New Ashdown ABM EVO V bass amp head delivers more power and dynamics
It’s now 25 years since UK-based Ashdown Engineering shook up the bass world with the ABM (Ashdown Bass Magnifier) bass amp. With its distinctive vintage VU meter and a simple but versatile EQ section combining straightforward rotary controls with miniature sliders, the ABM partnered solid bass tone with variable tube grind and a feature set that gave players just what they needed to perform on stage and in the studio.
Over the years, the ABM platform has evolved with the times and the latest evolution is the new ABM EVO V, the sixth version of what continues to be the bass amp of choice for leading players around the world, including the Foo Fighters’ Nate Mendel, Biffy Clyro’s James Johnston, and Shavo Odadjian from System of a Down.
Traditionally sporting an ice-blue front panel, the ABM EVO V looks very different, moving to an all-black design that acknowledges the trend towards a more anonymous backline, although the trademark Ashdown illuminated VU meter remains very much in evidence. Indeed, the EVO V is the first ABM to feature VU meters for both input and output signals.
Under the hood, it’s all about power and headroom. A new 750-Watt output section is the most dynamic ever used in an ABM, gifting the amplifier with stunning power and response.
All the much-loved ABM features remain in evidence including 9 band EQ, 12AX7-powered Valve Drive, on-board compressor, and sub-harmonic control, with the UK-built EVO V adding mains voltage switching, temperature controlled low noise cooling and a transformer-isolated DI output.
“Like everything we do, the ABM EVO V is developed in response to the needs of our customers” comments Ashdown MD Dan Gooday. “An increasing number of players have been asking if we can bridge the dual output sections of our ABM 1200 head. The new ABM EVO V answers that need for more power and dynamics.”
For further information on the Ashdown ABM EVO V, visit ashdownmusic.com
New Ashdown CTM Valve Pre: A compact, feature-packed bass preamp with real tube tone at its heart
Ashdown’s CTM ‘Little Stubby’ amp head caused a sensation in the bass world by delivering an all-tube bass amp in a truly portable package, combining the unmistakable harmonic richness of real tube tone with versatile sound shaping facilities and a comprehensive feature set for life in the modern world.
Now Ashdown has answered the growing demand for a 1U rackmount / desktop preamp version of the ‘Little Stubby’ with the new CTM Valve Pre.
No matter where your bass playing takes you, you’ve got to start with great tone, and the CTM valve Pre oozes vintage warmth and punch, courtesy of a classic ECC81, ECC82 and ECC83 tube configuration. Volume and Drive knobs facilitate everything from clean to fully overdriven sounds, and rotary Bass, Middle and Treble EQ continue the traditional theme on the front panel. But it’s the unique Feedback control that brings a whole new world of sonic possibilities to this compact, bass tone powerhouse.
At one end of the scale lie the type of loose, old school, vintage tube tones that underpin many a legendary classic rock album, then things tighten up progressively, with more focussed, modern, and mid-heavy sounds at the other. And a built-in FX send and return invite players to add their favourite modulation and time-based effects to build on a solid core tone and define their own sonic signatures.
Consistent with Ashdown’s mission to equip bass players with the tools they need to perform effectively in every scenario, the CTM Valve Pre features a USB-C recording output for direct connection to a DAW, alongside a conventional DI output. A custom 16-bit/48kHz codec keeps Total Harmonic Distortion and Signal to Noise measurements low, while ensuring maximum dynamic range for your computer-based recordings.
“Things are changing fast for bass players, so we’ve packed the new CTM Valve Pre full of the features they need to cover a wide variety of applications” comments Ashdown MD Dan Gooday. “But what remains constant is the need for a great core tone and, at its heart, that’s what this amazing new preamp is all about.”
For more information on the Ashdown CTM Valve Pre, visit ashdownmusic.com
Ashdown marks 25-year anniversary with ABM-400 Ltd Edition bass amp head
It’s 25 years since Ashdown Engineering shook up the world of bass with its iconic ABM (Ashdown Bass Magnifier) bass amp. The warm glow of the ABM’s retro illuminated VU meter became a regular sight on stages with players like Mark King, JJ Burnel, Adam Clayton and the late John Entwistle, and the ABM has remained the amplifier of choice for top bassists pretty much ever since.
To mark Ashdown’s 25th anniversary, the UK-based company is producing a limited edition of just 100 special ABM-400 heads, hand numbered and signed by Ashdown founder Mark Gooday and each supplied in a custom flight case. Along with a personal note of thanks, purchasers will also receive a video of their amp as it’s packed for dispatch.
A fitting tribute to a milestone in bass technology, the ABM-400 Ltd Edition is, first and foremost, a terrific bass amp. Central on the front panel is the 7 band EQ section that helped make the ABM an instant classic, combining simple rotary controls for Bass, Middle and Treble with pairs of sliders between the knobs to deliver more sophisticated control for players looking to tailor their own signature sound.
An on-board sub-harmonic generator and a 400-Watt, high-headroom power stage gift the amplifier with effortless ABM clout, and the variable Valve Drive control delivers a range of core tones from clean and punchy to warm and grinding.
There’s a balanced DI output on the front panel, and FX send and return on the back, along with a pair of Speakon speaker outputs, a line input and a jack for the included 4-way footswitch controlling EQ, sub harmonics, valve drive and a fixed level of soft compression. The rear panel is also home to ABM’s low-noise, twin fan intelligent cooling system.
“Owners of this landmark amplifier will join a stellar community of ABM fans including Nate Mendel from the Foo Fighters, Pink Floyd’s Guy Pratt, Geezer Butler from Black Sabbath and countless others” comments Ashdown MD Dan Gooday. “A lot has changed in twenty-five years, but the essence of the Ashdown Bass Magnifier has remained constant, and the ABM-400 Ltd Edition is the perfect celebration of this iconic bass amp.”
For further information on the Ashdown ABM-400 Ltd Edition, visit ashdownmusic.com
