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Ashdown vs Aguilar

#2
I own them both. Completely different animals. Both sound great. I can get an awesome old school tone out of the Ashdown and love it. It's also capable of a good modern tone. BUT. Then I plug my DB-750 into the same cabinets and wow. Really agressive and wooly. The thing roars. It almost makes it worth having to lug around 50lbs. of amp. It also really doesn't do modern as well. Needs a lot of tweaking, much more suited for vintage. Always get compliments on my tone no matter which one I'm using. I'm sure this didn't help at all.:D You really need to try them both (easier said than done!). You can't go wrong either way. Good luck.
 
#4
I've also owned both. The Ashdown has more features with the shape, subharmonizer, tube blend and switchable EQ. The Aguilar has fewer features; 3-band tone controls and deep and bright switches. That being said, I think the Aguilar has a better "presence" to its sound and is the more transparent of the two. The "wooliness" can be tamed by rolling the gain back to 11:00 and you wind up with a real smooth-sounding amp. I prefer the Aguilar sonically, although the Ashdown is considerably lower-priced.
 
#5
I own the Ashdown and I'd have to say pick the Aggie. In terms of sonic issues, the Ashdown sounds extremely nice, but isn't very well defined. The Aggie is the opposite and is more of a modern amp and has a lot more uses in todays music.

The Aggie also has a lot simpler controls, which is a plus for me.

I've been gassing for an Aggie but I'm saving up for a CA9 for my bass.
 
#6
The DB750 can be noticebly 'nicer' if you put a different tube in the V-1 Gain socket. I made my DB750's tone really tighten up and punch no matter were the Gain knob is by intalling a NOS Telefunken Black Smooth Plate. Expensive yes but really nice. I thought the stock Sovtek tube made it sound blurry and kinda tubby. Great amp with the right cab.
 
#7
I have an early ABM500 and think it is a great rock amp. I overdrive the tube pre quite a bit and then mix that in about 40% with the SS pre. Great lively sound with plenty of personality. Not as quick as a lot of modern amps out there, but it really takes up space in the mix very well.
 

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