OFFICIAL ASHDOWN CLUB

[MadJack]

I received the ABM112H-PN EVO-IV today.



It sits just right proportionally with my CTM30. Makes for a much more compact little stack. It's much easier to move around, as it's lighter and smaller than the RM210/115 stack (duh! It's a single cab as opposed to a stack), even though the stack is strapped down on a small furniture dolly.

Now the important stuff!

The RM stack sounds warmer, but the ABM112 has deeper lows. The ABM is punchier and more articulate. The RMs sounds a little more vintage-y, and the ABM is slightly more modern. The RM's highs seem to be more present, but rounded. The ABM's highs seem to be a little more strident. I'm thinking, if I'm playing more contemporary music, I would go with the ABM, but if I'm playing classic rock or blues, I would use the RM cabs. The Mid Shift switch, which was barely noticeable change with the RMs, is much more noticeable with the ABM. The Bright switch is noticeable with the ABM, but it is more noticeable with the RM cabs. The Bass Shift switch seem to respond about the same on either cab sets. Higher distortion sounds better with the ABM, but the lower distortion/edge of breakup seem better through the RMs.

My 5 string and BEAD sound better, tighter through the ABM, but those aren't used as much as Eb Standard or Drop D tunings. I think the 5 string and BEAD sound better through solid state preamps, than tube. I need to get the MAG300 out to test it on that amp. I have the Studio 10 readily available and I compared them through that amp. The CTM/ABM was deeper, but the Studio was tighter overall and responded better.

While my taste leans more towards the RMs, but ABM has something I like, but in a slightly different way from the RMs.

 

[Tassieviking]

If you want a bit of tube goodness then add a Sushi Box FX pedal to the setup, it's the easiest way to do it.

 

[Not_Shane]

Well, i found a killer deal on an ABM 210H, so i am very matchy-matchy over here.

GK+ABM cabs is unreal!

 

[Novarocker]

Used the 115 and 210 neo cabs with the Geezer head at my rehearsal space Tuesday (with a Thunderbird) and tonight (with a P-bas) and still wasn’t happy with the cabs. Very boxy sounding, mid, mid low focused.

Then I plugged the head into my SVT212AV, a front ported 2x12. And there it was! Nice full clear and warm bottom end and great overall tone with great clarity. No boxy, cold sound.

Now, hoping the GK Neo IV 212 4 ohm, will also bring it, making for a good light compact rig.

Glad you found a solid rig! Those 212AV's are so good sounding, I haven't used the GK one though.

Just a heads up for any future cab surfing (Just experienced from gigging and reading tons of Agedhorse's posts on it):

I would say that the voicing (engineered designed target sound profile) of the cabs are more likely the cause of the drastic difference between them than the porting direction or more importantly, the driver size. Especially when mixing and matching sizes and brands. You end up with lots of cancelations that are kinda like the comb filtering happening when blending two pickups.

Sometimes good sounding, sometimes not.

I could be recalling the exact specifics semi incorrectly, but for the porting, low end is omnidirectional to a much much greater degree than any other frequency bands. Due to that, the tuning of the port has more impact on tone than front or rear direction. That is unless you're putting the cab with rear ports really close to a wall (like within 6-12 inches).

Hello Ashdown club!

Does anyone know if the cab in the MiniRig is sold separately?
View attachment 7328664

I have a GK 1001RB and an ABM 8x10, and also a GK MB200 for practice.
The thought of a "mini stack" mimicking my big-rig makes me laugh, so its a priority now.

I found locally an ABM 210H that would match, but being vertical is appealing like the Ampeg mini stack series.

Any leads or info is appriciated!
8x10 pic to follow, of course!
View attachment 7328665

I have no clue, though it sounds like ya found something as good. I would recommend to reach out to Ashdown about it and get in touch with a dealer local to you. I have no doubt they'd be open to selling it separately, youd just likely need to work through the dealer to have it set up to deliver it with their next order for shipment. Ashdown doesn't direct ship from the UK anymore. The logistics are just too much of a mess for them in the smaller scale operation they have in the UK.

I currently have a Quilter V803 but am missing tubes. I hate how you can hear the immediateness of solid state with no give.

