Ashdown ABM 500 and / or JJ Burnel 500

[doctorbass]

I'm considering one of these and would like to hear from anyone who uses, or has used the JJ 500. I cant find one anywhere to try and while I'm not after sounding like Mr Burnel, I like the idea of the 500 EVO with a graphic EQ.

Any experiences appreciated, particularly comparing the two.

[bartelby]

Just using the JJ-500 won't make you sound like Mr Burnel. For one thing, the amp doesn't do dirt, grit or drive of any kind. It's a really clean sounding amp.
It's loud and the 12 band graphic is really powerful. The Harmonic generator, or whatever it's called, is useful for getting a bit of "sparkle" (can't think of a better word) back.
I really like mine, even if I got another amp I'd keep the JJ-500.



The JJ is based on the MK-500, so think Mark King and not JJ Burnel and that is probably a better idea of how the amp sounds.

Edited June 24, 2014 by bartelby

[doctorbass]

Thanks mate. As I said in the first post, I'm not after a JJ sound, just interested in Ashdown with the flex of a 12 band EQ.

Nice description there! How do you think it compares to the ABM 500?

[Kevin Dean]

I've worked on a Stranglers gig & he uses both the JJ for the 10" cabs & the ABM for the 15" , I've tried the MK version & I think the voicing is different , Personally I like the ABM especially that they now do a lighter version & that has overdrive , compression & octaver everything I need on a gig .

[bartelby]

It's got a different transformer to the MK-500.

[Handwired]

Both sound good to my ears and ther are some serious used bargains on the ABM (UK made) front, just stay away from Ashdown cabs!

[BluRay]

[quote name='Handwired' timestamp='1405356794' post='2501177']
just stay away from Ashdown cabs!
[/quote]
Unless you're looking for a well made, reliable and (subjectively) very good sounding cab that's designed to compliment an ashdown head.

[Ashdown Engineering]

Lol well JJ seems to rate the cabs... ;-)

Edited July 15, 2014 by Ashdown Engineering

[Handwired]

[quote name='Ashdown Engineering' timestamp='1405453877' post='2502103']
Lol well JJ seems to rate the cabs... ;-)
[/quote]Ha Ha, yeah the guy that used (by his own admission) a HH cab with a busted speaker for years and didn't realise.

[Ashdown Engineering]

If it gives the sound the player is after...

[Ashdown Engineering]

[quote name='doctorbass' timestamp='1403599259' post='2484200']
I'm considering one of these and would like to hear from anyone who uses, or has used the JJ 500. I cant find one anywhere to try and while I'm not after sounding like Mr Burnel, I like the idea of the 500 EVO with a graphic EQ.

Any experiences appreciated, particularly comparing the two.
[/quote]

FYI PMT's Birmingham store have a JJ 500 in stock

[coinparco]

Hye,

Do you know, where can i find a ashdown signature MK 500 mark king in stock or used.

thank you

[barkin]

There's one in the for sale section [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/247273-ashdown-mk500-mark-king-signature-head/page__view__findpost__p__2578137"]here[/url]

[Kevin Dean]

I've seen a video of JJ using the MK heads , personally I don't think there is any difference between the two As I have tried both & think they are excellent . At the moment I use the ABM 400RH as that has a built in drive, compression & octave that is useful for me . Interestingly JJ uses the graphic head for the 4 x 10 cabs & a ABM for the 15s & none of the overdrive is used at all .But there is a small Korg all in one practice type gadget that is used to add distortion via the PA .