Ashdown ABM owners club

[spyder]

6 hours ago, dagrev said:

Odd question: How can I best provide some resistance to the output knob? I think my only beef with the new ABMs are the notches. I often find I need to be on the "hump" so I can get the input up where I want it for some breakup. I get why they are there. Handy in some respects but there is a big jump in volume from one notch to another. I was thinking of maybe a felt washer on the shaft to provide resistance that might help it stay on top of a hump and not want to go to one of the notches. If I were not pushing the valve it would not be an issue, but would like to have have that option if possible at lower output volumes. (I'm using my rig as mainly a monitor and some fill as I also go FOH.) Any thoughts that might help my weirdness (other than professional help)?   

You could use a passive volume control in the effects loop. This would allow you to find tune the output volume.

https://brightonion.co.uk/products/micro-volume-control

[Stealth]

I used to do just that with s pedal from the now defunct Award Session. The benifit that you could kick in and out the pot and get a solo boost 

 

your in luck

 

https://www.expressmusic.co.uk/products.asp?code=343121&name=pre-owned-award-session-sb1-solo-booster-pedal-inc-box&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19542579582&gbraid=0AAAAAD-QetYtg93QSyOgyU0J7Efu0haUX&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7Lfk9_qbkAMVB4tQBh1zwAguEAQYASABEgLWBvD_BwE

Edited October 11 by Stealth

[dagrev]

Thanks for the suggestions. A volume control in the effects loop seems an inexpensive way to this end. I can get one here for $29+ tax.  Hopefully with that I can settle in one of the notches and be able to get a little grit without getting the volume too high. Worth a shot.

[JGSpector]

On 03/10/2025 at 12:23, 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 600 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.

 

 

 

I have one of the 25th anniversary ABM 400 as well. I called Dave Green to ask some other questions about different amp options and when we got to talking about the 25th anniversary 400 he actually told me that although it's labelled as an ABM 400, it's actually a 500 watt power section. The amp is apparently based around modern pre amp and power sections but with the original EQ section from the original ABMs from back in the day. He also confirmed that the compressor can only be engaged by the footswitch and that the compression settings are fixed. I absolutely love the amp and really appreciate how solid the custom case it comes in is, the amp is well protected that's for sure!

[SteveXFR]

Does anyone use the built in compressor rather than a pedal? Im starting to quite like it.

[Woodinblack]

Never really got on with it, but then I am not a compressor user either

[Stealth]

Not a fan of the ABM compressor seems to muddy things up a bit 

[SteveXFR]

14 minutes ago, Stealth said:

Not a fan of the ABM compressor seems to muddy things up a bit 

 

That makes sense. Im playing a Spector with a really clanky, bright tone so muddling it up a bit has just taken off the edge a little. 

[Inga]

nah mate muddy as my back garden