Ashdown
Ashdown announces new bass tube amp range
For almost 15 years, Ashdown Engineering has put the power behind many of the world's truly great bass players. The traditional Ashdown formula of variable tube warmth at the input stage, combined with precision solid-state tone shaping and dynamic, bipolar MOS-FET and class D power technologies continues to drop jaws wherever it's heard. Now, for those players who worship at the altar of glass, fire and high-voltage, Ashdown has created a new range of valve bass amplification.
Available in three strengths, the BTA combines the sophistication of the ABM preamp with sledgehammer, all-tube output stages. The 550 Spyder head and Touring combo reverse the process, using the ABM's thrilling 500-watt power stage to deliver the rich harmonics of an all-tube preamp. And for the purists, the stunning 427 Small Block and the irrepressible Little Bastard cook-up their magic from a list of ingredients that's 100% tube.
BTA 200, 300 and 400 Heads
Combining straightforward rotary tone controls with two pairs of additional EQ sliders for the more sonically sophisticated, Ashdown's ABM preamp became an instant classic when it hit the bass world over a decade ago.
The BTA (Big Tube Head) partners a third-generation ABM preamp with a choice of 200, 300 and 400-Watt valve output stages for ABM sophistication with bone-crushing tube power. All the ABM features are there - EQ In/Out footswitching, variable Tube/Solid-State input stages, on-board compressor and Sub Harmonic Generator, balanced DI Output with Pre/Post EQ switching, FX loop, Tuner output and more.
The BTA heads partner perfectly with a range of Ashdown US Series cabinets.
427 Small Block Head
Lurking under the hood of this all-tube muscle-amp is an octet of KT88s and three over-fed transformers, creating a monster power stage that just won't quit.
Put the pedal to the metal and the 427 surges into action with thundering tones ranging from clean to fat to downright filthy, courtesy of an ECC83-fueled preamp loaded with passive tone circuits and a whole lot of attitude.
The 427 Small Block head features High and Low gain inputs, front panel-mounted Effects Send and Return, rotary Bass, Middle and Treble controls with Mid Shift, Bass Shift and Bright switching, Mute switch, rotary Gain and Master volume controls and balanced DI output with Pre/Post switching.
The 427 Small Block head partners perfectly with a range of Ashdown US Series cabinets. See the Ashdown website for full details.
Little Bastard Head
Rebellious, uncompromising and cool as f***, James Dean - and the car he nicknamed the Little Bastard - are the inspiration for this iconic, all-tube mini bass amp head. Rated at 30-Watts, the Little Bastard won't rip your head off, but its EL84-equipped power section is more than capable enough for small gigs.
And, of course, it won't put your back out on the way.
The Little Bastard preamp stage employs ECC83 and ECC82 tubes, and features High and Low gain inputs, front panel-mounted Effects Send and Return, rotary Bass, Middle and Treble controls with Mid Shift, Bass Shift and Bright switching, Mute switch, rotary Volume control and balanced DI output.
The Little Bastard head partners perfectly with a range of Ashdown US Series cabinets. See the Ashdown website for full details.
550 Spyder Head and Touring Combo
Available both as an über-cool rackmount head and a 2x10" combo, the 550 combines the warmth and grind of the 427 Small Block's all-tube preamp with the dynamics of Ashdown's tour-proven 500-Watt ABM power stage.
The 550 Spyder head and Touring combo feature High and Low gain inputs, front panel-mounted Effects Send and Return, rotary Bass, Middle and Treble controls with Mid Shift, Bass Shift and Bright switching, Mute switch, rotary Gain and Master volume controls and balanced DI out with Pre/Post switching.
The 550 Touring combo features 2x10" drivers, while the 550 Spyder head partners perfectly with a range of Ashdown US Series cabinets.
Ashdown ABM500 Bass Head
The ABM 500 EVO II is a 575 watts RMS bass amp head designed to satisfy both bass-purists and tech-heads alike. Three straightforward rotary tone controls provide 20dB of cut and boost at 60Hz, 660Hz and 5kHz, and are supplemented by two pairs of additional sliders giving 15dB cut and boost at 180Hz, 340Hz, 1.3kHz and 2.6kHz. The EQ can be switched in/out, and flat/shaped by footswitch, enabling players to go from a flat fretless sound to a boosted sound via a favourite EQ setting. A single input is switchable for passive and active instruments with a blend of solid state and dual triode tube preamps stages which can be preset and selected by footswitch, providing access to a massive range of clean, warm and overdriven tones.
Also footswitchable is the mighty Ashdown sub-harmonic generator which precisely tracks the main signal and reproduces it an octave lower. A sub-harmonic level control enables the player to add just the right amount of low-end reinforcement - everything from a subtle, thickening of the sound to unbridled, bone crushing tone. The ABM 500 EVO II features a front-panel mounted balanced DI out with pre or post EQ switching, a sub-bass output, a tuner output, an FX loop and a line input for the connection of an external sampler or sound source. Output muting cuts the signal from the DI output but leaves the tuner output 'live', allowing the player to tune up in silence. A new upgraded power section has faster transient attack, more headroom and even less noise.
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