Stan_da_man Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 I recently purchased a Ashdown Superfly bass head. As soon as I turned it on, the head starts emitting a high frequency pitch which is very noticeable, especially at low levels. I tried new leads, basses, speaker connecters and different ohm settings but the noise still remained. When the head is not plugged into anything and turned on it emits no noise, but as soon as its plugged into a cabinet the high pitched noise starts again. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 [quote name='Stan_da_man' post='151925' date='Mar 5 2008, 06:30 PM']I recently purchased a Ashdown Superfly bass head. As soon as I turned it on, the head starts emitting a high frequency pitch which is very noticeable, especially at low levels. I tried new leads, basses, speaker connecters and different ohm settings but the noise still remained. When the head is not plugged into anything and turned on it emits no noise, but as soon as its plugged into a cabinet the high pitched noise starts again. Any ideas?[/quote] Oh dear - another one. If you use the search function you'll find several threads about the faulty power boards on these amps. There's no quick fix, as there are no replacement boards - just take it back and get a full refund. Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatbass787 Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Sounds like a silly question but which output jacks are you using, i have a friend who had one and didnt realise the speakon sockets were combined speakon/jack and was running out of the line out into his cab, this called all sorts of issues, since using right outputs hes been fine though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 It's a known issue with the Superfly.. refund time ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 [quote name='phatbass787' post='152169' date='Mar 6 2008, 08:14 AM']Sounds like a silly question but which output jacks are you using, i have a friend who had one and didnt realise the speakon sockets were combined speakon/jack and was running out of the line out into his cab, this called all sorts of issues, since using right outputs hes been fine though[/quote] I am using the speakon connections. Machines - the guy on eBay said he couldn't refund me but said I could swap it for another Superfly or a different similar priced head...which are all Ashdown's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 (edited) [quote name='Stan_da_man' post='152290' date='Mar 6 2008, 11:56 AM']I am using the speakon connections. Machines - the guy on eBay said he couldn't refund me but said I could swap it for another Superfly or a different similar priced head...which are all Ashdown's![/quote] How about an ABM head? IMHO they ain't at all bad. EDIT Jolly good in fact. Edited March 6, 2008 by johnnylager Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 What other options did they give you ? I assume it'll be a MAG300.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 It's unlikely another Superfly head will be without the same problem. I presume this was a private sale then - and not a physical shop that sells on ebay? How about making a complaint through ebay about being sold defective goods? Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 (edited) Indeed. It doesn't work properly, so you should be entitled to a full refund. He is just trying it on with you, so as not to be out of pocket. It sounds like the tea double you ay tea knew what he was selling, so go for your money back and if he won't co operate, then start to play dirty. Edited March 6, 2008 by steve-soar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedontcarebear Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 I have one that has no issue, so a swap for another may well be the solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 [quote name='Hamster' post='152321' date='Mar 6 2008, 12:39 PM']It's unlikely another Superfly head will be without the same problem.[/quote] Um, why? My Superfly head hasn't got that problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatbass787 Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 [quote name='tauzero' post='152334' date='Mar 6 2008, 12:57 PM']Um, why? My Superfly head hasn't got that problem.[/quote] +1 I know a few guys who've got superflys and none of them have had any issues, in fact they love them and gig them regularly. May be worth e mailing Ashdown direct? Theres an ask a question bit on their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 (edited) [quote name='Machines' post='152296' date='Mar 6 2008, 12:01 PM']What other options did they give you ? I assume it'll be a MAG300..[/quote] MAG 300H, MAG 600H, Marshall MB450H or possibly ABM EVO 300. I will dispute the item. Edited March 6, 2008 by Stan_da_man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratty Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 (edited) [quote name='thedontcarebear' post='152326' date='Mar 6 2008, 12:47 PM']I have one that has no issue, so a swap for another may well be the solution.[/quote]im the same on that ive had got no problem with mine!! Edited March 6, 2008 by stratty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratty Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 [quote name='tauzero' post='152334' date='Mar 6 2008, 12:57 PM']Um, why? My Superfly head hasn't got that problem.[/quote]mine neither! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 [quote name='Stan_da_man' post='152523' date='Mar 6 2008, 05:28 PM']MAG 300H, MAG 600H, Marshall MB450H or possibly ABM EVO 300. I will dispute the item.[/quote] Go for the ABM ! Of course I am not biased in any shape or form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 (edited) [quote name='Machines' post='152554' date='Mar 6 2008, 06:06 PM']Go for the ABM ! Of course I am not biased in any shape or form.[/quote] This is the thing - I bought the Superfly because it didn't sound like an Ashdown. The ABM sounds like a true Ashdown and that puts me off a bit; I'll have to test one out... And how do I know this Ashdown won't break? And anyone have experience of the MAG 600? Edited March 6, 2008 by Stan_da_man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 The power board problem arose with the last batch of Superfly heads - if yours was bought some time ago, or was NOS you're lucky. I bought one from Soundcontrol when they were knocking them out for £199. It was faulty so I took it back and tried the other 13 Superfly heads they had in stock - they were all defective. It's really noticible when you roll back on the lows and boost the treble. Turn off your tweeters and roll off the highs and you might not notice it. The other Ashdown MAG / ABM heads are also known for the QC problems with the mains transformer burning out, (which also happened with my ABM head.) I won't be buying Ashdown again. Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshorepunk Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 I bought one of the £199 superflys from SC, returned it within a week, squeals and pops, they had no hesitation in doing a refund. It did sound OK when it worked, rana bit hot though! Good luck in getting this sorted Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 [quote name='Hamster' post='152574' date='Mar 6 2008, 06:22 PM']The other Ashdown MAG / ABM heads are also known for the QC problems with the mains transformer burning out, (which also happened with my ABM head.) I won't be buying Ashdown again.[/quote] Those were some of the early PRC ones, the newer ones (post 06) should be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 [quote name='Machines' post='152619' date='Mar 6 2008, 07:27 PM']Those were some of the early PRC ones, the newer ones (post 06) should be ok.[/quote] I bought mine in Jan. 2008 though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 It isn't a MAG/ABM though. Your Superfly will have been made probably early/mid 07. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedontcarebear Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 [quote name='Stan_da_man' post='152621' date='Mar 6 2008, 07:28 PM']I bought mine in Jan. 2008 though...[/quote] So yours was pretty much definately post 06 then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 It's post 06 so it shouldn't have a problem...NOT! I am never buying Ashdown again. I gave 'em a chance and their chance is gone. I knew I should have bought the Peavey Tour 450 now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 If you can get the ABM 300, I'd get it. I use one and I like it, but then I know it's not to everyones taste. The MAGs are nice too, I used the 300 and I got a lot of positive feedback about the sound. I quite fancy getting one of the MAG 600 heads and making a new sleeve for it out of something a bit more substantial and covering it in some nice vinyl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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