Ander87

Definitely looking forward to trying it out this weekend... May be enough with the foot switch and a Darkglass simpler pedal for the heavy stuff...! Ander.

... Plus, there is a ton of times at home where I don't want to set up cables and power supplies etc back from rehearsal and just want to plug right into the amp and play straight from the bass

Ah, very good point... my train of thought is: 1. Currently using a HX Effects - should be enough to just replace my amp head, and continue using the Darkglass simulation in the HX Effects. Problem is I only use that in my chain pretty much, a b7k simulation and a bit of compression. All the other effects I don't touch them more than to fool around if ever. 2. Form factor... I'm adding bulk with the ABM vs my Eich, so can do with saving space against the HX Effects in favour of a single Darkglass pedal 3. Price...! I can probably do with a Microtubes X7, but the price even second hand is just a £100 difference and for that I can get the 3 different presets and just... 4. I still do some gigs where regrettably I am forced to use the house amp and want to put as little as possible tone on those. Agree the latest programmable from Darkglass may be overkill, but I know I want only one pedal so a pedal board (other effects, power supply underneath etc) is something I've tried and not loved... ... I will get the head this weekend and try it, god knows, maybe I am happy with just the foot switch and an X7 so I'll hold my horses... Having said that, I've seen an ADAM in this forum I could well consider...! Best, Ander.

Thank you @ern500evo! im thinking of going down the path of ABM plus a Darkglass programmable pedal like the Adam - vintage tones and fuzz with compressor etc? Yes please! Best, Ander.

Ah @MichaelDean the response has been so unanimous, I wasn’t expecting that much towards the Ashdown! Seems I got a seller for my Eich amp so that I can probably update you all with a purchase this weekend. thanks for much for the support and comments! Ander.

Completely agree with you! very good stuff but like you said, depending on what you want...! In my previous 'adding colour' phase I went for an Aguilar TH350 and didn't love the controls and how the gain interacts with volume depending on each other etc. Seems that Ashdown does have that kind of definition I'm looking for whilst still the characteristic valve warmth... but it's admittedly trying out an Ampeg that brought me to that search...!

Hey Mario, thank you for your thoughts! I did try the GK range (not all models) and as a signature I felt them too scooped, hence my settling for an Eitch T-900 as a more sober version of a clean amp. Since I'm now in passive Fender territory I thought I'd add more colour via the amp head and enjoy a bit of valve-like warmth whilst keeping definition and sharpness if needed.

Ah but the size starts getting huge aye…!

ah! Much appreciated Paul, your opinion does have good weight here! seems like I’m gonna sort for the ABM 20th anniversary I saw… … next assessments will likely be HX Effects vs Darkglass Microtubes and BB2 vs Super Twin 2… I can see that coming 😂 Ander.

Hmmm! Really interested in the ABM with a Microtubes…!

Ah indeed, sorted for this Sunday it seems

Oh and well, yeah, when it comes to amplifiers, I'm a bit disappointed with Darkglass... I had the last 500w Microtubes and whilst warm I found it to have a fairly generic character, something in it wasn't moving me to be honest... ... Not to mention the pricing they have is getting more and more ridiculous! ... I do love a microtubes X distortion though, I won't lie...! Ander.

Ha! well that does clear it for me in many ways... I found this confirming from Ashdown it is UK built and UK hand wired... https://ashdownmusic.com/products/20th-anniversary-abm-600-evo-iv Not to diss out on the regular ABM 600's but this is also cheaper than the regulars I'm seeing currently so I guess at this point in time it is the best call. Compressor wise it seems like it'll do the job - I get too confused and scared to touch all those knobs the dedicated compressors do 😁 Seems like this ABM and the BB2 will be a great match thanks!

