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Let's talk about the Ashdown Little Bastard

#322
JIO said:
What is the year difference between Mk1 and Mk2?
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Sorry, I don't know the years of production. The LB30 schematic is dated 2010 and the earliest mention I can find is Dec 2009. My understanding is at some point there was legal action in regards to the name Little Bastard...probably some sort of cease and desist from the James Dean estate.

So the amp was given new graphics and remade as the CTM30. I believe Ashdown claimed it was exactly the same circuit, but I am not sure if this is 100% accurate as the CTM30 photos I have seen show an added power supply choke on top of the chassis. The original LB30 uses a pair of 1K 5W resistors rather than a choke.

AFAIK the LB30 Mk2 from the custom shop are sort of recreations. Basically Ashdown had a bunch of different parts left over from the original production run of various amps. So they made small batches of amps to use up those extra parts, and fabricated whatever was required to make them complete. In some instances I think they combined various assemblies from different models to make complete amps. I suspect with the LB30, the left over part was simply the chrome front panel. I believe this panel is identical between the Mk1 and Mk2, but the red plastic insert(s) that have the labels for the controls is obviously different. I believe the chassis is different as well. I am certain the main circuit boards and headcase are different. The UK Custom Shop circuit board is labeled Mk2. The Mk2 headcase is slightly smaller and is not vented.

The serial for my Mk2 ends in "-12-20," which I suspect is the month and year of assembly. AFAIK they listed these amps on their "Last Chance" page and then built them when one was ordered. So the Mk2s were available for awhile.
 
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#324
FronTowardEnemy said:
@JIO
To remove the chassis from the case, locate the four plastic plugs on the sides of the case and remove them.

A standard number two Phillips will get the 4 screws out and then you can slide the whole chassis out. Goes back the same way with a little wiggle.
Click to expand...

Thanks - that helps! :thumbsup:
 
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#325
Wasnex said:
Sorry, I don't know the years of production. The LB30 schematic is dated 2010 and the earliest mention I can find is Dec 2009. My understanding is at some point there was legal action in regards to the name Little Bastard...probably some sort of cease and desist from the James Dean estate.

So the amp was given new graphics and remade as the CTM30. I believe Ashdown claimed it was exactly the same circuit, but I am not sure if this is 100% accurate as the CTM30 photos I have seen show an added power supply choke on top of the chassis. The original LB30 uses a pair of 1K 5W resistors rather than a choke.

AFAIK the LB30 Mk2 from the custom shop are sort of recreations. Basically Ashdown had a bunch of different parts left over from the original production run of various amps. So they made small batches of amps to use up those extra parts, and fabricated whatever was required to make them complete. In some instances I think they combined various assemblies from different models to make complete amps. I suspect with the LB30, the left over part was simply the chrome front panel. I believe this panel is identical between the Mk1 and Mk2, but the red plastic insert(s) that have the labels for the controls is obviously different. I believe the chassis is different as well. I am certain the main circuit boards and headcase are different. The UK Custom Shop circuit board is labeled Mk2. The Mk2 headcase is slightly smaller and is not vented.

The serial for my Mk2 ends in "-12-20," which I suspect is the month and year of assembly. AFAIK they listed these amps on their "Last Chance" page and then built them when one was ordered. So the Mk2s were available for awhile.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing mine is from 2010. I took it to our rehearsal tonight and played it through my 4ohm Carvin 18" ported cab - our drummer was absent so our volume was lower, but it sounded sooo good. I dialed everything at 12:00 w/all switches on. (other than mute ;)) Warm, round, rich bass tone. Yummm! It was a brief introduction but so far I'm hooked! I anticipated it being my rehearsal-space amp a I think that will come to be. I'll know more next week when our drummers* are present.

* I play in two bands in the same space/same amp.
 
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#326
Mark Andrew said:
Searched the thread for DI and only got my own post as a hit . What are the experiences with the DI ? Curious on the opinions!
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I use the DI on my CTM-30 all the time - usually to the PA, have also tried it for recording. It works really great for both, capturing the sound of a slightly cranked tube amp. There's no speaker simulation on the DI, though, so it may want a little EQ shaping in the mix (especially on recordings).
 
