discreet Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) [b]NAD - Ashdown ABM EVO II 500[/b] [b][/b][list] [*]575W RMS [*]7-band EQ [*]Switchable active/passive input [*]Tube/solid state preamp stages [*]Subharmonic generator adds low-end reinforcement [*]Front-mounted direct output with pre- and post-EQ switching [*]FX loop [*]Tuner output [*]Stereo Line Input: Impedance 22kOhm, input level 0dBu nominal [*]Effects Return: Impedance 22kOhm, input level 0dBu Nominal [*]Sub Output: Impedance 1kOhm, level 0dBu Nominal [*]Effects Send: Impedance 22kOhm, level 0dBu nominal [*]DI Output: 600 ohm balanced, level 0dBu nominal [*]Speaker Outputs: Minimum impedance 4 ohm [*]Shape (Push Flat): +8dB @ 50Hz and 4kHz, -8dB @ 400Hz, filter slope - 6dB/octave [*]Bass: ±15dB @ 45Hz [*]Middle: ±15dB @ 660Hz [*]Treble: ±15dB @ 7kHz shelving [*]Slider 1: ±15dB @ 180Hz [*]Slider 2: ±15dB @ 340Hz [*]Slider 3: ±15dB @ 1.3kHz [*]Slider 4: ±15dB @ 2.6kHz [*]Frequency Response: -3dB at 17Hz and 30kHz [*]Power Requirements: 230/115V [*]21"W x 8"H x 12-3/4"D (54 X 20 X 32cm) [*]31lbs (14kg) [/list] The first thing to mention is that this is obviously in no way a 'new' amp. Ashdown's ABM (Ashdown Bass Magnifier) technology has been with us for many years and is still going strong. Like everyone else, I've known about the existence of these amps during this time, and have read various reviews about them, heard bands with bass players that use them, have seen them on TV every time a band appears on it - and yet have remained largely indifferent to them, never having any desire to try one. Whether this has been down to the sometimes negative comments I've read about Ashdown gear both here and elsewhere, I don't know... The epiphany finally came at a gig in Denmark Street this year, where parking was difficult and load-in even more so. I decided to use the house bass rig, which turned out to be a flavour of ABM 4X10 combo. I approached it with some trepidation when our time eventually came to play, as I had neglected to pack a fire extinguisher and wasn't wearing my NOMEX suit... see what I mean about negative comments? I needn't have worried, because not only did the combo not burst into flames, but it sounded truly amazing. I was very surprised to say the least. I was using an active Jazz bass strung with flats and played fingerstyle - and the bass sounded huge, hefty, punchy, very present and articulate. I got lots of comments about the bass sound after the gig - from both band and punters - and became a fan. So when an Ashdown ABM EVO II 500 head became available recently in this very parish it was an easy decision to make. I finally got to meet the lovely Merton (Martin) and a deal was done. The amp came pristine, with cover and IEC mains lead. Thank you, sir... ...so is it as good as I remember, or was just the drugs..? No worries - it sounds absolutely immense through my Schroeder 21012L cab (1000W, 4ohms) which leads me to believe that it's very important to match an Ashdown amp with an appropriate cab, depending on your intended purpose. This may not [i]necessarily [/i]mean choosing an Ashdown cab, however... but that's for another thread. It's SO quick and easy to get a great sound from this amp. Whether you're using rounds or flats, pick or fingerstyle, the EQ is very intuitive - it's a seven band EQ, but with three rotary controls and four intermediate sliders it offers the best of both worlds... set the sliders flat and use the EQ as a simple three-band affair, or fine-tune with cut and boost at 180Hz, 340Hz, 1.3kHz and 2.6kHz as necessary... sensible, very well-selected and useful frequencies. There is also a switchable Valve Drive (12AX7) offering the usual grit and grind, and an unusual switchable Sub-Harmonic control, which ostensibly is an octaver, but this low-end Viagra can be dialled in as required, depending on the level of thickness and tumescence you desire... fnarr. In use it's obviously not a Class 'D' amp. I say this because it's quite heavy (31lb - 14kg) but nowhere [i]near [/i]as heavy as an all-valve amp. As far as I know, it's an A/B power stage, but there isn't much info to be had about that. It's a really good compromise between the feather-lightness of a Class D and the incredible gut-bursting mass of an all-valve. It also has something of the heft of a valve amp about it sonically and provides a very nice thick, chunky sound which I like [i]a lot[/i]. I'm used to thinking of SS amps as the poor relation to all-valve, but this ABM has that slam in spades... and paired with the Schroeder cab I'm pretty sure it will fill any size room with lush yet well-defined low end. In short, I think the ABM is generally underrated and it performs brilliantly, IMHO - it's very loud, warm, punchy and articulate, you can't get a bad sound out of it - you don't need to use a preamp pedal or other FX on the front of it to get a good tone - and it won't run out of steam. PLUS, I've not