Ashdown ABM owners club

[Musicman20]

That’s a reasonable price for a UK manufactured amp. 

[AndyTravis]

New ABM-600-EVO IV For me via @walshy

 

Very pleased with it.

[la bam]

They do some out there things sometime ashdown. I can't work out why they'd market the new abm in that metal case with no protection. It's either to keep costs down, but then offer you the wooden sleeve at extra cost, or just a bit crazy. We know it won't last without protection with all those exposed knobs and sliders. 

 

I said it before about the RM - just add a clippable lid front and back and that would be miles better. Full protection, no need for a heavy wooden cover and very easy to use. 

[dagrev]

20 hours ago, chyc said:

Interestingly Ashdown have updated their product range, and the ABM Evo V is no more. In its place is a new ABM Evo IV with an all-metal chassis. I think it looks fantastic, and it will continue to look fantastic right up to the first time you take it out the house .

 

 

https://ashdownmusic.com/products/uk-abm-600-evo-iv

 

 

 

I like it in that it would be lighter, but your point is valid about taking it around.  I think I like what I'm used to and tend to prefer the looks with the case. 

[BassAdder60]

18 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

New ABM-600-EVO IV For me via @walshy

 

Very pleased with it.

Great amps 

[chyc]

1 hour ago, la bam said:

They do some out there things sometime ashdown. I can't work out why they'd market the new abm in that metal case with no protection. It's either to keep costs down, but then offer you the wooden sleeve at extra cost, or just a bit crazy. We know it won't last without protection with all those exposed knobs and sliders. 

Totally agree with you. I have dropped my ABM, and the wooden sleeve saved me big time. Saying that, the all-metal cover looks damn cool in my opinion.

 

I see they've removed the AGM model from their line-up, which is sad as they looked rather nice.

 

Actually, they sold two similar AGM amps, one in a wooden enclosure, one in a metal one. Was that Ashdown testing the waters?
 

Edited Tuesday at 14:24 by chyc

[Russ]

12 hours ago, la bam said:

They do some out there things sometime ashdown. I can't work out why they'd market the new abm in that metal case with no protection. It's either to keep costs down, but then offer you the wooden sleeve at extra cost, or just a bit crazy. We know it won't last without protection with all those exposed knobs and sliders. 

 

I said it before about the RM - just add a clippable lid front and back and that would be miles better. Full protection, no need for a heavy wooden cover and very easy to use. 

I like the look without the case - it's smaller, and probably substantially lighter too. But they should sell it with a gig bag, like they did with the first-gen Rootmasters. Although maybe not with the wool lining! 

[chyc]

5 hours ago, Russ said:

I like the look without the case - it's smaller, and probably substantially lighter too. But they should sell it with a gig bag, like they did with the first-gen Rootmasters. Although maybe not with the wool lining! 

Sadly it's actually heavier if going by their website (links to source)

 

ABM EVO-IV Metal: 13.8kg

ABM EVO-IV Wood: 12.5kg

 

I agree, a gig bag would put my mind at ease immensely. 

[Russ]

4 hours ago, chyc said:

Sadly it's actually heavier if going by their website (links to source)

 

ABM EVO-IV Metal: 13.8kg

ABM EVO-IV Wood: 12.5kg

 

I agree, a gig bag would put my mind at ease immensely. 

The alternative is getting a camera case or an actual rack, which, to me, seems kinda pointless if you’re reducing the bulk by ditching the wooden sleeve! 

 

Surprised about the weight - it only has one more metal panel than the normal version (on the top) and that has to weigh less than the sleeve. Has to be a mistake. 

[la bam]

They should just add the end lids like this... Ie no need to alter the abm, just add 2 clippable ends on. 

 

Lightweight, easier to use, looks cool. 

 

 

[Russ]

2 hours ago, la bam said:

They should just add the end lids like this... Ie no need to alter the abm, just add 2 clippable ends on. 

 

Lightweight, easier to use, looks cool. 

 

 

Mark G just confirmed on FB that there's going to be a gig bag coming. So that's cool. 

[Muppet]

On 29/09/2025 at 16:44, chyc said:

Interestingly Ashdown have updated their product range, and the ABM Evo V is no more. In its place is a new ABM Evo IV with an all-metal chassis. I think it looks fantastic, and it will continue to look fantastic right up to the first time you take it out the house .

 

 

 

They're still producing the other amps, like the Head of Doom, ABM Evo V, Shavo etc - they're just under the 'Custom Shop' banner now. 

