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ASHDOWN ABM500 EVO 11 Rocks

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by bassampegman, Dec 7, 2004.

  1. Dec 7, 2004 #1
    bassampegman

    bassampegman

    Jul 3, 2004
    Suffolk England
    The more i use the Ashdown amp the more i love its sound.

    It is a better amp than my SVTCL head as it gives me a clearer more defined rock sound.

    I have also found that with the footswitch i can add the sub harmonizer effect to thicken the sound even more and add a bit more grunt.This is handy when the guitarist is playing a solo and i need to fill the band sound out a bit more.

    I am very happy with my switch to Ashdown, still using the Ampeg cabs which are also fine.

    I also use a second footswitch to turn the tube drive off so to go all solid state for more clean funky type sounds .

    Tuner set up via the mute output for silent tuning on stage, now i know why U2 Adam Clayton raves about these amps !!
     
  2. Dec 7, 2004 #2
    Jason Carota

    Jason Carota Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2002
    Putnam, CT
    Glad to hear your change in amps worked out. I have the ABM 500RC EVO (EVO I, not II) and I agree; Ashdown makes great amps.
     
  3. Dec 7, 2004 #3
    bassampegman

    bassampegman

    Jul 3, 2004
    Suffolk England
    Yes my switch to Ashdown was intended as a money saving and simpler set up with less maintenance for when i pack up in a couple of years ??

    Instead i have found i like the Ashdown far more than the Ampeg especially in a band situation which is where it matters the most. For me the Ampeg was nice but i often wondered about the hype and why the Classic was supposed to be so good. Dont get me wrong the classic is a great bass amp but its just not worth the price here in the UK.

    Ashdown ABM500 EVO 11 sells in UK FOR £700 approx new, the SVTCL sells for £1500.00 new now you can see why i am so happy with my Ashdown as the Ampeg wasnt twice as good it was only as good but not better !!
     
  4. Dec 7, 2004 #4
    junglebike

    junglebike

    Feb 14, 2003
    San Diego, CA
    Hey, what's the difference between the EVO and non-EVO, and EVO II?
     
  5. Dec 7, 2004 #5
    bassampegman

    bassampegman

    Jul 3, 2004
    Suffolk England
    ABM EVO was the first version about 6 years old approx and the EVO 11 is the newer revised version, better headroom, revised switches etc but much the same amp.

    Mag series is the lower cost versions, ABM EVO tend to be the Pro amp range

    Mart
     
  6. Dec 7, 2004 #6
    Bigwan

    Bigwan

    Feb 22, 2002
    Ballymena (hey)
    There's also the older non-EVO version of the ABM which came in 4 guises ABM200, 300, 400, 500...

    Although the 200 and 300 (and 400 and 500) were physically the same, just rebadged... :rollno: You have to wonder how many redesigns have actually taken place on the ABM line... :ninja:

    I recently played the EVOII and was very impressed with the sensible upgrades made from the standard ABM that I own though.
     
  7. Dec 7, 2004 #7
    junglebike

    junglebike

    Feb 14, 2003
    San Diego, CA
    I'm curious what those upgrades were -- I have been thinking of buying a used one and would like to be as informed as possible.
     
  8. Dec 7, 2004 #8
    Chrisrm

    Chrisrm Bass Virtuoso Wannabe

    Feb 10, 2002
    Leesburg, VA
    I have an ABM 400, the first edition Ashdown. I love mine. I've played through an ABM 300 EVO II, and it's the same sound and vibe, just some updated features. I noticed no difference in sound.

    Hope this helps,
    Chris
     
  9. Dec 8, 2004 #9
    Bigwan

    Bigwan

    Feb 22, 2002
    Ballymena (hey)
    Really the only upgrade of interest to me was the ability to switch in or out the valve preamp... I believe I can already footswitch the sub-harmonics and eq (although I'm not sure)

    I agree that the sound is virtually identical between my amp and the newer EVOII...
     
  10. Dec 8, 2004 #10
    bassampegman

    bassampegman

    Jul 3, 2004
    Suffolk England
    I use two Boss FS-5L foot switches one set as normally valve drive on ( we play rock ) switch it on Led glows for clean Solid state funky stuff. The other Boss switch turns the Sub harmonizer on.

    The actual Ashdown dual footswitch does not have any leds so you cant remember if you have switched from tube to Solid state !!

    The Boss ones are great instead, use a stereo jack y lead with two single jacks other end into the two switches

    Rock on
     
  11. Dec 8, 2004 #11
    the dude

    the dude Supporting Member

    Sep 19, 2004
    Indy
    The EVO II has been around for about a year. The main difference is the EVO II has a lot more grunt (probably a little more Ampeg-like) from the pre amp valve the the EVO - and in the EVO II, it is footswitchable. It also runs a little quieter at rest and has a blue mute LED - other than that, it's pretty much the same.

    I like my EVO, but I love my SVT. They are both great amps - just two completely different sound pallets.

    bassampegman - as far as the diff in price, too bad you can't buy it here and lug it back. In the U.S. the Classic sells for $1,500 - and at today's exchange rate (£1 = $1.89), that works out to £793!
     
  12. Dec 8, 2004 #12
    bassampegman

    bassampegman

    Jul 3, 2004
    Suffolk England
    Yes its a shame the better gear is so pricey in the UK but i also guess that the Ashdown stuff is just as cheap for you guys in the USA as it is here.

    ABM500 EVO 11 $1300 is that about right, if its less then you getter it cheaper than we do and its born here in the UK !!

    We just love our high taxes- not !
     
  13. Dec 8, 2004 #13
    jazz567

    jazz567

    Nov 23, 2004
    I have the non-EVO original version of the ABM300. I've compared it to many other heads as well as powerful amp/preamp combinations and I'm always amazed at how great the ABM300 compares to others I've tried.

    It's a great amp and I've never had one lick of trouble with it.