Ashdown Engineering
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| Ashdown Engineering | |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Mark Gooday |
| Headquarters | Chelmsford, Essex, England |
| Key people | Mark Gooday - Managing Director Chris Bates - Sales Director Dan Gooday - PR & Artist Relations Lee Alexander - UK Sales |
| Industry | Bass Amplification |
| Subsidiaries | Hayden Amplification |
| Website | http://www.ashdownmusic.com/ |
Ashdown Engineering is a British manufacturer of instrument amplifiers, particularly for bass, but also developed a range of guitar amps for a number of years. The company was founded in 1997 by Mark Gooday, a chief engineer and manager at Trace Elliot during their glory years, but the company suffered large financial loses and Gooday was fired by Trace Elliot's then parent company Kaman but had secretly been planning to start his own company to offer solid, good-sounding, and affordable bass amplifiers. The company was named 'Ashdown' after Gooday's wife's family name, and the logo was constructed from this, the Austin-Healey motor badge, and Mark's insistence on the 'engineering' wording.
The first amplifier that Ashdown produced was the Klystron Bass Magnifier, of which only 200 amps and 100 pre-amps were shipped, since another company had registered the name. Following this, much of the currently available gear was released - the MAG, Electric Blue, and ABM series. Following this, the Acoustic Radiator, Peacemaker, Fallen Angel, and recently, All-Access series of guitar amplifiers have been released, to great acclaim.
Ashdown have gone on to produce higher quality boutique and hand-wired amplifiers, such as the Essex Blonde. Ashdown then set up a separate company called Hayden Amplification who specifically produce hand-wired amplifiers.
Contents |
[edit] 2008
Ashdown are releasing a variety of new and updated bass equipment in 2008.
These include:
- EVO III range of ABM amplifiers, cabinets and combos
- EVO II range of MAG amplifiers, cabinets and combos
- Mark King Combo
- FreeBass UHF Bass Wireless System
- James LoMenzo HyperDrive Pedal
- Little Giant 1000W Compact Bass Amp Head
[edit] 2007
Ashdown are concentrating more on bass amplification as from 2007 and will be stopping production of their guitar amplifiers altogether. Their sister company Hayden Amplification will be producing Ashdown's valve guitar amplifiers.
[edit] Bass Amplification
All Access Series The All Access Series is a range of amps designed for small gigs and practices, aimed at beginners. They are designed to be affordable but still good quality. The standard controls of the range are: Input Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Output Level, and a Deep switch. The models in the range are:
- After Eight - A 15W 1x8" combo
- Perfect Ten - A 30W 1x10" combo
- Five Fifteen - A 100W 1x15" combo
- Perfect Ten MiniRig - A 65W head with two 1x10" cabinets
Electric Blue Series The Electric Blue series is the next step up from the All Access series. Offering a range of amps with more power and more features, they are aimed at players who are starting to get more serious about playing and gigging. The standard controls of the range are: Input Gain, Bass, Lo Mid, Middle, Hi Mid, Treble, Output Level, Deep, Bright, EQ in/out. The Electric Blue series also feature the famous Ashdown Sub-Harmonic Generator. This is an effect which adds a note an octave below to one you are playing. The Electric Blue series have a Sub-Harmonic in/out switch and Sub-Harmonic level control. The models in the range are:
- EB 180 - A 180W head
- EB 12-180 - A 180W 1x12" combo
- Eb 15-180 - A 180W 1x15" combo
