Ashdown ABM-300 EVO Head

Just to add to the previous review that I wrote:

I was missing one little insignificant screw cover from my head (came that way from the shop), so I decided to email Ashdown and see if I could buy one. Nope I couldn't - instead they SENT ME IT for FREE. All the way from the UK to me in California. That's pretty damn good customer support in my book. I thought that was an incredibly cool thing to do, and I'll try to return the karma to Ashdown by telling you...They are great.

This is the original EVO, (not EVO II, but it's pretty much the same thing minus 25 watts. Solid state with a tube pre. Has a really nice clean and simple setup for adjusting your EQ - very much a plug in and play type amp. Also has a cool sub-octave effect which is foot-switchable and of course, the trademark Ashdown VU meter that jumps all around while you're playing. The Mute, EQ on/off, and sub-octave are all foot-switchable. There is also a built in fan on that back which comes on automatically when the amp is turned on.

Have had this amp for about 2 days now, and bought it with the matching Ashdown AMB 4x10 and 1x15 cabs, which is a great combination if you can swing it. Currently it's being used with a Fender reissue Mustang bass with single coil pickups.

This amp sounds GREAT. If you just want to plug in and get a nice big fat warm rock tone without a bunch of knob fiddling and unnecessary bs, this amp is perfect. Would be great for most types of rock, blues, jazz, punk, etc. Might be the best for death/thrash metal, but who cares about those guys anyways.

The bassist in my old band used to play through a SWR 750x, and while that is a great head, I would say this amp has a little more character and is much easier to dial in the tone you are looking for. I would say this head sounds a bit closer to an Ampeg, in terms of having that big warm tone, but it has a unique sound of it's own as well.

The drive control on this amp is really subtle, as someone mentioned above...the tube preamp adds a tiny bit of drive, but mostly just gives it a bigger/warmer sound, if that makes sense. Also, the sub-octave effect is quite fun to mess around with, sounds best with higher notes - it will track on the low ones, but just tends to sound muddy if you have the knob past 12 o'clock.

Overall, a simple and awesome sounding amp. Can't lose with this one.

Well, only have had it for two days, but it seems quite well made, and Ashdown has an excellent reputation in the industry, so I'm not really too worried about it.

Haven't dealt with them yet. Again, not too worried about it.

Have been playing guitar/bass for about 8 years, and have used a variety of amps. This one is not the most versatile on the market, but if you'd rather just be rocking out instead of fiddling with knobs all night, then it's a good choice.

I love pretty much everything about this amp, especially the backlit VU meter. ;) The only thing I wish it had is maybe a bit more power, but then again, Ashdown also makes the EVO 500 and 900, so I can't complain too much.

If this amp were stolen, it would suck bigtime as I got it new below cost and will never find that deal again, but I would definitely get another one. Has a unique tone that I'm really digging right now.

Definitely play through one of these if you're in the market for a new head.

05'Ashdown AMB 300EVOII head ;I been playing for 30+ yrs mostly R&R R&B and blues; real nice amp single input with active/ passive button, 7 band EQ,DI out,great tube blend pre-amp, tuner out with mute,sud-harmonics control, and a Great flat/shape E.Q. feature that imposses a preset eq ou top of your own eq with about 3db of boost and a FX loop. Mosfet power 325 watts R.M.S. fan cooled. used to play a gig last night an and pratice all week. Bought online last week works great ""simple ""

I use a Fender p/j custom active. Amp sounds real good. I needed a new amp as my old Acoustic 370 is in need of repair. I saw Paul playing one at the super bowl and you can guess the rest. I'm using a Madison 4x10" [which by the way is the ""BOMB""] with it. The sound is FAT,PUNCHY, and WARM thanks to the tube preamp. Clean, but not to clean,if you know what I mean. and it gets pretty loud, could use outdoors. Real Nice Amp.

So far so good.

Whats in a warranty? Fender amps came with a 90 day warranty from the factroy and there 1ooo's of them prefect to this day. SUNN, KUSTOM and ACOUSTIC all came with lifetime warrantys and the amps all out lasted the companys ""RIGHT""

Nice amp,not to heavy,good features,Verygood sound, In 30yrs of playing I've owned amps that I like better and they all weight 2x 3x /4x as much [know what I mean] Plus AMS fedex it to me in two days and I played the GIG ""ROCK ON""

It's not the EVOII but sounds excellent nonetheless. Has high/low inputs, effects loop, a knob for blending in the tube preamp, a button that (according to the manual) when in the out position, gives a "scooped sound with a lot of punch" (and it does actually). This latest feature is foot controllable if You have a pedal. It has a 7 band EQ which is very effective in every frequency range. I should also mention the built in octaver which i rarely use. And the VU meter...looks good on stage.

I am using it with a Warwick Streamer Jazzman 5 and a 4 string Jazz. The basses are excellent and so is the amp so it's easy to get good sounds.
You can hear the fan when the amp is turned on but unless You have the volume way down, this shouldn't bother anyone. I use it at rehersal and at home for practicing with a 4x10" Ashdown ABM cabinet. It has the sound that i always wanted, a clean, yet warm tone that is ideal for 70s funk or disco. You won't get the ultra clean SWR sound of the 90s and it's certainly not a Glockenklang or EBS in that respect, but it's more than usable in any situation. To tell You the truth, i love this thing.
Now You won't get extreme changes in sound when fiddling with the tube blend knob. Sometimes i wonder if mine even works (it does of course), but when fully turned up, the most You can call it is creamy. Never mind that!
The octaver is OK, but like i said, i rarely use it.
The switch for the scooped sound OTOH is excellent, effective and extremely usable. That's my favourite feature.

So far no problems. I haven't dealt with Ashdown.

N/a

Been playing for 6 years now. If it were stolen i would definitely consider buying another one. I love the tone of this thing and the matching looks. There's so many good amp out there today, it's hard to choose. I'd recommend trying one of these though, You won't be disappointed. For the price i got it, it's a bargain.