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Okay, so who else is having serious problems with their Ashdown ABM?

#21
flash99 said:
That's interesting - the rehearsdal studio my band uses has Ashdowns in every room. Three of the four amps I've used clip like crazy (especially on lower notes) even with the gain really low. The other one works fine. I was wondering if there might be a construction issue there.
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Okay, so based on what I've read here, and some PM's I've gotten from people, this clipping on low notes things is a problem with a good number of people. Everybody is pretty much saying the same thing...... every third amp does it, but most dont..... I've contacted Ashdown......... waiting to see what transpires...... I'll repost when I hear something........

Well im in the Uk and get clipping in my MAG. even though the VU is reading fine. its not the input stage because i can run it fine with the master under 12 o'clock. its not the spaker because i still use that part of the combo.
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right in line with what we're talking about..... a combo amp shouldnt clip.....Maybe a batch of these things came out with bad transformers, but much more likely is something in the output stage board is not wired correctly and getting maxxed out when it gets a voltage spike from the preamp board ( like a loud B string note ). From what people in the field are telling me, on average, an open B is going to produce nearly twice as much signal as an open E. This presents a special problem becuase I know of alot of extended range bass players who like the Ashdown stuff........ but generally speaking no amplifier should clip at half its volume range....... let alone a $900 amplifier

One of the interesting experiments I did Sunday, was to run a line from the effects loop out on the Ashdown into the effects loop return on another makers amp, rated at 450 watts as opposed to the Ashdown's 575, and the 450 watt amp got significantly louder before clipping, and only did so with the master volume all the way up and some extra bass dialed in on the instrument..........
 
#23
Holy wow!!! I recall serious bashing (on me) when I stated that 2 out of 2 ABMs I tried farted like crazy at ridiculously low volumes and so did the 2 out of 2 MAGs I tried. I'm in Spain, where voltage is the same as in the UK. Maybe I wasn't so wrong after all. Maybe I could have went on trying amps until I found the ones that were not bad. But 4 bad amps in a row is not a good mark at all, so I gave it up, thinking it was endemic.

ANDRUCA
 
#24
I would say it is definatly the powerstage on my MAG even though ive been told it cant be. ill be taking it in very soon for repair so ill post back what the outcome is. although im not going to spend much on it as i dont use it anymore. im going to sell it once its fixed but the price would depend on how much it costs to be fixed.
Im happy it lasted as long as it did but its made me think twice about Ashdown now.
I feel safer with Mark Bass now as i havent heard any issues with that company yet
 
#25
I'm really disapointed to hear that so many people are having so many problems with their Ashdown amps, especially as it's the amp that I always recommend. I've been very lucky. I've owned two Ashdown amps and havn't had any problems. With that said, a friend of mine who owns a music shop in Boston had to drop the line because of all the problems. Someone should send Ashdown a link to this thread so that they know the community is very, very concerned.
 
#26
emjazz said:
Someone should send Ashdown a link to this thread so that they know the community is very, very concerned.
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Seriously. I'm really thankful for all of the honest posts about problems, I had my finger hovering over the purchase button on musicians friend a few times ... but now I won't touch them, for a while anyway. Hopefully they can clean their act up. You can make the best sounding amp in the world, but if the QC isn't there, its over.
 
#27
I went through * 4 * Ashdown ABM500EVOII amplifiers before I got one that worked properly. The others were plagued with bad output transformers, loud buzzing/humming, and other problems that made them impossible to gig with. The shop that worked with me was more than happy to refund my money after I brought the second one back, but I insisted we press on and find one that worked.

I finally got a good Ashdown with no issues and have been gigging it 3-4 nights a week. Recently I played 10 shows in 3 days with it...no problems at all.

It's sad when a company makes a great sounding product but drops the ball on the QC. Maybe the folks at the Ashdown plant are enjoying one too many pints over lunch? Who knows. I hope they get it together.
 
#28
emjazz said:
I'm really disapointed to hear that so many people are having so many problems with their Ashdown amps, especially as it's the amp that I always recommend. I've been very lucky. I've owned two Ashdown amps and havn't had any problems. With that said, a friend of mine who owns a music shop in Boston had to drop the line because of all the problems. Someone should send Ashdown a link to this thread so that they know the community is very, very concerned.
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I have dealt with Mark Gooday of Ashdown personally on a number of occasions and I know that he would be seriously concerned to hear about these problems. I have, therefore, sent him a link to this thread for his urgent attention.
 
#29
bassicinstinct said:
I have dealt with Mark Gooday of Ashdown personally on a number of occasions and I know that he would be seriously concerned to hear about these problems. I have, therefore, sent him a link to this thread for his urgent attention.
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Your message has been rcvd apparently.

I'm really disapointed to hear that so many people are having so many problems with their Ashdown amps, especially as it's the amp that I always recommend. I've been very lucky. I've owned two Ashdown amps and havn't had any problems. With that said, a friend of mine who owns a music shop in Boston had to drop the line because of all the problems. Someone should send Ashdown a link to this thread so that they know the community is very, very concerned.
Click to expand...

