All user reviews for the Ashdown MAG 300H Head

Head amp transistors low
Power 300 W RMS
2 inputs for active or passive bass
Equalizer low / medium / high
Compressor
Sub-harmonics effects, bright, deep
In the output for exterior effect
XLR DI output
Line Out / tuner
2 HP Output Jack 6.35

USE

Easy and intuitive to use, the manual is very basic but not fawn all REALLY necessary.
Very simple Rglages, one feels immediately the effect on the sound, you quickly get what you want.

SONORITS

I use it with a bass fiddle Epiphone Viola and a pregnant Ashdown MAG 410T Deep. The sound is clean and well be that bass style. It is clear, prcis nothing wrong on this side-l.

The deep effects, sub-harmonics are bright and a little gadget I think the equalizer and compressor are much more useful.

Just a BMOL for between passive: the prampli does not have enough gain to a passive bass, even putting the knob of fact I just came - 7 dB as background on the bass.

Little background noise, even with maximum gain, what we hear most is the fan !!!
Ashdown could have a silent fan on this amp, did a bit messy. That said, we do not hear it playing, thankfully!

I intend to add a prampli tube for more gain and a warmer sound, genre pedal EBS Valve Drive. I will update my review after testing.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I just got it, so I did not test thoroughly.
I did not have a bass amp before, I plugged me directly on my sound, so this is the best forcment.

I like the power, sound neat, easy rglages. The VU meter has the mouth!
I do not like the insufficient gain between passive and noise of the fan, I would not 9 without these defects.

Compared what we find on the market qualitprix the report is very good. To get better, I think we should put much more expensive.
For low active, it is perfect. For a passive bass, prvoir external prampli.

I got less than 600 with the enclosure MAG 410T Deep, so no regrets, I would do this choice.

300W transistor.
Jack on the back for the speakers,
DI on the front (poor quality) and an effects loop,
Vu-meter (poor quality yet)
A sub-harmonic (useless because no footswitch to activate)
A sharp boost, low boost.

Note: Knobs and electronic components of questionable quality ...

UTILIZATION

Mid-bass treble, mid, treble (at least I assume, because according to the inscriptions is a bit "démerde yourself"), medium (same as for the other knob: relatively simple Eq (5 band) intermediate), a bass. I had no manual, bought used. '
The sound you get is remarkable for the price of the amp (note I weigh my words do not expect something famous ... why it takes in).
We have already seen more reactive as eq but we've seen worse.
After his side should not be too much to ask but I will come on in the next section.

SOUNDS

It suits my style of music is very typical large garage rock, this is a relatively versatile amplifier. The trouble is that his level if you have something specific in mind though this is not necessarily easy to transcribe the amp, say it is not a very defined sound. For example (and this is where my main problem results) I never managed to have a nice midrange, too slamming into the sound is too low. Not always easy to unravel the mix also generally (and this is not a setting error) or I actually eaten by the presence scratch side, or I crush a little. Finally I fixed the problem in my own way since I bought the bass big muff (and it is almost always on) I can find a balanced place in the group (the mids are magnified with the pedal and are more usable). I find the sound a little soft at the answer.

Note: I play a Squier Vintage Modified Pbass (bass not too expensive but good quality)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a short time does not need much power before however I know this amp still good to have played for a long time on the combo version of this amp. I've had the opportunity to test different amp different brand like Fender, Ampeg, Hartke, Markbass (not yet had the opportunity to test and Orange Trace Elliot) version transistor or hybrid depending on the model. Good for a cheap Chinese crap (when you can not afford, we can not afford, unfortunately that's how my good sir!) Was still something right and despite the fact that I have a lot "broken" product it's still one amp (apart from the VU meter that is down) I was never released except for a fuse has blown a shot but it happens and it does not cost much to change .
I bought used '(very good occas' elsewhere: the full stack for a "pittance"). With the budget I had, I had a choice between that or an Ampeg combo. Power or sound quality ... and finally I still wonder if I did not make a ball. I finally with the experience I metterais more money aside and buy a real amp.

