Ashdown woes

[Michael Simpson]

Hello all
Recently I decided to find a newer, smaller replacement for my aging Trace Elliot half stack. I settled on an Ashdown ABM500-c210h-evoiii, as it was perfect for my usage, I got a killer deal on it second hand and I've always liked the whole ashdown/trace Elliot thing going on. So I finally received the amp today after buying it shortly after christmas, to find that there are several issues with it.

The main issue is that the amp will power on, but no sound is produced at all. The VU meter doesn't register any movement in any of my basses, it's almost like it's not drawing any input at all. The tweeter is also broken, but that I can fix.

Any suggestions on which route to go down? I've messaged the guy on eBay to give him a chance to remedy the situation as it was all sorted on there through paypal. I'd rather not raise a dispute if I don't need to, but if he doesn't respond that may well happen. I've also been in contact with the guys from Ashdown tech services (who I've heard nothing but good things about) and they suggested sending just the Amp and chassis down to them for diagnostics and repair if possible. I have a feeling this will be expensive.

 

[abarson]

You were sold a non-working amp. Were you aware of any issues before you closed the deal? If not, don't let this seller off the hook!!! He has your money and sent you a pile of garbage. Why would you not take umbrage?

 

[Michael Simpson]

You were sold a non-working amp. Were you aware of any issues before you closed the deal? If not, don't let this seller off the hook!!! He has your money and sent you a pile of garbage. Why would you not take umbrage?

Well I really can't see this happening during carriage. I've used the same courier for about 7 years now and have never had any issue with them, so the only option is that it was defective before he sold it to me. Don't get me wrong, I am royally p***ed off about the whole thing, but I've given him the opportunity to correct the situation himself before I escalate it to a PayPal dispute. The only thing that's worrying me is how much it's going to cost to be repaired, I mean everything else works so it could be as simple as a dodgy input jack, but with the amount of circuitry in there it will probably definitely end up being a lot more than that. Nope, I was sold the amp as fully working, all perfect other than a couple of tolex scuffs in one or 2 places.

 

[D-Smith]

Any suggestions on which route to go down?

Try messaging the guy on eBay to give him a chance to remedy the situation since. It's easier if you don't have to raise a dispute if I don't need to, but if he doesn't respond that may well have to happen. Also, you might want o get in contact with the guys from Ashdown tech services (who I've heard nothing but good things about). They may suggest sending just the Amp and chassis down to them for diagnostics and repair if possible. Hopefully that won't end up being expensive.

Hope that helps!


Seriously though, sounds like you have things well in hand, not much else you can do.

 

[abarson]

Plug an MP3 player into the FX Return on the back of your amp. If sound comes out you've at least localized the problem to the instrument preamp section. Repeat for the Line Input to further segregate the signal path.
In either case if nothing comes out, there may be bigger issues lurking.

 

[Michael Simpson]

Okay folks, update time.
After finishing nightshift, I got up today and took the amp to the post office. It's now on it's way back to Ashdown for repair work. Here's hoping the work isn't extortionately expensive! At least they should also be able to tell me If it was damaged as a result of poor handling, or if it was fried before I even bought it and the guy was being untruthful.

Seller has also agreed to cover repair costs. This is a big relief, as after repairs at Ashdown it should last a lifetime.

On a lighter, more positive note on my day off today, I got stuck in with the screwdrivers, and removed the old Trace AH200 from it's cover and relieved it of its rackmount ears. It fits like a glove inside the Ashdown enclosure! So I now have a half Trace Elliot/half Ashdown combo. I give to you, the "TraceAshElliotDown AHABM200GP12-C210H-EVO III-Series6 15th anniversary". Try saying that to your mates down the local after a few pints of Special!

Also, please don't hate me for this sacrilegious Frankenstein's monster type affair. I just got curious! And plus, Trace Elliot and Ashdown are (mostly) the brainchildren of the same people. Perfect justification right there!

 

[Mr. Foxen]

Ashdown was formed by former trace people, so shared lineage.

 

[John Swartz]

A "Trashdown"!

 

[Michael Simpson]

A "Trashdown"!

The question is, what has a better ring? "Trashdown" or "Disgrace Elliot"

 

[Microbass]

Okay , update time.
After finishing nightshift, I got up today and took the amp to the post office. It's now on it's way back to Ashdown for repair work. Here's hoping the work isn't extortionately expensive! At least they should also be able to tell me If it was damaged as a result of poor handling, or if it Also, please don't hate me for this sacrilegious Frankenstein's monster type affair. I just got curious! And plus, Trace Elliot and Ashdown are (mostly) the brainchildren of the same people. Perfect justification right there!

 

[Clark W]

Hello all
Recently I decided to find a newer, smaller replacement for my aging Trace Elliot half stack. I settled on an Ashdown ABM500-c210h-evoiii, as it was perfect for my usage, I got a killer deal on it second hand and I've always liked the whole ashdown/trace Elliot thing going on. So I finally received the amp today after buying it shortly after christmas, to find that there are several issues with it.

