Ashdown Peacemaker 60 212 Combo

I bought the Ashdown 60 combo on the looks. I tested the amp in the shop and found it to 'that' sound I have been looking for. Having played trannie amps all my playing life (15 years) I won't going back now I've got a full-bloodied valve. I play in a rock band and 60 watts is loud and clear, I've had the other guys complain about how loud I am! I could bladder on about switches this and channels that, but I'd be repeating what the other reviews have mentioned.

As I have mentioned I am rock guitarist, the rhythm guitarist to be precise. I like the clean channel floor the slow rollers and the dirt on channels 2/3 is great for that British rock sound. I have always found Marshalls to be over-rated, especially when some bleat about the Les Paul and Marshall combination. I have to say that tha PM60 is a great looking sound. I have found the drive is warm with a LP standard, has a warm brittle tone with a LP Special and jangles with a Strat. Essentially, the amp reflects the guitar and ranges from sweet toned warmth to jarring glass with ease. As with all Class A tube amps it's a little hummy but that can be cleared up with an MXR noise gate.

I have only used this amp for rehearsals so far and I have managed to blow a circuit on it. I read that the meter has given up on some other owners amps, mine hasn't...yet. I had it repaired at Peach Music (UK) and the guy Derek has made a first class repair. It appears that the circuit may have blown before (again other PM60s) as Ashdown knew where to locate the problem. I jsut hope, now, that I don't blow the tubes on the set!

Ashdown are friendly and given that they are known for their bass gear their service for guitar amps is very good. However, I wasn't completely confident about their service until I chased them. They do try and considering that they are building amps for the world (when you think about, that's what they are trying to do), it is a feat that they remembered me!

I have had the opportunity to play through a number of set-ups and the PM60 is a great little amp. I appreciate the drawbacks with tube amps, but for the circuit to go was a bit of a surprise. I would suggest, if Ashdown were listening, that Ashdown build the capacity for th wiring to take the load, just about does it will break in the end. Nevertheless, if I ever get the chance to buy another tube amp, I'd go or another Ashdown and if I have the room a 50 head and cab would be the deal. I like the look and the sound.

The features on the Peacemaker 60 are excellent. I particualrily like the 2X 30Watt Celestion speakers, that give it a prescence not quite there in the lower watt, single speaker version. I agree with some that an independant 3rd channel would add some dexterity to lead sounds. Personally I use a separate pedal and use very little of the natural gain provided in such amps.

The features on the whole are fairly standard. The normal 2x channels with boost and reverb. The use of an extra master volume is a definite asset however, and the reverb channel is very smooth (and quiet in comparison to high-gain units I have been using recently).

One feature that particularily stands out is the VU meter on the front. It does make the Amp very pretty, yet the first one I tried had a faulty meter, as did one on a previous person's review, which makes me wander about the reliability of these meters, and in turn makes me question the quality of build on these amps.

Up until now I have been using a VOX AC30. Again, Celestion speakers (which I particularily like) and a great sound. As much as I like AC30's there is no comparisson. For an amp with a similar build the peacemaker far surpasses the tonal quality of the Vox, and is far more controlable. As has been mentionned before on this review the peacemaker offers high volume at the cost of practically no hum.

Definatley aimed at the deeper toned guitarist the amp provides excellent blues and heavy rock sounds, and being British myself see it as being aimed at the indie culture, which is excellent for me as it is exactly what I play.

I have only recently bought this amp and as yet everything is in perfect order. It seems very sturdy indeed on the whole there are only two problems I have. One point is the VU meter mentionned earlier. So far from three reviews, two have come into contact with a faulty meter. Not good, but to be honest a faulty VU meter will not be detrimental to the sound.

The other point is the quality of the cab. Across the back are two supports, same as in many of the combo type. Yet the wood used is very flimsy and feels like it could break with out much pressure. I believe that an amp that is perfect for gigging should not have flaws in it's housing.

Not had reason to test out yet, hopefully never will.

Fantastic amp - especially for the price. To be honest the faults I find with it are superficial and as I say are not detrimental to the sound in any way. I think these boys have got it right and I think that any further issues could do with a little more thought to material quality on the supports and VU, but on the whole I am very pleased with my purchase.

As described below and at numerous Ashdown web pages like
www.ashdown.ch or www.ashdownmusic.co.uk ...

2/3 channels, class A, 2 master volumes etc - versatile 60W

I tried Strats and Pauls with it: it sound sweet and warm and full blooded class A tube sound with a range from Fender to mesa ...

With all EQ at 9am of channel 1 and the gain and volume at 2pm
I can play forever. Reverb sounds great and rarely do you need much of it.

The noise is non-existent if all the masters are below 3pm.

Even when everything is at maximum the noise is lower than any
Marshall or any Fender that I ever used.

Channel 2 can handle metal sounds so this amp can produce any sound you can imagine; I also tried it with THD's hotplate and then it sounds as good as the very best boutique amps.

Too new to say.

They replied to my questions :-)

If I were still a rock guitarist I would have bought this one, yet I no longer need metal and hard rock sounds so I have chosen the smaller brother - the PM 40 model. It has the same range of sounds yet is much lighter and much better for my age (51) - I play since early sixties so I need great sounds but light package helps :-) I can strongly recommend this amp - use your 30 days MBG and test it: but beware as you will most likely keep it :-)

Manufactured in 2002.3 channel.2 channel volumes and 2 channel gains and 2 master volumes more control than any other amp I've played.
Channel switching with channel 2 od for channel 3.optional footswitch allows master volume channel switching.Wish channel 3 was not just a channel 2 boost. 60 watts 2x12 LOUD EL-34s nice class A sound,effects loop,plenty of power for any gig.

Use it with Gibson SG, Brian Moore, Charvel,Humbuckers single coils my different guitars really sound different. Suits my style nicely...classic Rock,pop rock. blues. not very noisy in fact one of the more quiet tube amps I've played. clean dazzles and channel 2 bite reminds me of Thin Lizzy or AC/DC.channel 3 od sings for leads Once again I just wish it were independent. lots of headroom. I havent tried it with pedals yet. I have been delighted with what I hear dont want to color it ...yet.

Too new cant say

My Peacemaker came with some delivery damage (broken watt meter) Ashdown offered free replacment meter but I may send this back because I want a perfect one to keep for a long time!
2 year warranty feels good. seems like they care more than most. When I called I got someone on the phone instantly offereing assistance.

been playing 20+ years,own manyguitars and amps and definatly want one of these in my collection. If it were lost or stolen I would steal another one ;) damaged during shipping reduced the price.
very cool amp,very versatile maybe a little tame for the new metal guys but plenty of gusto for most. Because of my delight in playing different guitars and hearing big time sweet differences I am giving this amp a 10. If I could give it a 9.6I would hold back just a little but if I am limited to 9 or 10 then its a 10