Ashdown Rootmaster RM owners club

[BassAdder60]

Thought I would start an appreciation for the Ashdown Rootmaster series amps 

I’m a proud owner of the RM800 EVO II 

Post your comments experiences settings etc etc on any Ashdown Rootmaster RM series amps / cabs etc 

Edited March 22, 2022 by BassAdder27

[Lozz196]

Good call.

I’ve got the RM500 EVO II and have had the EVO I version as well - moved it on for the EVO II for the dull finish control plate as middle aged eyesight found the shiny EVO I difficult to see on stage.

For myself I’ve always used mine flat with my Tech21 Para Driver providing the eq & drive.

I used it - when I had to use my own cabs - with either an Ashdown ABM410 or two RM210s. Other than that it went into whatever cab was at the gig, and it’s one of those amps that sounded good through all of them. I found that leaving the eq on the Para Driver alone and just using the bass control on the amp to compensate for boomy cabs/staged worked the best. 

Edited January 7, 2021 by Lozz196

[naxos10]

I have a pre-production RM500 but have only been able to play it at bedroom level through my Barefaced Two10. Sounded extremely good with a solid sound.  I have'nt had chance to really see what it can do so can't wait to give it a real try out.

[stewblack]

I have an RM500 (don't know what 'evo') in a combo with a 12",  also the matching 12" extension cab. 

I have gigged it (an outside gig, no PA support) in a 7 piece. It was all I needed, sounded great. Coped effortlessly under what I would describe as the worst possible circumstances for a bass. 

I use it for rehearsals too, but just the combo. It is capable of astonishing bottom end for such a light, and small unit. 

I bought it after selling my ABM600 and while it isn't the same animal, the RM gets close enough. With the shape button engaged and a little boost of the mid eq it has a lovely warm punch. The main difference with the ABM is the drive control. The older amp had a great valve sound whereas this RM is more of a distortion. 

Only thing I struggle with is the shiny fascia. But that's just because I'm old. 

[Walliebal]

I have the RM500 I. The reflective panel does not bother me. It sits on top of my ABM300. I bought it because I wanted the Ashdown sound, but being able to Carry it around for gigs. Therefore I also got me two Hartke 112 lightweight speakers. I love the sound of my Rootmaster.

[Reggaebass]

I really like them, they pack quite a punch and I really like the shape button, the compressor isn’t bad either, quick pic here as I’m moving things around 

Edited January 8, 2021 by Reggaebass

[Reggaebass]

I was playing my Sandberg through it today , and it sounded  better using the passive input than the active input , it was considerably quieter through  the active one, what’s the actual difference between the inputs 

[Merton]

The passive input is higher impedance than the active, whilst there’s also a -20dB reduction in gain on the active input. I never use the active input on any of my amps!

[police squad]

RM500 EVOII here. Had it 2 years. Moved over from an ampeg PF-500 which I loved.

i wanted to join the Ashdown family because I think their ethos is excellent.

I simply love it and it weighs 2.5Kg and it is certainly more than loud enough, I should really get some matching cabs but with no gigs, there's just no point

[Merton]

Here’s my RM800 EVO, atop a Barefaced One10. This was December, it actually made it out of the house for four shows over a weekend. Great amp, one of 3 Ashdown heads I own. @Reggaebass and I clearly have similar taste because one of my other heads is a Little Bastard

[Reggaebass]

5 minutes ago, Merton said:

@Reggaebass and I clearly have similar taste because one of my other heads is a Little Bastard

And it’s thanks to you Merton that I bought the LB a few years ago after seeing your one☝️ , and I’m really enjoying the RM , it’s really doing everything I want at the moment 🙂

[mep]

Posted before but as I'm a member of the club it's worth posting again. Had my RM 500 for almost a year. Looking forward to gigging again, whenever thst is.

[javi_bassist]

I got my RM two years ago and I've been gigging it hard with it. Never let me down. 

I read here to add a little bit of drive and comp and it really adds something good to the tone. The Drive as an overdrive is pretty useless (imo).

 

[stu_g]

I have a Rootmaster MAG220,sounds great but I'm not sure if it's loud enough to gig,as I haven't had a chance to try it at volume.

[BassAdder60]

It’s interesting that assuming most run the shape button out ?? 

The EQ settings appear to be very similar between users 

Mostly a small bass boost 

I love the low volume tone of the shape button IN but I think you would be buried in the mix perhaps ?? Does add a ton of low end 

[BassAdder60]

As the Rootmaster carry bag is out of stock I decided to find a case on eBay to transport it around ( when those days return) 

Pic of one on eBay large enough I hope for the RM800

[Stofferson]

Got the 220. Love it with my BF 210.

 

[BassAdder60]

42 minutes ago, Stofferson said:

Got the 220. Love it with my BF 210.

 

That’s some extreme EQ settings !!

[Stofferson]

30 minutes ago, BassAdder27 said:

That’s some extreme EQ settings !!

Haha, not 100% sure that's how I left it, but it's not far off tbf.

 

Below is more realistic

 

 

Edited January 11, 2021 by Stofferson

[stewblack]

10 hours ago, BassAdder27 said:

love the low volume tone of the shape button IN but I think you would be buried in the mix perhaps ?? Does add a ton of low end 

Generally begin with all flat. Add  little drive. Shape in, wind up the mid until you hit the sweet spot. 

Works for me! 

[Merton]

Yep I start with all flat. Shape In or Out depends on what I'm playing and who with. Quiet home practice etc it tends to be in, but as I get louder and need to cut through the mix more I take it out. A little bit of drive and compression, crank to ear-bleeding level, grin from ear to ear.

[Reggaebass]

Shape button in , bass at 1 o’clock and mid at 12 o clock, perfect tone for reggae ☝️

[BassAdder60]

I’m liking the shape IN today after a play at home

Not sure how it would sound at band practice though 

Shape IN

EQ IN

slight reduction in bass,mids slight boost, 1.5khz slight cut treble flat

 

[uk_lefty]

I've had the 500 for quite a few years now, bought 2nd hand on here. It's got everything you could possibly need. My favourite was running 2x Root aster 1x15s off it, but I'm currently running a 1x15 and a 2x10, both Root master of course. 

Settings wise it depends on the bass. When I had a Sire because the EQ was so incredible I used to disable the amp EQ and use the Sire on board. Now it's a bit of bass and treble boost for most, or a mid boost for fretless. 

I carry it around in an old laptop bag. 

[Merton]

On 11/01/2021 at 07:39, Stofferson said:

Haha, not 100% sure that's how I left it, but it's not far off tbf.

 

Below is more realistic

 

 

I love this pic. I need to do a family shot again too, will get on it later. Too much shiny chrome on my amps though s you'll see my ugly mug in the reflection