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OFFICIAL ASHDOWN CLUB

#1,081
ctmullins said:
The difference between 600 watts and 750 watts is negligible.
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So with the same preamp and 600 watts on tap, it should have that same voicing, feel, and slam that this ABM line is known for...

It looks like the ABM-EVO-750 is made in the UK while the ABM-EVO-600 is not. I'd imagine this could account for some of the price difference. Also wondering if Ashdown has a service center in the US?
 
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#1,084
Wasnex said:
If you are considering a bid: That's about than half of the lowest price I have ever seen :woot:.

There are two listed at the same Guitar Center currently.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

One is priced at $1999.99 and the other is priced at $2249.99. It appears the more expensive amp is actually a BTA300 though, as the photo of the top shows only 6 output tubes. The lower priced amp is a bit rougher cosmetically and appears to have a damaged tone control slider...either snapped off or missing the cap.

I asked for photos of the back panels and confirmation of the number of power tubes...crickets. If they drop the price a bit, I may reengage.

Supposedly Ashdown also made some BTA200s.

The following info is too the best of my knowledge. Another difference you may consider is whether the amp is a Mk1 or Mk2. You can tell by looking at the back panel.

Per the schematics, this image is a Mk1
ashdown-bta-400_3.jpg

The distinguishing feature is parallel speaker outs with an impedance selector switch for 4 or 8 ohms.

This is actually an image of a SmallBlock 427, but the Mk2 BTA 400 back panel has the same layout. Both amps used the same driver and output sections.
View attachment 4933049
Three speaker outs 2, 4, and 8 ohms.

There are differences to the Mk1 and Mk2 power supply, power amp, and driver schematics. The Mk1 power amp appears to have some sort of auto-sense circuit that connects a 100W dummy load if you forget to connect a speaker.

The Mk2s seem to be fairly rare. I have found some images of Mk2 400s, but no Mk2 300s or 200s. Weird because I thought the 200s and 300s were introduced after the 400 Mk2.
Click to expand...

I know my BTA 300 was one of the last made. Last 3 IIRC and during Covid no less. It has the MK1 back panel, Mark told me he used the chasis and whatnot they had in their back storage room. It uses a 400 chasis. I'll try to find my correspondence with him. Essentially sounded like they had a pile with enough parts in the custom shop to build 3 or so when they started up the Last chance sale right after Covid lockdowns hit.

I'll get some more pictures when I get a chance. I really lucked out with mine. Unfortunately, me and/or possibly anyone else in addition stateside who made orders from them during that time may be the reason why direct orders aren't possible now. The shipping was probably less from them than what I'd imagine to ship almost anywhere within the states. I told em I was in no rush and if they just wanted to ship it with the next shipment to their distributor I was game with that. Hopefully that cut any losses for shipping for them.

To my recollection I don't believe any paperwork came with mine, I'll see if I can dig it up though if I do have it.
 
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#1,085
5StringPocket said:
So with the same preamp and 600 watts on tap, it should have that same voicing, feel, and slam that this ABM line is known for...

It looks like the ABM-EVO-750 is made in the UK while the ABM-EVO-600 is not. I'd imagine this could account for some of the price difference. Also wondering if Ashdown has a service center in the US?
Click to expand...

Yeah, or at least I'd imagine so. The ABM 500 slams like you wouldn't believe, the 600 I tried in a shop seemed the same IMO.

I don't know about service center per say, but they have authorized dealers. Sweetwater is/was one, you could probably reach out to them to see if part of the dealer designation comes with any knowledge of official service centers.
 
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#1,086
One other tidbit about the ABMs, the 500 I've used for almost 10 years now and in both a sludge metal and heavy psych band, I've never needed to really push the output volume too much with a 212 (mesa), 410(goliath) and of course an 810 without PA in small to mid gigs and even a couple smaller outdoor ones.
 
#1,088
Novarocker said:
One other tidbit about the ABMs, the 500 I've used for almost 10 years now and in both a sludge metal and heavy psych band, I've never needed to really push the output volume too much with a 212 (mesa), 410(goliath) and of course an 810 without PA in small to mid gigs and even a couple smaller outdoor ones.
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I’d like to see how the subsonic generator with a bit of tube drive might open up the lows from my GK NeoIV 212. It’s a pretty efficient cab with stout drivers so it’s more about voicing, headroom, and dynamic response at moderate stage volume.

Sometimes when making choices (like a new ABM 750 vs a used ABM 600), it’s enticing to drool over that shiny new Corvette that comes with a hefty note when a good used Camaro would get you around quite nicely at a fraction of the cost.
 