After a lot of boring research on the net I went into my local music shop knowing exactly what I wanted, an Ashdown Mag 300 H head and 4x10" cab. 'No probs' they said but a month later it still not had arrived. In the end I bought it from the net, saved over £100 on the rrp. Ashdown are notoriously slow at providing gear, but blimmy, it was well worth the wait. This gear rocks!

The head is easy to use and it is obvious what each knob does. It takes no time at all to get a great sound, then using the switches it is possible to create a different sound, using the bass or treble bottons, that are just as good as the first! The cab gives a great clear sound and doesn'e break your back. Also the glowing voltmeter looks very sexy on stage.

The quality is obviously not as good as the ABM range, but it is still very solidly made. For some reason I can not fathom the fx loop is on the front, which does make it look a bit messy. But I am nit picking now.

The build quality is very high. You feel you could throw the gear around for years and it would still be working. My gear is fairly new, but no complaints so far

I spent a long time reading reviews of gear and I am very pleased with my final descision. This amp does not disappoint! For a first amp for the semi pro player it is affordable, portable and best of all the sound quality is worth far more than you would pay for it. If in doubt, buy it!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Transistor amplifier
307 W into 4 ohms
A passive input and active, an effects loop, a tuner.
gain, volume, a treble, a medium + a contour, a low contour +
A deep (for potato), a bright (for shine) and a sub harmonic (to snore very serious .... Motown)

UTILIZATION

Configuration simplissime
My sound I got it direct: Powerful, good as I like medium large
What manual?? not need .....

SOUNDS

For me it's going in a rock style, garage, stoner ... (but also the fact that slap)
Mex Deluxe Jazz Bass 5-string Cort electro acoustic and
The sound is old school typed ampeg, big fat midrange and treble with the bright crystalline.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for two months
What I like most is the style of "old", the least that the knobs a little cheap
(We just not have it at that price!)
I tested six line: bland, Hartke: pan, ampeg: off-budget, Galen: very good but high-end
Q / P hard to beat ..... € 585 for the two bodies with the 2X10 cabinet on the net
A test on stage, but initially I do it again this election easily.

It is a transistor amplifier while about 300 w RMS into 4 Ohm and approx. 190 W into 8 Ohm. The head is covered with carpet. The connection is very simple:
- 2 input (active low bass and high bass passive);
- 2 HP behind;
- Input and output effects;
- 1 output;
- 1 DI.
The volume is adjusted with two knobs, input (to adjust the input signal) and output (the volume issued by the cabinet).
The equalizer is also simplified: 5 knobs: bass / bass-medium / medium / medium-treble / treble.
In addition, there are three buttons: - 1 to turn on the bright (bright treble)
- 1 to engage the deep (strengthens bass)
- 1 to turn on the EQ.
Finally there is a knob for sub-harmonics (so-octave) aaccompagné of a button switch that allows you to cancel it, the octave, even cranked, is heard at high volume.
One of the characteristics of the amplifiers is the Ashdown VU meter to measure the input signal (input): It is very aesthetic and vintage, it gives a touch of class to the head.
The head weighs 8-9 pounds and has a handle (yes only one) on the side.

UTILIZATION

Configuration is very simple because there is no graphic equalizer. This is very useful if you want to adjust its speed more quickly, a little less if you are very precise and meticulous (though that with the 5 knobs ago what to do). Good sound is achieved quite easily: even by changing the settings is always obtained quelchechose that "sounds good". The buttons are bright and deep and useful can be heard, for against the octave is discreet. The amp is easy to pick up, however the manual is very detailed, but it passes easily.

