Ashdown ABM owners club

[Woodinblack]

2 hours ago, alexa3020 said:

 As bagman says, as you add more low end you'll notice the needle move. I dont use the onboard compressor, but I can remember that killing the volume - not sure if that affects vu though

 

No it doesn't affect the VU, the Passive / Active switch makes a big difference though. I never get it high on most basses other than the bongo though, but I would think that the G&L wouldn't have an issue.

[Lozz196]

I`ve found that my US Precisions seem to put the needle into the red on the hardest notes with the Input Gain at 3 o`clock. This with the Shape enabled, and Valve Drive fully on.

[dagrev]

Thanks very for the replies. I brought the head home to try a few things, but last night at rehearsal used a '55 Pbass and input at 3:00, tube 3:00 to full on, not much in terms of EQ--a little bass and a touch of mids. I don't think of this bass as having weak output either. When I glanced over I never recall the needle moving much at all. I never even get to half way unless I'm trying and really dig in with any bass. 

 

I have also noticed that sometimes I get more overdrive than other times with the settings the same. Obviously the output of each bass varies, so that is a factor. Last night I never noticed any overdrive with the above settings, and I'm not shooting for distortion. 

Edited August 7 by dagrev

[Bagman]

My old February 1998 Klystron 

 

never distorts but can get a little o/d relative to input level and “valve drive” 

[BassAdder60]

Might be worth fitting a new pre amp valve ? 
 

The EQ that affects the signal the most is the Low .. boost that and the needle should be hard into the red at times if the gain is around 1pm to 3pm and you play firmly finger style and more do if a pick player 

 

 

[dagrev]

Thanks again for the replies. I put a new JJ valve in when I got it used late last year. Had an Eden in it and the very mild overdrive sounded fizzy and high pitched. I emailed Ashdown and Dave Green replied in about 10 minutes and answered a question and recommended JJ for it. Helped a Yank like me (twice) with nothing to gain but good will and made me even more of an Ashdown fan. Love that company!

 

After some brief experimenting at home I found the following: 

I can get it to hit into the red if I play hard (with another Pbass), which I don't typically do, so that's clearly some of it. 

I notice more overdrive compression disengaged, but I like a little so I'm figuring that out a bit. 

I'll have to try the old Pbass and see how that goes, but I think I may not be having as much of a problem as I thought. At rehersal I don't have time to be fooling with the amp, so I'm limited on what I can notice and adjust. 

[alexa3020]

If you like compression, Id suggest a compressor pedal rather than the onboard.

There are some decent inexpensive ones. Ive gone a bit more high end with the Empress Bass Compressor - Brilliant bit of gear

[Nickthebass]

38 minutes ago, alexa3020 said:

If you like compression, Id suggest a compressor pedal rather than the onboard.

There are some decent inexpensive ones. Ive gone a bit more high end with the Empress Bass Compressor - Brilliant bit of gear

Seconded - also another vote for the Empress compressor. 

[BassAdder60]

Yeo the onboard Ashdown compressor ruins your sound and cuts volume. Not hearing many say they like it so as mentioned a low cost pedal out front is better.

Might be partly why you’re not seeing enough input gain 

[Lozz196]

Bizarrely I found that the higher the compression was set the more volume I got, with just a smidge it completely ruined my tone and volume. 

[dagrev]

Thanks. All the advise is appreciated. After a little more time fooling with the the ABM I did notice the compressor does choke the volume/signal. Having the input cranked all the way and blending in the valve helps that a good bit. I can see where if someone had the input at 10:00 how it would really suck the sound out of it. I've got a old compressor I used to have in place, but I'm nor wanted something else in the signal path and may just not use the one in the ABM. I liked my tone with some of it, but it's not a must have. 

 

I seem to notice that the compressor clamped down before the signal got to the the point of moving the needle. More movement with no comp. I'll have to spend more time with it, but it may involve the comp being left off.  But I am finding I can get the needle to do more moving now, and more than I was noticing when I didn't have time to be looking at the head at rehearsal or live. 

[dagrev]

Used the ABM today with great results. Maxed the input and valve (which wasn't too much overdrive with the bass used and that cab). I did notice the needle moving more so all seems well. Very pleased with that head. Tried it with the comp and without. with those settings not real volume changes at all. 

Just wish I had bought one years ago. Have to admit I'm thinking of a Little Stubby as another option. But need to stop thinking about it! One thing leads to another. 

[dagrev]

Somebody that didn't need another head just bought one of these B-stock plus some extra discount..... Fool and his money thing.... It was a killer deal.
The said fool above will be selling the 500w killer that's way more than the fool needs. Maybe the RM 300 will go. But might get "the wife look."

Anyone know what valve brand these have in them? When I got my older 500 it had an odd brand. I emailed Ashdown and Dave Green said JJ. 

"This item was returned in mint condition. It is free of any performance issues, and has no scratches, blemishes, or other cosmetic flaws."

[BassAdder60]

JJ pre amp tube ECC83 

[AlexMUK]

Mine came with a Ruby Tubes ECC83, which is a selected/rebranded JJ. I replaced it with a JJ selected for V1 (driver) position. I've also got a 'phase inverter' version which has better gain matching between the sections.