Ashdown CTM 100

[C-60 Bass]

2606479[/ATTACH]']

Just got this. I am seriously impressed so far! Way more grunt than I expected from a 100w all tube head. Its not a totally clean sound but with gain and master vol at about noon through my ABM 610 its a great rock tone. Surprisingly easy to move around due to the 2 top mounted leather handles too.

Going to use this with the full band tomorrow.....

 

[B-line]

Congrats, as posted, I got mine too! You know, with the great number of 3-5 lb. excellent amps today, Kudos for Ashdown for still building tube ( valve) heads like this and the monstrous CTM 300.
I have more than a few of the SMPS amps, I couldn't be happier with.
Bit there will ALWAYS be something unique to the sound of all-tubes.

 

[rodl2005]

Nice. Congrats.
What's the 1-2 tube selector switch do? Half power?

 

[Guidobass]

Ugh....I'm debating on whether to pull the trigger on this. I need a little more clean room

 

[B-line]

Nice. Congrats.
What's the 1-2 tube selector switch do? Half power?

Actually used for biasing Tubes 1 & 2 when the VU meter is set to "Bias" position.

 

[B-line]

Ugh....I'm debating on whether to pull the trigger on this. I need a little more clean room

I think it defaults pretty clean, actually; or it can be eq'd for that. IME, by using more Master than Gain.
Also, the MID push-in switch cleans it up I find.
Take what I say with a grain o'salt, it may not be your thang, IDK.

But I am loving mine and the matching 15 Ashdown Cab!!!

 

[Guidobass]

Well I love the Ashdown sound but have never owned one just borrowed them every once in a while

 

[rodl2005]

Actually used for biasing Tubes 1 & 2 when the VU meter is set to "Bias" position.

Cool feature. I had a LB30 a while back. Loved it's tone just didn't have enough herbs for my live work.
Would've loved to have kept it for quiet times

 

[B-line]

Yes, the ability to bias tubes yourself is a good feature, although I myself would not go into the guts, even with an insulated jeweler's screwdriver!
Haven't needed to do an adjustment in about 3 years of ownership.
The LB= cool unit, especially liked the UK-built models. Great head for the studio.

 

[Teleben91]

You have the same rig as me, it's a monster. I've been through lots of amps, but the CTM is a keeper!

 

[boristhespider7]

Anyone compared the CTM100 to the Ampeg V4b?...am considering getting one of them

 

[Jwood]

I've been gigging a ri v4b for a few years now and love it, but I've always been interested in trying an all valve ashdown. I've been digging Micheal Rhodes tone on his recent work with Joe B.

 

[C-60 Bass]

Used this with the band at a full volume rehearsal - quite a loud drummer, 2 guitarists with Vox AC30's and a Hammond. Using the ABM610 and both gain and master just shy of 12 o'clock, mid shift in, I had a breaking up just nicely tone. Due to the tube compression, it initially felt a bit quieter than I expected and I soon fount that i was too loud - the air being moved by the 610 was phenomenal, nothing like i expected from 100w. I can't see me needing to be louder than this, even on a large stage/venue.

The EQ is quite subtle but the basic tone simply punches its way through. Using a Precision and roundwounds, the head responded well to right hand dynamics. I use a pick on a few songs, some passages are pick/palm mute and this shook the room if I wasn't careful. Thoroughly recommended!

 

[B-line]

I get a nice "compact" PUSH through my well-matched Ashdown NEO-15 so I'll bet there is some serious thunder with a 6x10.

I can't compare the new or old V4, but I did have a SLM V4BH that I also paired with a 15- (Ampeg SVT-15E)

The Ashdown is louder, grittier, and has a much wider range of EQ. The V4BH, which I really liked, had a distinct Ampeg sound; same pre-amp tube signal path as an SVT, so...

It's mainly, to my ears, the difference between KT88's and 6L6GC's in the older V4BH, not sure what's indsde the RI V4- That amp gets a lot of luv here.

I think that the UK-made CTM'S,100/300, are modern day classics, and Mark at Ashdown is a very good fellow-
Had some E-mail exchanges w/him; way cool!

 

[rodl2005]

The RI V4B uses 4 x 6L6 toobs. What does the CTM100 have? 2 x KT88'S?

 

[B-line]

The RI V4B uses 4 x 6L6 toobs. What does the CTM100 have? 2 x KT88'S?

Yowsuh!

Pre-Amp Tubes 2 x Ecc83/12ax7 2 x Ecc82/12au7 1 x Ecc99 Output Tubes 2 x KT88

The RI V4 uses 6l6's? Hmmm- Wonder if it's much the same as the V4BH, 'cept made elsewhere than the old SLM Factory??

 

[rodl2005]

Apparently not. More like the ol 70s V4B than the 90's V4BH so I'm told. I've owned both and I'm very much more pleased with this RI V4B than I was with the BH. Although, the BH was/is a nice amp in its own right. Plus the V4B's able to do a 2 ohm load. .. iirc, the BH was only 8 & 4 ohm stable