SOUNDS

This is where lies the strength of the head. I play punk rock and it fits perfectly. I play with a Squier P-Bass with Seymour Duncan SSPB-3 and it sounds very good. We obtain easily a grain of interest: the sound is warm (due to very low mediums present) for a transistor, you can get a sound a little bold typed Ampeg and this is what I recheche (I say "type" because it remains at 350 euros a head approx. and that its bold rocky Ampeg obtained on the classic series to very high prices). The bright and deep are very useful, they bring much to the sound, presence and depth. The sound is far from being cold (unlike Hartke) and is quite colorful: it gives a true color to the sound of the bass as can Ampeg or Trace Elliot (this is an old home that TE Ashdown founded). We get some very nice round.
However, a wide range of sound is accessible and ampl is not limited to one style or a particular sound that I think it works best in a rock style. The sound is quite "vintage" and (going very well with a pick) really present, not at all flat.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it extensively for 1 month (ts day only, 1 times / week group). The characteristic I like most is the sound very rock and colorful but also the design of the head very "vintage" (with VU Meter notement) which gives this amp look well above its price. The amp gives a solid feel and seems well finished; the only negative point is located at the level of the pots and buttons rather "cheap" Chinese fabricaton typed. But we must look closely to notice.
I tried a few different amp models at concerts or with friends: HA3500 Hatke, too cold, Peavy: flat and neutral fender: good but too expensive; Ampeg: expensive, at least for the series that are worth their price (classic and pro). I wanted to buy Ampeg first used, but the opportunities were not very interesting. So I turned to Ashdown which I had seen on many forums and notice they approached Ampeg sound and the price / quality ratio was excellent. I ordered a stack mag + mag 300r 410t of musik-service.de for less than 600 euros and I am very satisfied with the product. For the price it is excellent. Of course this is 350 euros a head, but one is more surprised than disappointed. So I'm happy with my choice for now and I'll post a few times to clarify my opinion. Tip: If the head is within your budget, you will not be disappointed, it does not really competing but perhaps the opportunity (and again).

300 watts into 4 ohms, 150 into 8, while transistor, sometimes a little ledge 'if we do run on 8, is not that the drummer is too gross an ... two inputs: high and low gain, 2 outputs in 4 or 8 ohm jack, an output line / out, which can be used for a tuner, an effects loop and a DI post-EQ, but considering the price of beast, I tend to doubt its reliability, I expect advice ^ ^.
A small 5-band EQ switchable quite effective, input gain (with the meter! CLAA ... the ...) and output gain, the boost switch for severe acute boost.
The little originality is a very discreet octaver they call "sub harmonizer", it is understood that in straining to hear, but it can add some body to the sound. On the disco / funk, it puts a little more, but hey, it's more a gimmick in my opinion.

UTILIZATION

Config very simple, there are no buttons in every corner, equalization can sober enough not to get too lost in the settings and works pretty well, the sound comes fairly quickly, which is good, it ' is the momentum of the machine, this is my first head, I used to play on some cheap amps, and there, no need to push the treble for potato slap in, it alleviates the sound.
No manual for me (I see too that they would put us in it ...)

SOUNDS

Personally, I'm with funk, groove and it's serious! Us with my precision, heavy bass who snore, and a dynamic exploding, do not bother, as I said above, play guitar by pushing the 2000 Hz for "slap sound," but with the dynamics and settings of the high mids, it quickly a big big sound that is quite a place in a config bass '/ batt' scratching and singing. No effect on it, a chorus sometimes, but rarely.
The treble is quite convincing as for a more hard, there is a way to shout the beast even fingers, it sounds good rock. I play on a 15-inch, so for the serious, no worries.
Well, an average point, the subharmonizer ... It's cute, it's original, but frankly, when you play in a group, you hear more, it is not much in my opinion. A real one octave or chorus would have been a little more useful ... That's why I put 9

OVERALL OPINION

It's been recently that I bought it, but I turn around for a few months in store and I already know by heart ^ ^. At first, the price was a little delayed. The sound was good, but I was looking for the scam, Hartke cheaper than with a more percussive I did not believe too much.
Dynamics and serious for me is his big asset. A sin that sounds pretty monstrous slap in in this entry is rare.
I tried the Hartke HA3500, cold and metallic, peavey, tour series I think, a little lifeless, lacking potato, ampeg, expensive for the entry level, and what they offer is frankly not exceptional, warwick, pro fet 5.1 and 3.2, too low, even in a 410 aluminum, it was great deaf. The Ashdown is really the best for the funk-rock.
I probably would do the choice, though I said a little more expensive, the markbass was a real bomb, too ... To be confirmed ...

