Ashdown ABM500

Ease of use: 10.
Damn, you just turn it on and it sounds GOOD.

The control arrangement is a little "odd" - but what do you expect from the Brits. The EQ is really a 7 band GEQ, but the low, mid and high is set up as traditional knobs, so it's easy to set up. the bands in-between are sliders, and you can fiddle with them if you like.

There is a "flat" button that when in, passes on a nice true signal. When out, it "scoops" the sound a bit, much like the famous scoop button on the GK 400/800 RB, but less severe. I tend to leave out.

There is a "preamp blend" knob, which allows you to mix between a very sharp sounding solid state preamp and a VERY warm sounding tube preamp. I leave that dog at about 2 O'clock - but if I'm slapping, I dial it back a bit - if I'm playing rock/blues, I push it forward for more "brown" tone. I use this know more than EQ.

Lastly (aside from pre & master volume) there is the sub-harmonizer button / knob. This is just an octave effect that is VERY clean (and foot-switchable). Very nice - better than ANY pedal I've played. Very easy to use.

I've had SWR / Ampeg for years, and I can get a great tone without doing NUTHIN'.

10. Hell, let's call it 11. Better than my old SWR, better than my buddy's IAmp - Phat but sharp. I'm running it into an Epifani 4x10 (which is a very agressive rig) so I get great lows, mids and highs. I couldn't be happier with the tone.

The first unit I got had a nasty hiss in the EQ - I told LA Bass Exchange, and they had UPS pick it up - a new one was delivered right away. Since then it has been great - but since I had ONE little problem, I'll give this a 9.

The company is in the UK, so the folks I've dealt with are LA Bass Exchange (ask for Dave) and the US distributer, HHB. All very helpful and by all appearances very concerned that I'm happy.

That said, since the manufacturer IS in the UK, that would ultimately mean that if I need help from THEM it would be a hassle, I'll give this a 9 rather than a 10.

I play all kinda music - funky, pop, blues. It works for everything. I've been playing for 25 years, had other very good gear and this is the first amp I've bought as an impulse buy. I had NO intention of replacing my SM900, but when I heard an Ashdown, all I could say is "damn". Sold my SWR stuff, bought this.

I compare it to the Aguilar combo head, an Eden head and the EA Iamp - and it just sounded better. I did NOT comare it to the BIG Aguilar, but I had no intention of schlepping that much gear around.

Really easy to use and dial up a great sound!

This head sounds incredible, from very clean and snappy tones to very warm and growly sounds. With dual pre-amps you can dial up any sound you want, extremely versatile. The eq section is very clean and easy to use and the subharmonizer is incredible.

I play through a Eden 115XLT and 210XLT cabs, and it has plenty of juice to move some air. Very very tight. Remember this is John Entwistle's rig...

Built like a tank, very solid head construction, pretty cool looking too, with the old style Vu meter for input.

They are hand made in England, so I had to send emails for questions, but they were answered within one day. The US distributors were very good as well answering questions.

One badass bass head, with plenty of room and killer sound.