PeteJ

I like heavy cabs, it makes me feel more manly... (once my back recovers) 😎

Decided to upgrade to the IV... 😎

Sorted this today, a quick squirt of servisol contact cleaner did the trick!

This thread was very useful - just resolved a similar issue with my output pot.

For those like me who know nothing about this stuff, I found it (fairly) useful: https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/what-class-d-amplification

I recently purchased a 2nd hand Ashdown ABM-600-EVO III, even though I was hoping to get a IV. Would it be worth upgrading to a IV at some point? The only difference I can see are the two extra EQ sliders. Any further differences? I'm happy with the III (well I will be once I take it apart and give the pots a clean - lots of crackling from the output pot at the moment). Cheers Pete

Thanks for the info, I will get a new cable for it.

It's black.

The thing is, the Ashdown head I bought recently has the same type of socket, but a standard speaker connector fits in there OK. Maybe the Laney one just needs, erm, breaking in...

I'm probably about 25 years behind the times, but what's with the new speakon connectors on the back of some amps? I recently purchased a Laney Richter R500H and tried to plug an ordinary speaker cable into it and it was tight as f@@@ and didn't go all the way in; the end result - no sound came out the speaker cab! When I checked the manual, it says the amp has a speakon connector... Pete

Sounds pretty good to me, a nice warmth to it - I was able to get a good tone more or less straight away. Used it with headphones, will try speakers tomorrow hopefully. Getting a few crackles when I adjust the gain/volume knobs - is that normal or does it need a service?

My purchase off ebay arrived today, one heavyweight Ashdown ABM 500 EVO III head! Looks and feels like a proper amp 😎 Will plug it in soon and give it a go.

Just wondered if the Ashdown FS Origin Valve Pre-DI Pedal is any good? Subjective I know, but that's what counts. PMT are selling them for £199 which seemed reasonable. Cheers Pete

Can I use an Ashdown ABM 500 EVO III with headphones? I recently purchased the Ashdown PhoneBox pedal to use with a solid-state amp, but wasn't sure if it was safe to use it with the ABM 500 EVO III as it has a value in the pre-amp...? Cheers Pete

Inspirational stuff, chaps!

Has anyone attempted to make a cabinet/box for their lightweight amp head? I'm guessing you just need to screw four bits of wood together, cover it in tolex or similar, add some feet, corner protectors and maybe a handle, then fix the amp inside it with some screws... however, I have no idea how you apply the tolex - is it a liquid that you apply? Or sheet material? That sounds like the tricky part. I suppose the wood could just be painted black. Pete

Late to the party on this one, but doesn't it depend on the tone you want to achieve? I use two cabs (and had similar when I used to gig in the 90s, including at the Marquee Club a few times) and it suited my tone, which was more or less v-shaped on a graphic EQ - bass up, mids down, treble up. The cabs were/are 4 x 10 and 1 x 15. When I used 8 x 10 at a rehearsal studio, the tone had a lot more treble (lacking the larger 15). The 15 adds a lot of low end. I had comments from punters that the bass sounded very rich.

I will give it a test once it's here and compare it to the Laney (500w) and Hartke (250w) heads I have. I have a stone outbuilding where I can turn it up full if need be and no-one will be any the wiser (apart from the bats in the roof!).

I'll be using these cabs from Hartke, which I really like:

What can they send to allow you to change it? Might give that option a go if I don't like the tonal variations.

I just won one on ebay (£160), but not too fussed about the power as it's for home use, want to try it for the tone. Personally I think all the wattage ratings from the various manufacturers are all dubious anyway. I used to own a Laney DP150 (150w) and that seemed as powerful/loud as some of these 500w offerings nowadays.

Just out of interest, what are the CTMs like?

Now you're talking! Can't say I'm impressed with these lightweight tin-box amps that seem to be all the rage nowadays... Thanks for the info.

I can't shake the interest in Ashdown now that I've started looking into them and reading comments from some of you on here about how good they are! I've stuck with Laney since the late 1980s, but am not too impressed with their latest offerings. I have tried Hartke as well, but similar really - although I do like the Hartke cabs with the metal cones. What I am slightly confused about is the different Ashdown models that are available... what's the difference between the ABM and RM models? Is there much difference in tone/capability? Cheers Pete

Tried it just now. Pretty good, I'd say! Much better sound than a distortion pedal, less harsh. I whacked up the drive and blend to max, the treble and volume to half and that was a good bit of overdrive. Too much treble and it sounds too harsh (but I have a lot of treble on the bass and the amp). Oh and I used it with a Laney R500H amp with an Ibanez SR300 bass.