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

[1kinal]

Wait to hear back from Mike. A lot of people here got great support from him. I never personnally dealt with him as I'm in Canada.

If it doesn't work, I'd recommend to contact Martin Burrows at Ashdown UK [email protected]

Please let us know how it goes. I'm pretty sure you should be taken care of.

Finally, 10 months at the repair shop is totally not acceptable for me...

 

[THB_bassman]

Wait to hear back from Mike. A lot of people here got great support from him. I never personnally dealt with him as I'm in Canada.

If it doesn't work, I'd recommend to contact Martin Burrows at Ashdown UK [email protected]

Please let us know how it goes. I'm pretty sure you should be taken care of.

Finally, 10 months at the repair shop is totally not acceptable for me...

Not acceptable to me either. I hope it work out, and I'll let you know.
Thanks.

 

[THB_bassman]

OK, I appologize, but I am out of patience. Ten months in the shop? Comes back to me still broke?

Right.

Tonight I took the amp apart and found the main problem. The input jack is secured to the circuit board by four solder joints. On my amp, all four solder joints were broken / loose.

After a warranty service that took ten months?

I fixed that problem, and then realized that the fans are still on full blast regardless of temperature. I can't fix that, so I need to know what is the most common cause of that (the sensor mounted on the heat sink?) so I can order one and fix it myself.
While I'm ordering parts, I'll want a new VU meter which sticks from time to time.

I'd be happy if I could just get the parts- at cost, at this point, since Ashdown's warranty shops apparently cannot fix their own gear.

Sorry to be cynical, but this is too much. I fixed - in one night - what they couldn't in ten months. And I have no formal training in electronics, just a lot of common sense.

So where can I order me up a fan-control sensor and a VU meter?
thanks.

 

[dhadleyray]

IMO, ashdown is gear worth avoiding. I've said, in other posts, I wouldn't risk my money on any british bass amp. I "expect" problems and quality control issues. I suspect, from what I've heard, your problems are not unusual. I rehearse in several different rehearsal studios in london, and the people running them all admit, in their opinions, the stuff is disposable, and "cheap." They only put in there for the kids to abuse it. Spend as little possible to do the job and get max return. Pretty colors, lights and a 50's style VU meter, to me is a typical example of style over substance (reminds me of Trace Elliot) . That stuff would not survive the road, more than likely. The other school of thought, although rare, is buy the best ****, and use it for everything. Ampeg SVT's and Gallien Krueger are the norm, although the prices are really expensive, the gear, location, and room size reflect it. The places with the Ashdown gear are priced around five to seven pounds an hour (10 dollars roughly).

Good luck, I hope it works out okay. Bass should always be heard...

 

[THB_bassman]

dhadleyray -

I hear you loud and clear. I would add to my above comment that the circuit boards were also loose in the mounting and the big toroid transformer was loose on it's single mount bolt and spinning freely, just wanting to rip the wiring apart. I will make this thing right, because I have made up my mind to do so. But I will always have to have a GK sitting on top of it at gigs.

A 1990 800RB Gallien-Krueger is my main amp, and I have a 1973 SVT for special occasions. But I can honestly say the GK doesn't sound as sweet and tight as the Ashdown, and the SVT is tremendous overkill on most gigs.

It is unfortunate that, as you say, it's all about style over substance.

I wouldn't mind that so much if it didn't sound so nice.

 

[BassSurfer]

wow this changed my view of either getting a ashdown MAG300 head or a backline 600 head wow!

 

[1kinal]

OK, I appologize, but I am out of patience. Ten months in the shop? Comes back to me still broke?

Right.

Tonight I took the amp apart and found the main problem. The input jack is secured to the circuit board by four solder joints. On my amp, all four solder joints were broken / loose.

After a warranty service that took ten months?

I fixed that problem, and then realized that the fans are still on full blast regardless of temperature. I can't fix that, so I need to know what is the most common cause of that (the sensor mounted on the heat sink?) so I can order one and fix it myself.
While I'm ordering parts, I'll want a new VU meter which sticks from time to time.