MAG Series The MAG series is a step up from the Electric Blue series, and is designed for semi-pro musicians, who want the classic Ashdown tone, without all of the features and cost of the ABM series. The standard controls of the range are: Input Gain, Bass, Lo Mid, Middle, Hi Mid, Treble, Output Level, Deep, Bright switch EQ in/out, Sub-Harmonic in/out, Sub-Harmonic level. The models in the range are:
- MAG 300H - A 307W head
- MAG 300R - A 307W rack-mountable head
- MAG 600R - A 575W rack-mountable head
- MAG C115-300 - A 307W 1x15" combo
- MAG C210-300 - A 307W 2x10" + Tweeter combo
- MAG C410-300 - A 307W 4x10" + Tweeter combo
- MAG 115 Deep - A 250W 1x15" cabinet
- MAG 210T Deep - A 200W 2x10" + Tweeter cabinet
- MAG 410T Deep - A 450W 4x10" + Tweeter cabinet
- MAG 414T Deep - A 450W 4x10" cabinet
- MAG 810 Deep - An 800W 8x10" cabinet
ABM EVO II Series The ABM series is Ashdown's range of professional bass amplification, used by many major musicians. The standard controls of the range are: Input Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, EQ at 180Hz, EQ at 340Hz, EQ at 1.3kHz, EQ at 2.6kHz, EQ in/out Output Level, Valve Drive in/out, Valve Drive level, Flat/Shape, Passive/Active, Sub-Harmonics in/out, Sub-Harmonics level. The models in the range are:
- ABM 500 EVO II - 575W head
- ABM 500 RC EVO II - 575W rack-mountable head
- ABM 900 EVO II - 575W + 575W head
- ABM C115-500 EVO II - 575W 1x15" combo
- ABM C210T-500 EVO II - 575W 2x10" + Tweeter combo
- ABM 115 - 300W 1x15" cabinet
- ABM 115 COMPACT - 300W 1x15" compact cabinet
- ABM 210T COMPACT - 300W 2x10" + Tweeter compact cabinet
- ABM 410T - 600W 4x10" + Tweeter cabinet
- ABM 414T - 600W 4x10" + Tweeter cabinet
Classic Series New for 2007, the classic series is named after the original 'Klystron' range of Ashdown amplification. The standard controls of the range are: Input Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, EQ at 180Hz, EQ at 340Hz, EQ at 1.3kHz, EQ at 2.6kHz, Output Level, Flat/Shape, Passive/Active, Valve Drive in/out, Valve Drive level, EQ in/out, Compression in/out, Compression level, Sub-Harmonics in/out, Sub-Harmonics level. The models in the range are:
- Klystron 1000 - 575W + 575W head
- Klystron 500 - 575W head
- Klystron C115-500 - 575W 1x15" combo
- Klystron C210H-500 - 575W 2x10" + Tweeter combo
- Klystron C410H-500 - 575W 4x10" + Tweeter combo
- Neo 115H - 500W 1x15" + Tweeter cabinet
- Neo 210H - 500W 2x10" + Tweeter cabinet
- Neo 410H - 800W 4x10" + Tweeter cabinet
- Neo 414H - 800W 4x10" + Tweeter cabinet
- Neo 810H - 1600W 8x10" + Tweeter cabinet
- Neo Mini 15 - 300W 1x15" mini cabinet
- Neo Mini 48 - 600W 4x8" mini cabinet
Superfly Series The Superfly series is a range of lightweight programmable amplifiers. They have the ability to store 69 programmes comprising of input level, EQ settings, and compression settings, with full midi-control using a suitable midi foot controller. The standard controls of the range are: Input Level, EQ at 50Hz, EQ at 100Hz, EQ at 200Hz, EQ at 500Hz, EQ at 1kHz, EQ at 2kHz, EQ at 5kHz, EQ 'Set Flat', Store Settings, Edit Program, Edit, Compression Ratio (+/-), Preset (+/-), Output Level. The models in the range are:
- Superfly 1000 - 1000W head
- Superfly 500 - 500W head
- Superfly C10h - 500W 1x10" combo
Mark King Signature Series Mark King Signature series, was designed by UK bass legend Mark King, of Level 42. It is designed to produce the cutting, funky sounds that Mark is so famous for, and features a 12-band EQ. The controls of the range are: Input Level, EQ at 30Hz, EQ at 40Hz, EQ at 60Hz, EQ at 100Hz, EQ at 180Hz, EQ at 340Hz, EQ at 660Hz, EQ at 1.3kHz, EQ at 2.6kHz, EQ at 5kHz, EQ at 10kHz, EQ at 15kHz, Output Level, Harmonic Emphasis in/out, Harmonic Emphasis Level, EQ in/out. It also features an XLR instrument input, in addition to the standard 1/4in jack input. The models in the range are:
- AL MK500 - 575W head
Legacy Series The Legacy series is the range of Ashdown amplification that is are longer in production. The Legacy models are:
