Valve Amp - who’s still using them?

[Beedster]

I gigged my Ashdown 200 Drophead for the first time on Saturday and could not have been happier. Tone was fatter and smoother than I'd get for the same volume with SVT but could still bit like an angry Jack Russell when needed. And I have to say, of all the big tube heads, I thing Ashdown take the prize for best aesthetics also, especially mine....

 

 

[Beedster]

21 minutes ago, kuetsum said:

Would any of you valve enthusiastic share the the thoughts on ashdown compare to other full tube amp? Such as ampeg svt classic ?

 

I gigged my Ashdown 200 Drophead with matching 115 for the first time on Sunday and could not have been happier. Tone was fatter and smoother than I'd get for the same volume with SVT but could still bit like an angry Jack Russell when needed. And I have to say, of all the big tube heads, I thing Ashdown take the prize for best aesthetics also, especially mine....

 

[Beedster]

oops  

[kuetsum]

1 hour ago, Beedster said:

 

I gigged my Ashdown 200 Drophead with matching 115 for the first time on Sunday and could not have been happier. Tone was fatter and smoother than I'd get for the same volume with SVT but could still bit like an angry Jack Russell when needed. And I have to say, of all the big tube heads, I thing Ashdown take the prize for best aesthetics also, especially mine....

 

Ashdown looks to have way too many for me to look at 

Is the drop head only full tube? Pre+power?

 

[Beedster]

20 minutes ago, kuetsum said:

Ashdown looks to have way too many for me to look at 

Is the drop head only full tube? Pre+power?

 

Full tube. 200w. Simple. Lovely ❤️

[kuetsum]

Very rare one indeed..

[SamPlaysBass]

2 hours ago, kuetsum said:

Would any of you valve enthusiastic share the the thoughts on ashdown compare to other full tube amp? Such as ampeg svt classic ?

I owned an Ashdown CTM 100 a few years back and I’m currently using the SVT CL above. The Ashdown wanted to distort earlier and didn’t go as low and deep as the Ampeg. The Ashdown had a brilliant distorted sound, proper Live At Leeds. It didn’t have loads of low end, but I was using it through an Ampeg SVT-HE 4x10 cab which isn’t known for its low end so YMMV. 
 

The Ampeg is deep and rich. Much less keen to distort, but it does have three times the power of the CTM 100, resulting in greater headroom. Voicing wise, I prefer the Ampeg, but if I was playing in a band where bass was front and centre, the Ashdown would clinch it. 
 

I really love the Ampeg for what I play, which is rock and soul based blues. 

[kuetsum]

2 minutes ago, SamPlaysBass said:

I owned an Ashdown CTM 100 a few years back and I’m currently using the SVT CL above. The Ashdown wanted to distort earlier and didn’t go as low and deep as the Ampeg. The Ashdown had a brilliant distorted sound, proper Live At Leeds. It didn’t have loads of low end, but I was using it through an Ampeg SVT-HE 4x10 cab which isn’t known for its low end so YMMV. 
 

The Ampeg is deep and rich. Much less keen to distort, but it does have three times the power of the CTM 100, resulting in greater headroom. Voicing wise, I prefer the Ampeg, but if I was playing in a band where bass was front and centre, the Ashdown would clinch it. 
 

I really love the Ampeg for what I play, which is rock and soul based blues. 

Thank you Sam

Very useful information 

[la bam]

I had the ctm300. Genuinely couldn't get it heard in a band situation. Sounds nothing like a svt to my ears. Wasn't even that valve like. But others seem to like them. 

[andy67]

6 hours ago, kuetsum said:

Would any of you valve enthusiastic share the the thoughts on ashdown compare to other full tube amp? Such as ampeg svt classic ?

I my opinion, the SVT is the best valve amp ever but there are many great ones about too. I’ve had an Ashdown LB30 that was a wonderful little valve head and kicked out more than said 30watts. Actually I also had an Ashdown CTM-15 valve head that was a brilliant home practice amp that kicked ass lol but prior to this I had an original Trace Elliot V4 that was an absolute monster . My head was turned by the SVT Classic though 🥰

Edited 18 hours ago by andy67