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Ashdown lovers/users...

#41
I cant believe I put up a post asking if anyone had an MK 500 and knowbody could give me an answer. Then low and behold there is actually somebody on this forum does have one!!

I got mine a week ago after my MAG300H decided to send out smoke signals and stop working!!

So my MK500...Havent had too much time to fiddle with it. But I have mirror what you said about it.
It is quite awesome!!! I love it!!!
I am running it through 2 MAG410T cabs and its a beauty. I use barely any EQ as well since my MTD has a nice Bartolini preamp.

MAG300- I dont know, I was really frustrated with it. I returned the first one becuase it was really thin sounding, distorted and just didnt seem right. Got a replacement dialed it in, much better. Nice warm tones, great slap tone, Sub BS was a joke, didnt do much. Then it started smoking and gave no more output.
Decided to shovel some more $$ and get the MK500.


coldtrain said:
MK500 w/ 2 GS112s.

Pros: loads of power, great tone and dynamics, mute, pre/post EQ D.I., low imp. input. I don't even really use the EQ at all, just the eq on my bass. Harmonic emphasis is cool, but more for just fooling around with.

Cons: a bit on the heavy side (I'm used to a WT-300), and the knobs aren't very tight so it's easy for them to get moved inadvertently.

With the aggie cabs, it's plenty loud and warm for all solid-state.
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#42
I Have an early klystron combo from 2000 I think and I'm very happy of it, even though it lacks a 15 speaker!!! , powerwise this thing rocks, the tube grind is great , my only complaint is that I'ts a bit noisy, but remember it is already 5 years old, I'm going to bring it to the amp tech, and eventually have a new tube in it,

Ashdown kicks some serious ass
 
#44
Figjam said:
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Fig - That's almost my exact setup (I have the 212 Neo instead). Do you place the cab directly on the stage, or do you boost it up on top of a case so you can hear it better? My band mates tell me they think there's more bottom if the cab sits on the stage, but if it does, the main sound goes right at the backs of my knees instead of where I can really hear it.
 
#45
because of what I have been reading here [and I'm open to buying a second amp.] i went on the web to find reviews. lets just say some people are infuriated with quality of certain ashdowns. dunno if its just one of the lines/brands [blue?] or what.

anyway, if any of you have had quality bummers, speak up and lets get the fact on table.

Secondly: have any of you compared side-by-side with comparable Eden Equipment? results?
thanks
Zapp
 
#46
I've been intersted in trying out an Ashdown head for some time. The two options which appeal to me the most are either of the EVOII heads (500 or 900) and either of the Ashdown Labs heads (MK 500 and AD 600). In general, the Ashdown Labs heads look like the top of the heap, but I like the valve preamp of the EVO's. Has anyone compared these two lines? Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated. And has anyone A/B'd the AD600 and MK500? They seem pretty much identical except for color...

Tom.
 
#47
tombowlus said:
I've been intersted in trying out an Ashdown head for some time. The two options which appeal to me the most are either of the EVOII heads (500 or 900) and either of the Ashdown Labs heads (MK 500 and AD 600). In general, the Ashdown Labs heads look like the top of the heap, but I like the valve preamp of the EVO's. Has anyone compared these two lines? Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated. And has anyone A/B'd the AD600 and MK500? They seem pretty much identical except for color...

Tom.
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i sent an e-mail to them about the ashdown labs amps. and martin (?) said that, at least for the preamp, they havent been put into production yet. so maybe other than the mk500 they havent started production on the rest either. far as im concerned the MK500 is the same as the AD600 without the name. the pre being an exact copy minus the power section. in any case, ive been wondering how they stack up with each other as well.
 
#48
Zapp said:
because of what I have been reading here [and I'm open to buying a second amp.] i went on the web to find reviews. lets just say some people are infuriated with quality of certain ashdowns. dunno if its just one of the lines/brands [blue?] or what.

anyway, if any of you have had quality bummers, speak up and lets get the fact on table.

Secondly: have any of you compared side-by-side with comparable Eden Equipment? results?
thanks
Zapp
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There was definately a peroid of time when Ashdown was having some major problems with their ABM amps. I've been seeing the reviews being consistently positive though since the EVOII amps have come out. My EVO500II is incredible in every way. Very warm but clear. It's not super strong in the high end but that's part of what I like about it. It sounds like a bass amp! I think that the newer series is supposed to be amp opposite of the EVO series. The MK500 is modeled to be more towards the late 80's/early 90's "slap" sound, hence Mark King's involvement. It's much more present in the highs.

As for comparing the Ashdown amps to Eden, completely different. The Eden is more clear with a stronger high end, a low mid emphasis and a very different color. They're geared toward completely different players.
 
