Feature:
I didn't like the subharmonic generator all too much, and it didn't have any footswitches. I never found a use for a footswitch before I bought this amp, and now I'm going to call Ashdown soon to see if any are available for this model.
VU meter is a cool is slightly pointless touch. I've gotten it to go all the way.
Tuner line out is a nice touch as well. I was never a fan of built in tuners, and this is just simple. I hook up my Korg and taa daa...
Quality:
Very reliable product. Fell out of a moving car and still works perfectly. The thing is built like a tank.
While the knobs and stuff are all of good quality, they still feel like cheap plastic and I'll eventually replace them with metal knobs even though I don't need to. I don't very much like the plastic corners either, but they help blend in with the carpet.
The carpet on this thing is tough! I've put it throuh alot of abuse, not rips tears or scratches. Good solid stuff. However cosmetically, stuff gets stuck to it and it can look gross. However so far its just dog hair... I plan on replacing it with tolex. Again this isn't needed and its just a personal preference of mine.
With the knob and carpet changes aside, (again which aren't needed I'm just a jerk) this is a very good quality amp and is comparable to amps more than twice the price.
Value:
Best amp for the money. Ashdown could have easily charged twice this and it would have still been a good buy. I'm sold.
Desirability:
Very pretty and looks great right outta the box. Personally I prefer tolex, but the thing is an eye catcher.
Sound:
For $300, it blows alot of my other amps out of the water. Those amps being 2 peaveys (max 160 and a century), randall, and one of those ace new fender bassmans.
I paid the same price for that Max 160 head last November and when I bought this things 2 months ago, I wish I'd gotten this first and not bothered buying anything else.
I play blues, rock, classic rock, etc, and I have to say it fits all the styles pretty well. I can turn the gain all the way up and no feed back or hum. Nothing plugged in, everything turned to 10, still nothing except for the fan.
Awesome, I plan on sticking with this head for a long time. Well, at least till I save up enough to get a nicer Ashdown...
(note I stacked this on an Ashdown 4x10 extra deep, as well as on top of the 1x15 making this a full stack. Even with just one cab hooked up, I've felt the house vibrate... and I'm not one to turn up the low frequences)
Ease of Use:
Simple and easy. The knobs on the 5 band EQ are alot simpler than sliders found on pricier models. This amp is basically plug and play which is great.
Support:
Had a run in with them once and they were very helpful, though ultimately not needed as it turned out my bass was making the scratchy noises.
Overall:
I forsee myself sticking with this head until I can afford some of that top of the line Ashdown gear. So probably a year or so. However I don't plan on ditching this amp once I get the new head, its just too nice to let go of.
1 of 1 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!