To all the CTM-100 owners, how's the headroom with pedals? I'd run it with some grit then hit it with a bass OCD or Rat for more dirt.

Sounds like it's already inbound. How loud you want without starting to get too much power tube drive will probably be the biggest question. I think Wasnex and a few others around here have em and I recall them saying they did fine with pedals. My BTA 300 does as well as my ABM500, but prefers sealed cabs for the sound I like.

 

[MadJack]

They say two heads are better than one.

I'm expecting this Little Bastard 30 this week.



It's the same thing as my CTM30, but in different livery. See the top of this page.

I'll likely start with the RM stack I was using before, at least until I get another ABM Pro Neo cab. To my ears, RM cabs sound looser and more vintage, while the ABM PN sounds tighter, punchier and more modern. Since I mostly play classic rock to contemporary music and some blues, these cab sets should work out well.

 

[Lammchop93]

So I went to plug an external preamp into the effect Return on my ABM 500, and there is absolutely no sound. When I use the amp input, everything works great. is this normal? Or can I possibly have an issue with my effect loop?

 

[darev]

So I went to plug an external preamp into the effect Return on my ABM 500, and there is absolutely no sound. When I use the amp input, everything works great. is this normal? Or can I possibly have an issue with my effect loop?

I can only commiserate in that my Studio 15 combo has a TRS for the effects loop and it also won't deliver sound with only something in the return. I just chalked it up to the dopey TRS jack design and my dopey approach.

Thank you for posting that question. I really do need to check to see if my effects loop is working or effect a warranty return.

 

[Tassieviking]

So I went to plug an external preamp into the effect Return on my ABM 500, and there is absolutely no sound. When I use the amp input, everything works great. is this normal? Or can I possibly have an issue with my effect loop?

When you say amp input works ok do you mean the normal input on the front of the amp or the "Line In" on the back of the amp ?
The FX Return and Line In on the back requires a lot stronger signal then the front inputs.

 

[Lammchop93]

When you say amp input works ok do you mean the normal input on the front of the amp or the "Line In" on the back of the amp ?
The FX Return and Line In on the back requires a lot stronger signal then the front inputs.

I mean the input on the front

but if I unplug from that and go straight into the FX return, I get no signal

 

[Tassieviking]

Maybe you don't have enough signal ?
Try the Line In on the back of the amp, it is essentially the same as the FX return.
The difference is that the FX return disconnects the preamp between the FX out and FX In sockets so if you use the Line In the preamp will still work.
The FX return and Line in both go through a resistor and then join together, the resistors are there just to give them some separation.
If the Line In works then you might just have a dirty FX return socket. Power off and a small spray with Deoxit and then work a plug in/out of the socket for a while.

 

[MadJack]

N(u)AD





A Little Bastard 30 (LB30), to go with my CTM30.

It came in very well packaged. Foam bag, heavy duty bubble wrap, extra thick cardboard spacer/absorbers on all sides. The only thing I think they could have done better is to pull and individually wrap the tubes. Seeing as it looked like no one has ever been inside the cabinet or chassis, I can't blame them for that.



Are they about the same amp? Yep! That was the point! I can run the ABM-112H PN solo, or I can run the RM210/115T EVO II stack solo, or each cab with one head, for a 60 watt stack.

It came in a little while ago. I had to go through it before plugging it in. Everything is stock. It even had the previous owner's dust inside it. Stock fuses intact (spare main's fuse is missing). Stock Ruby Tubes/Valves. The paper labels on the tubes show they were exposed to heat, but nothing like the stock tubes that came in my CTM30.


(After dusting the inside.)



The VU light is dimmer than my CTM30's light. I like the bright VU. ( #spotthevu ) I think I have another bulb around here. If not, my next parts order I'll get some more.

They are definitely the same amp, with a couple minor differences. Tonally they almost identical. Figure the differences of component variance and the differences in tube sets, as the CTM30 has JJ EL84s and Tung-Sol preamps (12AX7s) and a NOS 12AU7. As I said above, the LB30 has all the stock Ruby Tubes.

Most notably, the different livery. Both look awesome in their own right. I did change the knobs on the CTM30 to those cream skirted knobs, as the stock black knobs were difficult to see in the dark. The chrome faceplate does look cool, but as with every other chrome faced amp, the knobs are just difficult to see. But man, that chrome looks so cool!