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#1,089
Novarocker said:
I know my BTA 300 was one of the last made. Last 3 IIRC and during Covid no less. It has the MK1 back panel, Mark told me he used the chasis and whatnot they had in their back storage room. It uses a 400 chasis. I'll try to find my correspondence with him. Essentially sounded like they had a pile with enough parts in the custom shop to build 3 or so when they started up the Last chance sale right after Covid lockdowns hit.

I'll get some more pictures when I get a chance. I really lucked out with mine. Unfortunately, me and/or possibly anyone else in addition stateside who made orders from them during that time may be the reason why direct orders aren't possible now. The shipping was probably less from them than what I'd imagine to ship almost anywhere within the states. I told em I was in no rush and if they just wanted to ship it with the next shipment to their distributor I was game with that. Hopefully that cut any losses for shipping for them.

To my recollection I don't believe any paperwork came with mine, I'll see if I can dig it up though if I do have it.
Click to expand...

That's pretty consistent with conversations I have had with them about other "last chance" offerings. My perception is they don't necessarily have all parts to make complete amps, so they may wind up making customized creations.

The following relies significantly on my semi-informed guess work, and I could be wrong on various points...so don't quote reference me as a fact witness.

The schematic for the CTM300 is labeled
Model: CTM 100/200/300/400/500
​
The schematic shows the differences between the CTM 100 and all other models. There are basically two differences: 1. The CTM 100 does not use a driver tube. 2. The power levels are achieved by adding more output tubes. CTM 100 has a pair of KT88s, CTM 200 has a quad, and CTM 300 has a sextet. Haven't seen a CTM 400, but presumably it would have eight output tubes and a CTM 500 would have ten.

The SmallBlock 427 and BTA 400 from the original production run share all circuitry after the preamp. As you might expect they have eight output tubes. Coincidently, much of the circuit is electrically similar to the big CTM output sections. Actually the older Dual Tube preamp used in the 427 shares many similarities to the preamp in the bigger CTMs, but it is voiced quite a bit different and uses different tube types. AFAIK, the BTA uses the ABM EVO III preamp.

The 427 and BTA 400 came before the CTM series. I believe the CTM 30 was the first CTM released, but it's a totally different output section and the preamp is more closely related to the 427. Essentially the CTM 30 is a rebadged LB 30...If you don't know the LB 30 looked like mini 427.

I believe they introduced the CTM 100 and CTM 300 next. Then the CTM 200 was released considerably later. I think the CTM 200 shares the same preamp design as the CTM 100 and CTM 300, but it is packaged totally different.

AFAIK the BTA 200 and BTA 300 are all "last chance" creations. There may have been some "last chance" BTA 400s as well. I believe they have the same preamp as the BTA 400 from the original production run. But I wonder if perhaps the output sections are based on the CTM 200 and CTM 300. Meaning they are not technically Mk1 or Mk2 output sections, but CTM output sections.

If you are thinking this seems a bit too messy and confusing...I couldn't agree more.

For the record, I have more Ashdowns in my collection than any other brand. In order of purchase: 1. Mk 2 SmallBlock 427, 2. CTM 300, 3. Mk 1 LB30, 4. Mk 2 LB30, 5. CTM 30 Little Stubby.

...and I have recently developed a longing for a Mk2 BTA 400.
 
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#1,090
It’s interesting to see the differences between the CTA 100/200/300 and the CTM/LB 30. I’ve read many of your post about the tonal difference. Don’t know why Ashdown wouldn’t just build on one platform, or differentiate better. It would be better for consumers to know what kind of sound they would get from a BTA, CTA, or ABM series… I guess we could throw in the RM series and whatever else they have… I guess great engineers don’t necessarily make good marketers.
 
#1,091
LiquidSword52 said:
It’s interesting to see the differences between the CTA 100/200/300 and the CTM/LB 30. I’ve read many of your post about the tonal difference. Don’t know why Ashdown wouldn’t just build on one platform, or differentiate better. It would be better for consumers to know what kind of sound they would get from a BTA, CTA, or ABM series… I guess we could throw in the RM series and whatever else they have… I guess great engineers don’t necessarily make good marketers.
Click to expand...

The CTM 100, 200, 300 should all have pretty much the same voicing because they share a preamp. There are differences in the way the output sections are intended to perform. Mr Green told me the 100W output section is intended to break up more gracefully, but the 300W output section is intended to stay clean and make maximum power. Since the 200 and 300 have driver tubes, and the 100 does not, I assume the 200 is also setup to make max clean power...but I have not played a 200, so I don't know for sure.