The main issue is that the amp will power on, but no sound is produced at all. The VU meter doesn't register any movement in any of my basses, it's almost like it's not drawing any input at all. The tweeter is also broken, but that I can fix.

Any suggestions on which route to go down? I've messaged the guy on eBay to give him a chance to remedy the situation as it was all sorted on there through paypal. I'd rather not raise a dispute if I don't need to, but if he doesn't respond that may well happen. I've also been in contact with the guys from Ashdown tech services (who I've heard nothing but good things about) and they suggested sending just the Amp and chassis down to them for diagnostics and repair if possible. I have a feeling this will be expensive.

So what was the final outcome?
What did the guys at Ashdown have to say about the rig?
What did it take to fix it?

 

[Spector2112]

The question is, what has a better ring? "Trashdown" or "Disgrace Elliot"

Elliot Ashdown GPC210-12

 

[Michael Simpson]

So what was the final outcome?
What did the guys at Ashdown have to say about the rig?
What did it take to fix it?

The simple answer is, I don't know They've had the amp, and they fixed it but I haven't the foggiest what wizardry they did to it. I do know that the repair, postage and a new tweeter was only £27 (about $35 if I'm not mistaken) so all is well! It sounds great now, and as a bonus I found out that it's very limited edition. Only 25 of the 2x10 15th anniversary combos worldwide apparently! Also handmade in the UK custom shop, so a bit of a plus. I genuinely couldn't say if I preferred the Ashdown over the Trace, I don't think I'd get rid of the Trace simply because I have the Ashdown now but I'm very very happy with it and it's suiting my needs very well.

 

[Michael Simpson]

Elliot Ashdown GPC210-12

A bit late unfortunately! They're now back in their original enclosures and ready to rumble. Although I am on the lookout for another Ashdown 2x10 combo (with a faulty head hopefully to keep the costs down) with the same speakers, with a plan to use it as a modular rig so I can just slide the Trace head in and use it as a combo, as the sound was utterly fantastic. The Ashdown sounds great, the Trace sounds great, BUT I feel that the Ashdown speakers with that tweeter suited the Trace perfectly.

 

[Clark W]

The simple answer is, I don't know They've had the amp, and they fixed it but I haven't the foggiest what wizardry they did to it. I do know that the repair, postage and a new tweeter was only £27 (about $35 if I'm not mistaken) so all is well! It sounds great now, and as a bonus I found out that it's very limited edition. Only 25 of the 2x10 15th anniversary combos worldwide apparently! Also handmade in the UK custom shop, so a bit of a plus. I genuinely couldn't say if I preferred the Ashdown over the Trace, I don't think I'd get rid of the Trace simply because I have the Ashdown now but I'm very very happy with it and it's suiting my needs very well.

That's great to hear.
I've been looking at the Ashdown ABM-600-EVO IV head and their "Blue Line" speakers.
Ashdown ABM 410H
Ashdown ABM 210HC EVO IV
Ashdown ABM-115H EVO IV

I love my GK MB 210II combo, but not entirely sold on GK for "building" a stack.
Been looking around TB to see what people think of Ashdown, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of Ashdown users around here.

 

[Skybone]

A bit late unfortunately! They're now back in their original enclosures and ready to rumble. Although I am on the lookout for another Ashdown 2x10 combo (with a faulty head hopefully to keep the costs down) with the same speakers, with a plan to use it as a modular rig so I can just slide the Trace head in and use it as a combo, as the sound was utterly fantastic. The Ashdown sounds great, the Trace sounds great, BUT I feel that the Ashdown speakers with that tweeter suited the Trace perfectly.

Have a look at Musik Produktiv, they're doing an Ashdown 210T for £157: Invalid Link Removed

And the 410T for £187: Invalid Link Removed

They're basically the same Chinese built amps & cabs that Thomann use for their "Toneman" range, which are based on the older MAG Evo III range.

 

[Michael Simpson]

That's great to hear.
I've been looking at the Ashdown ABM-600-EVO IV head and their "Blue Line" speakers.
Ashdown ABM 410H
Ashdown ABM 210HC EVO IV
Ashdown ABM-115H EVO IV

I love my GK MB 210II combo, but not entirely sold on GK for "building" a stack.
Been looking around TB to see what people think of Ashdown, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of Ashdown users around here.

I've heard good things about the new Evo 4's! They're coming down in price slowly now too which is a plus. I did originally look at the EVO4, but decided on the EVO3 as it was a lot cheaper, a UK made model and I wanted less faffing with sliders than the Trace which I got with the 3. I Can't speak for the whole of TB, but I honestly do wholeheartedly recommend Ashdown. Fairly affordable, lighter than you'd maybe think and they seem to sound great for most applications.

Also for what it's worth, I've done the whole GK thing before too albeit with Mesa cabinets. A GK 800RB with 2x Mesa Boogie Diesel cabinets, a 2x10 and a 1x15. I ended up selling the head and the 2x10 to pay for an ABM 500 Evo3 head. Didn't like the pairing with a 1x15 so I got rid, bought a Trace Elliot rig which I still own and recently the Ashdown combo, which I rate very highly against the GK. Hope that helps!