Onox Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Hey Folks, any experiences with the old Ashdown ABM Heads (Made in UK)? I´m thinking about getting one of these. I heard they´ve got a realy deep, thight sound. Should be perfect for Soul, Blues and Rock. I also like the option to dial a little Tube-Grind in. But I´m wondering if these Amps could handle Funk-Style-Music very well? I'd like to use it with a Ashdown ABM 210 Cab, also made in UK. Regards, O. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatbass787 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Yup used my Klystron rig heavily for a number of years and used ABM rigs at gigs too, perfect for the kind of music you mention, great warm thick tone that sits really well in a band mix and you can certainly add a bit of grit with the valve drive, I always have mine on about a quarter just to give that extra warmth and grit you get with the valve in the mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I have an ABM500 and can echo the comments above. Great range of sounds available using the eq, a bit of grit with the valve, and I also find the compressor quite usable too. Cheers Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 In the past when I'd used (battered and abused) Ashdown in house backline at a local venue I'd really never got on with it. I ended up using another bassists whole setup when I depped for his band (one of my bandmates had absconded with our lockup key for the weekend!) and it completely changed my opinion. It was an ABM900 with an 810, had to use his Fender Jazz too, and it was one of the absolute best bass tones I've ever had. Really growled and cut through nicely without overpowering the guitars. I loved it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I had one of the original ABM 300's and sold it a few years ago when I was skint. Best amp I've ever had in 35 years of on/off gigging. Rock solid, reliable, great tonal variation. I like old school (think JPJ, Zep 11), not surprisingly. They do that very well. Equally, my current ABM Klystron sounds superb when I come to do Billy Sheehan hammers, pulls, trips, harmonics, chords (just a pity it doesn't fit on my mini cabs . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 The old ones are superb. I used to have an ABM C110 combo & it sounded great - nice & warm but still very clear. The DI's on them are fantastic too - really quiet. I only got rid of it because I fancied a change & often think I did the wrong thing in doing so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I've had my EVOII head for 6 years, gigged heavily for 4 of them. In that time it's needed a preamp valve and a metal corner after the singer dropped it, and the transformer tightening up as the bolt had come loose Extremely reliable and great all-round sound which pretty much suits all genres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 (edited) It's the DADDY! I've just recently bought an ABM 500 III and it sounds fantastic. I had a TC Electronic classic 450 head which I replaced with the ABM. as I couldn't get the sound I heard in my head with the TC amp however much I twiddled with it but as soon as I plugged into the Ashdown there was the sound I wanted - deep, defined, warm and punchy with my 2X12. It's got so much low down grunt I turn the bass dial down to zero and use the two low mid sliders to give me the bottom end I need. It also sounds great with my double bass. The TC head just generated so much feedback it was pointless even trying to plug my DB into it. Edited February 18, 2012 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1329573771' post='1544406'] The old ones are superb. I used to have an ABM C110 combo & it sounded great - nice & warm but still very clear. The DI's on them are fantastic too - really quiet. I only got rid of it because I fancied a change & often think I did the wrong thing in doing so. [/quote] I can assure you that you most definitely did. I hope you didn't buy a TC Electronic Classic 450...........I did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 [quote name='gjones' timestamp='1329578950' post='1544470'] I can assure you that you most definitely did. I hope you didn't buy a TC Electronic Classic 450...........I did [/quote] No, I bought an EBS Gorm 350 watt 1x15 combo which I can't sell for love nor money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onox Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 (edited) Thanks for the answers guys! But whats your opinion to Ashdown and Funk? Oldschool fingerstyle shouldn´t be a problem but what is with clean slapsounds? Too muddy? Edited February 18, 2012 by Onox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 [quote name='Onox' timestamp='1329584436' post='1544561'] Thanks for the answers guys! But whats your opinion to Ashdown and Funk? Oldschool fingerstyle shouldn´t be a problem but what is with clean slapsounds? Too muddy? [/quote] For slap, engage the "shape" button (basically an EQ scoop) and dial out excessive bass