Ashdown Peacemaker 20 Combo

Class A All tube 20 Watt Amp with Auto Bias, 3 footswitchable (included) channels, FX loop and spring Reverb

I use this amp with a hot rodded strat-alike, Fender Tele, Epi Elite Les Paul Std, Ibanez Artcore Semi and an Epiphone Sheraton 2.
I play mostly Blues, Blues/Rock, Classic Rock and Jazzy Blues and it suits these styles very well indeed. It sounds best with the single coils and semi's as it can be a "little muddy" on the Paul. That said it has a lovely "open" sound from sparkly crisp highs to tight deep lows, it responds really well to runs up and across or down and across the neck, at either end of these runs the sound is eqaully satisfying and full. The clean channel at high volume and gain levels responds really well to picking dynamics, breaking up nicely if you hit the strings hard yet giving a sweet slightly edgy tone if you back off either the guitars volume control or your picking, perfect dynamics for expressive blues playing. The "lead channel" gives a nice amount of crunchy overdrive, the boosted channel just blasts it that bit further, note definition and sustain are all really good and the "open sound" is still much in evidence. I use this amp mostly in my practice room and for rehearsal and it is plenty loud enough, the master volume and relatively low power mean you can get that "singing blues" tone without overly pissing off the neighbours, shove a Tube screamer in front of it and it really sings. I don't really play very heavy stuff so cannot comment on whether this would suit really high gain situations but my suspicion is that if you want that sound you'll be looking elsewhere anyway

The amp has been reliable to date and has never let me down, I bought it ex display and replaced the tubes after about 18 months (loaded it with Groove tubes and it really sings! very occasionally there is a kind of buzzing hum when you turn the power section on but a swift biff with the fingers sorts it every time. There is a crease in the "leathercloth" covering as it goes round a compound corner which is a bit irritating but in general it seems well built and solid with a really cool "old fashioned vibe" I love the VU meter, very cool looking.

I have dealt with customer support (my fault not theirs) and they were superb. Briefly the black knobs with black recessed markers were a bit hard to see in the dark/half light so I removed them and dripped some silver paint into the recessed position points, thinking the knobs were all metal I then put them in an oven on a very low heat to "bake the paint" turns out the knobs are metal at the front and plastic at the back so the plastic was a bit melted and would not re-fit, all entirely my fault. I mailed Ashdown explaining what I had done and asking for the cost of a set of replacement knobs, the response was generous and kind (apart from that fact I asked them not to laugh and they admitted they did!) however they also sent me a full replacement set of knobs (13 I think) completely free of charge! now that is service above and beyond!

I've been playing on and off for many years and was primarily a bass player until 6 or so years ago, I've played through all sorts of amps but this is the best I've heard for my style (especially considering the price, I'm sure there are some boutique amps out there that sound better but at 5-10 times the price? after all I'm not Eric Johnson)I've recently taken up playing Bass in a band again and the sound and quality of this amp has persuaded me to buy an Ashdown Bass rig to gig with, I was a committed Peavey player so I'm a convert, I guess. If it was lost/stolen or destroyed I'd try really hard to replace it if I could find one as it is sadly discontinued, maybe the nice chaps at Ashdown have a spare waiting for me just in case

20 Watt Twin channel (gain boost on channel 2) Gain, Vol and three way EQ on each channel, Master vol and reverb. 3 ECC83, 2 EL84 and 10" Celestion Speaker. Cool little output meter on the front, gimmicky but cool. Dedicated output for a 4X12. Also has parallel effects loop that i don't use. Good for an amp this size
Quick note - this is a 20 WATT 1X10 COMBO not a bloody Mesa stack so bear that in mind when reading the review.

Took a gamble and bought this of ebay so wasn't entirely sertain it would have the right sound and when using my Epi Les Paul it was OK but kinda flat and plain. When i got my Gibson Les Paul Classic however its a different story. The ceramic pickups really brought it to life. Nice crispy sound up to good crunch on channel 1. Great for for ska. Channel 2 has a really nice rock rhythmn sound. The gain boost is great for a nice 15 secoond punk rock stylee solo here and there. And of course it has the classic British valve amp character. Lovely stuff.

