Bypassing Preamp on Ashdown ABM 600

[Pirellithecat]

Probably an obvious answer to this, but I've tried and failed so far!  
I want to try my Laney Digbeth pre-amp pedal direct into the power amp stage of the Ashdown.    So the circuit would go Bass>Digbeth>Ashdown Power Stage.  I can get the Digbeth to work via the Send Return Loop, but this means the bass is plugged into the Ashdown and passes through the Ashdown Pre amp before it arrives at the Digbeth.  
Anyone know how to make this happen? 
Thanks

[paul_5]

plug your bass directly into the Laney, then go from the Laney to the RETURN of your Ashdown - that should bypass the Ashdown preamp entirely.

 

[Beedster]

  On 04/04/2025 at 19:00, paul_5 said:

plug your bass directly into the Laney, then go from the Laney to the RETURN of your Ashdown - that should bypass the Ashdown preamp entirely.

 

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Yep 👍 

[MichaelDean]

You'll need to put a cable or something in the input of your ABM. Ashdown amps usually have a switching jack for the input that mutes the output. Something like a 3.5mm to 1/4” headphone adapter would do the job. 

 

Edited Friday at 21:41 by MichaelDean
Clarity

[Pirellithecat]

Thanks all - sorry about the duplicate posts!!  
I'll go and try the headphone adapter later - I'm optimistic.! 
Just taking a feed to the "Return"  doesn't work  - you can put the Pre in the FX Loop but can't just use the return.   Same for the Line input.  ...... Fingers crossed. 

[NancyJohnson]

  On 04/04/2025 at 21:40, MichaelDean said:

You'll need to put a cable or something in the input of your ABM. Ashdown amps usually have a switching jack for the input that mutes the output. Something like a 3.5mm to 1/4” headphone adapter would do the job. 

 

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Yup, this, 100%.  I used to use a mini-jack adapter.

[Pirellithecat]

Great!  That's the answer!  Works.   Having said that I think that the Ashdown preamp rather compliments the Ashdown power amp ...... putting the Digbeth in as a replacement, isn't as pleasant as using it at the front end, even with the Ashdown Pre flat or the EQ turned off.   But many thanks!

[LeftyJ]

  On 06/04/2025 at 20:22, Pirellithecat said:

Great!  That's the answer!  Works.   Having said that I think that the Ashdown preamp rather compliments the Ashdown power amp ...... putting the Digbeth in as a replacement, isn't as pleasant as using it at the front end, even with the Ashdown Pre flat or the EQ turned off.   But many thanks!

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When plugged into the FX return you can adjust the Ashdown EQ all you want, but it isn't in the signal chain because you've bypassed the Ashdown's preamp section. So it has 0.0 effect. If you want to make changes you'll have to use the Digbeth's EQ controls 

 

I haven't had an Ashdown in years, but when I had an ABM300 Evo II C210T I always thought it sounded very boomy and needed quite a cut in the low frequencies to work for me. Especially with a 5-string. Not sure if that's the preamp voicing or the amp as a whole, but I could imagine it being the latter. 

[NancyJohnson]

  On 07/04/2025 at 08:18, LeftyJ said:

 

When plugged into the FX return you can adjust the Ashdown EQ all you want, but it isn't in the signal chain because you've bypassed the Ashdown's preamp section. So it has 0.0 effect. If you want to make changes you'll have to use the Digbeth's EQ controls 

 

I haven't had an Ashdown in years, but when I had an ABM300 Evo II C210T I always thought it sounded very boomy and needed quite a cut in the low frequencies to work for me. Especially with a 5-string. Not sure if that's the preamp voicing or the amp as a whole, but I could imagine it being the latter. 

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I had a bluefaced UK built ABM head, I think it was the 300 (I was in a bit of a bind and Ashdown sorted me out).

 

The head was quite bass heavy/boomy; I was running it through Hartke Hydrive cabs which had fairly bright tonal characteristics.  While the power was there it was very hard to get any overdrive out of it, I mean yes, there was some kind of drive circuitry on it, but it was more of a crackle/interference than dirt.