What’s up with Ashdown?

[AlexMG]

Has anyone else had a hard time getting them to respond or request service?

Im in the U.S. and two months ago I ordered the ABM 400 LTD directly from their website (something that now you can no longer do). When I received it, I noticed some things were missing and didn’t get the certificate and video that are advertised with this Limited Edition.

I’ve contacted them over the course of the last two months and have had a couple of people promise to get back to me but I always have to reach back out for a response, still no resolution or acknowledgement of my last couple of emails. As of now, I’ve only been provided a video clip of an amp that is not my own.

I guess I’ll never get the extra features that were promised with this limited edition, but I’ve had an order for other Ashdown products including a tube head lined up with a dealer and would like some assurance that they can deliver on their products and service, especially since they’re in England and I’m in the U.S.

I guess for now I have my answer and should cancel my order? Any others with similar issues?

 

[Gearhead17]

I don't have experience with Ashdown's customer service, but through my initial tryouts with their gear a few years ago, I don't know what the appeal actually is. It sounds like bass, several items were quite heavy, and there are many other options out there in the USA. I think you answered your own question - if you are feeling like they will not meet your desires on customer service, start looking elsewhere.

 

[mmbongo]

I don't have experience with Ashdown's customer service, but through my initial tryouts with their gear a few years ago, I don't know what the appeal actually is. It sounds like bass, several items were quite heavy, and there are many other options out there in the USA. I think you answered your own question - if you are feeling like they will not meet your desires on customer service, start looking elsewhere.

Ashdown is kinda strange. They seem to cater to that niche market that wants old school type stuff and is not concerned about light weight, small size, or the latest features and designs.

 

[Rinchan]

When searching for Amps a month ago i asked the local dealer about their products, the dealer said they'll get back to me after they check with the company, from then on no news whatever so, the dealer had no clue what was going on and advised me to search for other brands.
Maybe just market strategy thing, i love their vintage looks but had no experience with them, it's quite unpopular in my area.

 

[paskisti]

I'm neutral with Asdown but generally speaking I've noticed many, probably US users, being sensitive to manufacturer customer service and support. In Europe, what I know, we rely on reseller support and not manufacturer's. If I buy from Thomann it's their job to keep me happy. Also EU regulations in consumer business put all responsibility to reseller, not manufacturer. B2B is totally different topic.

 

[Riff Ranger]

Ashdown is kinda strange. They seem to cater to that niche market that wants old school type stuff and is not concerned about light weight, small size, or the latest features and designs.

Yes, and yet they’ll do things like the ANT (tiny 200-watt amp that fits on a pedalboard) or the Little Bastard (little 30-watt tube head). Definitely strange. I remember them intriguing me when they first came along, particularly as they seemed focused on low end in a way that appealed to me at the time; but that was before Class-D/neo everything came along, and before reading and hearing years of hit-and-miss experiences. I would still consider some Ashdown products, but would have to really read up on the track record of any particular model before going for it.

 

[bassjam]

I’ve owned and still own various pieces of Ashdown gear and always had good luck with them. I’m in Texas and they don’t have much of a presence here. But I’m weird in that I actually like owning gear that not everyone is playing. I’ve reached out to Mark Gooday before and found him to be really good in responding. Mark has also put me in touch with different people that have always been helpful. I had an ABM head go down once and Dave Green was super helpful and they took care of it. One thing, I know they have a fairly new US rep that I’ve talked to- he said they are working on beefing up their presence in the US. If you want, PM me and I can give you his contact info- maybe he can help you.

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

I’ve reached out to Mark Gooday before and found him to be really good in responding. Mark has also put me in touch with different people that have always been helpful. I had an ABM head go down once and Dave Green was super helpful and they took care of it.

I have found the same. One thing worth bearing in mind:
Many small tech-based firms in the UK seem to like mails that arrive early in UK time, so they can give them fuller attention before the planned business of the day. I found that Ashdown, and my ISP (AAISP) have a very similar nature regarding emails. Anything that can be resolved over the course of one day, starting early, almost certainly will be, and to a high standard.

For this reason, complex problems, if any, might best be reduced to manageable chunks. Doing that will help the person asking for help to be clearer, and will definitely get the best responses. It also makes direct calls to a tech specialist more likely to get their undivided attention.

Dave Green was very forthcoming with tech docs for ABM cab drivers, which helped me to ask fewer and better questions, so if you're missing some documentation that should have been supplied, I'm sure you'll get that if you ask directly to Ashdown at source.

