Ashdown EB-180

TheBlackAcidChildren · 06-13-2005, 02:57 AM

http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk/press//press_images/bass/EB15180.jpg

I got this bass amp around the same time as I got my Ibanez bass, and I have to say it was a very good choice. It's a really solidly made combo with 180 watts of power driving a 15" speaker. It's also got the little ashdown "speedometer" input level meter, in the form of five LEDs going from green through to red.

The amp only cost about £290 (about $460 I think) and from the power and features you get it's a great choice.

The EB-180 has two inputs, "high" and "low", designed for use with passive or active instrument pickups. There are adjustable input and output levels and a fantastic five-band EQ with which you can adjust your tone to your content. There is also a button to turn the EQ on or off and a "deep" button and a "bright" button to add instant bass or treble boost to your sound.

One of the niftiest features of the amp is the "sub-harmonics" control - when switched on it plays both the note you play and the same note an octave down. This can really thicken out your sound if you're playing on the higher strings - although on the lower strings (especially if you play five-string) it's less useful. The effect becomes more noticeable if you dial in more bass EQ, and there's a level controller the sub-harmonics so you can subtly blend them into your sound.

The amp has an effects send/return loop, a line-out on the front that can also be used to plug in a tuner for on-stage use, and a Post-EQ DI (XLR Mic lead) out that allows you to plug straight into a mixing desk. I've found this ideal for recording the bass.

Overall this is a great combo I'd reccommend to anyone who wants a powerful bass amp that's packed with features.

andy3288 · 12-11-2005, 02:42 PM

how would you rate this amp on its giggability? is it loud enough to play small-medium sized gigs? (pubs, halls etc.)

JeBuSrOcKs · 12-11-2005, 03:10 PM

i was thinking about getting one of those so thanks for the review

rage f*****g rule · 12-12-2005, 03:45 AM

i've had one since last christmas and it is great!
mine was only about £240-ish (me and friends spend lots of money at the music shop so got great discount...) and sounds really great.

Quote:

One of the niftiest features of the amp is the "sub-harmonics" control - when switched on it plays both the note you play and the same note an octave down. This can really thicken out your sound if you're playing on the higher strings - although on the lower strings (especially if you play five-string) it's less useful. The effect becomes more noticeable if you dial in more bass EQ, and there's a level controller the sub-harmonics so you can subtly blend them into your sound.

well, i have a squier mb5 and the low B sounds amazing with sub harmonics... i don't tend to use this much as it makes my floor shake. so would it be ideal for medium - small clubs? YES!

great choice of amp, hope you enjoy it...

Your Tourniquet · 12-28-2005, 03:13 AM

I got it for christmas... awesome amp!

Zmev · 01-10-2006, 04:00 AM

I bought this amp last year for about $300, it's great, highly recommended.

Fun fact: When turned all the way up, this amp can be heard clearly accross the street. (I had fun doing that little experiment)

Your Tourniquet · 01-31-2006, 08:35 AM

Used it live for the first time last Friday- I won't be buying a new amp for years now. Geez, that thing rules in live situations!

rage f*****g rule · 01-31-2006, 08:49 AM

it's funny you should say that... i used mine for the first time live on saturday... i only used it in my bedroom beforehand so it has never been above 1/8th volume... i played a gig at a friend's birthday party and still only had my amp just above 1/4 volume and it was plenty loud enough. it's an amazing amp. i played with the sub harmonics on slightly to give it a bit of edge...
how'd the gig go?

JackG · 01-31-2006, 04:24 PM

I have had this amp now for just over a year, and it is absoloutely incredible.

£203 for a 180 Watt Bass Amp, is not bad value, and you are getting the signature Ashdown Tone, i would reccomend this bass to any intermediate bass player with expierence, there are lesser models for £183 they are still great.

Hope that helped, if not sorry

eriatarka · 01-31-2006, 10:53 PM

Is there not a review for this already?

I think you could have given us more info.

Your Tourniquet · 02-01-2006, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rage f*****g rule

it's funny you should say that... i used mine for the first time live on saturday... i only used it in my bedroom beforehand so it has never been above 1/8th volume... i played a gig at a friend's birthday party and still only had my amp just above 1/4 volume and it was plenty loud enough. it's an amazing amp. i played with the sub harmonics on slightly to give it a bit of edge...
how'd the gig go?

It was awesome thanks!

It sounds so much clearer in a live situation... I think that's because there's no carpet or something.

And how was yours?

Your Tourniquet · 02-01-2006, 04:37 AM

There is indeed a thread on this already... awesome amp though

Chris K · 02-01-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackG

signature Ashdown Tone

Yep, thats the big problem right there

JackG · 02-01-2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris K

Yep, thats the big problem right there

Sorry about that, it was quick, but still a cool amp though

Your Tourniquet · 02-01-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackG

Sorry about that, it was quick, but still a cool amp though

I love the Ashdown tone!

JackG · 02-01-2006, 12:10 PM

its real deal stuff

rage f*****g rule · 02-01-2006, 05:22 PM

went pretty well also, thanks. got offered the chance to play a half an hour acoustic show if we want to...

elmo121 · 05-25-2006, 04:22 PM

i hav that amp, its rather good, pleanty loud enough for gigs (i have it on less than 3/4 at the 150 capacity camberly football club, and the bass is realy prominent in are band. I am however replaceing it with an ABM300 head and MAG 300 4x10 cab beacuse i can

awesum amp though, i gets many tones, from ultra bright so-cal style through to insanely deep and bassy. would recomend to anyone

warning: is a fairly heavy amp, although that may just be me bieng weak

b00mer · 05-25-2006, 07:19 PM

I am pretty sure Im gonna get this AMP for a couple of hundred quid instead of buying my bass tutors old rig which was 2 Marshall stacks and a Peavey head for £300, any advice guys?

fastrack · 06-09-2006, 07:10 AM

My best pal just gifted me!! It's incredible!!

