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I have an Ashdown 410 that's nice. It's one of the lower end, Chinese built models though. Compared to my Hartke though, it was muddy and seemed a little light on the volume. The aluminum cone speakers tend to make others seem a little inadequate in the definition department though.
I think what hurts them in the states though, is the exchange rate and the availability. Ashdown stuff tends to be pricey if you don't want the Chinese stuff. The higher end UK-made stuff is very nice, but the GBP to USD conversion rate hurts US sales. Consequently, it puts them in competition with more high end gear that is made here in the USA and can be sold cheaper. I couldn't tell you a store locally here in Las Vegas that stocks Ashdown anything. I know I could call around and find a Mesa rig to play on in an hour.
I think what hurts them in the states though, is the exchange rate and the availability. Ashdown stuff tends to be pricey if you don't want the Chinese stuff. The higher end UK-made stuff is very nice, but the GBP to USD conversion rate hurts US sales. Consequently, it puts them in competition with more high end gear that is made here in the USA and can be sold cheaper. I couldn't tell you a store locally here in Las Vegas that stocks Ashdown anything. I know I could call around and find a Mesa rig to play on in an hour.
I like Ashdown bit found the abm amps hard to get a sound out of I liked. I prefer the older mag series and currently use an old mag 300 one of the last England made ones. Before they went prc made.
They are or at least used to be designed by Clive button who designed the Trace Elliot gear too and inside they are very similar.
Some people say they sound woolly I'm not entirely disagreeing because on every ashdown I've used I've always turned the bass and lower mids down a notch and boosted the mids, treble etc up a notch.
And stay away from the buttons that engage more bass (unless in a reggae band maybe). And make sure the eq is engaged etc.
They seem very reliable. Although I once had an issue with a cab but I think it had been dropped at some point as it had a big dent in the metal corner protector.
There cabs are maybe not the most efficient. The amps seem fairly rated for there power.
The vu meter on every ashdown I've tried has been almost useless which is a shame as it seems like it would be pretty cool if it worked with greater accuracy.
They are or at least used to be designed by Clive button who designed the Trace Elliot gear too and inside they are very similar.
Some people say they sound woolly I'm not entirely disagreeing because on every ashdown I've used I've always turned the bass and lower mids down a notch and boosted the mids, treble etc up a notch.
And stay away from the buttons that engage more bass (unless in a reggae band maybe). And make sure the eq is engaged etc.
They seem very reliable. Although I once had an issue with a cab but I think it had been dropped at some point as it had a big dent in the metal corner protector.
There cabs are maybe not the most efficient. The amps seem fairly rated for there power.
The vu meter on every ashdown I've tried has been almost useless which is a shame as it seems like it would be pretty cool if it worked with greater accuracy.
Well, we do this every year I guess, but here we go again 
My MAG600 has to be over a decade old at this point. I also have a 220Touring combo I bought 2013 ish. I've done well over 1000 dates on those amps and they've been utterly reliable.
As far as the tone/volume goes - the eq/master volume are simply meant to be used along their entire range. I think this might put off some folks - especially when doing a 5 minute demo in a shop maybe-? If you need to turn the high mid knob up to 80%, to get a certain sound, then why not? Personally I prefer this to the way the EQ on, say, an Eden amp will blast you with treble (or low mids or whatever) at the slightest turn of the knob. I just can't see the Need for that much eq - maybe there is a security-blanket aspect...better to have it 'just in case'.
I really love the tone of that dual-tube series. Best hybrid amp I've played and I hope they bring them back. I guess maybe they were just too quirky or everyone wanted class-D or something.
My MAG600 has to be over a decade old at this point. I also have a 220Touring combo I bought 2013 ish. I've done well over 1000 dates on those amps and they've been utterly reliable.
As far as the tone/volume goes - the eq/master volume are simply meant to be used along their entire range. I think this might put off some folks - especially when doing a 5 minute demo in a shop maybe-? If you need to turn the high mid knob up to 80%, to get a certain sound, then why not? Personally I prefer this to the way the EQ on, say, an Eden amp will blast you with treble (or low mids or whatever) at the slightest turn of the knob. I just can't see the Need for that much eq - maybe there is a security-blanket aspect...better to have it 'just in case'.
I really love the tone of that dual-tube series. Best hybrid amp I've played and I hope they bring them back. I guess maybe they were just too quirky or everyone wanted class-D or something.
No plans to offload it presently. I did put it on TM when I bought the CTM300 but no interest.
How is your new $1 pick???!!!
How is your new $1 pick???!!!
The VU meter works great as long as you understand that it is displaying the input gain and that you should adjust the input gain to read just into the red. If you want a more aggressive tone you can overdrive the input and peg the meter. Works like a charm!
Damn boy, you know your trademe!
I am a bit of an atk fanatic, and really wanted his one, that I couldn't afford at the time.
Turns out, still can't afford it!
If you're really super bored tonight, can you upload a pic of the first gen abm? Keen to see it!
I am a bit of an atk fanatic, and really wanted his one, that I couldn't afford at the time.
Turns out, still can't afford it!
If you're really super bored tonight, can you upload a pic of the first gen abm? Keen to see it!
It's at a Practice space sorry Daniel
Ashdown 400 Klystron Bass Magnifier Feb '98
Sky Blue face, has the sub jack in the front.
Ashdown 400 Klystron Bass Magnifier Feb '98
Sky Blue face, has the sub jack in the front.
I had an Ashdown EVO II 900 ABM, UK made. I like em, not bad at all once you learn to use the eq a bit, there's good tones in there. I did't like the sliders, the octaver was useless and the preamp tube section was meh. Sold it to a friend of mine, who also plays guitar in my band - through that same amp. It actually doesn't sound half bad once he tweaked it a bit +
with a bit of help from his pedalboard. Unconventional sure, but kind of interesting.
That said, I used that Ashdown 900 for my vintage rock/Led Zep tribute band, and my latest amp - GK 2001RB pretty much just kicked all of my previous amps' butts. For a vintage tone with my P with flats. Against all the "modern vintage" and vintage heads I had. A head that is supposed to be hi fi lol. It's all about how you use it.
with a bit of help from his pedalboard. Unconventional sure, but kind of interesting.
That said, I used that Ashdown 900 for my vintage rock/Led Zep tribute band, and my latest amp - GK 2001RB pretty much just kicked all of my previous amps' butts. For a vintage tone with my P with flats. Against all the "modern vintage" and vintage heads I had. A head that is supposed to be hi fi lol. It's all about how you use it.
All you abm cab owners: if you do the tap test on the Middle panels of your cabs, do they sound hollow or well braced?
I've opened up a few ABM, MAG and VS cabs and haven't seen any bracing yet
I fully understand how to set gain and how supposedly the meter works. I've had a few ashdown amps, mags and abm's of various evo's and the meters have never worked well or quite right on any of them.
And sometimes the pre clips well before the needle is in the red. Or the needle hardly moves at all even with the gain up and it will clip.
The mag 300 I currently have is old, one of the last UK made ones so I give that one a pass on the meter not working well. But it doesn't excuse the others I've had.
The old eb180 with the led lights instead of the analogue meter worked better.
Ive found setting the gain by ear more reliable. And I've had multiple basses with various outputs.
I have read people say about the meter not being effective before and I've read that many people on the other hand have found it worked well also. But for me I've not had the best experience with it. I like Ashdown I've no beef with them.
Thanks for the reply. I will be Opening mine soon. But I still anticipate it sounding pretty good
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Just looked in my abm414h- very well braced front to back. I'll get some dowels for side to side bracing- and some matress topper to line the top, side and back.
