Pete Academy Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 (edited) I tried the new Ashdown Spyder 550 amp today and was mightily impressed. It was designed to purposely sound different from the ABM range. It has more in common with cleaner digital amps. In fact, I compared to to the TC 450 head and honestly thought it sounded better. I used my 79 Jazz, and the Spyder brought out the true sound of the instrument - super clean but not harsh highs. Punchy mids and lows. The TC sounded more 'processed' in comparison. Tons of headroom in the Spyder and really effective tone controls. It was easy to get a sound with the minimum of faffing about. Highly recommended. Edited May 6, 2010 by Pete Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmansky Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='829909' date='May 6 2010, 06:46 PM']I tried the new Ashdown Spyder 550 amp today and was mightily impressed. It was designed to purposely sound different from the ABM range. It has more in common with cleaner digital amps. In fact, I compared to to the TC 450 head and honestly thought it sounded better. I used my 79 Jazz, and the Spyder brought out the true sound of the instrument - super clean but not harsh highs. Punchy mids and lows. The TC sounded more 'processed' in comparison. Tons of headroom in the Spyder and really effective tone controls. It was easy to get a sound with the minimum of faffing about. Highly recommended.[/quote] thats good to hear,love my abm but will try one asap.good thing is ashdown offer so much choice for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatbass787 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Ive still yet to give a BTA 400 a blast which im gagging to do but think one of these will have to go on the list too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markorbit Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='829909' date='May 6 2010, 06:46 PM']I tried the new Ashdown Spyder 550 amp today and was mightily impressed. It was designed to purposely sound different from the ABM range. It has more in common with cleaner digital amps. In fact, I compared to to the TC 450 head and honestly thought it sounded better.[/quote] The Spyder is an all-valve preamp (unlike the ABM) with an ABM SS power stage is it not... I wouldn't have expected it to be compared to clean and digital? I had a TC 450 for a short while. I didn't think it sounded any better than stuff I already own - although it's range of features was ideal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 i'd really like to try one of these fellas out, checked the PDF manual for it and was shocked that there is no XLR out (just the jack) and no Tuner out.... guess i,ve been spoilt by my ABM and Trace amps.... ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 [quote name='hookys6stringbass' post='858683' date='Jun 6 2010, 10:20 AM']i'd really like to try one of these fellas out, checked the PDF manual for it and was shocked that there is no XLR out (just the jack) and no Tuner out.... guess i,ve been spoilt by my ABM and Trace amps.... ;-)[/quote] Wow, no balanced XLR DI? No deal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 [quote name='MythSte' post='858728' date='Jun 6 2010, 11:16 AM']Wow, no balanced XLR DI? No deal![/quote] There is on the combo version..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 [quote name='hookys6stringbass' post='858762' date='Jun 6 2010, 11:55 AM']There is on the combo version.....[/quote] I Don't understand why the havnt made both "versions" the same. I'd pay £20 more (which im sure is still twice what it would cost to put an XLR DI on the standalone version) for the XLR DI. This is all pretty hypocritical though, my amp doesn't have one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluRay Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 [quote name='MythSte' post='858928' date='Jun 6 2010, 03:12 PM']I Don't understand why the havnt made both "versions" the same. I'd pay £20 more (which im sure is still twice what it would cost to put an XLR DI on the standalone version) for the XLR DI. This is all pretty hypocritical though, my amp doesn't have one [/quote] Yeah its weird that they're not the same. It says that the jack ouput is "balanced" tho. So won't this do the trick? Or would you need to run it to a DI box first for better results? TBH I hope its rubbish, to stop the oncoming GAS. I'm really starting to want one of these things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voxpop Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 (edited) [quote name='BluRay' post='859538' date='Jun 7 2010, 08:37 AM']Yeah its weird that they're not the same. It says that the jack ouput is "balanced" tho. So won't this do the trick? Or would you need to run it to a DI box first for better results? TBH I hope its rubbish, to stop the oncoming GAS. I'm really starting to want one of these things![/quote] I've just picked one up from Guitar Works in Reading and can say the Spyder sounds very good. I replaced the two ECC83 valves with old Mullards. This has given it a great valve preamp sound with all the power of the 500 watt power amp. Also I love the passive EQ section, its very subtle and you can dial in sounds that would be very hard to create with an active circuit as each EQ band effects the next one along. Now the bad bits.... NO XLR DI out, this is crazy as there is plenty of room on the back panel for one. Instead we have a STEREO jack plug that is the DI out. I cant think of any sound man I have used that will have a Stereo Jack to XLR adapter with them....like I said, CRAZY. Next little niggle is the effects send and return on the front panel. I can understand if the amp was a free standing unit but it is designed to be in a rack with other rack equipment that will have there jacks at the back.....CRAP. Apart from these two niggles it is a fab sounding amp.......so much so I've ordered the Little Bastard as well. Edited June 7, 2010 by voxpop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 On the verge of getting the Spyder just a little miffed about the lack of XLR ( i'll have to carry an adapter me thinks) and Tuner out...... Anyone know if it's an easy job to mod an amp with DI XLR and a Tuner out?? Ashdown built me a Combo cab with a 2 u rack space so the Spyder would be ideal - mind you I think i'll sell the combo ABM EVO III amp.