had the merest inkling of cab GAS since I got the Schroeder... am I finally close to the end of rig GAS..? Edited August 12, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) Nice write up. I had one of the 307watt versions just before i switched to Markbass. This was used with my 1210R cab and the very first gig i was told to "turn right down" by the venue owner (it was a large function room). Now, ill be the first to hold my hands up and admit i call them the Pillow amps. I just never felt it had the punch or sparkle of the MAG it replaced. Same cab, same output rating. Saying that, it was probably just the fact that it was deeper and more rounded. It certainly vibrated the room more than the MAG, although i did find i would run it with the master higher up. Given the choice id prefer the ABM over the MAG tone now, but back then i wasnt too impressed with the output level. Maybe i should just have gone for the 500watt version, the cab could certainly handle it. I never really found the tube to do anything, but again i probably wasnt pushing it hard enough. These heads seem to be all over the TV during Festival times, so they must have something going for them. If they weren't so (relatively) heavy id like to try one again. Edited August 5, 2015 by dave_bass5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Glad you still like it Mark, and I agree with everything you've said! It is definitely a Class A/B amp btw, just not advertised anywhere as for whatever reason that's not a selling point the same way Class D seems to be... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) [quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1438783679' post='2837261'] I never really found the tube to do anything, but again i probably wasn't pushing it hard enough. [/quote] Possibly! I've found that with a passive P Bass I need to have the input level up at around two o'clock to get the VU meter where I want it to be. At which point the Valve Drive control (and the EQ) starts to work. But it only works as well as a single 12AX7 ever does, i.e. it's not a vast plain of disto, more like a texture. I think single input valves are largely a marketing thing. They don't run at a high enough voltage to be useful, for one thing. [quote name='Merton' timestamp='1438784400' post='2837277'] It is definitely a Class A/B amp btw, just not advertised anywhere... [/quote] I wonder why that is. As you say, Class D is flavour of the month... on this showing I much prefer Class A/B. Though of course I don't know how it works in any meaningful way... perhaps it'll come back into fashion - along with improving upper-body strength... Edited August 5, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 my mate has one. It sounds ace if you turn the low end down, but he won't let me do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Interesting read this Mark, you being an Ampeg fan like myself, is this fairly near to that Ampeg-type thud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1438785959' post='2837306'] Interesting read this Mark, you being an Ampeg fan like myself, is this fairly near to that Ampeg-type thud? [/quote] It's very subjective of course, Lozz - one man's loss being another man's gain - and you'd have to try one. But having said that, I think you'd like it. It is quite possible to get the 'thud'. You can also get the 'twang' and the 'bounce'. I'm not saying the ABM is as 'good' as an SVT - not much is, in my opinion - but it's certainly very usable indeed and your average punter (and probably the band) wouldn't notice much difference, if any. I can't be 100% certain of course, but I think if you spent time with one you'd get on with it. And being pragmatic for a second, the purchase price (new and used) and maintenance costs of the two amps are at polar opposites... Edited August 5, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave74200 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Amazing amp. I have a limited edition ABM Klystron 500 Noir. It kicks some serious ass! Beautiful tone and power. I never get it when people criticise them. I know it's only people's opinions but not only does mine sound awesome to me ears: my band, sound engineers and audiences are always complimenting my tone. This head is also used by the bass players of bands Foo Fighters, Stranglers, Biffy Clyro, Bloc Party, Libertines, Suede, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Buckcherry etc..... Listen to 'Wasting Light' by the Foo Fighters, outstanding tone, all on an ABM. If that's not enough, Ashdown are the best company I've ever dealt with, in any sector. Enjoy it man, welcome to the family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skychaserhigh Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I've had my ABM since 2001 and it's always been a fantastic amp. The ABM and Ampeg SVT are quite similar sound wise but the Ashdown has a fatter low end. Over