henry norton Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Has anyone on the forum ever tried an Ashdown Klystron amp or cab? I was looking at the specs the other day and they look more or less identical to the ABM series yet they cost a fair bit more. They look nicer than the ABMs but surely there's more to it than that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 The Klystron is built in the UK, the new ABM EVO III made in China Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foal30 Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 had mine for a shade over 10 years now reliable and well gig worthy not a hi-fi amp by any means. I do not know why the pricing structure is different...maybe UK costs are higher and Ashdown give customers the option of supporting local labour content. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmansky Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 some say there is no difference between a klystron head and an abm soundwise.having only tryed the klystron instore i couldnt say either.imo the klystron 500wamp looks cool and you may find not much difference price wise online if they were to be on offer.hopefully i will be upgrading to a classic cab sometime mainly due to them having neo drivers and higher output.just a shame that i cant really try them first as most stores round here dont stock them,but as someone will hopefully tell you they are loads better than an abm cab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 [quote name='henry norton' post='456653' date='Apr 7 2009, 06:14 PM']Has anyone on the forum ever tried an Ashdown Klystron amp or cab? I was looking at the specs the other day and they look more or less identical to the ABM series yet they cost a fair bit more. They look nicer than the ABMs but surely there's more to it than that?[/quote] You look like somebody I know, who has a similar bike, Ozzy Q? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peted Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I've been able to A/B compare the ABM and Klystron heads in a music shop (obviously at low volumes) through a Classic 8x10 cab. The Klystron I believe is supposed to have a redesigned power amp to increase 'transient attack'. There was definitely more top end when the amps were run flat, and the bottom end sounded slightly extended and response was tighter. I think you can get a much more 'modern' sound out of the Klystron heads, the ABM covers the 'vintage' sound more naturally. I think you can dial in a pretty good ABM sound using the Klystron, but you won't be able to do it the other way around. Personnaly the Klystron amp was the first Ashdown head that I have liked the sound of, shame I still don't get on with the looks Whether this difference in sound is in any way discernable when playing live in a band context and therefore making it worth the difference in price is not something I can comment on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raggy Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 [quote name='peted' post='458150' date='Apr 9 2009, 10:16 AM']I've been able to A/B compare the ABM and Klystron heads in a music shop. There was definitely more top end when the amps were run flat, and the bottom end sounded slightly extended and response was tighter. I think you can get a much more 'modern' sound out of the Klystron heads, the ABM covers the 'vintage' sound more naturally. I think you can dial in a pretty good ABM sound using the Klystron, but you won't be able to do it the other way around.[/quote] Thats exactly what I felt about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I have a Klystron (Classic) 500 head and I love it. I like the looks, I like the sound I get from it and I like that fact that it's British. I suppose the main difference between the ABM and the Classic is the Classic has onboard compression. There are some good deals around on them now too. A few hundred quid less than I paid a year or so back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 Thanks for the replies. I've seen a couple of used klystron combos recently and as I'm in the market for an amp they caught my eye. They were very well priced ex demo combos - especially compared to the new prices being asked. It's good news to hear they are a bit more versatile tone wise but I'm not keen on the looks (or the weight) TBH. I get the feeling I'm going to have to bite the bullet and add an extra few hundred quid to get a Markbass.... [quote name='steve-soar' post='457728' date='Apr 8 2009, 08:11 PM']You look like somebody I know, who has a similar bike, Ozzy Q?[/quote] Don't know Ozzy Q meself, but if he rides a 1965 Bonneville he's obviously a top bloke. Getting the Trace 4x10 combo on the pillion proved somewhat troublesome though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_bass Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 (edited) I am waiting for delivery of my Klystron 500. Am getting very excited. Picked it up on offer, for pretty much the same price as an ABM. Edited April 11, 2009 by jim_bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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