#49
The summer tour has just ended and I did it all with my MAG300R head and 210T cab.

That couple of things handled it all with no problems, and I always got compliments about my tone (played this summer with an MM SUB 5).

Just a tiny issue : the VU bulb has blown. The VU still works but there is no more light. Nothing very important, and with their great and reknown kindness the Ashdown guys are sending me a new bulb for free.

So now, what's next ? Going to upgrade to a MAG600R and a MAG410T cab (they are currently on order). Just because I'm after a bit more power behind me while I'm on stage, and even on rehearsals. But the MAG300R + 210T remains a great setup, quite unbeatable at this price, and I'll keep it even though I am upgrading. It will be useful for the smallest venues, as well as a backup.

Hope this helps,
Jay
 
#50
emjazz: thanks so much first for your postscript about the redcross. time to pull together.

Aannnnnd.... for the synopsis. sounds to me like the Ashdown folks figured out they had an issue and jumped on it, and continued to work on customer service. EVERY electronics outfit has their day of trouble: I consider it normal [i made my living in high tech computer engineering groups]. The diff is in the ones that have the mechanism to catch and root-cause and correct. that's the part i'm looking for.

With my humble American Cruise 2-tek/emg slab, I had an Eden WT-400 signature, and with the Avatar cab I was sorta impressed but always hunting for something I never found. it would get loud, and cutty, but ..... dunno. sold it. I know this sounds like idiocy but I liked the sound of my SWR old early 90's wm 12..... call me a weenie. but I'm still looking for something compact that produces magic. tried a hartke stereo head with cabs etc but again, just kept going back to the warm/punch of the humble cheapo WM 12... occasionally with extension and front-end manipulation.

sounds like one of the ashdown smallish pro/am combo's may be worth the try

QUESTION FOR EXPERT SHOPPERS: i've been through the local ashdown dealer listings [Austin tx] and a few.,not many onliners.... don't see full lineup. if anyone knows of an online www. source for the good stuff pls post.

zapp
 
#53
rd1oo3 said:
This place in Boston has a pretty good selection. I think alot of "ashdown dealers" have 1 or 2 amps and anything else is a special order. Here's a link to the store in Boston: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
good luck,
RD
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You can't go by their website most of the time for what they really have in stock. Also, not the friendliest place I've ever been to. They have that reputation here.
 
#54
Have the MAG 300H. Love it. Have the MAG 410T. Love it.

Out of curiousity (and i had the extra cash) bought a MAG 115T. Thought it would be a good compliment to the 410T, but after putting them together, I found it's really just overkill.

I was very surprised how much I love the 115T on its own, it's really serving me well in most club situations - I like it so much I'm considering selling the 410T to fund a 404 (1x15) cab for my old acoustic 470 head (nice to have options).

The only thing I don't like about the 115T as a standalone cab - it's too dang short! Gotta sit indian style on the stage to dial in my sounds. haha.

Note about the MAG 300 bright/deep switches. On the 115T, the Bright switch brings the rig to life. On the 410T, it's just not necessary, but the deep switch adds real depth.

Fun thread y'all.
 
#55
re: MAG 300... brings up a good enuff question: is the MAG series really "sub-Professional" or is it just a matter of the airspace you're trying to fill?
What is the diff between MAG and EVO II? I can read the marketing spec, but 'under the hood' ?????

z
 
#56
I have a Mag300H
It's good, loud. I don't really need anymore features thatn what it has.
Basses026.jpg
 
#57
Zapp said:
re: MAG 300... brings up a good enuff question: is the MAG series really "sub-Professional" or is it just a matter of the airspace you're trying to fill?
What is the diff between MAG and EVO II? I can read the marketing spec, but 'under the hood' ?????

z
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I believe the MAG series are all solid state, and all versions of the ABM series (EVO, EVOII etc.) have tube preamps.
RD
 
#59
Funkzfly said:
There's no valves in ABM gear whatsoever.
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With all due respect, I believe you are mistaken. On their webpage describing the ABM 500 EVO II, Ashdown states:

A single input is switchable for passive and active instruments with a blend of solid state and dual triode tube preamps stages which can be preset and selected by footswitch, providing access to a massive range of clean, warm and overdriven tones.
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#60
I have an Ashdown MAG300H.

9-8-05-Fullsetup3.jpg


Great amp, especially for the price. I don't really have any complaints that haven't been brought up (power switch on the back, etc.)

And about the sub harmonic thing: I can notice mine. It could've been a pretty neat effect, if there was a footswitch or something.

Either way, I love my Ashdown.
 

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