the years I've used several other amps but the ABM has always been my favourite amp plus Ashdown are a great company to deal with too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Hmm...I've had a bit of a hankering for an ABM for a while, and this isn't doing me any good whatsoever ! A rehearsal room that I use has an old Klystron, and it always make me smile whenever I use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 They are very underrated amps, probably because so many ABM and MAG combos get shagged within an inch of their lives in rehearsal rooms and as backline at grotty gigs. Set them flat (tweak for the room if necessary), add a bit of valve drive and you're good to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I'm really regretting selling this one now, the only consolation is that I still have my other ABM 500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1438797911' post='2837490'] I'm really regretting selling this one now, the only consolation is that I still have my other ABM 500. [/quote] I'm pretty sure the one thing that adequately makes up for the absence of an ABM 500 is, er... another ABM 500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Great amp! I think the naysayers have either used them with muddy cabs or are after a totally different tone. Try one on a Super Twin - magic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1438804789' post='2837610'] Great amp! I think the naysayers have either used them with muddy cabs or are after a totally different tone. Try one on a Super Twin - magic! [/quote] Or indeed a Super Compact or two - glorious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1438804789' post='2837610'] Try one on a Super Twin - magic! [/quote] [quote name='Merton' timestamp='1438804927' post='2837613'] Or a Super Compact or two - glorious! [/quote] Or a Schroeder 21012L - exhilarating! I've just tried it with my two Bill Fitzmaurice J12 cabs - invigorating! And really bloody loud! Edited August 5, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1438804789' post='2837610'] Great amp! I think the naysayers have either used them with muddy cabs or are after a totally different tone. Try one on a Super Twin - magic! [/quote] The exact combination I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I used my evo 3 with both one and two compacts for a couple of years. No complaints there 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 ABMs are brilliant amps. So much so I think my walkabout might also fall victim to my serial amp killer abm combo! There's been orange, thunderfunk, aguilar, mesa and a couple of others through my hands in the time I've owned the ABM and it's usurped them all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1438804789' post='2837610'] Great amp! I think the naysayers have either used them with muddy cabs or are after a totally different tone. Try one on a Super Twin - magic! [/quote] Or a Big Twin 2 with a Sire V7 active jazz! Been using this very set up for a classic rock project with some old mates and it is thunderous, in a good way!! Glad you like it Mark, they do get a lot of grief around these parts at times. As Alex says, paired with the right cab they suddenly take on a whole new character. I used my ABM500evo RC as my main amp for years with zero reliability issues and never ever found it lacking in oomph or volume. Only stopped using it to have a dabble with some lighter stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctorbass Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I've been really considering an ABM to use as well as my JJ-500. Currently really diggin' the whole Ashdown thing (ABM610 included!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave74200 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 [quote name='doctorbass' timestamp='1438880501' post='2838399'] I've been really considering an ABM to use as well as my JJ-500. Currently really diggin' the whole Ashdown thing (ABM610 included!) [/quote] Hear, hear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderpaws Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I've been thinking about swapping my Genz Streamliner 600 for an ABM. This makes me think about it even more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 6, 2015 Author Share Posted August 6, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Thunderpaws' timestamp='1438888349' post='2838484'] I've been thinking about swapping my Genz Streamliner 600 for an ABM. This makes me think about it even more. [/quote] Obviously the ABM is a lot bigger and heavier... funny, in the 70s people would have considered an ABM as lightweight.. as far as tone goes, I've had a Streamliner 900 and while it's an excellent amp, I prefer the ABM. That's very subjective, of course - you may not! Edited August 6, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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