SeriesAshdown ABM

Over the last couple of years I have gone from a combo unit to an Ampeg SVT150H and cabs, to an Ampeg V4BH and cabs, to a SVT-3-Pro and cabs. I was needing more power, and except for the V4BH none of the amps I had or had tried sounded musical. I tried the Ashdown line at Bass Northwest and fell in love with the ABM series. Paid $1065 for it. The ABM series modestly rates the power they put out. The ABM 300 is way louder than my SVT-3-Pro which is rated at 450 watts. And my ABM 500 is easily as loud as the SVT Classic. Go figure. Besides the power and headroom, the amps have an octaver which really sounds good. It also has a FET and tube preamp that you can blend. The quality is outstanding. This is the sound I have been looking for for so long... thanks Ashdown. I'm not a big fan of the power switch being on the back of the amp. I would like to see light indicators for some of the button controls. Very very well built. Two fans blowing cool air through the unit. The RC model has a beautiful chrome front. The unit looks and operates flawlessly. A great unit, maybe a little more pricey than the Ampeg line, but you get what you pay for. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

This is the second installment of the EVO 900. Nothing drastic has really changed from the first. Both are simply amazing bass heads. Ashdwon has been able to grab a huge portion of the bass amp market in a relativity quick pace. Artist from U2 to System of the Down have used the Ashdown products on there stage and studio rooms. This bass amp is one of the best sounding and most versatile units on the market today. This head is a whopping 900 watts of extreme low end power. You get enough power to play and stage in any area or club in the world. This head can cover a ton of ground with the available tones in this head. UTILIZATION Power Output: 575 watt + 575 watt High Instrument Input Impedance: 3.9m Ohms, input range 150mV - 20mV p-p Low Instrument Input Impedance: 10k Ohms, input range 300mV - 40V p-p Stereo Line Input Impedance: 22k Ohms, input level 0dBu nominal Effects Return Impedance: 22k Ohms, input level 0dBu Nominal Tuner Output Impedance: 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal Sub Output: Impedance 1k Ohms, level 0dBu Nominal Effects Send: Impedance 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal DI Output: 600 Ohms balanced, level 0dBu nominal Speaker Outputs: Minimum impedance 4 Ohms Shape (Push Flat): +8dB @ 50Hz & 4kHz, -8dB @ 400Hz, filter slope - 6dB/octave Bass: +/-15dB @ 45Hz Middle: +/-15dB @ 660Hz Treble: +/-15dB @ 7kHz shelving Slider 1: +/-15dB @ 110Hz Slider 2: +/-15dB @ 340Hz Slider 3: +/-15dB @ 1.3kHz Slider 4: +/-15dB @ 2.6kHz Frequency Response: -3dB at 17Hz and 30kHz Power Requirements: 230 / 115V Height: 158mm (6.2 in.) Width: 610mm (24 in.) Depth: 355mm (14 in.) Weight: 28kg (61.7lbs) SOUNDS Once I plugged into this head I immediately knew that i had a winner. The controls are a little confusing at first but after a few minutes you get the idea of how they constructed the unit. The sub control are a little tricky at first. These are the controls under the basic EQ up top. I am referring to the drive, compression, and sub harmonics. Using these sparingly and wide open will give you an assortment of optional tones and various control over how the bass EQ gets thick or thinner or more distorted. You can really dial in overall tone that will better match your bass guitar and or the pickups that you are using. OVERALL OPINION These units are harder to fin now that they have the Evo 900 lll. I think you can find them under $700 on the used market. Not a bad price for the tone of this unit. This amp is much better that say a Gallien-Krueger or Hartke. This amp has a round tone that will fit in a metal band and a pop bubble gum band. The versatility is pretty much endless when it comes to fitting this amp in any band setting. I would recommend this amp to anyone searching for a great sounding bass amp that will fit any need you may have.

Ashdown has climbed their way on top of the bass amp heap. They have been able to grab a huge portion of the bass amp market in a relativity quick pace. Artist from U2 to System of the Down have used the Ashdown products on there stage and studio rooms. This bass amp is one of the best sounding and most versatile units on the market today. This head is a whopping 900 watts of extreme low end power. You get enough power to play and stage in any area or club in the world. This head can cover a ton of ground with the available tones in this head. UTILIZATION Specifications Power Output (RMS) 575W + 575W Power Requirement 230 / 115V Frequency Response -3dB at 17Hz and 30kHz Speaker Outputs Minimum impedance 4 Ohms High Instrument Input Impedance 3.9m Ohms, input range 150mV - 20mV p-p Low Instrument Input Impedance 10k Ohms, input range 300mV - 40V p-p Line Input Impedance 22k Ohms, input level 0dBu nominal Sub Output Impedance 1k Ohms, level 0dBu Nominal DI Output 600 Ohms balanced, level 0dBu nominal Tuner Output Impedance 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal EQ Bass +/-15dB @ 45Hz Middle +/-15dB @ 660Hz Treble +/-15dB @ 7kHz shelving Slider 1 +/-15dB @ 180Hz Slider 2 +/-15dB @ 340Hz Slider 3 +/-15dB @ 1.3kHz Slider 4 +/-15dB @ 2.6kHz Shape (Push Flat) +8dB @ 50Hz & 4kHz, -8dB @ 400Hz, filter slope - 6dB/octave Effects Send Impedance 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal Effects Return Impedance 22k Ohms, input level 0dBu Nominal H x W x D (mm) 158 x 610 x 355 Weight (kg) 28 SOUNDS Once I plugged into this head I immediately knew that i had a winner. The controls are a little confusing at first but after a few minutes you get the idea of how they constructed the unit. The sub control are a little tricky at first. These are the controls under the basic EQ up top. I am referring to the drive, compression, and sub harmonics. Using these sparingly and wide open will give you an assortment of optional tones and various control over how the bass EQ gets thick or thinner or more distorted. You can really dial in overall tone that will better match your bass guitar and or the pickups that you are using. OVERALL OPINION At new these units come in at around $1000. Not a bad price for the tone of this unit. This amp is much better that say a Gallien-Krueger or Hartke. This amp has a round tone that will fit in a metal band and a pop bubble gum band. The versatility is pretty much endless when it comes to fitting this amp in any band setting. I would recommend this amp to anyone searching for a great sounding bass amp that will fit any need you may have. You will not be disappointed with the tone of this amp and the value of what options you get.