Head under 4ohms 300W, transistors, fan cooling, high to low input and active low for passive basses, a farce Tuner / Line, 2 speaker outputs on the back, effects in / out. In short, well equipped and very simple.
It will also switch 4, for more deep bass, clarity and treble (the two also combined), a set of harmonics (so-octave) and a switch to cut the knobs from the 5 rélglages equalization.

UTILIZATION

The configuration is simple, the EQ knobs 5 is not too much, it helps to get the sound we are looking for quickly, without necessarily going through the manual. This manual, also written in English, but understandable, succinctly explains the steps for connections, and the characteristics of switches. It is not required, as some gear, spend hours in the administrative side of the settings, connections, etc. .. So we find the sound you want very quickly "to feeling".

SOUNDS

Perspective sounds, the raw sound without the amp settings is already very good, neutral, and then restores the sound of your instrument. As soon as one begins to tickle the EQ, you can feel the difference immediately, and it reaches a truly versatile range of sounds, be it the good old sound very round and deep, to his aggressive and full of potato metal that will do the happy slappeurs of crazy.
Personally, I paired with the Ashdown 4x10 cabinet the same series, and I play a Fender JazzBass us (models with the switch s-1). I play mostly progressive rock and atmoshere, but also covers of Pink Floyd, Scorpions, etc. ..
Level slap, attack it really hard (the cab enhances the tweeter off, then necessarily ...)

OVERALL OPINION

I have less than two weeks, but I did not let go since!
I tried a lot of amps, I wanted an Ampeg at first, but then we really comes close, and the price / quality ratio seems unbeatable carément. In fact, I bought it on Mofline, it came back a bit cheaper than Thomann, and the transaction was very fast, without any problems.
In general, - the least: the weight of the speaker (plus it's hard to go back to my AX!).
- The more the price (600 and dust the body 2), versatility and sound exellent, robustness: it not move and is very well protected.
I bought this amp by trusting the advice I read on AudioFanzine and I thank them all, and this choice I would do without hesitation, I'm really pleased with the beast, I recommend that course to those were undecided.
As for scoring, I can not put 10 knowing that there are a wide tube at the top (EVO), but it's a really great amp.

Technically, everything has already been said, is a bass amplifier transistor (MOSFET) of 307W under 4ohms. It delivers about 180W on a single baffle 8ohms. The machine is broken but the fan is fairly quiet.

The connection of the 300 Mag is very comprehensive: passive entry and passive input, effects loop (jacks) and line-out to play on a table and mix (XLR) on the front. Behind two outputs HP jack. It is not just regret the lack of XLR or Speakon outputs (jacks verouillent but good).

Simple adjustments: an equalizer with five knobs, a gain control input display with backlit VU meter very pretty and vintage (and handy if you play an active low), according to a deep (bass boost), brihgt (capacity midrange and treble) and a function sub (small octave).

nb: the version I just bought, Mag 300H, seems to be more recent than that of the photo. This is the version dressed Mag 300R, installed in a 2U rack carpet, except it is narrower and does not have side vents. So a little lightheaded, but with its huge.

I put 9 / 10 because no amp is perfect.

UTILIZATION

Configuration is very simple and I got rapidemment the sound I want. The English manual is succinct hyper (common electric-blue series, Mag and ABM), but it will be going very well.

SOUNDS

I play punk HxC-Oi!, But I'm open I also play reggae, ska, dub or garage. I love vintage sounds, old sounds and especially tube amps. Like a big Mesa Boogie, a Marshall VBA, a Fender Bassman Pro or an Ampeg SVT were completely off-budget I turned to the brands more affordable and tried several bestiauds:

. Hartke HA 3500: in spite of the lamp preamp, too cold for my taste, and snapping. Not more powerful.
. Behringer BX4500-H: in spite of the less powerful 450W announced Hartke sound for the worse (lack of warmth and roundness). Just cheaper than Ashdown.
. Peavey Max 450: a versatile but its too neutral for my taste
. Galen Kruegger Backline 600: big sound, not bad at all, too much midrange for my taste, distortion-free interest
. Ampeg B-1 RE: unworthy to Ampeg and expensive for what it sounds.

The revelation was the Ashdown Mag 300 from home, tried to head and combo version in many stores. And I fell for the head coupled with the 4x10 cabinet.

