scrumpymike Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 (edited) Found a new one at a really good price, had a play - and like it a lot. Just done a search on the forum and there was a report of a studio buying 3 and having to return all as faulty. Can any long-term users out there comment on their reliability before I pull the trigger on this one as my back-up amp? [b][i]Changed topic title as this thread has changed from a 420 enquiry into a 500 love-in [b][i] !![/i][/b][/i][/b] Edited September 15, 2017 by scrumpymike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Not heard anything re failures on these, but, and shameless plug here, I`m going to be selling my RM500, bought new in Dec last year, used as a backup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Ditto not heard of any failures. I've never played through a 420 but if they're as good as the 800 and EVO models they'll be ace. Must resist Lozz's RM500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben4343 Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 I have one of the older pre-chromed ones, and like it a lot. I got it in... 2014? and haven't used it hard, but haven't had any problems. At one point I thought the onboard sub-octave was faulty, and sent it back to Ashdown to see if they could improve the tracking. They were extremely helpful throughout, but ultimately couldn't find anything wrong, so I think the sub is just a bit pants. But as decent and affordable amplifier I am a big fan of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 I bought a new 800 evo in the spring and it's a great amp. Only complaints have been from guitarists who claim it's too loud! I also have an older 800 (non evo) that I bought on this forum a few weeks ago, no problems with that, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassix Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 (edited) I had the RM420 and sent it back after one practise, just didn't cut through sufficiently. Got the RM EVO 500 and no such problems, I see you already have one.. Edited August 30, 2017 by bassix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 [quote name='bassix' timestamp='1504125619' post='3362910'] I had the RM420 and sent it back after one practise, just didn't cut through sufficiently. Got the RM EVO 500 and no such problems, I see you already have one.. [/quote] Yep, ended up getting the one from Lozz - really pleased with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Nice one Mike, glad you like it, they really are a hidden gem amongst the smaller Class D amps imo, seem to have a lot more "oomph" to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted September 14, 2017 Author Share Posted September 14, 2017 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1505373092' post='3371339'] Nice one Mike, glad you like it, they really are a hidden gem amongst the smaller Class D amps imo, seem to have a lot more "oomph" to them. [/quote] Hi Lozz - couldn't have put it better myself Post from Bassix confirms that I did the right thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 [quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1505406302' post='3371712'] Hi Lozz - couldn't have put it better myself Post from Bassix confirms that I did the right thing! [/quote] Def Mike, in fact it was hearing Bassix`s RM500 at a gig that prompted me to buy mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted September 16, 2017 Author Share Posted September 16, 2017 [b][i]Changed topic title as this thread has changed from a 420 enquiry into a 500 love-in [b][i] !![/i][/b][/i][/b] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillento Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1504083517' post='3362496'] I bought a new 800 evo in the spring and it's a great amp. Only complaints have been from guitarists who claim it's too loud! I also have an older 800 (non evo) that I bought on this forum a few weeks ago, no problems with that, either. [/quote] Are there any tonal differences between those two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 [quote name='gillento' timestamp='1505665832' post='3373446'] Are there any tonal differences between those two? [/quote] The evo is much more aggressive, which suits my style of playing and the bands I play with. In fact, I will be selling the non evo root master to replace it with another evo when I can afford to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1505670793' post='3373469'] The evo is much more aggressive, which suits my style of playing and the bands I play with. In fact, I will be selling the non evo root master to replace it with another evo when I can afford to. [/quote] Would you be able to say whether either one is closer than the other to the ABM600? I've had a non-evo RM800 for a while now but recently picked up an ABM600 which I'm really enjoying for its extra 'authority' (for want of a better description) of delivery. I'd be really interested to know whether the RM evos get you any closer to that character in a smaller package, as I won't always be able to transport the ABM. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 I've just sold my ABM 600 as the RM 800 evo does everything I need and is smaller and lighter. I suspect the non evo is closer to the ABM than the evo, but I never compared the three of them back to back. I prefer a more aggressive sound, so the RM evo suits me best. My current plan is to sell my ABM 500 evo 2 and rootmaster 800 and just have a couple of rm 800 evos. But that's just the way I play, might not suit everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Cheers for that! I'm far from unhappy or disappointed with the original RM800 (especially given what I paid for it when they were clearing them out to make shelf space for the Evos) and it's thus far proven reliable, so I guess I'll stick with it as I don't think a difference in tonal aggression is what's leading me to just slightly prefer the ABM600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 I got shot of my ABM 600 purely because I have trouble carrying heavy gear since an accident damaged my right hand a couple of years ago. The ABM sounded great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 I had the RM-500-EVO that Scrumpymike now has as a backup to my ABM600. I found it to be pretty near the ABM tonally, the only real difference being the lows on the ABM are at 60Hz I think, in comparison to the RMs 100Hz, so adjusting lows gave a slight difference. Other than that the only other difference was the H-word, heft, that authority of delivery. On bigger stages the ABM just has more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 I use the RM500 EVO head with two RM fifteen inch speakers. It's a hell of a rig, I always get asked to turn down! I find the tone can get aggressive when you dig in but you can tame it a lot. It's just a really simple head, easy to get the tone set as you want and getting a two button footswitch really helps, in fact it replaced my entire effects board on Saturday night. I bought the head thinking I'd try it and see if I liked it and I can't see me needing more power or other options in the foreseeable future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted October 2, 2017 Author Share Posted October 2, 2017 [quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1505760164' post='3374141'] I bought the head thinking I'd try it and see if I liked it and I can't see me needing more power or other options in the foreseeable future. [/quote] Couldn't have put it better myself! Only thing I can fault is the relatively noisy fan - not really a problem in the gigs I do but is that normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashdown Engineering Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 [quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1506936210' post='3382034'] Couldn't have put it better myself! Only thing I can fault is the relatively noisy fan - not really a problem in the gigs I do but is that normal? [/quote] We did have a batch of fans that were noisier than we would have liked it was caught quickly but there are a few out there, if it's troublesome we would be happy to swap the fan out for a quieter one for you. You are free to pop in and we can sort whilst you wait or if you want to pop it in the post we can sort and ship back to you. Just let me know. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 The awesomeness of Ashdown customer service right there. [quote name='Ashdown Engineering' timestamp='1506981639' post='3382575'] We did have a batch of fans that were noisier than we would have liked it was caught quickly but there are a few out there, if it's troublesome we would be happy to swap the fan out for a quieter one for you. You are free to pop in and we can sort whilst you wait or if you want to pop it in the post we can sort and ship back to you. Just let me know. Cheers. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 [quote name='Ashdown Engineering' timestamp='1506981639' post='3382575'] We did have a batch of fans that were noisier than we would have liked it was caught quickly but there are a few out there, if it's troublesome we would be happy to swap the fan out for a quieter one for you. You are free to pop in and we can sort whilst you wait or if you want to pop it in the post we can sort and ship back to you. Just let me know. Cheers. [/quote] Thanks for your generous offer, which I am gratefully accepting (pm sent) - as market awareness and customer support goes, it just doesn't come any better than what you've done here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTypeV4 Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 [quote name='mr4stringz' timestamp='1507030352' post='3382814'] The awesomeness of Ashdown customer service right there. [/quote] +1 I've never had an Ashdown and other than a CTM, I probably never will but this level of service really is to be applauded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 [quote name='mr4stringz' timestamp='1507030352' post='3382814'] The awesomeness of Ashdown customer service right there. [/quote] They really take it to the next level, great comany to deal with, and Mark himself is very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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