• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Why no love for Ashdown?

#162
I have been running an ABM 500 EVO (British built) for about 10 years now, with 2 ABM compact 115 cabinets w/Blueline speakers. Fantastic sound, plenty of headroom, speakers tight and punchy. Plenty of volume w/o breaking up. I have been playing bass off and on for 50 years, and have tried about everything. in the 60's and 70's used Gretsch (tube), Sunn (tube & SS) and Acoustic, tons (literally) of JBL speakers. This is my best rig ever. Looks great, sounds great, and gets a lot of attention. The cabs are about 56 lbs apiece, so they don't break my aging back. The head is solid, but not TOO heavy. I love it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BaltBass5 and FUBB
#164
dbljointedthumb said:
I bought an Ashdown 410 cab about 12 years ago on a lark because of a deal that was too good to pass up. Played dozens of gigs with it and it held up beautifully so decided to try more of their stuff. Bought the RPM-1 preamp and it still to this day is my go to preamp for rock stuff. I plan on buying the pedal preamp when it releases.
Click to expand...
Ashdown Pedal Preamp you say? I hadn't heard of this....
Was always a toss up for me between Ashdown and GK, as the EQ sections are so similar. Unfortunately there are little to no Ashdowns to be found in Nashville, so GK won out.
 
#166
IMG_0047.jpg
Rickter said:
Ashdown Pedal Preamp you say? I hadn't heard of this....
Was always a toss up for me between Ashdown and GK, as the EQ sections are so similar. Unfortunately there are little to no Ashdowns to be found in Nashville, so GK won out.
Click to expand...

I actually found my cab used at the Sam Ash in the Rivergate area there. I used to work for the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville and lived in that area. The Preamp pedal is based on their new Origin Series, looks pretty cool.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BaltBass5, BadExample and Rickter
#167
I didn't mention in my original post, but I like the ABM 115 compact cabs so much that I bought 2 more (4 total). The ABM 500 can't push all 4 at once (4 ohm minimum impedance), but if ever needed I can run them with a Fender 1200S (2 ohms) that I have. Lots about brute power, but I like the ABM better. More "polished". I have just never needed more than the ABM 500 and 2 cabs to get the full sound I want. I have observed that the "Ashdown sound" is rather distinctive - deep, clear, room-filling. I suppose you like it or you don't. Some major supporters have been John Entwistle and Sir Paul M.
 
#168
dbljointedthumb said:
View attachment 1182446

I actually found my cab used at the Sam Ash in the Rivergate area there. I used to work for the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville and lived in that area. The Preamp pedal is based on their new Origin Series, looks pretty cool.
Click to expand...
dbljointedthumb said:
View attachment 1182446

I actually found my cab used at the Sam Ash in the Rivergate area there. I used to work for the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville and lived in that area. The Preamp pedal is based on their new Origin Series, looks pretty cool.
Click to expand...
Oooohhhhhh very nice... May have to look into that pedal.
Interesting that you were in the area @dbljointedthumb. When you worked at the Gibson Custom Shop, by any chance did you know Sean Nicholson?
 
#171
I have an Ashdown MAG 300 head, and it is basically a big loud 'blah'. A really uncharacteristic 'unseasoned' tone. The volume is there, and the EQ is quite versatile, but there is just a sort of clean, undynamic and unflinching edge to the tone. I guess it doesn't have any sort of identifying features.
 
#172
Axstar said:
I have an Ashdown MAG 300 head, and it is basically a big loud 'blah'. A really uncharacteristic 'unseasoned' tone. The volume is there, and the EQ is quite versatile, but there is just a sort of clean, undynamic and unflinching edge to the tone. I guess it doesn't have any sort of identifying features.
Click to expand...
a sonic maximizer (BBE) really adds life to the mag 300, yet smooths it out. I did a ton of gigs with that setup.
 
#173
So this, with my ABM500 (UK) sounds so good, I am thinking of dumping all my extras. (and I got a lot)
As a real plus, this thing sounds great up close, 15' away, on AND off axis.!
I did try it once with my GK800RB and it was lean sounding, but with the Ash and my other tube amps, it kills.
I ran it against my reference Eden D410-XLT and it holds it's own.







Musicman 115-RH Praise....
 
  • Like
Reactions: BaltBass5
#176
DDP said:
I didn't mention in my original post, but I like the ABM 115 compact cabs so much that I bought 2 more (4 total). The ABM 500 can't push all 4 at once (4 ohm minimum impedance), but if ever needed I can run them with a Fender 1200S (2 ohms) that I have. Lots about brute power, but I like the ABM better. More "polished". I have just never needed more than the ABM 500 and 2 cabs to get the full sound I want. I have observed that the "Ashdown sound" is rather distinctive - deep, clear, room-filling. I suppose you like it or you don't. Some major supporters have been John Entwistle and Sir Paul M.
Click to expand...
I have an assortment of the ABM Mini cabs. Are these the ones you use? I've been on the lookout for another Mini15 or Mini12T. They don't come up very often, for sure.
 
#178
I had an Ashdown MAG combo that I really liked the tone out of. The speakers blew so I took the amp out of it and plugged it into a different cab and I really liked the sound of it.

Eric Wilson from sublime plays Ashdown. I've always been a fan of his tone. I see that Roger Waters plays Ashdown too.

I do wish they had a bigger market here in the US. I'd love to try more of them out.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back