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Ashdown Rootmaster RM owners club


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42 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Nice one Rob, I’ve got the 500 which apart from the power is the same I think, I had ashdown for years but I’m now ampeg apart from this, I find them a very versatile amp and really like the shape option , very quiet fan too, look forward to hearing what you think 

Cheers Tony, I've been thinking about trying one for ages, even bought a secondhand RM500 from PMT, but it arrived in a terrible state and went straight back. I've been looking on and off ever since, but then when I saw the "last chance" page on the Ashdown site, and just how much they were discounting them, I just bought one. I did spend the evening A/B/C'ing my current amps and have decided to let one of them go to pay for it (5 amps should be enough!). I like that fact that's it's British, and that the company stand behind them so firmly, it's reassuring. When I had a Mark Bass rig I was always worried that if it broke down I'd just have to throw it away.

Ampeg is another I haven't tried, but even the V4B is a bit too big and heavy for me to contemplate using. I'd like to hear a Venture series head though.

 

Rob

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25 minutes ago, BassAdder60 said:

I really liked my RM800

 

Only criticism ( and I told Ashdown) was the tiny feet that are not even fitted to the corners ! 
 

It meant in some cabs with a top handle the feet were in the handle 

 

RM500 was different 

It won't be an issue with my BF cabs.

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On 10/06/2024 at 11:06, ossyrocks said:

Cheers Tony, I've been thinking about trying one for ages, even bought a secondhand RM500 from PMT, but it arrived in a terrible state and went straight back. I've been looking on and off ever since, but then when I saw the "last chance" page on the Ashdown site, and just how much they were discounting them, I just bought one. I did spend the evening A/B/C'ing my current amps and have decided to let one of them go to pay for it (5 amps should be enough!). I like that fact that's it's British, and that the company stand behind them so firmly, it's reassuring. When I had a Mark Bass rig I was always worried that if it broke down I'd just have to throw it away.

Ampeg is another I haven't tried, but even the V4B is a bit too big and heavy for me to contemplate using. I'd like to hear a Venture series head though.

 

Rob

After seeing these mentioned in the other thread, and seeing you ordered one... I went and had a look as I'm looking for an amp at the moment. The RM800s at £475 are described as "B-stock" - what's the condition like on the one you received? I had been looking at a Markbass Little Mark IV and had the same concerns as you that, given their support history, if it goes wrong, you're out of luck.

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I ordered a RM115 cab to complete the Rootmaster rig for a gig last Friday. Unfortunately the cab was faulty when it arrived but the shop I bought it from were great and worked with Ashdown to hunt me down one of the last new 115 cabs with a white cone. Genuinley brilliant customer service and a huge part of the reason I decided to go with Ashdown.

 

I had to do a large marquee with a 7 piece band and the 210 did a great job providing me some monitoring on stage and a out front, but I did need some front of house support given the size of the marquee.

 

Really looking forward to the next gig and using the full rig at some decent volume. 

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14 hours ago, anzoid said:

After seeing these mentioned in the other thread, and seeing you ordered one... I went and had a look as I'm looking for an amp at the moment. The RM800s at £475 are described as "B-stock" - what's the condition like on the one you received? I had been looking at a Markbass Little Mark IV and had the same concerns as you that, given their support history, if it goes wrong, you're out of luck.

Ok,  my RM800 arrived yesterday.

 

These were indeed advertised as "B" stock. "Used for demo and photography purposes, some minor wear and tear, no original packaging."

 

It arrived in what looks like the proper Ashdown branded box, with the proper corner protectors in it, so I DO have original packaging. It came with a new mains leads too. The amp itself still has the plastic on the VU meter, and I honestly can't find a single mark on it, nothing. If they had said it was brand new, I would have believed it. So, I have what I think is a brand new RM800 direct from Ashdown for the princely sum of £475. Yay!

 

Rob

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44 minutes ago, ossyrocks said:

Ok,  my RM800 arrived yesterday.