I play it with a Squier Precision and an Ibanez SR customized, all four strings the two. No effect for now.

To play punk rock with a pick that sent his grave with a round, inflated in the media and "pushed" without being saturated (or nearly fully gain, sub function activated). It's almost like a rumbling Ampeg SVT (there is still a significant difference but the price difference is huge). In short its a little greasy as heard on albums by Motorhead. By pushing a little more treble and midrange that sounds NOFX. And the power of a 4x10 is enough since I am barely over half of the knob while playing with two well-equipped scratch (4x12) and a drummer who bangs like a deaf man.

The surprise is that giving up the pick to play the fingers of reggae, soul and funky stuff you get an amazing sound (I'm totally lacking in objectivity) as Motown. The function that fills the deep bass is a feast for Dubber.

In fact I'm addicted to the Ashdown. It's modern with a vintage sound that mimics many lamps. For better (Ampeg SVT series Mpulse Mesa home, in Ashdown ABM) you have to spend much more money!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a week (bassist of happiness). I can not find much to complain about.

The price / quality ratio is excellent. Ashdown made a big offensive this momment on prices. It's true that everything is assembled in China, but it seems much stronger than the Berhinger (which has yet pumped the look Ashdown, but not the sounds, with its BX 4500 H).

Head + 4x10 cabinet shown at 555 euros at Thomann. 595 purchased at music store near my home: 40 euros more expensive are not paid for a test and a local service (without crazy shipping costs) if something goes wrong.

PS: the glitch happened almost two years under the warranty!

I play it with even more happiness for a few months with an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro (active): the ultimate rock sound (in my modest means, in case of big lottery will be Orange, Hiwatt and Ampeg ... but good).

And an evening of repeats, bam! Addition to its output. The preamp section is still working (the DI output), but nothing as output. And it's not a fuse problem, or pregnant, or trivial connection ... Mystery and return for service. We'll see.

In the meantime I lower my rating to 6 / 10 for the limited robustness of the machine.

Ashdown seriously! Amp recovered after less than a month. Just a weld that had sold in the amplification. Here we go again.

Head transistors 307 W.
Bi-amp output jack.
Gain knob (with meter-class-), serious choice frequency, mid, treble with a choice frequency, post EQ DI output, volume, bass boost, bright boost, EQ in / out, harmonizer, high or low inputs, effects loop ...
Everything you need!

UTILIZATION

The config is pretty simple, but there is everything you need to find its ideal, since the knobs respond really well. No need for manual, everything is standard.

SOUNDS

While it sounds flat already. The sound is typed without being distorted or too connotations.
We can then move the heavy (with low and semi-parametric bass boost) to slap clear (bright boost) and all that is blues, rock, punk surly, vintage, post-rock, reggae ...
I use it mainly for the song and was looking for vintage rock sound type OuiOui, Gainsbourg, Taxi Girl ... There is no problem with my Godin Freeway surout: it is warm, woody, accurate, versatile ... My cabinet is an old body with Peavey BW 1x15 + 2x10 with: super nice. And I have to change for 2x10 Eminence a little better. Even with the effects (octave, delay, distortion Rat with serious back) it works very well.
I also used to the noisy and post-rock, it's no problem! Without trying to fall into that head brouaha Infrabass actually allows a good dynamic and wide frequency without hiding behind a mass of sound informed, although it can push it further if necessary.
The harmonizer is a little gadget but it can help.

OVERALL OPINION

I have for almost a year. Like everyone else I have long hesitated to face the multitude of products available. I wanted to reassure me by exceeding the budget to type in Ampeg, but finally to 300 € Ashdown head into my favorite store I tried the blow ... no regrets.
In addition it has a really pretty face!
From the first rehearsals my colleagues felt the difference (before I played a Peavey TKO combo of 1993, not too bad). In the studio this summer is spent alone, almost no editing or sound recording or the mixing ... Concert and congratulations on the accuracy and efficiency of sound, be it public or technicians. In short, an excellent value for money, although obviously some extreme styles or for purists, it surely has its limits ... This is a good sign!