 

[J Wilson]

Their US distribution and availability has always been sparse, and I'm not putting real money into something I need to hire a skip tracer to find if I have questions or concerns. Too many other choices that are solid from a sales and service standpoint.

I've seen too many cats throw money after some WonderBass or the new WonderAmp only to find they've basically bought an orphan as far as support or service goes. No Thanks.

 

[two fingers]

All I can contribute is that I've noticed there have been several threads like this in the past few months.

 

[klattman]

Something must be going on. I’ve not been able to get responses from them either. I guess I’m on my own with their stuff.

 

[AlexMG]

Are they selling/going out of business? I still have yet to hear back.

doesn’t stop them from sending me marketing emails though :/

 

[bassjam]

I’m just curious. Who are you guys reaching out to? I’ve never had any trouble hearing back from them. Also, not long ago I had an amp blow and they were quick to get on it and take care of it. I’m not defending them, I have just never had this issue.

 

[AlexMG]

I’m just curious. Who are you guys reaching out to? I’ve never had any trouble hearing back from them. Also, not long ago I had an amp blow and they were quick to get on it and take care of it. I’m not defending them, I have just never had this issue.

Dan Gooday, David Bush, and the @info email address. No response. Didn’t have this problem when I reached out to purchase the amp direct from their site (can’t be done anymore).

 

[BassAdder27]

Based in the U.K. Ashdown are one of our favourite brands for bass gear, probably above Mesa ( price ) and Ampeg ( ?? ) and this is true in most U.K. music stores in terms of stock.
The service we receive is the best and fast in response and advice.
Just purchased the excellent CTM100 head direct and this was on a next day courier delivery.
It’s a shame if they are slow responding and I’m not sure why that is. They are going from strength to strength with several new models just been launched
If you asked bass players in the U.K. who are the best for service and support you would hear Ashdown top of the list
They are not a huge company but a very decent and knowledgeable bunch of guys who have a great product.
I’m sure they will get back to you assuming your enquiries havnt gone into spam

 

[AlexMG]

Based in the U.K. Ashdown are one of our favourite brands for bass gear, probably above Mesa ( price ) and Ampeg ( ?? ) and this is true in most U.K. music stores in terms of stock.
The service we receive is the best and fast in response and advice.
Just purchased the excellent CTM100 head direct and this was on a next day courier delivery.
It’s a shame if they are slow responding and I’m not sure why that is. They are going from strength to strength with several new models just been launched
If you asked bass players in the U.K. who are the best for service and support you would hear Ashdown top of the list
They are not a huge company but a very decent and knowledgeable bunch of guys who have a great product.
I’m sure they will get back to you assuming your enquiries havnt gone into spam

they did initially respond and promise to look into the missing items they did not reply to me within the multiple promised deadlines and never delivered on the items. Now they don’t respond to my follow up emails requesting for an update. Funny I haven’t received the CTM amp I ordered months ago but they are delivering next day direct in the U.K.
I want to love them but how can I?

 

[J Wilson]

I have no idea if this is still in place, but may be a lead(s).

At present (as far as today goes . . . .) they are distributed by Davitt and Hanser, a large rep firm in Cincinatti, OH.

Davitt & Hanser Music (davitthanseronline.com)

. . . . and after 30 minutes of beating the www bushes, all I can find for a warranty station is this company in Palm Desert, California. Maybe they're using parts from Plant 42 . . . .

Warranty Repair Ashdown Engineering | desertamplifierrepair.com

There may be more, but their voluminous website lists no support info except to state their warranty unless I'm missing something, which is entirely possible. They list Sweetwater and Musicians Friend as online dealers, maybe they could point you towards service.

 

[Confunk]

I have a CTM-100 which I've grown to really love- Their all-tube heads have a unique character that gets it done for me, along with a NOS Klystron 15 cab that I found online. Both were built in England, and together they make quite the cool rig.
I E-mailed Ashdown with a ? about covers for the no-longer made Klystron cab, and Mark responded immediately.
Now this was pre-covid, and that probably accounts for something these days, IDK.
I still get E-mails about new products i.e.:
LB 30 2.N – Ashdown Engineering (ashdownmusic.com)
which looks like quite the bomb!

 

[klattman]

They have answered as recent as a few months ago but now that I own a bunch of their stuff I can’t get tech questions answered. Their user manuals are dreadfully basic.

 

[foal30]

I started using Ashdown gear in 1998 and still going strong
Problem free
Always reply to any questions

I hope your issue is resolved quickly.