Let's talk about the Ashdown Little Bastard

[Dynacord]

That Dynacord Bassking is awesome.
I used to play through a friend's back in the 80's. I wish I had bought it from him.
It had a DIN plug for speak output though. Did you add a 1/4" or speakon or something else to make it more universal?

Yes, great sounding amp - and very comparable in terms of weight and size to the Little Stubby. I think it's actually louder, too - though the Stubby has far more flexible EQ, etc. Also really cool that it has switchable worldwide voltage. Yes, switched all the DIN jacks (and the speaker out banana jacks - don't know the correct name) to 1/4". Like the Stubby, it can be either 4 or 8 Ohm outs.

 

[Wasnex]

Interesting, I thought the CTM-30/"Little Stubby" were the same but I just looked it up and they are two different amps (though mine does say "CTM 30 Little Stubby" on the faceplate...) Agree, the feedback control really is special.

The CTM30 is the same amp as the LB30. The CTM30 Little Stubby is an evolution of the design.

 

[gscroggin]

Yeah, it really shines in the studio. I really like it a 12" cab and an RE-20. What did you use to record it?

Oh man, I've tried a bunch. I've been fortunate to have a variety of mics and pre's over the years. IIRC the last time I recorded with the LB-30, I probably ended up using tracks with an EV RE20, EV N/D868, or Heil PR40, probably through a Shadow Hills Mono GAMA, Audient Mico, or Golden Age Project PRE-73. I probably tried a few condensers at a distance too. IIRC I used an Ashdown VS-112 or Aguilar DB112. I likely also blended them with DI tracks.

 

[Joris 55]

Oh man, I've tried a bunch. I've been fortunate to have a variety of mics and pre's over the years. IIRC the last time I recorded with the LB-30, I probably ended up using tracks with an EV RE20, EV N/D868, or Heil PR40, probably through a Shadow Hills Mono GAMA, Audient Mico, or Golden Age Project PRE-73. I probably tried a few condensers at a distance too. IIRC I used an Ashdown VS-112 or Aguilar DB112. I likely also blended them with DI tracks.

I really like it with an EV RE20, although that Heil gets lots of love around here as well. And 12's seem to work best when recording alright.

 

[rodl2005]

Sound was great on the lb30 I had. If it hadn't of run outta steam, I'd still have it.

Use a V4B now, which, too, runs outta steam in my bands. So I mostly use an AD200B or Super Bassman.

Loved the li'l B tho

 

[Joris 55]

Sound was great on the lb30 I had. If it hadn't of run outta steam, I'd still have it.

Use a V4B now, which, too, runs outta steam in my bands. So I mostly use an AD200B or Super Bassman.

Loved the li'l B tho

Your band must be LOUD if you need that much power! My V4-BH and Bassman 100T never seem to run out of headroom. What cabs are you using them with?

 

[rodl2005]

Your band must be LOUD if you need that much power! My V4-BH and Bassman 100T never seem to run out of headroom. What cabs are you using them with?

Well that's the thing if yr talking about volume... cabs.

I try to take what is needed.
I COULD use my V4B if I took an 810, but we're a 7 or 8 piece band, and that creates a lotta volume, what with horns n all.. .
Even in my pub rock band, which is 6 piece, we ain't that loud, but I like a CLEAN tube sound, so the V4B will flub out. A few weeks ago I used my Fender Super Bassman, 300w, into just a one 115, and even it wasn't enough... so it's a balance between wattage and cabs.
I'd rather have enough wattage to have enough clean power without taking a HUGE cab.
But, that's me and my situation.

 

[Joris 55]

Well that's the thing if yr talking about volume... cabs.

I try to take what is needed.
I COULD use my V4B if I took an 810, but we're a 7 or 8 piece band, and that creates a lotta volume, what with horns n all.. .
Even in my pub rock band, which is 6 piece, we ain't that loud, but I like a CLEAN tube sound, so the V4B will flub out. A few weeks ago I used my Fender Super Bassman, 300w, into just a one 115, and even it wasn't enough... so it's a balance between wattage and cabs.
I'd rather have enough wattage to have enough clean power without taking a HUGE cab.
But, that's me and my situation.

If you really have to carry the room - just using your tube amp - it definitely makes sense, but I've never been in that situation. The V4 and a 410 are complete overkill for my needs, so what do I know?

Any chance you ever hooked up the Little Bastard to that 810?

 

[rodl2005]

If you really have to carry the room - just using your tube amp - it definitely makes sense, but I've never been in that situation. The V4 and a 410 are complete overkill for my needs, so what do I know?

Any chance you ever hooked up the Little Bastard to that 810?