[chyc]

14 minutes ago, Muppet said:

They're still producing the other amps, like the Head of Doom, ABM Evo V, Shavo etc - they're just under the 'Custom Shop' banner now. 

Yeah, I missed that, but in my defence the site is currently a mess. The ABM page and UK ABM page make no mention of those, and the dropdown of the "ABM Series" only contains EVO-IV.

[spyder]

After a 9 month break from using any amp head because I go straight into my PA for pub / club / function band gigs, I thought about looked around for a suitable head in case I need one for rehearsals or non PA type gigs or jams.

For 10 years or more I've used digital heads because of weight saving but always felt unhappy with the sound unless spending well over 1k on more high end heads.

I've had Ashdown digital and class AB heads before but never got on with the sound as I was using only active basses at the time. ( Just didn't suit my idea of good sound ) I now use only passive basses so I thought of trying out Ashdown again.

I managed to pick up an ABM 400 ltd edition 25 year model for a good price.

It's new and came with a large metal flight case and foot switch.

Well the sound is perfect for my passive basses and it has all the authoritiy anyone would ever want.

I changed the valve from the non descript Chinese crap to a branded Electro Harmonix with a marked improvement in overdrive tone.

While I was in there I noticed that the preamp board in labelled ABM 600 and the power board is also from an ABM 600 but is labelled 500 watts.

The amp is labelled 400 watts?

I've just tried the foot switch and to my surprise and bonus the Compressor button turns on the compressor that is obviously on the ABM 600 preamp board. I can't change the compressor settings as there is not a knob on the front panel but it sounds great for squashing the in coming sound.

 

 

 

[dagrev]

12 hours ago, spyder said:

After a 9 month break from using any amp head because I go straight into my PA for pub / club / function band gigs, I thought about looked around for a suitable head in case I need one for rehearsals or non PA type gigs or jams.

For 10 years or more I've used digital heads because of weight saving but always felt unhappy with the sound unless spending well over 1k on more high end heads.

I've had Ashdown digital and class AB heads before but never got on with the sound as I was using only active basses at the time. ( Just didn't suit my idea of good sound ) I now use only passive basses so I thought of trying out Ashdown again.

I managed to pick up an ABM 400 ltd edition 25 year model for a good price.

It's new and came with a large metal flight case and foot switch.

Well the sound is perfect for my passive basses and it has all the authoritiy anyone would ever want.

I changed the valve from the non descript Chinese crap to a branded Electro Harmonix with a marked improvement in overdrive tone.

While I was in there I noticed that the preamp board in labelled ABM 600 and the power board is also from an ABM 600 but is labelled 500 watts.

The amp is labelled 400 watts?

I've just tried the foot switch and to my surprise and bonus the Compressor button turns on the compressor that is obviously on the ABM 600 preamp board. I can't change the compressor settings as there is not a knob on the front panel but it sounds great for squashing the in coming sound.

 

 

 

Congrats on finding what sounds good to you. That's always refreshing and a joy when it happens. 

I found the new ABMs are brighter than my older III 500. I put a warmer old RCA tube in and that really helped. The JJ/Ruby was fine, but I'm picky. In fact I have an old Mullard arriving Saturday that will get an audition. The RCA will likely go in the 500.  

 

Unexpected wording printed on the CB is common so don't let that throw you. 

 

Note my 300 IV

[dagrev]

Pardon if this is not quite the right place. After installing an old RCA 12ax7 in the new ABM 300 (which was great), I ran across a 1959 Mullard 12ax7A at a really good price. Couldn't pass on one of the gold standards from the Blackburn factory so I bought it. After some playing at home and one live use I can say the Mullard is very warm. Warmest valve I ever encountered. Very sweet sounding tube, shy on the highs compared to most. I love how it sounds in the ABM with one exception--I can't get it to breakup. Input and tube settings maxed. I don't like distortion, but do love breakup and some overdrive at times and I can't get it with the Mullard. It tested almost like NOS so I don't think it's a problem with the valve. One thing I liked about the JJ and the RCA was they both provided some "valve-mids" that kind of filled in. The JJ maybe a tad too harsh and the RCA better for my tastes. The JJ was much brighter of the three and it's not supposed to be a bright valve.  

 

I'll have to leave the Mullard in to see how I get on with it with other basses. Maybe I'll get over having some breakup. Certainly warmed up the ABM even more. Much closer to my older 500 III.  Anyway, maybe that will be of interest to someone--or no one!