Picked this up recently, pre-corona... and it arrived last week. Ashdown CTM-30 Little Stubby prototype. This is the same unit in this review and I bought it from Tyler (who was great to deal with)
This was the amp that Ashdown used at the various trade shows, etc and differs somewhat from the production models (mainly no graphics on the back and it does not have the surrounding pinstripe on the faceplate). Most notable is that it was shop-made in the UK rather than being a Chinese made assembly line version.
Like many of us, I have some extra time on my hands - like it or not - have been on lockdown here since Saturday. The outer case was black though had some nicks and scratches from having traveled with Ashdown and that Tyler had been using it as a gigging amp (certainly not abused in any way). Considered painting the case and... had a can of Hammerite in the basement that was close in color to my beloved Inverness Green '64 T-bird. Project time!
Pleased with the result even if it now qualifies as a 'refin'. I also like that the hammered finish better emphasizes the mid-century type of look along with the VU meter, etc.
I think it nicely mimics some of the vintage studio gear.
It clearly shares - even if unwittingly - the form factor and similar weight (and even the side handle) with a 1964 Dynacord Bass-King I have here and previously posted:
NAD! (vintage all tube content) 1964 Dynacord Bass-King
Anyway, I'm happy with it - very nice and flixible range of tones and goes way louder than I can reasonably get away with in my flat considering all the neighbors are also home. Will clearly be a long time before I can try it in a band situation... (had two tours booked in April - May and was looking forward to trying it on some of those but that will have to wait - as we can all relate to...)
This was the amp that Ashdown used at the various trade shows, etc and differs somewhat from the production models (mainly no graphics on the back and it does not have the surrounding pinstripe on the faceplate). Most notable is that it was shop-made in the UK rather than being a Chinese made assembly line version.
Like many of us, I have some extra time on my hands - like it or not - have been on lockdown here since Saturday. The outer case was black though had some nicks and scratches from having traveled with Ashdown and that Tyler had been using it as a gigging amp (certainly not abused in any way). Considered painting the case and... had a can of Hammerite in the basement that was close in color to my beloved Inverness Green '64 T-bird. Project time!
Pleased with the result even if it now qualifies as a 'refin'. I also like that the hammered finish better emphasizes the mid-century type of look along with the VU meter, etc.
I think it nicely mimics some of the vintage studio gear.
It clearly shares - even if unwittingly - the form factor and similar weight (and even the side handle) with a 1964 Dynacord Bass-King I have here and previously posted:
NAD! (vintage all tube content) 1964 Dynacord Bass-King
Anyway, I'm happy with it - very nice and flixible range of tones and goes way louder than I can reasonably get away with in my flat considering all the neighbors are also home. Will clearly be a long time before I can try it in a band situation... (had two tours booked in April - May and was looking forward to trying it on some of those but that will have to wait - as we can all relate to...)
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