Ashdown filter and drive effects information please

[DavidMP]

My birthday is coming up so I might indulge and buy an effect or two. I have an Ashdown compressor that I like a lot (even though I see some vitriolic coments about it around here) and has worked very well for me (maybe because I'm in the subtle side of the spectrum). I am thinking of getting the drive plus or the filter from Ashdown and would like some feedback on them (google finds precious little in terms of reviews). Can anybody comment on them? Apparently there was a review of them in a UK bass magazine but I can't get my hands on it.

Thanks

PS Before this goes the "go and try it" route. No stores over here carry them

 

[crapusername]

try this link.
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it gets you to the back issues page of their website. it's normally possible to order back copies from them direct.
as i recall, it gave the pedals good reviews except for the filter, which the reviewer loved, and went out and bought!!

 

[Nils]

Check out this and this. Both are reviews from Harmony-central.

 

[Higgie]

I tried the filter on a passive Jazz a little while ago..It was lovely. I've just received the Drive Plus, Sub Octave Plus, Dual Band Compressor and Filter Plus from my Bass Teacher to try them out. So I'll see what they're like later today or something.

Cheers

 

[judas jedermann]

I tried Drive plus today and I really liked it. Lots of fat and warm overdrive and I would definitely want to A/B it with my Fulltone. Nice really nice.

 

[zetombass]

So Higgie, What about these ashdown effects ? Are they good ? Do you have a passive or an active bass ?

 

[Higgie]

Oh yeah sorry. Well, they are from the first batch, that were not compatible with active basses, and unfortunately I do not have any passive basses, so I can't really base a review from that. But the filter is great, from when I tried it with one of my teacher's jazzes.

 

[crapusername]

hey Higgie, how does it compare with the micro Qtron, EBS Bassiq?

 

[Higgie]

Never tried the EBS BassIQ, and I haven't tried the Micro Q-Tron, though I have tried the Original big Q-Tron. The Q-Tron is really quacky, and although it's nice, I much prefer a warmer bubbley sweep which the Ashdown definitely possesses.

 

[crapusername]

cheers dude!

 

[Higgie]

No problem!

 

[bassman1185]

Oh yeah sorry. Well, they are from the first batch, that were not compatible with active basses, and unfortunately I do not have any passive basses, so I can't really base a review from that. But the filter is great, from when I tried it with one of my teacher's jazzes.

How is the unit not compatible with active basses? Does it just clip too easily?

 

[sloppysubs]

I tried the Drive Plus with an active bass. I do't know what run it was, but it was fine.

That said, this pedal is way versatile. I mean it gets all sorts of OD sounds not to mention some tamer sounding distortions. If I didn't already have the greatest OD ever made (HBE Hematoma ) Then I'd buy it.

 

[Higgie]

How is the unit not compatible with active basses? Does it just clip too easily?

Yeah, you can still hear the effect, but there is just a load of distortion plastered on top from the clipping. Not the pleasant kind of distortion either. I'd definitely be interested in finding an "Active Friendly" unit, as it sounded soo great on the passive.

 

[bassman1185]

Yeah, you can still hear the effect, but there is just a load of distortion plastered on top from the clipping. Not the pleasant kind of distortion either. I'd definitely be interested in finding an "Active Friendly" unit, as it sounded soo great on the passive.

Was it actually because of the active electronics or because of the increased output? I've heard of certain effects (such as the EHX Bassballs) that just don't sound good with active pickups for whatever reason. The impedance difference could probably account for a lot.

 

[Higgie]

I'm not sure to be honest.