 

These were indeed advertised as "B" stock. "Used for demo and photography purposes, some minor wear and tear, no original packaging."

 

It arrived in what looks like the proper Ashdown branded box, with the proper corner protectors in it, so I DO have original packaging. It came with a new mains leads too. The amp itself still has the plastic on the VU meter, and I honestly can't find a single mark on it, nothing. If they had said it was brand new, I would have believed it. So, I have what I think is a brand new RM800 direct from Ashdown for the princely sum of £475. Yay!

 

Rob

Cool, thanks Rob. That's really helpful... well, looks like my mind may be made up then :D

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46 minutes ago, anzoid said:

Cool, thanks Rob. That's really helpful... well, looks like my mind may be made up then :D

FIngers crossed that yours is as nice. It may be pot luck. But, you still have the right to return for online purchases.

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So, I've been playing my new RM800. Comparing amps is always interesting, and sometimes difficult. Bass - '73 Fender Precision, cab - BF Super Compact (still waiting for the 3x10)

 

The benchmark amp for me at the moment is my Tecamp Puma 900, and this is the amp I have been A/B'ing it with. I must say I am quite impressed with the RM800. The Tecamp has a lot of the "H" word in it, but it's also quite 2 dimensional, or polite, almost clinical in it's delivery. It's got a very tight punchy tone to it. It's like a well built Volvo (I drive a Volvo by the way), but is not that exciting. It gets the job done very very well.

 

The Ashdown exhibits more character, has a wider, more open breadth of tone, maybe amplifies wider frequencies, or just sounds more interesting to the ear (?). But doesn't quite punch in the gut like the Tecamp, but it's actually ok that it does that. I really like it so far. I have actually been using a tiny bit of the Compressor in the amp, which is not like me. I usually go straight in with no effects, but the Compressor on this amp adds just that little je ne sais quoi when used sparingly.

 

I'm keeping it, and I'm going to use it on my upcoming gigs, it feels good.

 

Here's the settings on the amps at home in the lounge, both amps set to get a roughly similar tone from the same bass. But in the end, the amps do sound markedly different to each other.

 

Rob

IMG_3491.JPEG

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15 hours ago, ossyrocks said:

Ok,  my RM800 arrived yesterday.

 

These were indeed advertised as "B" stock. "Used for demo and photography purposes, some minor wear and tear, no original packaging."

 

It arrived in what looks like the proper Ashdown branded box, with the proper corner protectors in it, so I DO have original packaging. It came with a new mains leads too. The amp itself still has the plastic on the VU meter, and I honestly can't find a single mark on it, nothing. If they had said it was brand new, I would have believed it. So, I have what I think is a brand new RM800 direct from Ashdown for the princely sum of £475. Yay!

 

Rob

I have one on its way, will report back on the condition later today hopefully.

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IMG_20240614_140456.thumb.jpg.09f7dabdd763d4195cf6e620dec9b4f4.jpgRM800 just arrived. Original packaging, new mains lead and paperwork.

Not a single mark on it so there we are, a bargain. Oh and it works as well.

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49 minutes ago, JazzyJ said:

IMG_20240614_140456.thumb.jpg.09f7dabdd763d4195cf6e620dec9b4f4.jpgRM800 just arrived. Original packaging, new mains lead and paperwork.

Not a single mark on it so there we are, a bargain. Oh and it works as well.

 

You got paperwork?! I'm going to complain! 🤣

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50 minutes ago, JazzyJ said:

IMG_20240614_140456.thumb.jpg.09f7dabdd763d4195cf6e620dec9b4f4.jpgRM800 just arrived. Original packaging, new mains lead and paperwork.

Not a single mark on it so there we are, a bargain. Oh and it works as well.

 

These are seriously bargainous. 

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Does the VU turn red if you red line it ( it’s supposed to ) mine never did and I couldn’t be bothered to send it back. 
 

Great amps but slightly stupid location of rubber feet ! 