with the lowest EQ control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPBassman Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Ashdown have a superb EQ system yannic. People say they are muddy but Ive owned quite a few and each obe has been fantastic. The sub bass magnifier moves some serious air. Dont hesitate in buying one, im saving for my next one already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Onox' timestamp='1329584436' post='1544561'] Thanks for the answers guys! But whats your opinion to Ashdown and Funk? Oldschool fingerstyle shouldn´t be a problem but what is with clean slapsounds? Too muddy? [/quote] It will also depend on what type of bass you're using. I always used my Ashdown with the EQ disengaged & the slap sound I got from my Zon Legacy was fantastic. If you're using something passive which will sound a lot duller then you might have to fiddle with the EQ a bit. I never found the amp to sound muddy, even with very bassy sounds. Edited February 19, 2012 by RhysP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onox Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Ok, I did it. I bought an Ashdown ABM Evo I Amp. It looks like new und is fully checked by a technician. The Amp shoul arrive the day after tomorrow. Can you tell me what the Center-Frequencies of the big Bass, middle and Treble knobs are? I couldn´t find something usefull in the old ABM manual on the ashdown-website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPBassman Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I couldnt tell you the actual frequencies but I'm sure if you emailed the service dept on the Ashdown website they would give you all the details. Guy Morrell is in charge there and very helpful with technical issues. Good luck. All you need now is a lovely Gibson Thunderbird ;-) Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Onox' timestamp='1329769238' post='1547115'] Ok, I did it. I bought an Ashdown ABM Evo I Amp. It looks like new und is fully checked by a technician. The Amp shoul arrive the day after tomorrow. Can you tell me what the Center-Frequencies of the big Bass, middle and Treble knobs are? I couldn´t find something usefull in the old ABM manual on the ashdown-website. [/quote] On my EVOII: 45Hz, 660Hz & 7kHz shelving. All +/-15dB Edited February 20, 2012 by Protium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onox Posted March 2, 2012 Author Share Posted March 2, 2012 Sadly, my Ashsdown arrived non working but i got it fixed today. Lovely amp, very punchy, clear and deep/warm sounding. The Preshape don´t seems to be very usefull, it sounds very muddy to me with too less highs. Never had such a fat tone with my Jazz Bass. Tomorrow I´ll test it with my Precision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nottswarwick Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 That's it, I'm going back to one. Too much adverse bollocks around about ashdown gear, but Abm stuff is spot on. And for those who crave a micro head, the Abm 500 is neither large nor heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec 'Aleb' Mills Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I'd love an excuse to get one. played through an ABM 500 a few times and sounded fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 [quote name='Alec 'Aleb' Mills' timestamp='1330728662' post='1562423'] I'd love an excuse to get one. played through an ABM 500 a few times and sounded fantastic! [/quote] That's the perfect excuse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec 'Aleb' Mills Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 [quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1330764744' post='1562585'] That's the perfect excuse! [/quote] I suppose it is! Ah, I guess I'm just a tight bastard then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 [quote name='Alec 'Aleb' Mills' timestamp='1330766304' post='1562608'] I suppose it is! Ah, I guess I'm just a tight bastard then [/quote] Recently they've been selling cheap on ebay..............around £250/260 on ebay for secondhand ABM 500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec 'Aleb' Mills Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 (edited) [quote name='gjones' timestamp='1330770859' post='1562684'] Recently they've been selling cheap on ebay..............around £250/260 on ebay for secondhand ABM 500. [/quote] I must admit I haven't been looking very diligently on eBay. I've only come across the discontinued ABM 300 so far! But thanks I'll definately keep a keener eye on eBay. Edited March 3, 2012 by Alec 'Aleb' Mills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onox Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 The only con is that the fan is too loud if you want to use the amp at home. I think i´ll gonna add an on/off-Schwitch for the fan. Does the Ashdown have a protection circuit for shutting down when it gets to hot in the amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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