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Ashdown Amps
- Thread starter Mutation
- Start date
Ashdown has both the ABM and the MAG series, the former of which is higher-end (and correspondingly more expensive) than the latter. Personally I'd recommend the ABM; I haven't had a chance to try them but I've heard great things about them, and when I tried a MAG I found it quite difficult to get a tone out of it that wasn't excessively dark and muddy. Worth the price difference IMO.
I've got the MAG 2x10" combo. It's got a lot of power but the Blue Line speakers in it seem to give up at moderately loud levels. The amp sounds suprisingly good pushing my SVT410HLf cabinet. Considering upgrading the Blue Line speakers to Eminence Delta's to see if it can push more sound on it's own (has anyone tried that?)
The OP probably is looking at a MAG... check this link
I've got an Ashdown ABM Evo II 300 Amp head with an Amped B115e cab, and I love them both. I got the head cheaply last October (£269 new) because it was being discontinued. Mine is made in China. You will hear lots of people bemoaning the Chinese models but I haven't had any issues with mine. It has a great range of tone controls and a host of features. If I was to ever play a big venue without PA support the amp will struggle, I think, but this will never be a problem for me. If you're going to be playing large venues often you might want to consider the 500 Watt heads/combos if you can find them; they have more headroom. You can find out all you need to know on the ashdown website (www.ashdownmusic.co.uk)- they have instructions for all their amps, old and new.
I also own an Ashdown EB180 combo amp which was a great first amp. A good range of sounds and excellent features for the price (DI out etc). I think this, too, was made in China. There's some scratchiness on it now when you adjust the gain, but that can probably be sorted without much problem. I was going to sell this but I'll keep it as a backup until I can find a good backup for the ABM Head.
I've got an Ashdown Drive Plus pedal which is pants. Never got a sound out of it that I like, but I might give it a second chance and try it out at our ext rehearsal...
Finally, I find Ashdown to be #1 for Customer Service. Any questions directed through their website have been answered thoroughly and quickly.
I've got an Ashdown ABM Evo II 300 Amp head with an Amped B115e cab, and I love them both. I got the head cheaply last October (£269 new) because it was being discontinued. Mine is made in China. You will hear lots of people bemoaning the Chinese models but I haven't had any issues with mine. It has a great range of tone controls and a host of features. If I was to ever play a big venue without PA support the amp will struggle, I think, but this will never be a problem for me. If you're going to be playing large venues often you might want to consider the 500 Watt heads/combos if you can find them; they have more headroom. You can find out all you need to know on the ashdown website (www.ashdownmusic.co.uk)- they have instructions for all their amps, old and new.
I also own an Ashdown EB180 combo amp which was a great first amp. A good range of sounds and excellent features for the price (DI out etc). I think this, too, was made in China. There's some scratchiness on it now when you adjust the gain, but that can probably be sorted without much problem. I was going to sell this but I'll keep it as a backup until I can find a good backup for the ABM Head.
I've got an Ashdown Drive Plus pedal which is pants. Never got a sound out of it that I like, but I might give it a second chance and try it out at our ext rehearsal...
Finally, I find Ashdown to be #1 for Customer Service. Any questions directed through their website have been answered thoroughly and quickly.
I thought the MAG series was the lower end series?? I had a MAG MON 12. I liked it, but it just was not powerful enough for what I needed. Great concept amp though.
Because it was a little on the weak side, I had trouble with it on my 5 string and I had trouble with the speaker "woofing" and bottoming out at any volume higher than about 5 or so.
Because it was a little on the weak side, I had trouble with it on my 5 string and I had trouble with the speaker "woofing" and bottoming out at any volume higher than about 5 or so.
IMHO if you're thinking ASHDOWN combo... go with the MK500 it's 575 W 2 x 10 + Horn Mark King Signature Series Bass Combo. It is slams!
I had a 300w Mag combo with a 15" speaker. It sounded okay, but wasn't nearly loud enough for my band (we play alot of outdoor gigs). If it's a smaller gig or you have good pa support, though, it's a nice little setup.
I have three Ashdown ABM heads, an EB 12-150 practice combo and two Ashdown ABM cabinets. All my pieces except the combo are UK built. I haven't acquired anything Ashdown-China because I just won't do it. I haven't heard anything negative about the China product, I just prefer the old school UK gear.
I've got nothing but praise for the company and have received excellent customer service from the shop in the UK. They went as far as sending me replacement parts direct via FedEx Overnight when a stage hand broke a few of the connection jacks on my ABM900 during tear-down after a gig. No questions, no charge - exceptional customer service.
Even with the production move to China, if they service all customers as well as I've experienced, I don't think you'll go wrong with Ashdown products.
I've got nothing but praise for the company and have received excellent customer service from the shop in the UK. They went as far as sending me replacement parts direct via FedEx Overnight when a stage hand broke a few of the connection jacks on my ABM900 during tear-down after a gig. No questions, no charge - exceptional customer service.
Even with the production move to China, if they service all customers as well as I've experienced, I don't think you'll go wrong with Ashdown products.
IMO, the ABM EVO 500 is really what the Ashdown sound is all about. Although still a good sound, the MAG line was really designed as a low budget spin off for Ashdown. The tube growl out of the the ABM line just can't be matched with the MAG line. Also, if you can find one, I would go with the ABM EVOII. It doesn't have the on board compressor of the newer model, which to my ears wasn't worth putting in the amp. The Classis line is just a rediculously expensive dress up of the ABM and so not worth the price they are charging. I would be amazed if anyone could tell the difference between an ABM and a Classic in a blind taste test.
As far as the Mark King model, keep in mind that the MK will not have the tube growl of the ABM line, so if you want more of an SVT type sound, you won't get it from the MK.
As far as the Mark King model, keep in mind that the MK will not have the tube growl of the ABM line, so if you want more of an SVT type sound, you won't get it from the MK.
I have an MK500 head. It rips!! Mine is UK made. All of the new high end stuff will be US made.That's why the MK500 combo is amazing... 575Watts 2x10's
It blew me away!!!
MAG heads stink!
