Ashdown ABM500RC EVO II Rackmount Bass Amplifier Head (575 Watts)

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Chrome Rackmount version of the ABM500EII.

For those requiring an integrated solution, the ABM 500RC EVO II is a rack-mounting version of the standard ABM 500 EVO II Head, with a stunning, polished chrome panel. Three straightforward rotary tone controls provide 20dB of cut and boost at 60Hz, 660Hz and 5kHz, and are supplemented by two pairs of additional sliders giving 15dB cut and boost at 180Hz, 340Hz, 1.3kHz and 2.6kHz. The EQ can be switched in/out, and flat/shaped by footswitch, enabling players to go from a flat fretless sound to a boosted sound via a favorite EQ setting.

A single input is switchable for passive and active instruments with a blend of solid state and dual triode tube preamps stages which can be preset and selected by footswitch, providing access to a massive range of clean, warm and overdriven tones. Also footswitchable is the mighty Ashdown sub-harmonic generator which precisely tracks the main signal and reproduces it an octave lower. A sub-harmonic level control enables the player to add just the right amount of low-end reinforcement - everything from a subtle, thickening of the sound to unbridled, bone crushing tone.

The ABM 500RC EVO II features a front-panel mounted balanced DI out with pre or post EQ switching, a sub-bass output, a tuner output, an FX loop and a line input for the connection of an external sampler or sound source. Output muting cuts the signal from the DI output but leaves the tuner output 'live', allowing the player to tune up in silence. A new upgraded power section read more has faster transient attack, more headroom and even less noise. read less

Specifications

Power Output: 575 watts

High Instrument Input Impedance: 3.9m Ohms, input range 150mV - 20mV p-p

Low Instrument Input Impedance: 10k Ohms, input range 300mV - 40V p-p

Stereo Line Input Impedance: 22k Ohms, input level 0dBu nominal

Effects Return Impedance: 22k Ohms, input level 0dBu Nominal

Tuner Output Impedance: 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal

Sub Output Impedance: 1k Ohms, level 0dBu Nominal

Effects Send Impedance: 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal

DI Output: 600 Ohms balanced, level 0dBu nominal

Speaker Outputs: Minimum impedance 4 Ohms

Shape (Push Flat): +8dB @ 50Hz & 4kHz, -8dB @ 400Hz, filter slope - 6dB/octave

Bass: 15dB @ 45Hz

Middle: 15dB @ 660Hz

Treble: 15dB @ 7kHz shelving

Slider 1: 15dB @ 110Hz

Slider 2: 15dB @ 340Hz

Slider 3: 15dB @ 1.3kHz

Slider 4: 15dB @ 2.6kHz

Frequency Response: -3dB at 17Hz and 30kHz

Power Requirements: 230 / 115V

Height: 90mm (3.5 in.)

Width: 483mm (19 in.)

Depth: 267mm (10.5 in.)

Weight: 14kg (30.9lbs)

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: +44-162-185-8800

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (11 ratings)
Submitted March 4, 2005 by a customer from lava.net

"This Brit-Head Rocks!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.
I expect to hang onto this one for a long time. If it were lost, or stolen, I would most likely replace it the same...

Sound
I could almost give this a 10. It's a very powerful amp- clean when you want it to be; booming, rib rattling lows, warm mids, and bright, edgy highs. You can easily make it sound like a 60's tube amp. I play it through a Bergantino NV215 (2 x 15" and a 6" mid-range). This cabinet is most excellent, and handles 600 watts. This amp pushes air through that cab effortlessly. My guitarist plays a double-stack, 100 watt Marshall (usually uses only one cab, though), and I hold-up the bottom end without breaking a sweat. I recently obtained this amp, and the guys are very happy now... especially our drummer. Now our singer can't say he's banging his drums too hard... the bass is in the building now!

Features
EQ's are simple and sensitive. Valve Drive gives it that tube-amp sound, and it sounds pretty dang real to me. I really like the Sub-Harmonics feature- really sounds great on grundge stuff. I'm getting a 5-string axe pretty soon. Looking forward to hearing the low B through this amp and the 2 x 15" Bergantinos. Another nice touch: this amp has TWO cooling fans, they are very quiet, so I doubt I'll ever have to worry about over-heating issues, especially since it's rack-mounted. Saved the best for last... that way cool Vu Meter!

Quality
So far so good. read more Only the two issues mentioned above brings this a 9 instead of a 10. The rack-mount has a chrome face, which looks great in the rack along with my Korg tuner...

Value
I give it a 10 because, based on similar amps I tried, this one definitely gave me the best value for my buck...

Manufacturer Support
No issues yet...

The Wow Factor
I love the look... especially the Vu Meter!!! That alone pushed me over the edge. The only other Ashdown head that looks cooler than mine is the Mark King Signature model. It's a stunning red color! Almost went that direction, but I wanted the features of my EVO-II.

Musical Background:
Former Active Musician; now pretty much a Hobbyist playing occasional parties and a couple of beer-soaked dives around town.

Musical Style:
You name it, I can play it...
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