Can't comment too much as I've only had it a few weeks but if anything goes wrong I'll be sure to let you all know.

Again haven't had it that long so haven't had to deal with Ashdown. Bought it 2nd hand so no warranty.

Sounds great. The more you crank it the better it sounds. Wasn't my first choice but due to lack of space and money had to go with this. But I have to say that I'm growing to like it more every day. For what paid it's bloody excellent. They don't make them anymore but if your in the market for a small valve combo and come across one check it out. Make sure your guitar has quality pickups though - it makes a huge difference. With the Epi i would have given it a 6 but the with the Gibson...

This amp is not massively verstaile. I find it is very much for more vintage and blusey guitar, it was never designed for heavy rock and metal, do not expect it to do these well unless you combine it with some kind of metal pedal and preferably a 4x12 cab. This amp has 3 channels, however the third channel is just a volume boost. The amp has an effects loop but I dont think it is that great. I have gigged with this amp a few times and it is just about powerful enough for the gigs we have played recently but do not think it will be good enough for much longer. It is not even so much the fact that it is 20 watts because it is bloomin loud for 20 watts, but the amplifier is just small. I was thinkin of getting a marsahll 1960 cab for it but do not have enough room for it so am now looking at getting a marshall avt275 for gigging. This amp is all valve but bear in mind that it is vintage sorta style.

I use a Tokai love rock which is superb and also used an ibanez prestige something through it. The band i play in at the moment is very punky but my true love is hard rock to metal and this really is'nt the right amp for that. Despite saying this, the sound it produce is very full for such a small amp. The bass is very thick and this is something i notice especially on the tokai (les paul style.) The notes are a bit indistinct so if you are playing chords on the bassier strings they do not stand out, however lead playing absoloutely shines through. The sound is awesome for bluesy solos and the notes really cut through.This is all valve and as I have said before is very 'vintage.' When I first bought this amp I had heard all the hype about all valve amps, and while I can see why they are so popular, on my budget I could have bought something more suitable for what I want to do but caved to my friend persuading me that all valve was the way to go. I would suggest that you do not let the lure of this being a valve amp persuade you but to take it on its own merit. I would have been better with the Marshall avt 275 which I am now looking to buy but this may suit you. Take a while to try one out and also bear in mind that this is not a big amp so at large gigs it will not cut through but also bear in mind it is still quite loud and you will need it loud to get the best sound out of it.

I am slightly concerned about the build quality. I just feel that it has been built like a cheap amp. For example there are gaps between the front panel and the edges of wood, and some of the wood around the speaker is starting to "flake away" as it is cheap wood. To be fair, it hasnt broken down on me yet, but this is another reaon why I am looking to Marshall as my bassist owns an ashdown bass amp and he has had trouble with his breaking down as has my drummer's friend with his.

not dealt with the company and not sure about warranty.

I have been playing for about 4 years now. I have a Japanese Tokai love rock and an epiphone les paul special II (with Seymour Duncan invader.) despite the epiphone being cr*p (even with the seymour duncan,) the love rock sings through this more so than my previous amp, a marshall mg 80 with line 6 am4 pre amp. I compared this to the marshall avt 275 nut that is mainly due to the fact that the speakers on the marshall are 2x12 inch celetsions and the amp is more suited to heavy rock and metal.I use thsi amp with a marshall blues breaker 2 and would definitely recommend something like this to drive it a bit more cos' it sounds better driven hard. The ashdown can be great for other styles although I would seriously think about getting a speaker cab if you wish to use it live. If you buy this amp you also need to spend time experimenting with levels as the good sounds don't come easily but spend some time and you may well be pleasantly surprised. Forget anybody else's opinions and decide if you like this amp yourself, you may love it, but it also may not be for you but don't be lured by the promise of all vale tone.