I'd be happy if I could just get the parts- at cost, at this point, since Ashdown's warranty shops apparently cannot fix their own gear.

Sorry to be cynical, but this is too much. I fixed - in one night - what they couldn't in ten months. And I have no formal training in electronics, just a lot of common sense.

So where can I order me up a fan-control sensor and a VU meter?
thanks.

Contact Martin at ashdown and he should be able to hook you up on the parts. I don't know any place where you can order original parts for your ashdown. Please also send a copy or link of your post so Martin can know about the 10 months problem you got with the warranty repair.

When I had problems with my ABM head, Martin sent a brand new one directly to me (from UK to Canada) after having his tech to test it for an entire day. I got the amp in one day, directly from the company. Can you say this about many companys? Also, by shipping direct to me, he by-passed the canadian distributor and the store where I bought it. Nothing wrong with them but Martin knew it would slow down the process with me. Like I've said before on TB, I was treated like a big-name endorser and the amp is working flawlessly since this day.

I'm not saying Ashdown doesn't have reliability issues to improve but when you have a problem with your gear, contact the manufacturer first. If they cannot help or don't answer, THEN talk bass is the best place to get answers.

I'm sure Ashdown will take care of you and please let us know how it goes.

 

[1kinal]

IMO, ashdown is gear worth avoiding. I've said, in other posts, I wouldn't risk my money on any british bass amp. I "expect" problems and quality control issues. I suspect, from what I've heard, your problems are not unusual. I rehearse in several different rehearsal studios in london, and the people running them all admit, in their opinions, the stuff is disposable, and "cheap." They only put in there for the kids to abuse it. Spend as little possible to do the job and get max return. Pretty colors, lights and a 50's style VU meter, to me is a typical example of style over substance (reminds me of Trace Elliot) . That stuff would not survive the road, more than likely. The other school of thought, although rare, is buy the best ****, and use it for everything. Ampeg SVT's and Gallien Krueger are the norm, although the prices are really expensive, the gear, location, and room size reflect it. The places with the Ashdown gear are priced around five to seven pounds an hour (10 dollars roughly).

Good luck, I hope it works out okay. Bass should always be heard...

While I agree there are more realiable amps than Ashdown, what counts for me the most is SOUND and to me, Ashdown sounds better than GK, Ampeg, etc...

If you like ashdown sound but are afraid of reliability, buy an Ashdown and bring it to your tech so he can inspect it for eventual problems (bad solder, etc..). Maintenance of your gear is an important aspect many people forget and after they complain about reliability.

Let's say you have a car and never check the oil. Eventually something's gonna fail. Will you blame it on the manufacturer?

That said, I agree that Ampeg and GK are the norm but if you like the sound of ashdown then buy an ashdown.

 

[THB_bassman]

Contact Martin at ashdown and he should be able to hook you up on the parts. I don't know any place where you can order original parts for your ashdown. Please also send a copy or link of your post so Martin can know about the 10 months problem you got with the warranty repair.

When I had problems with my ABM head, Martin sent a brand new one directly to me (from UK to Canada) after having his tech to test it for an entire day. I got the amp in one day, directly from the company. Can you say this about many companys? Also, by shipping direct to me, he by-passed the canadian distributor and the store where I bought it. Nothing wrong with them but Martin knew it would slow down the process with me. Like I've said before on TB, I was treated like a big-name endorser and the amp is working flawlessly since this day.

I'm not saying Ashdown doesn't have reliability issues to improve but when you have a problem with your gear, contact the manufacturer first. If they cannot help or don't answer, THEN talk bass is the best place to get answers.

I'm sure Ashdown will take care of you and please let us know how it goes.

Thanks. I'll contact Martin.

 

[THB_bassman]

While I agree there are more realiable amps than Ashdown, what counts for me the most is SOUND and to me, Ashdown sounds better than GK, Ampeg, etc...