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1 hour ago, BassAdder60 said:

Does the VU turn red if you red line it ( it’s supposed to ) mine never did and I couldn’t be bothered to send it back. 
 

Great amps but slightly stupid location of rubber feet ! 

Mine flashes green on good input and red on clipping.

 

 

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8 minutes ago, Muppet said:

Mine flashes green on good input and red on clipping.

 

 

Same as mine, I think it was mentioned earlier somewhere that it’s ok to clip the red but not to be continuously in it 

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3 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

Does the VU turn red if you red line it ( it’s supposed to ) mine never did and I couldn’t be bothered to send it back. 
 

Great amps but slightly stupid location of rubber feet ! 

 

No, mine doesn't. I can see the needle going into the red when I've cranked the input gain, but I cannot, under any circumstances, get a red LED to light up.

 

I've read the manual, and it only talks about "the red zone", not about an LED lighting up.

 

Rob

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3 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

Does the VU turn red if you red line it ( it’s supposed to ) mine never did and I couldn’t be bothered to send it back. 
 

Great amps but slightly stupid location of rubber feet ! 

The VU is doing what it should. Not having owned Ashdown gear for about 15yrs, I must say that I'm liking this head very much. Sounds awesome through the ST.

IMG_20240614_183534.thumb.jpg.16d4e013cbe17b0cd47120968f6e5fbc.jpg

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31 minutes ago, JazzyJ said:

The VU is doing what it should. Not having owned Ashdown gear for about 15yrs, I must say that I'm liking this head very much. Sounds awesome through the ST.

IMG_20240614_183534.thumb.jpg.16d4e013cbe17b0cd47120968f6e5fbc.jpg

I would love to hear that!

 

I've got a new old cab on the way to me that I'm very keen to hear, but not in that league.

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1 hour ago, JazzyJ said:

The VU is doing what it should. Not having owned Ashdown gear for about 15yrs, I must say that I'm liking this head very much. Sounds awesome through the ST.

IMG_20240614_183534.thumb.jpg.16d4e013cbe17b0cd47120968f6e5fbc.jpg

Good to hear.

 

How does it compare with the TE 1200? I have a little TE Elf as a backup, and despite it's diminutive stature, I think it sounds really good.

 

I do like the colour matched coiled cable.

 

Rob

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I haven't done a proper a/b as yet but I'm leaning towards the RM overall atm.

I bought it to use with my BF 210 to be honest, replacing the Katana 500 which really isn't doing it for me. 

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I went to Denmark street central London is rose morris and tried the ashdown ABM600. First ashdown amp I’ve ever tried. Wow the DEPTH in sound. Played my pbass (Asian ash with maple neck). Amazing character. 
 

my question is how does the compare? I would 

 

It could have been me not knowing the amp but it didn’t sparkle in the top end more of a rolled off vibe. I play mostly finger style funk. 

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Am I the only person not to love a RM head? I had one for a while, seemed underpowered and lacking in character compared to my MB, TE Elf and old Ashdown ABM combo. Moved it on quickly. Each to his own I guess and there is clearly a lot of love for them here - maybe it’s my old ears 👂 

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21 minutes ago, SuperSeagull said:

Am I the only person not to love a RM head? I had one for a while, seemed underpowered and lacking in character compared to my MB, TE Elf and old Ashdown ABM combo. Moved it on quickly. Each to his own I guess and there is clearly a lot of love for them here - maybe it’s my old ears 👂 

 

I have an RM500 EVO II and ABM500 EVO II. I use both for rehearsal but the RM for gigging as it weighs the same as a sharing bag of doritos.

 

The ABM definitely has more heft, and if gear size/weight/carrying from car parks was not an issue, I would go for the ABM every time.

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The RM800 EVO II arrived as B stock from Ashdown 

Its perfect like new and they seem to have moved the four rubber feet ( thank you Ashdown) 

 

Sounds great 

 

Nice amp and very loud, my second one I’ve owned now. It will be my back up amp to my EICH T900 

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