3 channels, footswitch, all valve. 20 watts, FX Loop, 16ohm Speaker out (Will drive a Marshall 4 x 12 {Unbelievable but true, sounds good too.}) If you?re looking for more I guess you want a modelling amp. I?ve tried all that and I found I came back to valve amps. Everything I need is here.

It?s an all valve amp. Has a nice thick clean sound. Bit like an old Marshall jmp on low volume. Smooth and bluesy. o/d channels are ok. Sound very SRV, Chilli peppers with my Strat and get well out of order when I use my PRS (Loaded with EMG?s) through it. Cuts through quite nicely! Overall very warm and quite acceptable!

Not sure about the build quality. I bought one of these and it had a power amp valve missing. (And a sticker to say it had passed QA inspection hmmm.) Inside is typically hand made. Nothing wrong, but a bit rough round the edges. When I took the first one back they swapped it for a new one and this one is much better. I would think that a good one is worth having and a bad one it a nightmare. Check it out in detail first. I am not expecting any major issues though. It?s a valve amp so don?t drop it.

People at the Shop were ok. Not had to go further than the dealer

Very Happy, Sounds great looks cool and seems to be well built. I have used it at band practise without putting it through the PA without any trouble. That said it?s not a Marshall stack it?s a practise amp really. Good value at #159. Although I would stop short of paying the retail of nearly #400.

Made in Jan 2003, great versatility, however I play mainly bluesy kind of stuff, so maybe not in the best position to comment. Channels give enopugh options to cater for all your moods! Use the amp in my study only, but more than loud enough, and great build quality.

Use an '84 Fender Strat, and a '94 Epiphone DOT, depending on my mood, sounds great with both, though I am a 'Fender man' and do enjoy the clean sound it produces on channel one. I guess only minor grumble is the lack of bottem end through 10 inch speaker. That said I play it through a 1x12inch cab with a Vintage 30, and it sounds great!

So far so good, I would certainly gig with it (if I were only good enough!!)

I live in the UK, but have to say service is first class, e.g I damaged the VU meter (my fault) and the Service Dept sent me a replacement without hesitation FOC - what more can you say, despite buying the amp second hand.

Have been playing 30 years, would certainly replace but probably with bigger Peacemaker (40 or 60) - only because I prefer 12inch speakers.

20 watt tube amp. 10 inch celestion speaker. 2 channels. effects loop.

use this amp with a telecaster. crank the clean channel and plan to use it in stereo with a 72 pro reverb. this combination gives me the dirty and clean tones i have always wanted. The tones i get are jeff buckley esque dirty with the ashdown/pro reverb tandem

so far so good

i give this amp a 9 because its clean channel can give you good sounding clean and dirty tones. this is my distortion pedal and it doesnt cost much more than a boutique pedal.

Sorry for my english I'm Italian.
It's a 2002 amp (I but it new in november 2002) very versatile for me (evry amp has its soul) and if you are able to understand it you can gotta out fantastic sound.

Auto-biasing Class A tube 20W RMS
3 channels: Clean & Bluesy, Overdrive and Boosted Overdrive
Channel-select at the front or by a fooswitch
Effects loop, Spring Reverb
Up front VU-Meter that shows output power visually
Speaker Configuration: 1 x 10" Celestion V10-40
Standby switch
Power tubes are (2)EL84 Sovtek (push-pull mode); in the pre-amp (3)Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH

I play '91 American std Stratocaster with a boss bd-2, sometimes boss compressor, effect for get more gain in channel one (only after 1 hour you can appreciate the fantastic sweetest sound come out) and you can emulate all the blues e rock-blues plyer, how like to me.
The ather channel are very aggressive you can obtain also Satriani sound with much sustain.

It' 20watt amp I use it since one year for home practice but It is loud because if you pump it at its maximum power the sound is rich of fine harmonics.
I use it about seven hours for week in brutal (with also speaker distortion)and in soft way since nov 2002...never had problem with it (only problem without it)

I have only tried to have the electric schematic but they don't give it to a private (don't like it).
The manual is not the best.

I've been playing for over 15 years.
I spent two months to find a little tube amp before to buy and I choosed this without try one now I'm very happy.