Wondering if you guys could help me. I'm considering changing my bass head (Eich T900) for an ABM 600 EVO IV. I'm running it with a Barefaced Big Baby 2 that I'm planning to keep. I've a couple questions over an offer I've seen for one ABM 600 EVO IV 20th anniversary: 1. Seller claims it's UK made and hand wired - is this the same for 'regular' ABM 600 EVO IV's? 2. Is £400 a good price in good condition? 3. How useful is the compresor? I don't abuse it but like to keep some 'always on' 4. Heard from a trusted BC'er that Ashdown and Barefaced is a good pairing but happy to hear more on this! (more on this here)

Oh I hear where you're coming from... ... In my case it's more for the handiness of presets. Mind, this is 'only' the HX Effects so £250 invested. I normally have 2 cleans and 2 dirty sounds - the only respective difference being the boost added on... Distortion, despite the punk rock genre, is very metal-like, Darkglass simulation... ... Other than that I do noodle around a bit with chorus or octave at most for my neosoul sounds but definitely can be discarded as I don't gig or rehearse at the moment with it... I'm hijacking my own thread but maybe the ABM with a good Darkglass pedal, and boost at most, does everything for me.

I think that's your answer. And if you still have a Helix you can run an Ampeg sim through your Ashdown with the EQ disengaged. Aha! Yep I'm on the fence about moving or keeping the HX effects. Potentially settling for the ABM 600 ltd @ £400, then I'll have to assess whether I want to keep the HX Effects or just get a Darkglass pedal (the distortion I use on my HX) and make a small pedalboard.

Hm thank you for the notes @BassAdder60 it seems like the ABM is a big winner, unanimously! I was expecting Ampeg to put some more resistance to it ha! Curious about the EVO V but can't justify the price... ... Yes, I'm seeing the ABM 600 for about 450-500 often... this particular limited edition one claims to be UK made and hand wired... Is the 'regular' ABM 600 EVO IV also UK made / hand wired? Not sure if that one I checked is too good to be true... Will defo ask some questions and check on the Ashdown owners thread, thank you! Ander.

Well... It seems I've found a 20th Anniversary ABM 600 EVO IV nearby home for £400... ... this is the quilted panel with silvery front - assuming it's a good price even for a regular ABM 600 - don't care much about the "limited edition-ness"... Shall I pull the trigger? 👀

Thank you! Yes, I've always obsessed over a small amp, hence my Eitch T900 I put in my gig bag... ... Having said that, I always drive to venues and rehearsals, many times I use the HX Effects into the rehearsal room if I'm feeling lazy or rushed to pack cables etc...! What I'm saying is, despite my obsession for portability, I don't really need it - that does not mean I'm after a huge Ampeg, but the size of the ABM 600 is defo enough. Also I'm pushing 600w on 8ohm with the Eich T900... Assuming the 350ish of the ABM on 8 ohm will be plenty for stage in pubs and the like...

Hmmm! thank you both! Am I right in going for the ABM 600? Any other model I should research or consider? I'd like to not have to dough out for my Eich T900 so I've a 'buying power' of about £500-600. Saw a mint ABM 600 for £450...! Sorry, I spend all my day trading basses and rarely change amp heads

Hey gang, I'm in a bit of a mess so I figured I could do with your help. I come back from active Stingrays into a HX Effects, Eich T900 and a Barefaced Big Baby 2. I've swapped the Stingrays to Fenders + cash in the bank and now I have two passive American Original Precision and Jazz. I really like their sound but I'm ready for a change. The Barefaced is staying as it projects massively and clearly and it's lightweight etc. I am after a head with more colour, and my first instinct was Ampeg. I tried an SVT 7 Pro at a rehearsal room and funny enough I quite liked it! I always push the treble and low on the Rays and I play punk rock and neosoul. So I need a fat clean, a punchy clean and a dirty sound and I'm sorted. Now I start to dig around and it seems like the Ashdown is all the things the Ampeg could be and I have yet less idea about Ashdowns other than the crappy ones you often see in rehearsal rooms. I love that scooped, trebbly character you can pull from an Ampeg but from my research it seems you can make those with Ashdown too... ie. Ashdown will cover Ampeg but Ampeg won't cover the warmth from Ashdown.... ... Any other players I should consider? I don't love the drive/controls on the Aguilar Tone Hammer so that's discarded... Mesa Boogie Subway D800+? Thanks! Ander.