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted June 8, 2010 Author Share Posted June 8, 2010 I think Ashdown are aware of the DI problem. Should be rectified on future units. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voxpop Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 [quote name='hookys6stringbass' post='860806' date='Jun 8 2010, 11:07 AM']On the verge of getting the Spyder just a little miffed about the lack of XLR ( i'll have to carry an adapter me thinks) and Tuner out...... Anyone know if it's an easy job to mod an amp with DI XLR and a Tuner out?? Ashdown built me a Combo cab with a 2 u rack space so the Spyder would be ideal - mind you I think i'll sell the combo ABM EVO III amp..[/quote] The DI would be easy enough, just drill a bigger hole and wire up a quality XLR socket. If Ashdown dont offer a mod I will have a go myself. I dont know about the Tuner out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='860828' date='Jun 8 2010, 11:39 AM']I think Ashdown are aware of the DI problem. Should be rectified on future units.[/quote] I've ordered it now and sent an email out to Ashdown to see if they could fit DI XLR and tuner out at some point.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 The Spyder was delivered today... Really great looking amp in its shiney chrome splender! Sounds fantastic , but I don't seem to be able to get an overdriven sound out of it when cranking the gain up and the VU needle doesn't budge as far as I thought it would - Have I got a duff one or am I being a cock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted June 12, 2010 Share Posted June 12, 2010 You can get XLR to TRS jack adaptors for under a fiver, just chuck one in the gig bag! I agree they should have put one on there but I don't think it's a deal breaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8 Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 The manaul now shows it with a XLR out as well as a jack. THe ashdown page also states it has xlr out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voxpop Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 [quote name='hookys6stringbass' post='864812' date='Jun 11 2010, 11:51 PM']The Spyder was delivered today... Really great looking amp in its shiney chrome splender! Sounds fantastic , but I don't seem to be able to get an overdriven sound out of it when cranking the gain up and the VU needle doesn't budge as far as I thought it would - Have I got a duff one or am I being a cock?[/quote] The VU meter is for OUTPUT not input like most other Ashdowns. It confused me at first also. I replaced the two ECC83 valves...try going for a high output design, this will over drive the input and give a warm slightly distorted sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 [quote name='voxpop' post='867191' date='Jun 14 2010, 05:06 PM']The VU meter is for OUTPUT not input like most other Ashdowns. It confused me at first also. I replaced the two ECC83 valves...try going for a high output design, this will over drive the input and give a warm slightly distorted sound.[/quote] Ahhhh that makes sense.... now. I was thinking of changing the valves to Mullards like you did, do you think they've a high enough output?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voxpop Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 [quote name='hookys6stringbass' post='867210' date='Jun 14 2010, 05:20 PM']Ahhhh that makes sense.... now. I was thinking of changing the valves to Mullards like you did, do you think they've a high enough output??[/quote] No, I put in Mullard M8136 which is a rare military version of the ECC81 / 12AT7 which has a gain of about 60-70% of a ECC83. I like the lower gain, non overdrive, but very warm sound a Mullard gives. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2NOS-Mullard-M8162-Special-Quality-ECC81-Valves-Tubes-/230486276363"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2NOS-Mullard-M8162-S...s-/230486276363[/url] Check out Watford vales for gain advice..... [url="http://www.watfordvalves.com/products.asp?search=8137&man=&page=2"]http://www.watfordvalves.com/products.asp?...man=&page=2[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 [quote name='voxpop' post='867288' date='Jun 14 2010, 06:51 PM']No, I put in Mullard M8136 which is a rare military version of the ECC81 / 12AT7 which has a gain of about 60-70% of a ECC83. I like the lower gain, non overdrive, but very warm sound a Mullard gives. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2NOS-Mullard-M8162-Special-Quality-ECC81-Valves-Tubes-/230486276363"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2NOS-Mullard-M8162-S...s-/230486276363[/url] Check out Watford vales for gain advice..... [url="http://www.watfordvalves.com/products.asp?search=8137&man=&page=2"]http://www.watfordvalves.com/products.asp?...man=&page=2[/url][/quote] Just got my spyder back from Ashdown so i've not had a chance to experiment with settings yet. Have you discovered any nifty settings since you got yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 [quote name='hookys6stringbass' post='885009' date='Jul 3 2010, 07:23 PM']Just got my spyder back from Ashdown so i've not had a chance to experiment with settings yet. Have you discovered any nifty settings since you got yours?[/quote] Back from Ashdown?? What happened?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 [quote name='Merton' post='885042' date='Jul 3 2010, 08:45 PM']Back from Ashdown?? What happened?![/quote] No no nothing wrong with it ... Just had the XLR DI put in. Newer rack Spyders will have the XLR in so i'm told.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 [quote name='hookys6stringbass' post='885178' date='Jul 4 2010, 12:57 AM']No no nothing wrong with it ... Just had the XLR DI put in. Newer rack Spyders will have the XLR in so i'm told....[/quote] Props to ashdown for that, Did they charge you for it - if you dont mind me asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 [quote name='MythSte' post='885511' date='Jul 4 2010, 03:16 PM']Props to ashdown for that, Did they charge you for it - if you dont mind me asking?[/quote] No they didn't charge me for it - I just had to pay for postage.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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