- AL-PM210H-150 - 350W 2x10" + Tweeter passive bass monitor
- AL-1500D - 750W + 750W power amplifier
- ABM RPM-1 EVO II - Pre-amplifier
- AL-AD1000 - 1000W head
- AL-ADRP1 - Pre-amplifier
- ABM 500 EVO 5th Anniversary Head - Limited edition 575W head
- AL-AD600 - 575W head
- ABM 300 EVO II - 325W head
- ABM APM 1000 EVO II - 500W + 500W power amplifier
- Superfly - 250W + 250W programmable head
- AL-C210H - 575W 2x10" + Tweeter combo
- ABM KING - 575W 8x10" combo
- ABM C115-300 EVO II - 325W 1x15" combo
- ABM C410T-500 EVO II - 575W 4x10" + Tweeter combo
- ABM C210T-300 EVO II - 325W 2x10" + Tweeter combo
- ABM BP1510TX - 650W 1x15" + 1x10" + Tweeter cabinet
- ABM 810 - 1200W 8x10" cabinet
- ABM Mini 15 - 300W 1x15" mini cabinet
- ABM ASS 212 - 2x12" reflex cabinet
- ABM ASS 115 - 1x15" bass bin
- ABM Mini 48 - 600W 4x8" mini cabinet
- ABM Bentley 15 LTD - Limited edition 300W 1x15" cabinet
- AL-410 - 650W 4x10" + Tweeter cabinet
- AL-115 - 400W 1x15" cabinet
- ABM Bentley 410 LTD - Limited Edition 600W 4x10" + Tweeter cabinet
[edit] Bass Effects Pedals
Chorus Plus: A bass chorus pedal with true bypass switching. Controls are: Input Level, Depth, Speed, Chorus/Flanger, Output Level.
Drive Plus: A bass overdrive pedal with true bypass switching. Controls are: Input Level, Drive, Dist Tone, Dist Level, Output Level.
Dual Band Compression: A compression pedal with true bypass switching. Controls are: Input Level, Low Compression, EQ Balance, High Compression, Output Level.
Envelope Filter: An envelope filter pedal with true bypass switching. Controls are: Input Level, Peak, Filter Up/Down, Band Pass/Low Pass, Output Level.
Sub-Octave Plus: Octave pedal with true bypass switching. Controls are: Input Level, Sub-Octave Level, Sub-Octave Tone, Distortion, Output Level.
[edit] Guitar Amplification
(These amps are no longer in production.)
Fallen Angel DSP All-Tube Series The Fallen Angel All-Tube series is a range of high-gain all tube 2 channel guitar amps with built-in effects and footswitchable features. The standard controls of the range are: Channel 1 (Gain, Treble, Middle, Bass, Volume), Channel 1/2 Select, Channel 2 (Gain, Treble, Middle, Bass, Volume), Master (FX in/out, Effects Select, Reverb Level, Volume 1, Volume 2), Volume 1/2. The models in the range are:
- FA 60 DSP Head - 60W head
- FA 60 DSP Combo - 60W 2x12" combo
- FA 40 DSP Combo - 40W 1x12" combo
- FA 412 A - 4x12" angled cabinet
- FA 412 S - 4x12" straight cabinet
Fallen Angel DSP Tube-Pre Series The Fallen Angel Tube-Pre series has features identical to the All-Tube series, but uses a tube pre-amp, combined with a tube-emulating power stage. The standard controls of the range are: Channel 1 (Gain, Treble, Middle, Bass, Volume), Channel 1/2 Select, Channel 2 (Gain, Treble, Middle, Bass, Volume), Master (FX in/out, Effects Select, Reverb Level, Volume 1, Volume 2), Volume 1/2. The models in the range are:
- FA 100 DSP Head - 100W head
- FA 50 DSP Combo - 50W 1x12" combo
- FA 100 DSP Combo - 100W 2x12" conbo
- FA 412 A - 4x12" angled cabinet
- FA 412 S - 4x12" straight cabinet
Fallen Angel 180 Series The Fallen Angel 180 series is designed for the new breed of guitar player demanding a saturated, singing solo voice while keeping plenty of power for clearly defined, bass-heavy rhythm work. The standard controls of the range are: Channel 1 (Gain, Treble, Middle, Bass, Volume), Channel 1/2 Select, Channel 2 Boost, Channel 2 (Gain, Treble, Middle, Bass, Volume), Channel 1 FX1 in/out, Channel 1 FX2 in/out, Channel 2 FX1 in/out, Channel 2 FX2 in/out, Effects in/out, Master 1/2, Master Volume 1, Master Volume 2. The models in the range are:
- FA 180 - 180W head
- FA 412 A - 4x12" angled cabinet
- FA 412 S - 4x12" straight cabinet
All Access Series Solid state guitar amp series.