I don't think it's unusual that the CTM/LB 30 sound different from the big CTMs as the original LB 30 was part of the old Dual Tube series, which was voiced significantly different than the more recently designed big CTMs. The Dual tube amps are fairly bright and more the voicing is more Fendery. The big CTMs are darker and have much stronger mids, which gives them sort of an Ampeg flavor to my ears.

I do find it a bit odd that the Mk1 and Mk2 CTM/LB 30 have different voicings. I couldn't say for sure if any of the CTM 30s sound like any of the LB 30s. I am pretty sure Ashdown said LB 30 and CTM 30 are the same amp, but apparently there are various differences between different versions...meaning the circuits are not identical

At first I thought the change in the way the tone stack is connected in my Mk2 LB 30 must have been an accident, and they selected components to make it work as well as it could, rather than throw the boards out. But the Mk2 circuit board is labeled with the new component values, which suggests the change was intentional. Adjusting the mid control on the Mk2 makes little to no difference, but the amp does sound different from the Mk1, and both sound really good IMHO.
 
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#1,092
Wasnex said:
That's pretty consistent with conversations I have had with them about other "last chance" offerings. My perception is they don't necessarily have all parts to make complete amps, so they may wind up making customized creations.

The following relies significantly on my semi-informed guess work, and I could be wrong on various points...so don't quote reference me as a fact witness.

The schematic for the CTM300 is labeled
Model: CTM 100/200/300/400/500
​
The schematic shows the differences between the CTM 100 and all other models. There are basically two differences: 1. The CTM 100 does not use a driver tube. 2. The power levels are achieved by adding more output tubes. CTM 100 has a pair of KT88s, CTM 200 has a quad, and CTM 300 has a sextet. Haven't seen a CTM 400, but presumably it would have eight output tubes and a CTM 500 would have ten.

The SmallBlock 427 and BTA 400 from the original production run share all circuitry after the preamp. As you might expect they have eight output tubes. Coincidently, much of the circuit is electrically similar to the big CTM output sections. Actually the older Dual Tube preamp used in the 427 shares many similarities to the preamp in the bigger CTMs, but it is voiced quite a bit different and uses different tube types. AFAIK, the BTA uses the ABM EVO III preamp.

The 427 and BTA 400 came before the CTM series. I believe the CTM 30 was the first CTM released, but it's a totally different output section and the preamp is more closely related to the 427. Essentially the CTM 30 is a rebadged LB 30...If you don't know the LB 30 looked like mini 427.

I believe they introduced the CTM 100 and CTM 300 next. Then the CTM 200 was released considerably later. I think the CTM 200 shares the same preamp design as the CTM 100 and CTM 300, but it is packaged totally different.

AFAIK the BTA 200 and BTA 300 are all "last chance" creations. There may have been some "last chance" BTA 400s as well. I believe they have the same preamp as the BTA 400 from the original production run. But I wonder if perhaps the output sections are based on the CTM 200 and CTM 300. Meaning they are not technically Mk1 or Mk2 output sections, but CTM output sections.

If you are thinking this seems a bit too messy and confusing...I couldn't agree more.

For the record, I have more Ashdowns in my collection than any other brand. In order of purchase: 1. Mk 2 SmallBlock 427, 2. CTM 300, 3. Mk 1 LB30, 4. Mk 2 LB30, 5. CTM 30 Little Stubby.

...and I have recently developed a longing for a Mk2 BTA 400.
Click to expand...

That's good to hear as it reflects a lot of the "history" that I knew of. Hell of a collection too!

LiquidSword52 said:
It’s interesting to see the differences between the CTA 100/200/300 and the CTM/LB 30. I’ve read many of your post about the tonal difference. Don’t know why Ashdown wouldn’t just build on one platform, or differentiate better. It would be better for consumers to know what kind of sound they would get from a BTA, CTA, or ABM series… I guess we could throw in the RM series and whatever else they have… I guess great engineers don’t necessarily make good marketers.
Click to expand...

I think they just build different character lines. I will say outside of the ABM and CTM lines, it does seem confusing to me.

There is a lot of overlap for sure, but from my understanding a lot of the SS lines are based around the ABM preamp (which in itself is the successor to the MAG), then you can pick which power amp tech you want. RM/Original for Class D, ABM for A/B, BTA for tube.

The BTA line is the only tube line I really know much about from in person. I knew the CTM, LBs and others were more vintage voiced, but had no idea of the differences, thanks @Wasnex. I'm pretty stoked about the 2.N release but the low weight and size of the little stubby is very appealing.
 
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