The other difference I found is in the input jacks. The CTM30's inputs are more closely rated to each other than the LB30's. The LB30's LOW is a HOT input. The CTM30's LOW input is the milder/lower gain input, while the LB30's LOW input has the higher gain.

I have to get going for now. I will be running both amps on each their own cab with the RM stack. One head is very loud for in home use, and even small gig levels. I can imagine how much fuller two heads will sound.

 

[Lammchop93]

Maybe you don't have enough signal ?
Try the Line In on the back of the amp, it is essentially the same as the FX return.
The difference is that the FX return disconnects the preamp between the FX out and FX In sockets so if you use the Line In the preamp will still work.
The FX return and Line in both go through a resistor and then join together, the resistors are there just to give them some separation.
If the Line In works then you might just have a dirty FX return socket. Power off and a small spray with Deoxit and then work a plug in/out of the socket for a while.

no signal with the line in either. im guessing something is faulty

 

[Tassieviking]

Try with the Bass straight into the FX return and the Line In and see if you get any sound at all, it will be very muted but you should hear something.
If you hear something with the Bass straight in then the problem is most likely not the amp.

 

[MadJack]

I got the two amps stacked up today. The sound is massive. Much bigger than one amp running both. Of course, I just doubled the power.

I'm looking forward to trying some wet/dry, clean/dirty and to a limited extent, stereo effects. I don't expect the stereo effects to be quite as discernable as on my guitar amps, but it should be interesting to try them.



This setup does have a more vintage flavor, compared to my ABM-112H-PN cab, which has a tighter more modern sound. So I can do either the vintage-y or modern voices. I wouldn't mid getting another ABM Pro Neo cab so I do the same two amp setup with modern flavor.

 

[C-60 Bass]

So I went to plug an external preamp into the effect Return on my ABM 500, and there is absolutely no sound. When I use the amp input, everything works great. is this normal? Or can I possibly have an issue with my effect loop?

When you do that you will need to put a 1/4" plug into the main input on the front of the amp as well - one end of a patch lead will do.

I'm sure someone will know the technical reason but it does work. I haven't had to do it on EVO 1 or 2 but have on 3 onwards

 

[Lammchop93]

When you do that you will need to put a 1/4" plug into the main input on the front of the amp as well - one end of a patch lead will do.

I'm sure someone will know the technical reason but it does work. I haven't had to do it on EVO 1 or 2 but have on 3 onwards

That worked!!! Mine is an evo 3

Thank you!!!

 

[C-60 Bass]

That worked!!! Mine is an evo 3

Thank you!!!

Enjoy!

 

[Tassieviking]

When you do that you will need to put a 1/4" plug into the main input on the front of the amp as well - one end of a patch lead will do.

I'm sure someone will know the technical reason but it does work. I haven't had to do it on EVO 1 or 2 but have on 3 onwards

This proves one thing, I have never used a separate preamp straight into the FXreturn on my EVO 3 yet, I might have to try that now since I have several of the Sushi Box ones and all the C2CE preamps at home.
Thanks for that knowledge, I can imagine how exasperated I would get trying to figure that out.

 

[Tassieviking]

I checked the schematic for the EVO 3 and the input activates the mute circuit of the power amp when there is no plug inserted, the input mute is in parallel with the mute button on the amp.
I think this is a bad design fault as it mutes everything, it should only mute the guitar preamp in my opinion when nothing is plugged into the input on the front.
What if you wanted to use it as a piggy back amp to support another amp ? you would have to insert a plug into the socket on the front and if that plug was not shorted out you might get more noise coming through the amp from the preamp circuit.
I might have to pull my ABM EVO 3 apart and see if I can alter it somehow.

 

[MadJack]

Ashdown has released the new UK-RBM Series amps and cabs. They are the new UK Built RootMaster Bass Magnifiers line. The also now Have the UK-OBM Original Bass Magnifier line and a new UK-PBM-200 Pocket Bass Magnifier (Ant).

Even the Studio line has moved production to the UK, with the UK-SBM Studio Bass Magnifier line.