Ashdown Retroglide 800 Bass Amp

[ExGinger]

According to the Sweetwater site, they're in stock! The whole concept of this amp is perfect for me: Small. Simple. Powerful. Good company, too.

 

[NeonVomit]

So anyone got any experience with these? I'm in the market for a high-quality class D head, and the fact it's built in the UK shop is always encouraging. I kind of like this minimalist approach (just input gain, eq, and output gain) as I often use effects (I use my amps for clean sound, I get my drive/distortion from whatever pedals I'm using).

 

[Doner Designs]

I ordered one today. Should be available in July. Anyone else awaiting the arrival of this amp?

So, what do you think of it?

Is it flat when the sliders are at noon, or is there a baked-in tone?

Is the DI pre or post EQ (I don't see a switch).

I like the EQ points for the bass side. The Whirlwind Bass 10 (probably the best graphic pedal on the market) starts with 20, 40, 80, 160 hz. I think the Ashdown goes 30, 40, 60, 100, 180 which seems more on target to me.

I sneered at this the first time I saw it years ago, but it does make a lot of sense for someone who likes a lot of control over EQ. I wonder how good the preamp is otherwise. I assume the power section is the same class D module everyone else uses.

 

[Mark Sacchetti]

I ended up buying the Vanderkley Aurora instead . So I have no experience with this amp.

 

[Doner Designs]

I have one on the way to go with a Berg HG310. Will post again after I have some pics and impressions.

Not a very popular amp, but I love the concept. I have not found a single amp that has tone controls set up the way I would do it though the handful of makers who offer a 4 band parametric come close.

 

[Rickter]

I have one on the way to go with a Berg HG310. Will post again after I have some pics and impressions.

Not a very popular amp, but I love the concept. I have not found a single amp that has tone controls set up the way I would do it though the handful of makers who offer a 4 band parametric come close.

I look forward to hearing your impressions of this amp. It seems like a solid concept and a simple application. None of the local stores keep Ashdown in stock, they only show up as used pieces. I'm hesitant to consider ordering something sight unseen, or unheard, as the case may be.

 

[Doner Designs]

I look forward to hearing your impressions of this amp. It seems like a solid concept and a simple application. None of the local stores keep Ashdown in stock, they only show up as used pieces. I'm hesitant to consider ordering something sight unseen, or unheard, as the case may be.

I have high hopes. It's considered a "custom shop" tier product by Ashdown...pretty sure it's made in England. We shall see.

 

[Doner Designs]

Out of the box, I'm thinking about returning it over fan noise, but am wondering if this is going to be about the same with other 800 watt class d heads.

The fan on my Markbass LMIII is not as loud, but that could be partly because it's inside a combo amp.

It was a demo unit and is a little scratched up so that's a bit of a disappointment but not a knock against the amp. I'm kinda OCD fussy about that stuff, which is why I never buy used.

I'll comment further after more playing time if I don't send it back.

 

[howlin]

I'll comment further after more playing time if I don't send it back.

And...?

 

[Doner Designs]

And...?

I love the concept but only had it a few days before returning it because the fan was ridiculously loud.

It's possible the have taken care of that issue by now.