Okay TB'ers, let me tell you all whats really uncommon........ Some really surprising things have happened since I started this thread. I've had three really awesome TB'ers reach out to me in private to talk about this problem, all for the same reason, they own and love Ashdown gear and have such faith in the company that they all felt I should be in touch with the owners / founders. The support I've gotten from you all here and the response I've gotten from Ashdown has been really cool. I dont wanna say anything right now, but for those of you who've taken an interest in this thread, expect a really deatiled post this coming Sunday night as to the resolution of all this mess, and hoepfully some info on the state of now and future QC measures at Ashdown. Stay Tuned......
 
#30
pablomigraine said:
Your message has been rcvd apparently.



Okay TB'ers, let me tell you all whats really uncommon........ Some really surprising things have happened since I started this thread. I've had three really awesome TB'ers reach out to me in private to talk about this problem, all for the same reason, they own and love Ashdown gear and have such faith in the company that they all felt I should be in touch with the owners / founders. The support I've gotten from you all here and the response I've gotten from Ashdown has been really cool. I dont wanna say anything right now, but for those of you who've taken an interest in this thread, expect a really deatiled post this coming Sunday night as to the resolution of all this mess, and hoepfully some info on the state of now and future QC measures at Ashdown. Stay Tuned......
Click to expand...

I know what you mean. it happened to me as well
 
#32
I had a problem with my ABM500-RC Evo-II. It smelled like it was burning up... that 'ozone' smell... yet it didn't feel hot to the touch. I emailed Ashdown directly, and dealt with Martin Burrows. After describing my problem and explaining my usual settings, he surmised that I had a weak transformer. Martin sent me a replacement transformer all the way from the UK. It took two months to get here... not his fault... blame that on the Dept of Homeland Security... I finally got it. Swapped out the transformers, and I've been very happy with my Evo-II ever since... I'll be using it again tonight with my D410XLT... :D
 
#33
Fascinating stuff...I have Ashdown gear (ABM 500 and 2 2x10's). Just got my ABM 500 back from the shop...nothing major, just a bulb replacement and point check, pot cleaning, etc. My tech said it was in great condition, though he did find a bit of residue (from some moisture) on the Input pot, which used to crackle and pop like crazy! Now I am wondering how that got there...

I have used my ABM with a 5 string and have never had the clipping problems some of you are describing (bought the head in 2002). A problem I DID have was one of my 2x10's, which I also bought new (mail order). It was wired out of phase! I literally had to take both cabs apart, compare the wiring, and re solder the out of phase cab! But what the hell...this is not cheap gear. How could they send out an improperly wired cab?

Amplifiers are funny things. Lot's of circuit boards and transistors and tubes and capacitators and wires and such. I've had high end stereo equpiment get funny, too, like a week after purchase and have to take the thing back. I bought an AMP 400 brand new back in 1987. At rehearsal that night, it started out fine. Sounded great. I was psyched. Within ten minutes it crapped out. I powered it down, turned it back on, ten minutes later it craps out. Brought it back for a G-K. Had the G-K for a couple of years before it too crapped out and had to be repaired. And I don't drive my amps hard! I figure if your master volume is past 12 o'clock, it's time for more headroom. I'm pretty conservative that way.

I am surprised that Ashdown has had these kinds of issues. Sounds like they need to retool their process and find the gap.
 
#34
I agree with Fawkes. My Ashdown ABM500 EVO (original version, Rack mount/chrome) has never clipped or distorted. I only play 5 string and I rely on the B string all the time, every time I perform. I have performed anywhere from 2 to 4 gigs-a-week steadily for the past couple years. So the amp has seen a LOT of gigging, including set-up and tear down. My Ashdown ABM500 EVO has never failed me. The light went out on the VU meter. That's it. The meter still works however. No big deal. Bulbs burnout. That's just a fact of life. I don't think it's fair to hold that against Ashdown. Gary
 
#38
My ABM 500 RC EVO II is also clipping...

It's in fact the third head that I have which is defect. First one I bought (not RC) was distorting when put on top of a cabinet, but fine if put on the side. Brought it back to the store, compared with the floor demo...same problem.

No other in stock, so I asked they order me a rackmount unit (500 RC), hoping the rackmount was better. Well, no problem putting the RC on top of my cab, but the head is now clipping on low notes (mostly B string) when the master volume reach 11 o'clock.

I'm in constant contact with Martin Burrows, who really cares about his products. I'm sure quality control will be on top of the list at the next meeting...(they are following this thread also).

I sincerely hope they will get better at this, because they DO make a wonderful sounding amp, but it's not normal that problems like this happens to so many of us.

ABM is geared towards pro's, but personnally I*cannot afford the luxury of going on tour with an unreliable amp, even if it sounds great!
 
#40
1kinal said:
I'm in constant contact with Martin Burrows, who really cares about his products. I'm sure quality control will be on top of the list at the next meeting...(they are following this thread also).

I sincerely hope they will get better at this, because they DO make a wonderful sounding amp, but it's not normal that problems like this happens to so many of us.

ABM is geared towards pro's, but personnally I*cannot afford the luxury of going on tour with an unreliable amp, even if it sounds great!
Click to expand...

I would think a company like Ashdown would love to see this thread so they can address the issue. Maybe you can get Martin to log on and read the thread, or even cut and paste so they can see there are enough bassists complaining of the same issues. Reputation is everything. If I were a business owner, I would want to address these issues and make the customer happy no matter what.
 

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