15 and 4x10) - I don't think it is 575 at either 4 or 8, only 4, but I wouldn't bet on it and the documentation from Ashdown is lacking. But as some of the other posts have said, the eq section will really affect volume (as will the drive and flat buttons) I usually keep the eq turned on, set the sliders at the middle and adjust the bass, mid and treble accordingly, I keep the drive at around 10 o'clock usually and the compressor where it needs to be depending on the venue, style, etc (oops, you have the II, no compressor), then, if necessary, I mess with the sliders. Try starting with that and run into 4ohms with preferably something like a 4x10 - if you still don't feel the volume, you may have an actual problem with the amp, these things are really quite loud.

Keep me posted on how it turns out for you, I love the tone of my Ashdown gear, but am moving to Aguilar - keeping my 2x10 Ashdown combo for sure, but the rest is likely to be up for sale in the very near future. That's not an ad, BTW - just props for Ashdown and Aguilar!

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I have an EVO II 575W. Sounds great but I can't comprehend how it can be 575 watts no matter what ohm cabinet you have? Is it 575 watts at 4 and 8 ohms? How can that be?
Thanks in advance for your replys!

Your amp is 575 watts at 4 ohms and a little over 300 at 8 ohms.









Ashdown endorser.

 

[cjp3044]

Your amp is 575 watts at 4 ohms and a little over 300 at 8 ohms.

Ashdown endorser.

Thank you for the clarification, I assumed that as well, but the documentation doesn't address it and I couldn't find anything on their website either. As an Ashdown endorser would you say my comments on the ABM eq above were OK? I don't want to be giving any bad advice.

And nice write up in BP! Well deserved. I first heard about you through Jesse Blue and have seen and listened to your stuff. With your talent and sound I don't think it will be long before a LOT more people know about you!

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Thank you for the clarification

You're very welcome.

As an Ashdown endorser would you say my comments on the ABM eq above were OK? I don't want to be giving any bad advice.

Yes they were. The Ashdown eq section on the ABM EVO series is far more versatile than players are aware of.

And nice write up in BP! Well deserved. I first heard about you through Jesse Blue and have seen and listened to your stuff. With your talent and sound I don't think it will be long before a LOT more people know about you!

Thanks again and thanks for taking the time to check the piece out. Jesse Blue is a very good friend of mine. And thanks for having the faith in my talent.

 

[Sandman64]

You need to engage the compressor unit and turn up the compressor to about 12 o’clock. The amp has plenty of volume and the volume knob and compressor work hand in hand on this amp.