If you like ashdown sound but are afraid of reliability, buy an Ashdown and bring it to your tech so he can inspect it for eventual problems (bad solder, etc..). Maintenance of your gear is an important aspect many people forget and after they complain about reliability.

Let's say you have a car and never check the oil. Eventually something's gonna fail. Will you blame it on the manufacturer?

That said, I agree that Ampeg and GK are the norm but if you like the sound of ashdown then buy an ashdown.

Some of what you said makes sense. But on an Ashdown ABM there is virtually NO oil to check, so to speak. The thing is just made poorly. The idea of buying one and then hiring a tech to go over every solder joint is sort of "out there" and shouldn't have to be.

I will contact Martin directly for parts, but I won't send it to another shop for another 10 months, to someone who is less able to fix it than I am.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Was the shop that had your amp an authorized Ashdown repair facility ?

 

[THB_bassman]

Was the shop that had your amp an authorized Ashdown repair facility ?

Because they did the warranty work, I'd guess yes.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Because they did the warranty work, I'd guess yes.

Thanks.

 

[THB_bassman]

Thanks.

Not sure what you are getting at, but if I can help you I'd like to...
I don't think a non-authorized shop would do the so-called repair at no cost to me, would they?
Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Not sure what you are getting at, but if I can help you I'd like to...
I don't think a non-authorized shop would do the so-called repair at no cost to me, would they?
Correct me if I am wrong.

I was just curious as to why they had your amp for so long.

 

[THB_bassman]

I was just curious as to why they had your amp for so long.

Supposedly a good deal of that was waiting for new fans to come from England.
Other than that, who knows.

 

[Bassman62]

We dont have Taco Bell here in the UK.

Aside from that, that really sucks. Ive only ever heard good things about Ashdown. I own a MAG stack and am buying an ABM 500 this summer, so consider my interest piqued.

Ashdown is so unreliable?
I've been using Ashdown Amps 7 preamp continuously since the late 90s ABM500, Electric Blue combo and john Entwistle Preamp.
I've suffered masive problems such as a failed LED in the on/off switch and the VU metre went down, the VU metre was replaced free of charge the day after the my phone call.
If people are experiencing problems could it be that Ashdown has got too big and become corporate minded as many of the good comapnys seem to go and not customer minded?

 

[dhadleyray]

More than likely.... I'll stand by my statement, avoid british bass amps. More trouble than they're worth for a working musician. Whose got time to **** with all that hassle?

 

[Zakk007]

Ashdown is so unreliable?
I've been using Ashdown Amps 7 preamp continuously since the late 90s ABM500, Electric Blue combo and john Entwistle Preamp.
I've suffered masive problems such as a failed LED in the on/off switch and the VU metre went down, the VU metre was replaced free of charge the day after the my phone call.
If people are experiencing problems could it be that Ashdown has got too big and become corporate minded as many of the good comapnys seem to go and not customer minded?

Lol. Too big and corporate? Did you know Ashdown is made up of only 8 people?

 

[bino]

I'll chime in here. I've had 4 Ashdown products off and on for the last 4 years. One electric blue combo and the rest was ABM stuff. The only problem I ever had was a bad solder on the EB combo's speaker out. I emailed (never called) Ashdown and mentioned the problem. Within a week a new speaker wire was sent from England just in case that was the problem. I've also emailed them from time to time with general product questions and have always received a reply from Martin Burrows within 24 hours. Also, I personally know others with ABM stuff who have never experienced problems after years of regular use.

No doubt some have had problems arise with their gear, but I would be truly surpised if this thread is representative of every Ashdown product owner out there. Squeeky wheel gets the grease, right? Their excellent customer service and great sound were enough for me to pick up another amp this week.

That's just my 2 cents. I'm not discounting the problems people have had. My tune would likely be much different if I had problems. I'm just adding some balance to the discussion by offering my positive experiences.