Ashdown Drop Head DP200H

[twinfallsbass]

Got this amp from a fellow TB member. Not many of these around and I have to say that is a shame. To me, not only is it a useful piece of art, it sounds Sweeeeeeeeeet! Four 6550 tubes for a total of 200W, plenty of grunt for most gigs. The preamp as with most Ashdown tube amps is quirky to say the least, but spending enough time with it I was able to get a very clean but tubey tone, but cranking the gain will achieve a beautiful overdriven bass tone. I have had MANY tube amps over the years, but this amp has to be the most unique amp I have ever owned. It is NOT leaving my collection! Enjoy the pics and please feel free to post if you have/had this sweetness of an amp!

 

[foal30]

I haven't heard that model of Ashdown Valve but certainly looks cool.

My Ashdown Valve Amp is the CTM-300. I agree it's "easy to overdrive" with the Gain control.

 

[twinfallsbass]

View attachment 4375761 View attachment 4375759 I haven't heard that model of Ashdown Valve but certainly looks cool.

My Ashdown Valve Amp is the CTM-300. I agree it's "easy to overdrive" with the Gain control.

Thanks. Yours is a BEAST of an amp. I believe my preamp is based off the 427 BigBlock.

 

[foal30]

This guy @Wasnex

Is like the Valve Amp guru. I've asked him heaps of questions.
Top bloke.

 

[twinfallsbass]

Foal30, love the wood stained side of your Ashdown Comdo!

 

[foal30]

The EQ section is definitely not for everybody

But for me it's excellent. The CTM has it's own thing.

 

[foal30]

Foal30, love the wood stained side of your Ashdown Comdo!

Definitely Road worn that one. Played a heap of gigs with that since 1998. It's still going strong. Hasn't even needed cone replacement.

It was a great buy. Certainly "paid back" through gigging.

 

[Killing Floor]

That looks fantastic. Let me be the first to point out it's chrome.

 

[twinfallsbass]

That looks fantastic. Let me be the first to point out it's chrome.

Thanks. It will catch the stage lights like crazy.

 

[Wasnex]

T I believe my preamp is based off the 427 BigBlock.

That is what the Drophead 200 webpages says (they have the prototype listed for sale).

The 427 uses what was called the Dual Tube preamp. At first glance it looks a lot like the preamp in the CTM300. But component values are quite different, and the way it sounds and takes EQ is also quite different (I have a 427 and a CTM300). The 427 highs are brighter and the lows are more pillowy/woolly. The CTM300 is darker, the lows are tighter, and it has some extra mojo in the low mids. Also the CTM300 has a much higher gain preamp. If you use the input with less attenuation, it is practically impossible to get a clean sound out it. The 427 seems intended more for clean and creating a sense of massive heft.

I was not aware of the 200 version of the Drophead and my guess is this is a rare beast. I was aware of an LB30 Drophead. If I remember correctly it was way more expensive than the regular LB30 it was based on. AFAIK the LB30 preamp was also from the Dual Tube series, but it not exactly like the 427 preamp, or other amps in the Dual Tube series. When I asked for a schematic of the preamp in my 427, they sent me the Touring 550 schematics...and yes it was intentional. If you don't know, the LB30 and the later CTM30 are the exact same circuit...just different cosmetics.

For anyone who does not know what the 427 looks like. (this is not my amp)

I am sure you recognize several common styling cues with the DP-200.

Congrats on a cool amp!

 

[Git]

Got this amp from a fellow TB member. Not many of these around and I have to say that is a shame. To me, not only is it a useful piece of art, it sounds Sweeeeeeeeeet! Four 6550 tubes for a total of 200W, plenty of grunt for most gigs. The preamp as with most Ashdown tube amps is quirky to say the least, but spending enough time with it I was able to get a very clean but tubey tone, but cranking the gain will achieve a beautiful overdriven bass tone. I have had MANY tube amps over the years, but this amp has to be the most unique amp I have ever owned. It is NOT leaving my collection! Enjoy the pics and please feel free to post if you have/had this sweetness of an amp!
View attachment 4375619 View attachment 4375620 View attachment 4375623

That is pure porn. I want one.

 

[foal30]

That is pure porn. I want one.

Special Patrol Group!!
What a hilarious show the Young Ones was.

 

[murphy]

That is pure porn. I want one.

Special Patrol Group!!
What a hilarious show the Young Ones was.

oh yes...Brilliant!

 

[mrm56]

very cool amp, saw it when Qedanon listed it, (if the same amp), would loved to have heard it.

i use it's little brother in my home 'fun center'.

i dig the ashdown sound on it's own or with pre's run through the return, lotsa tubey goodness.

 

[twinfallsbass]

very cool amp, saw it when Qedanon listed it, (if the same amp), would loved to have heard it.

i use it's little brother in my home 'fun center'.

i dig the ashdown sound on it's own or with pre's run through the return, lotsa tubey goodness.

View attachment 4376106

Awesome! I to have a love for Ashdown products, there’s just something about them.

 

[BassToGoGo]

What a beautiful amp!

I love my Little Bastard.

 

[twinfallsbass]

Thanks! I stupidly got rid of the last two LB’s I had only to get that CTM30 Tweed. Third times a charm LOL

 

[MotorCityMinion]

That head with those cabs look so 50s. Got to get a 50s p-bass to lean up against that stack.

 

[twinfallsbass]

That head with those cabs look so 50s. Got to get a 50s p-bass to lean up against that stack.

Obviously not from the 50’s but….
Will this work?

 

[Kaa]

You ought to pop the lid off that and add to the "Amp Guts" thread!