06-13-2005, 02:57 AM	#1
TheBlackAcidChildren It's all cool and froody Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: ....Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeds Posts: 4,509	Ashdown EB-180 http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk/press//press_images/bass/EB15180.jpg I got this bass amp around the same time as I got my Ibanez bass, and I have to say it was a very good choice. It's a really solidly made combo with 180 watts of power driving a 15" speaker. It's also got the little ashdown "speedometer" input level meter, in the form of five LEDs going from green through to red. The amp only cost about £290 (about $460 I think) and from the power and features you get it's a great choice. The EB-180 has two inputs, "high" and "low", designed for use with passive or active instrument pickups. There are adjustable input and output levels and a fantastic five-band EQ with which you can adjust your tone to your content. There is also a button to turn the EQ on or off and a "deep" button and a "bright" button to add instant bass or treble boost to your sound. One of the niftiest features of the amp is the "sub-harmonics" control - when switched on it plays both the note you play and the same note an octave down. This can really thicken out your sound if you're playing on the higher strings - although on the lower strings (especially if you play five-string) it's less useful. The effect becomes more noticeable if you dial in more bass EQ, and there's a level controller the sub-harmonics so you can subtly blend them into your sound. The amp has an effects send/return loop, a line-out on the front that can also be used to plug in a tuner for on-stage use, and a Post-EQ DI (XLR Mic lead) out that allows you to plug straight into a mixing desk. I've found this ideal for recording the bass. Overall this is a great combo I'd reccommend to anyone who wants a powerful bass amp that's packed with features.

01-10-2006, 04:00 AM	#6
Zmev I smoke nugs Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 17,826	I bought this amp last year for about $300, it's great, highly recommended. Fun fact: When turned all the way up, this amp can be heard clearly accross the street. (I had fun doing that little experiment)
	Digging: Superchunk - No Pocky For Kitty

01-31-2006, 04:24 PM	#9
JackG Official MXBTBMember Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	Ashdown Electric Blue 180 I have had this amp now for just over a year, and it is absoloutely incredible. £203 for a 180 Watt Bass Amp, is not bad value, and you are getting the signature Ashdown Tone, i would reccomend this bass to any intermediate bass player with expierence, there are lesser models for £183 they are still great. Hope that helped, if not sorry

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12-11-2005, 02:42 PM	#2
andy3288 titleless Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The 60 Bus Posts: 85	how would you rate this amp on its giggability? is it loud enough to play small-medium sized gigs? (pubs, halls etc.)

12-11-2005, 03:10 PM	#3
JeBuSrOcKs What goes up must go WHAMMO!!! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Essex, England Posts: 745	i was thinking about getting one of those so thanks for the review

12-28-2005, 03:13 AM	#5
Your Tourniquet Am I demon? Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In your head Posts: 1,366	I got it for christmas... awesome amp!

01-31-2006, 08:35 AM	#7
Your Tourniquet Am I demon? Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In your head Posts: 1,366	Used it live for the first time last Friday- I won't be buying a new amp for years now. Geez, that thing rules in live situations!

01-31-2006, 08:49 AM	#8
rage f***g rule **ing bass player... Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lancaster, UK Posts: 644	it's funny you should say that... i used mine for the first time live on saturday... i only used it in my bedroom beforehand so it has never been above 1/8th volume... i played a gig at a friend's birthday party and still only had my amp just above 1/4 volume and it was plenty loud enough. it's an amazing amp. i played with the sub harmonics on slightly to give it a bit of edge... how'd the gig go?

01-31-2006, 10:53 PM	#10
eriatarka () Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto,Ontario. Posts: 356	Is there not a review for this already? I think you could have given us more info.

02-01-2006, 04:37 AM	#12
Your Tourniquet Am I demon? Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In your head Posts: 1,366	There is indeed a thread on this already... awesome amp though

02-01-2006, 12:10 PM	#16
JackG Official MXBTBMember Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	its real deal stuff

02-01-2006, 05:22 PM	#17
rage f***g rule **ing bass player... Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lancaster, UK Posts: 644	went pretty well also, thanks. got offered the chance to play a half an hour acoustic show if we want to...

05-25-2006, 04:22 PM	#18
elmo121 i like me Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: everywere Posts: 77	i hav that amp, its rather good, pleanty loud enough for gigs (i have it on less than 3/4 at the 150 capacity camberly football club, and the bass is realy prominent in are band. I am however replaceing it with an ABM300 head and MAG 300 4x10 cab beacuse i can awesum amp though, i gets many tones, from ultra bright so-cal style through to insanely deep and bassy. would recomend to anyone warning: is a fairly heavy amp, although that may just be me bieng weak

05-25-2006, 07:19 PM	#19
b00mer True Scotsman Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bonnie Scotland Posts: 30	I am pretty sure Im gonna get this AMP for a couple of hundred quid instead of buying my bass tutors old rig which was 2 Marshall stacks and a Peavey head for £300, any advice guys?

06-09-2006, 07:10 AM	#20
fastrack Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5	My best pal just gifted me!! It's incredible!!