For a bit of a review of the CTM-15 (in random thought form)...
- Ashdown needs some demo videos that do not focus entirely on the overdriven tones. This amp has a really solid clean when you keep the gain down. I think I found one video from the original CTM-15 that showed clean for a few seconds. Some of the written Ashdown marketing material advertises the clean sound; it is definitely there.
- The Gain knob is this head's trick. Dial in the amount of grit you want. For me it is going to stay mostly clean with the occasional bump to get that slight bit of breakup (think Motown).
- I spent an hour or so with the CTM-15 going through 2 Phil Jones Bass Compact 8 cabinets. 15 Watts puts out a solid amount of volume with these cabinets. I expect the same can be said for any decent cabinets (there are plenty out there that are more efficient than the PJB C8s).
- I did not spend a ton of time on it, but the EQ section does not seem to have as much range as the other amplifiers I have used over the years. I assume this is just the way it is designed (they note passive EQ section in all of the descriptions). Tones I could get sounded great, just not as much range there as I am used to. I suppose it could be the way this amp forces you to focus on the balance of Gain/Volume knobs throwing off my perception of the EQ's ability.
- Amp did not come with a bag like the old one did. I assumed it would not, but saw several for sale ads mentioning one since they were using the original CTM-15 description (the same ones that said it had a bag also said it could not be used without a load, which is not true for the new one).
- I have not tried recording direct with it yet, but that is how I intend to use it. It will be sitting on my desk hooked to a MOTU M6 recording interface with a Phil Jones Bass Compact 2 under it for when I want to practice at my desk. It is a really good shape/size for this type of setup.
Given the price, output, and presence of tubes, I expect there will be a decent amount of Ashdown CTM-15 or Ampeg PF-20T questions that pop up. I have not tried the PF-20T, but I do have the PF-50T. Recognizing the PF-20T and PF-50T are not exactly equals, but I am going to pretend they are close (since they are). I think the Ashdown/Ampeg are directed at different audiences. If you are after classic Motown thump with a little bit of breakup, you want the Ampeg. If you want more overdrive than that, the CTM-15 is probably for you. Noting that the CTM-15 can do clean, it just occupies a larger portion of the breakup space while the Ampeg allows for more adjustability in the "clean to a little bit of breakup" space. I should add the form factor of the CTM-15 is more desktop friendly for anyone who primarily intends to use it for recording.
Ultimately both are great heads, just depends on what you are after. I am happy to have the CTM-15 to go with my PF-50T.
