Ashton AB805

Lower Australian design, manufacturing nowhere in Asia ...

Here are the specifications:
- 5-String Bass
- Body Orme
- Rosewood (MG version) or maple (NT version)
- Maple neck bolted rather flat
- Diapason 34''
- 22 frets
- Bridge and mechanical black (MG version) or chromium (NT version)
- Two microphones HB / HB assets
- Active EQ
- 4 Controls: Volume / Balance / Treble / Bass

Overall specifications are not too bad for the price but the finish is not terrible.

UTILIZATION

The ergonomic design is good. It is light and well balanced.
The neck is fairly flat and wide even for a 5 string, not unpleasant but the key is a bit rough to the touch. Access to treble is excellent and the bass is very responsive on the top of the handle. The solo bass fanatics will appreciate.
Consideration of this good presence on the top of the spectrum, it lacks a little body to the rope to ring Si

SOUNDS

I did not keep the basic configuration for very long. The HB is a little hollow and not very dynamic. In addition to the basic wiring is really rotten so it sizzles and it hums constantly. The bass is very unclear what makes the B string is almost unusable.
on the other hand, it is active base is no problem to change to another set of active pickups, there are already sites.
So what I did for a kit EMG Jazz Bass that I adapted to this low. I now have two volumes, 1 tone and a knob to make nice.
As a result, more noise, a potato soup and a satisfactory to fall. The pickups I bring the precision in the bass that was missing at the start and underline the upper midrange. It cuts through the mix without worries.
I use it in via a DI MIC 100 for the registration of my models.
I did not try to amp.
Background note: 6
Note change of e: 8

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a little over a year. I wanted a 5 string bass cheap easy to upgrade for recording. I have tried many models and it was actually the least expensive 5 string active. Paid the equivalent of 300 € in cash Kit J, value for money is unbeatable.