Ashdown EB-115 115 Combo

This is a 2005 I believe. I bought it as a factory re-sealed item from AMS for about $270.00. The amp has 180 watts RMS of output with the signature Ashdown illuminated VU meter do determine input level (some of these amps do not have the VU meter but this one did). It also has the sub-harmonic generator which most Ashdown bass amps come with as well. There is an effects loop, tuner output and active and passive input jacks. The amp is also cooled by a variable cooling fan. This is an all solid state amp. I wish it had a mute switch and a headphone jack. Another nice feature would have been a limiter or compressor but I believe the new Evo model does have a compressor in it.

I use this with an all-stock MusicMan Stingray 4 (fretted and fretless versions). I basically keep the EQ settings flat and adjust everything on my bass. The tone is very very good for a small combo. It would be safe for me to say that this is probably the warmest sounding solid state amp I have ever heard and that includes Ampeg solid state amps as well. The only noise I can tell is the noise of the fan everything else appears to be dead quiet. I must also say that this is probably the loudest 180 watts I have ever heard. It is very punchy with a lot of bottom end tone. If you are a slap and pop player it is OK at it but if that is predominately what you'll be doing, you may want to look into something else. For all other styles of playing I think this is a very good option.

I have not had it that long to really test its reliability. One thing I can say though is it is built pretty solid. My only concern is that this is made in China. With AMS you get 1 year of extra warranty so I got 2 years with this unit if something should happen. It's only a $280 amp what more could you really expect? It appears to be solid and the only moving parts are the fan but other than that, it should hold up. I will only be playing small gigs with it and rehearsals so it won't be out on the road touring.

I have never dealt with them.

This is probably the best solid state combo for the money. I truly mean that. I have played Ampeg, Line 6, SWR and Fender combos of comprable size and power and this sounds better than all of them and it is overall cheaper as well. The amp isn't super big and at 65 pounds is manageable. It is very loud for 180 watts and has great tone. My only long-term concern is the reliability of this unit.

Go to the Ashdown site for features. This is a 130 watt amp eqipped with a 15" speaker. Effects loop, Deep and Bright swithches. I play in a wedding/club band and don't need alot of volume so this amp is powerful enough for my gig. Also very light to carry which was one of things i was looking for. I can fit this in the back seat of my Escort no problem. Has inputs for high or low so you can use it with active or passive pickups.

I play a bass with a P/J pickup configuration. All styles. There is of course noise from the J pickup and some amp noise as well. I will have to try a better AC cord as recommended in a previous review to see if it cuts down on the "SSSHHH". The tone controls are excellent on this amp as stated by other reviewers. Very versatile. I can't express how much I like the tone. I used a GK wedge-type combo with one 12 for one of the weeks I was waiting for the Ashdown to arrive and the EB-115 is much nicer in the tone department.

The amp I have now is my second one. First one was damaged (probably dropped in shipping)and made some pretty freaky noises. Purchased over the internet from Music123. They replaced it with no problems. This new one seems fine.

As above my first one was no good and there were no more in stock in the states. Ashdown went the extra mile and got me a replacement in a hurry. Can't say enough about the great service I received from them and Music123.

I played alot of bass amps locally and was up in the air about the Ashdown as opposed to the Behringer 112 combo. Neither were available locally for me to try so I had to rely on user reviews and those two were what I narrowed it down to. I am very pleased that I chose the Ashdown. This thing has a great tone and seems loud enough so far. Used it this weekend and it was great. Has a very tight punchy sound. These are being closed out right now with free shipping and the deal was too good to pass up. Sounds better than the GK, SWR and Yorkvilles I tried out locally. Held my breath when I ordered it but I am not sorry at all. I would buy another Ashdown in a minute if this were lost. Don't know much about the rest of the line but it sure would be nice to get the 2-10 I think. I'm planning on getting a humbucker-equipped bass sometime in the next year and think the noise problem will diminish when I do. Can't give this a 10 because of no external speaker jack and the slight noise but overall I would recommend it to anyone playing in a similiar situation.