Ashdown MAG 600R

I'm guessing the amp to be a 2004, it wasn't too used before I got it. Plays great for that ballsy bluesy/rock/metal/crisp jazz sound. One button adds boost to the low end which makes it great for mimicing a lower sound when you don't have a 5 string and one end adds high end... great for slapping. Solid State, but the fuses on mine have never done me wrong. Comes with a built in octaver which I like more than the compressor on the later ones.

Weighs a freaking ton... about 50lbs. I play it through a 4x10 and 1x15 and it has enough power to annihilate the room (and I'm playing with a signed band with about 5k of amplification for the guitarist and singer). The analog input is to die for because you never ever risk overloading the amp if you keep an eye on it. D.I. out and effects loop is a nice touch.

It rocks. There is absolutely not one complaint I can muster about it.

Sounds like you have brass balls the size of cantaloupes when you plug into it. I use it with a Spector and a Yamaha, both have passive pickups with onboard preamps. It does not take too kindly to treble, but I have a compressor and that takes care of it. As long as you know what you're doing and have a few minutes to make it sound "you", you'll love it.

No complaints. Practiced for five hours with it and it didn't even get hot. Doesn't hiss doesn't squeal.

Probably not too great to deal with because they're located in jolly ole England. Never had to deal with them though.

Hands down the best amp in my price range I have ever tried.

I wanted tube and this out-tubes most of the tube amps. I used to use a SWR SM-900 and this blows the tone of that out of the water. I've plugged into an Ampeg 450H and this annihilates it too.

Love: Eq, boost controls, sound, DI, effects loop, analog input/Voltmeter, looks, loudness.
Hate: Weighs 50lbs, sometimes gets a little too clean when playing at a high pitch. You hear everything.

If someone stole it, I'd hunt them down. These have a pretty decent failure rate and mine is awesome. I want this amp and I'm keeping it in my rig. Here's a piece of advice, the sound of every bass and every amp is different. There will not be another MAG600 that sounds like mine, but that's okay, the other one I played through was awesome too.

2006 Model - pretty much suited to all types of music; I play Soul, R&B, Gospel, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Latin-Jazz, Jazz/Rock Fusion, Funk.
(575w @ 4Ohms, solid state electronics), It has two input channels; High and Low gain, no channel switching, speaker output - 2 Mono 1/4 jack sockets on the rear. It also has a very nice VU meter (for input signal monitoring), 5 band EQ, individual Deep and Bright EQ pre-shape buttons, EQ bypass switch, sub-harmonic generator (with level control), D.I. (XLR - post EQ), Effects loop, and tuner/line output. I don't really get the chance to use the sub-harmonic generator simply because its not foot switchable.
I wish that all the EQ pre-shape and sub-harmonic features could be operated by footswitch. The power switch is located on the back of the unit, hard to reach especially if the unit is rack mounted.
I play a lot of function gigs weddings, parties ect, I also play a few nightclubs and stadium gigs from time to time; this amp has loads of power - sound projects effortless from this unit.

I have a Warwick Rock bass (streamer standard, passive 5 string 2 x humbucking)
Tobias Toby Pro (6 string, active, 2 x humbucking)
Yamaha BB G5A (5 string, active, 2 x humbucking)
Fender Jazz Mex deluxe (4 string fretless, passive, 2 x single coil)
Ibanez AEB10E (4 string, semi-acoustic Fishman Sonicore Pickup)
Although the MAG600 is a solid state amp it does have some "tube" like qualities in the sound; bass response is warm and controllable, mid and highs ring through with clarity - especially for finger and slap funk excursions. What I really find amazing about the MAG600 is that it really does have that British rock bass tone but at the turn of a knob or the click of a button it changes into a different beast altogether - the "Deep" setting is great for Reggae, Rock and Latin but subtle enough to be left on for other type of playing without you noticing. The "Bright" setting is great for slap and finger funk; I use my Warwick thru a Boss ME-8B multi-fx unit (mostly for compression and synth effects only) then straight into the "High" input. The "Bright" and "Deep" switches are permanently switched on and so is the "EQ" although I usually have the graphic set around the "12 o'clock" position, boosting the odd frequency here and there when the need arises. For some strange reason (probably better control) I set the "Output" knob to maximum and use the "input" knob to control the overall volume, the excellent VU meter keeps me informed of any dangerous peaks. The combination of EQ adjustment, EQ pre-shape and total bypass gives me complete control over my sound. I also have an Ashdown ABM210T 2x10 bass cab (used frequently), a Hartke 1 x 15 cab and SWR 1 x 10 cab (used occasionally) and I have access to a SWR Goliath 4 X 10.

The build quality is amazing considering the price tag, knobs and switches feel solid to the touch, this amp hasn't failed me yet despite my constant abuse: Playing at very loud volumes, being thrown into cars and vans, being stood on its side and being knocked over (its racked in a Gator case) countless times, falling off the speaker stack twice once backward (off an ABM210T and SWR Goliath stacked on each other) and forwards off the ABM210T (on its handle side) it crashed face first bending the input jack, smashing the sub-harmonic and output control pots, warping the fascia slightly and cracking the front circuit board. THE AMP WAS STILL WORKING WELL ENOUGH TO FINISH THE GIG! Took it to get repaired, pots and knobs replaced, circuit board mended, amp working good as new! I've had it for about a year and four months now.

Never had to deal with them

I've been playing bass for 18 years now and I've owned Hartke, SWR, Marshall and Laney amps before. I would probably buy the updated version of this amp with built in compression.
The MAG600R is unbeatable at this price range, it sounds and looks amazing, the build quality is top notch and it???s easy to use. The only downside I can possibly see is the weight; it???s heavy with lopsided weight distribution, making it difficult to carry, but then again most bass amps are anyway.

This is a great amplifier from a quality manufacturer at a sensible price tag.

2006 Ashdown MAG 600. Great simple amp, eq is simple but effective, bass and treble boost. Subharmonics feature wound pretty good, not alyways useful but sometimes. This amp is LOUD! running and 8 or 4 ohms this thing will shake the walls. You cant beat the power for price. I with the effects loop and DI out were located on the back, makes for a lot of cables up front. I like the VU meter, looks cool, pretty useful.

I play various rock, progressive rock, classic rock and jam band music. I run it through an Ampeg BSE 410HLF for big rooms, and a Yorkville 2x10 for smaller jams. Both sounds great. With the Ampeg its very warm and full, the 2x10 is a little thin but thats not the Ashdown. Im running a Berhinger MDX COmpressor with it and it sounds great. Loud, loud, this amp is loud and reliable.

So far it seems very reliable, Ive played with two bands and several shows, no isses with it. Built tough and feels sturdy.

I emailed them before purchase and got a very quick response.

Ive been playing bass for many years and been in many bands, I have had Peavey, Hartke, and Ampeg amps, and this is well another amp. For the price it is a very good deal, for the worm bass tones needed for classic rock, its perfect. It does not have the features of some of the other amps but oveall its a great value. If you dont have the cash for an Ampeg, pick this one up, the 2007 models have compression in them. Buy it!