Merton Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) Pictures tonight I hope, but so far today I've opened boxes containing: Ashdown CTM-30 head Ashdown RM-800 head Ashdown RM-110 cab Ashdown VU mug... I think the better half won't be impressed later...... Edited July 31, 2015 by Merton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 The ctm 30 seems pretty cool. Is the mug all valve too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1438348247' post='2833787'] The ctm 30 seems pretty cool. Is the mug all valve too? [/quote] Damn straight, an EL84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Well the amps are immense: The RM800 has oodles of power and the valve-emulated drive is glorious. The CTM30 is exactly as I expected, I think it will be unstoppable with the two Barefaced Super Compact cabs. The cab is great, less "boxy" and middy than the Mi10 I think. The mug is a big disappointment though, not enough juice for my liking and the overdrive is non existent. Poor show. Pics soon.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBass3901 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Quite a haul there!! I'm waiting on some stuff from Ashdown as well but not quite as impressive as this! I really want to try the RM800 out as all I am hearing is great reviews Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 From my very brief play, it's a great amp. I was concerned I'd miss the ABM but on the evidence presented at home noise levels I doubt I will. Gig next week will be the proof! The CTM was b-stock which I found on eBay, it needs a couple of tweaks (the bulb has gone on the VU, one of the knobs has broken so I'm changing them all for the cream chicken head type on the CTM100) but is also just a cracking little amp. Really impressed! My office was a bit overrun earlier today...: Then I got home for a little play: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Oh balls they're all lying down. Better go sort that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='Merton' timestamp='1438361125' post='2833963'] The mug is a big disappointment though, not enough juice for my liking and the overdrive is non existent. Poor show. Pics soon.... [/quote] More importantly, what is the handle like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I've asked Mark G if I can review the RM800 and the new Retrograde head. I think i'll like both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1438367970' post='2834048'] More importantly, what is the handle like? [/quote] A bit shoddy, there's no movement or flexibility. It's like it's made of china or something... Weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 No mug pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Made in China? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1438384372' post='2834225'] Made in China? [/quote] Boom-tish.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 [quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1438379715' post='2834196'] No mug pics? [/quote] I'll get on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1438371740' post='2834113'] I've asked Mark G if I can review the RM800 and the new Retrograde head. I think i'll like both! [/quote] The RM800 is loverly! It can do clean, dirty, the sub harmonic thing is nice and subtle even when maxed out, the EQ simple but effective, the line mix a stroke of genius when practicing, and the build quality is top notch. Very, very happy with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 [quote name='Merton' timestamp='1438463938' post='2834747'] The RM800 is loverly! It can do clean, dirty, the sub harmonic thing is nice and subtle even when maxed out, the EQ simple but effective, the line mix a stroke of genius when practicing, and the build quality is top notch. Very, very happy with it [/quote] How do you find the emulated tube drive, compared to the ABM tube drive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Are you planning to gig the CTM30 with the BF cabs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 [quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1438508136' post='2834934'] How do you find the emulated tube drive, compared to the ABM tube drive? [/quote] I like it, I gather the new EVO IV valve drive is "better" than the older ABM drive but comparing the RM vs the EVO II was a positive thing. I always found the valve to be a bit "fizzy" if you went too far past twelve o'clock on the drive dial on the ABM; I tried a couple of different valves and couldn't discern much, if any, difference between brands. The RM reminds me of the SansAmp drive control, I think they've done a fine job with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1438508385' post='2834939'] Are you planning to gig the CTM30 with the BF cabs? [/quote] Yup; having gigged both a CTM15 and CTM100 with them I know roughly what to expect and frankly cannot wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 [quote name='Merton' timestamp='1438463938' post='2834747'] The RM800 is loverly! It can do clean, dirty, the sub harmonic thing is nice and subtle even when maxed out, the EQ simple but effective, the line mix a stroke of genius when practicing, and the build quality is top notch. Very, very happy with it [/quote] Ey! Thank you - thats what I like to hear!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Right then! I'll be reviewing an RM800 next week I hope! How are you getting on with yours Merton? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) Aha! Well I've just got home from its first gig, so.... It has been an absolutely brilliant amp at home through the RM110 cab, but tonight I gigged it through my two Super Compacts and it was incredible. For context, we are a wedding band so the usual pop/rock covers fare. In terms of tone I like a full, fat but punchy sound with a bit of bite when needed so I do tend to fiddle with drive controls on amps if they are there. That said we go through a PA and I DI via a SansAmp before my backline so it's more just for my own personal pleasure that I fiddle with my knob(s) really... Ahem. Our first set tends to be less rock and more pop so I kept the drive control very low for this, occasionally pushing it for some of the 80s tunes. I kept the compressor off and the subharmonics thing on but so subtle you'd not notice (though I did wind it up for one song just for shits and giggles - it added a nice thickness without becoming silly and overpowering). I got a nice clean but creamy tone by leaving the EQ flat but a tiny boost on 240Hz; the bass sat beautifully in the mix. Our second set becomes more rock centred so for this I spent a lot of time playing around with the drive control, setting it anywhere from around 9 o'clock to around 1 o'clock; I've likened this drive control to the drive control on the SansAmp and I stick by that now I've gigged the amp. At 9 o'clock there is a nice edge to the tone, by 1 o'clock you're in that delightful saturated valve amp territory and it sounds glorious. Dare I say it but I prefer this to the old valve drive on the ABM EVO II... Volume wise I was never left wanting; the master got to about 10 o'clock and I didn't ever hear the amp go into that horrible squishy Class D clipping so I would expect I have headroom to spare. The gain control does have to be set quite high to get a strong signal into the preamp (I had it at 3 o'clock) but that is no bad thing. I was running my ACG in passive mode so would have had to drop the gain back a touch if going into active mode. The only thing which wasn't good about the amp was the DI, which we tried just because we could. Apparently it was quite hissy - I suspect the high level of the gain control and a lack of ground lift may have had something to do with it. It doesn't bother me since (as I've already said) I DI pre-backline anyway so it wouldn't be used but if you wanted to record with it it might be an issue. So all in all, I am well chuffed with it. An absolutely stonking amp (for me), just what I expected and more importantly hoped for. Couldn't be happier Edited August 16, 2015 by Merton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) Thanks for posting back (I'll reply here rather than derail Marks thread any more). It sounds like a lot more versatile head than the Tech21 I was looking at. I normally run my MB head at about 10 o'clock in to my 1212L, I also find the input knob needs to be at about 3 o'clock with my passive basses so it seems like It might be a good change over. I'm still to play though my new BF retro two 10 (thanks for the review Dan) at proper gig levels but I have a feeling the Ashdown will have more poke and headroom than my MB head. It's funny but I never thought I would ever look at Ashdown again, even though I still have my old MAG combo at home. I think it's more boredom with my Markbass head rather any real need for a new head, but by the looks of the Ashdwon it should cover the few negatives I feel the F1 has. I just wish there was control over the 100hz freq as I love that on my MAG Edited August 16, 2015 by dave_bass5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) I reckon it's more versatile than I've had reason to experiment with yet, it's a cracker in my book Edited August 16, 2015 by Merton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Yeah, could be my next purchase. New band, new cab, trying hard to play finger style for most of the songs so might as well get a new head as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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