No, but I did to 2 x115s a few times.
Just not quite enough for my needs

 

[twinfallsbass]

I’ve had both the LB30 ( a few times ) and now a UK made Tweed CTM 30. Major mojo with these amps that I love. Yes they take tube rolling very well. To all LB30/CTM30 owners, do yourself a favor and throw some Black Plate TAD EL84’s in your amp. Really opened up the amp.

 

[Joris 55]

I’ve had both the LB30 ( a few times ) and now a UK made Tweed CTM 30. Major mojo with these amps that I love. Yes they take tube rolling very well. To all LB30/CTM30 owners, do yourself a favor and throw some Black Plate TAD EL84’s in your amp. Really opened up the amp.
View attachment 4393361

Good to know!
Have you noticed any difference between the regular Little Bastard and your UK Tweed?

 

[twinfallsbass]

Good to know!
Have you noticed any difference between the regular Little Bastard and your UK Tweed?

Hi. Tone wise not really, they both sound excellent. My tweed has a choke coil where the LB doesn’t, not quite sure why that is. Also, the Bass and Middle knobs are in different positions between the Tweed and LB. The main board on the Tweed looks to have different looking components on it apposed to the LB.

The Tweeds Power/Output Tranny’s have Demeter labels on them.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

So this thread had me pull out my LB and implement it into my music room. I have so much stuff but only gig a P bass, Fender Rumble 500c, and my nano pedal board.

Here it is matched with a great cab; TecAmp M210!

 

[Wasnex]

Hi. Tone why not really, they both sound excellent. My tweed has a choke coil where the LB doesn’t, not quite sure why that is. Also, the Bass and Middle knobs are in different positions between the Tweed and LB. The main board on the Tweed looks to have different looking components on it apposed to the LB.

View attachment 4394354

View attachment 4394355

The Tweeds Power/Output Tranny’s have Demeter labels on them.

View attachment 4394356

I'll try to make this a bit more clear. AFAIK, the LB30 and CTM30 are the same circuit. That does not necessarily mean they use the same components or circuit boards.

The fact that the CTM30 has a choke indicates they circuits are not 100% identical.

Normally the HT/B+ voltage is taken off the power supply before the chock. HT/B+ is usually only used for the output tube plate supply. It passes through center tap of the output transformer before being distributed to the plate circuit of the push pull output section.

Next, the remaining current passes through the choke. This usually functions as the screen supply for the output section. The choke only drops off a few volts, so the screen voltage is very close to the plate voltage.

Finally, a small amount of current passes through various resistors that drop the voltage down sequentially, so it can be used safely by the small signal tubes.

The choke improves filtering and voltage regulation. So I would expect it to have some impact on the sound and feel of the amp. My guess is the choke would make the amp slightly louder and less compressed.

I never thought of this before, but now I wonder if the OT provides a bit of filtering and voltage regulation for the plate supply (I will assume it does).

Using resistors is less expensive than a choke. The LB30 used a pair of 1k 5W resistors wired in series in place of the CTM30s choke. The schematic labels the resistors R50 and R51.


Pretty sure the components I circled in red are R50 and R51. They are wired in series between C1 and C2 which are the two big black electrolytic capacitors to the left

I am not certain all CTM30s have the choke. I believe the Tweed was a special 20th AV amp, made in Great Britain. I believe some CTM30s were also made in China, like the LB30

Says built in "PRC" which is China.

Actually, made in China is clearly indicated here:

I could not find many chassis shots of CTM30s to confirm, but this image from Ashdown Custom shows a CTM30 without the choke. The photo may have been taken before the choke was installed as there is obviously a hole in the chassis where the choke could go.

Anyone know one way or the other...does the non-AV version of the CTM30 have a choke?

 

[twinfallsbass]

I'll try to make this a bit more clear. AFAIK, the LB30 and CTM30 are the same circuit. That does not necessarily mean they use the same components or circuit boards.

The fact that the CTM30 has a choke indicates they circuits are not 100% identical.

Normally the HT/B+ voltage is taken off the power supply before the chock. HT/B+ is usually only used for the output tube plate supply. It passes through center tap of the output transformer before being distributed to the plate circuit of the push pull output section.

Next, the remaining current passes through the choke. This usually functions as the screen supply for the output section. The choke only drops off a few volts, so the screen voltage is very close to the plate voltage.

Finally, a small amount of current passes through various resistors that drop the voltage down sequentially, so it can be used safely by the small signal tubes.

The choke improves filtering and voltage regulation. So I would expect it to have some impact on the sound and feel of the amp. My guess is the choke would make the amp slightly louder and less compressed.

I never thought of this before, but now I wonder if the OT provides a bit of filtering and voltage regulation for the plate supply (I will assume it does).

