Ashdown make outstanding amps, heralded the world over. Whoever told you to avoid them probably has no idea, or is going on the advice of someone else who has no idea. I find there’s an awful lot of gullibility in the bass world. An example would be; the ABM 500 is sh*t according to Brian, who plays in a god awful blues jam band, has poor technique, doesn’t know what tone will cut through a mix, uses the eq to set a bedroom sound that won’t cut it in a live situation etc.. the same amp is used by Nate Mendel in the biggest band in the world. Many people unfortunately listen to Brian.