- G20R - 20 watt, 1x8" combo
- G20R Minirig - 20 watt head, 2x8" cabs
- G40R - 40 watt, 1x10" combo
- G60R - 60 watt, 1x12" combo
[edit] Acoustic Amplification
Radiator 1 A compact 100W acoustic combo, available in both cherry and black vinyl. Standard controls of the range: Output Level, Reverb in/out, Reverb Hall/Plate, Reverb Long/Short, Reverb Level, Notch Frequency, Notch in/out, Channel 1 Treble, Channel 2 Treble, Channel 1 Bass, Channel 2 Bass, Channel 1 Input Gain, Channel 2 Input Gain, Input Gain Phase, Input Gain Shape. Models in the range:
- Radiator 1 - 100W 1x8" + Dual Tweeter combo
Radiator 2 A pair of full featured 160W combos, with two different speaker configurations. Available in both cherry and black vinyl. Standard controls of the range: Channel 1 (Input Level, Bass, Middle, Treble, EQ at 340Hz, EQ at 1.6kHz, Shape in/out, Notch in/out, Notch Frequency, Reverb in/out, Reverb level), Channel 2 (Input Level, Bass, Middle, Treble, EQ at 340Hz, EQ at 1.6kHz, Shape in/out, Notch in/out, Notch Frequency, Reverb in/out, Reverb level), Effects Type, Output Level. Models in the range:
- Radiator 2 - 160W 2x8" + Dual Tweeter combo
- Radiator 212 - 160W 1x12" + Tweeter combo
Resonator 1 The Resonator 1 has exactly the same features as the Radiator 1, but is housed in a polished metal cabinet, inspired by the early resonator guitar designs. Models in the range:
- Resonator 1 - 100W 1x8" + Dual Tweeter combo
[edit] Notable Ashdown Users
- Adam Clayton Bassist of U2
- Alex Moore
- Andy Bell
- Andy Bennett
- Andy Fairweather Low
- Andy Heath Bassist of Serotonal
- Carey Willetts, Bassist of Athlete (Band)
- Carl Dalemo Bassist of Razorlight
- Chris Edwards Bassist of Kasabian
- Colin Greenwood Bassist of Radiohead
- Damon Minchella
- Dan Sealey
- Dave Swift
- Detlef Blanke Bassist of John Campbelljohn Band
- Eric Avery
- Gordon Moakes Bassist of Bloc Party
- Guy Pratt Bassist for Pink Floyd
- James Bailes
- James Dean Bradfield
- James Gregory
- James Johnston Bassist of Biffy Clyro
- James LoMenzo Bassist for Megadeth
- Jeremy Cunningham Bassist of The Levellers
- Jerry Meehan Bassist for Robbie Williams
- Jim Rodford
- Jim E. Sims
- JJ Burnel
- John Entwistle
- John Myung
- Malcolm Maclaren
- Marco Mendoza
- Mark King
- Martin Turner
- Miiko Watanabe
- Mike McCabe
- Nate Mendel Bassist of the Foo Fighters
- Nick Seymour
- Nicky Scott
- Paul Jones
- Sir Paul McCartney
- Tony Alton Bassist of Lovewood
- Peter Howard
- Rick Savage
- Rob Malone
- Roger Waters
- Rudy Sarzo
- Sam Farrar
- Scott O'Donoghue Bassist of Little Birdy
- Shaun Carrington
- Shavo Odadjian Bassist of System of a Down
- Steven Babaniaris
- Tony Garnier
- Tyson Ritter Bassist of All American Rejects
- Zev Katz
- Peter SilleryBassist of Quest For Ted
- Thad Waters Bassist of Useless Words
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Ashdown Engineering Official Site
- Ashdown Engineering at Harmony Central