Using resistors is less expensive than a choke. The LB30 used a pair of 1k 5W resistors wired in series in place of the CTM30s choke. The schematic labels the resistors R50 and R51.


Pretty sure the components I circled in red are R50 and R51. They are wired in series between C1 and C2 which are the two big black electrolytic capacitors to the left
View attachment 4394945

I am not certain all CTM30s have the choke. I believe the Tweed was a special 20th AV amp, made in Great Britain. I believe some CTM30s were also made in China, like the LB30
View attachment 4394985
Says built in "PRC" which is China.

Actually, made in China is clearly indicated here:
View attachment 4394988

I could not find many chassis shots of CTM30s to confirm, but this image from Ashdown Custom shows a CTM30 without the choke. The photo may have been taken before the choke was installed as there is obviously a hole in the chassis where the choke could go.

View attachment 4395002


Anyone know one way or the other...does the non-AV version of the CTM30 have a choke?

Awesome writeup Wasnex!!!

 

[Joris 55]

Hi. Tone wise not really, they both sound excellent. My tweed has a choke coil where the LB doesn’t, not quite sure why that is. Also, the Bass and Middle knobs are in different positions between the Tweed and LB. The main board on the Tweed looks to have different looking components on it apposed to the LB.

View attachment 4394354

View attachment 4394355

The Tweeds Power/Output Tranny’s have Demeter labels on them.

View attachment 4394356

Loving the gut shots! I'm by no means a tech, but they obviously look very similar. I'm sure this'll prove useful to some people

 

[Joris 55]

I'll try to make this a bit more clear. AFAIK, the LB30 and CTM30 are the same circuit. That does not necessarily mean they use the same components or circuit boards.

The fact that the CTM30 has a choke indicates they circuits are not 100% identical.

Normally the HT/B+ voltage is taken off the power supply before the chock. HT/B+ is usually only used for the output tube plate supply. It passes through center tap of the output transformer before being distributed to the plate circuit of the push pull output section.

Next, the remaining current passes through the choke. This usually functions as the screen supply for the output section. The choke only drops off a few volts, so the screen voltage is very close to the plate voltage.

Finally, a small amount of current passes through various resistors that drop the voltage down sequentially, so it can be used safely by the small signal tubes.

The choke improves filtering and voltage regulation. So I would expect it to have some impact on the sound and feel of the amp. My guess is the choke would make the amp slightly louder and less compressed.

I never thought of this before, but now I wonder if the OT provides a bit of filtering and voltage regulation for the plate supply (I will assume it does).

Using resistors is less expensive than a choke. The LB30 used a pair of 1k 5W resistors wired in series in place of the CTM30s choke. The schematic labels the resistors R50 and R51.


Pretty sure the components I circled in red are R50 and R51. They are wired in series between C1 and C2 which are the two big black electrolytic capacitors to the left
View attachment 4394945

I am not certain all CTM30s have the choke. I believe the Tweed was a special 20th AV amp, made in Great Britain. I believe some CTM30s were also made in China, like the LB30
View attachment 4394985
Says built in "PRC" which is China.

Actually, made in China is clearly indicated here:
View attachment 4394988

I could not find many chassis shots of CTM30s to confirm, but this image from Ashdown Custom shows a CTM30 without the choke. The photo may have been taken before the choke was installed as there is obviously a hole in the chassis where the choke could go.

View attachment 4395002


Anyone know one way or the other...does the non-AV version of the CTM30 have a choke?

You sure know your stuff! So you're saying the CTM 30 with a choke should be a bit louder / less compressed? I wonder if there's a way to tell which ones have a choke, apart from opening it up.

 

[Joris 55]

So this thread had me pull out my LB and implement it into my music room. I have so much stuff but only gig a P bass, Fender Rumble 500c, and my nano pedal board.

Here it is matched with a great cab; TecAmp M210!
View attachment 4394428 View attachment 4394429

That is one good looking combination! Have you tried it with that Genz Benz as well?

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

That is one good looking combination! Have you tried it with that Genz Benz as well?

Yes I have. It pairs well with all of my cabs.

 

[James Hart]

I love this thread! I have been using a 40 watt tube head for the last bunch of years (Egnater Tweaker 40 with 6L6 power tubes). It was prior to the 30 watt Ashdown offerings... but I've always GASed over them on and off since release.

That said, I am gearing up to start jamming / gigging again. 40 watts isn't quite enough with my 2x12 Bag End and I didn't want to add more speakers. I figured 100 might not cut it since most jams will be without PA support, and I didn't want another MONSTER head either. 150-200 watts was the range I was looking.

I ended up with the CTM-200r and cannot be happier with the power vs tone.