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#327
Joris 55 said:
Just realized that the latest version of the Ashdown CTM-15 also has a built-in power soak, so that might be worth looking into.

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Thanks!:thumbsup: I probably have more tube amps than I need already but that one looks VERY cool for a home recording setup, and not nearly as expensive as the Little Bastard 2.N (which to be fair includes an IR-based cab/mic sim, if that's your thing).
 
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#328
So I've read posts on this thread what cabs LB30 owners use. I'm going to search for a 1x15 cab to couple it with for our rehearsal space. I currently have a 1x18 ported Carvin which I like but it's not ideal for the LB30. What would you recommend that would work well with this fine amp?
 
#330
JIO said:
Just received the LB30 - learned it is actually NOS, original tagger still attached. :woot: (I unraveled it instead of cutting it for prominence-sake ;)) It's been in a music store in Santa Cruz since new, of which the proprietor Dave was an Ashdown dealer.
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Assuming Dave Handloff. Good dude and very good bass player to boot.
He GAVE me an original set of '64-'65 t-bird pickup covers back in the day.

Congrats on the new b*stard!
 
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#331
rickdog said:
I use the DI on my CTM-30 all the time - usually to the PA, have also tried it for recording. It works really great for both, capturing the sound of a slightly cranked tube amp. There's no speaker simulation on the DI, though, so it may want a little EQ shaping in the mix (especially on recordings).
Click to expand...
This! A tiny bit of high- and low pass filter and you should be good to go. Don't expect it to be clean though ;)
 
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#333
I just pulled the trigger on this 4ohm/400watt EICH 1x15XS cab for the LB30. I wanted a vertical orientation cab and liked its retro vibe. (not a fan of heavy 1x15 cubes) I think it will be perfect for use in our rehearsal space.

upload_2023-10-20_23-20-40.jpeg
 
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#335
Dynacord said:
I'm liking 15s with mine as well.

View attachment 5225890
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Very cool.., but I would expect nothing less... ;) I'm pretty psyched about introducing my new rig (amp & cab) because when I break it down, I spend far more time/hrs playing/working in our rehearsal space than I do anywhere else! It's therefor logical that that's where you would want to experience tone heaven right? :) :bassist:
 
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#336
JIO said:
I just pulled the trigger on this 4ohm/400watt EICH 1x15XS cab for the LB30. I wanted a vertical orientation cab and liked its retro vibe. (not a fan of heavy 1x15 cubes) I think it will be perfect for use in our rehearsal space.

View attachment 5225884
Click to expand...
Very cool, I am running a LB30 through a TecAmp M210. It’s my favorite cab to run with it.
IMG_1828.jpeg
 
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#337
FronTowardEnemy said:
Very cool, I am running a LB30 through a TecAmp M210. It’s my favorite cab to run with it.
View attachment 5226323
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:thumbsup: Nice! I considered it but prefer a 1x15, so went with the EICH. :bassist:

update: a cool demo of the 115XS cab (cool lefty '68 J too!) I just saw this in the EICH copy about the amp - 115XS - The little adult. Hah! I'm going to match "the little adult" with "the little bastard"! I hope they can work things out!

 
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#338
Joris 55 said:
This! A tiny bit of high- and low pass filter and you should be good to go. Don't expect it to be clean though ;)
Click to expand...
I’ve actually found the CTM -30 to be much cleaner than I thought it would be from reading this thread. At the volume I will be using it for acoustic work it is completely clean. Haven’t opened it up more than half yet to see what volume the dirt begins …. No idea if I can use it for electric material also. But to be honest much more clean headroom than I thought! Using through these old trace cabs. larger cabs look a little silly to me and the really small stuff has too much overhang;) will get some photos next prac ….
 

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#340
thought someone might want to jump on this, before I get a wild hair and tick off the on another purchase.
Ashdown CTM30 Tube Bass Amp Head
Ashdown CTM112TW Bass Cabinet
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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