Ashdown ABM 500 evo vs Rootmaster 500 evo

Stinga1990

Stinga1990

Mar 8, 2014
189
141
5,066
Melbourne, Australia
#1
Hello talkbass. This is a repost as I accidentally posted this under new member introductions last night.

First thread starter ever. I've been looking up youtube demos and reading the forums like mad and I am strugging to find the knowledge I seek as only one. Information on the new rootmaster heads and how they compare to the previous abm series would be much apprieciated. I can either pick up a new rootmaster 500 for 719 AUD or an older series ABM 500 evo III for 500 AUD plus postage from gumtree (like craigslist). I'm really liking everything I hear from the demos of the rootmaster, especially the overdrive, but I hear the ABM is meant to be superior. I'm chasing clarity with a vintage vibe and I really dig the ashdown tone. Help. :help:
 
  • Like
Reactions: svtb15
#2
It doesn't look like you are having much luck finding anyone who owns or has tried both, myself included. I can only say that I have never played out of an ABM, but I do own the Rootmaster EVO 500 and that amp is killer. It is crazy loud and if you are chasing clarity with a vintage vibe in Ashdown tone, the Rootmaster has it in spades. The compressor is really good as well as the drive and I use just a small amount of both to give me the sound I am looking for in it.

Both compressor and drive are set at 9:00 for me and the drive is more of solid state drive rather than tube or tube emulation, but it is very nice sounding. And the compressor automatically adds gain so that you do not loose any volume as you increase it. I'm not the biggest fan of on board compressors but the Ashdown and the TC Electronic are great.

Hopefully someone comes along shortly who has any experience with both the ABM and the Rootmaster. Until then I will add some links to give you an idea on what the Rootmaster can do.





Good luck
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeff7bass, Stinga1990 and svtb15
#3
Yeah I've watched those links and pretty much every link on the two I can find. Threads on talkbass I've read already suggest the abm can do warm and wooly. I would very much like to know if it can do the clarity with vintage vibe thing too. The overdrive on the rootmaster does seem clearer. On the other hand people that have owned the abm rave about the poweramp section. If I could try them both in person I would do so but they pretty much can't be found in Perth anymore. :crying:
 
#5
If size and weight are an issue for you then the class D output RM head is good. If tonal flexibility and power are more important the ABM is better. I mention the power as the ABM has a class AB 500w output section which can deliver that constantly and peaks of up to twice that whlist my experience of class D heads is that 500w will be the maximum output.
 
#6
i have a MAG evo iii 300 and run a 4ao 450watt amp through it, the Mag was end of line sale and 410 was second hand, i believe the ABM is the replacement line and is very similar, very versatile amps good value for money great sound, good features, lively mild overdrive built in, prestigious brand, very heavy (kg) only downside. cant go wrong with these. think the ABM are lighter than the mags and that's the main difference.
 
#14
I played a MAG EvoII for years and now I own a ABM Evo II. Considering the RM is pretty much the new MAG with few updates, I don't think the sound is too different, if different at all.

All I'll say is that, after being in your very same situation, I got a used ABM and it really overtakes the MAG, I couldn't be happier.

Not that the MAG sounds bad; but the ABM is just more. I also really like it's tube pre, doesn't get too gritty but sure gives that old school driven-amp tone IMHO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeff7bass and Stinga1990
#15
Is the ABM capable of clarity and more mid forward sounds like the rootmaster seems to be? I have actually found one shop here that may carry some ashdown heads I can test in person. Emphasis on one and may. Ashdown used to be really popular here, I honestly don't get what happened. None the less, I am going to head there and see what they have that I can test out.
 
#16
That sort-of depends on how you define "clarity".
I have very mid-forward and clear-sounding cabs. Using the same bass (with DR flats) at the same venue (where we had a several-months long residency), and usually the same sound guy, my ABM got way more comments and compliments than my Mesa Walkabout or Genz-Benz Streamliner. After using the Mesa and Genz week after week, I borrowed the Ashdown for a set. Afterwards, our keys/synth player and the venue sound guy both commented on how much better they could hear the bass. Other friends made flattering comments about the tone. I promptly found and purchased my own EVO II version after that night.

With the 7-band e.q., the ABM is very flexible, but I often leave the e.q. disengaged. I like the flat sound (SHAPE button out/disengaged) enough for most situations. If you want "clarity", just activate the e.q. section and raise the two high-mid sliders.

The drive control is pretty fantastic. It can fatten things up a bit, but with hotter pickups (like my G&L LB-100) and the gain knob at about 1:00 or more, it gets a pretty good overdrive. For recording, I like the ABM 12ax7 overdrive better than any of my pedals.

The ABM EVO II has the loudest set of cooling fans I have heard on a bass amp. I have only found it to be a slight distraction at home. I can't hear it over the crowd chatter at most venues.
And with mine and the other one I borrowed, there is an audible line buzz that comes through the speakers (and the D.I., but I can only hear that when recording). I read that the same problem happens with the EVO III, and that it is some sort of voltage leak from the fans. I don't know what that means.
 
Last edited:
#19
McFarlin said:
The ABM EVO II has the loudest set of cooling fans I have heard on a bass amp.
Click to expand...

That is the truth! I was just using mine last night and man, does that fan make noise. Obviously when you're rocking out it doesn't matter at all, but keep it in mind if you end up needing to use if for very, very quiet things too (like recording in one room with acoustic and electric instruments).
 
  • Like
Reactions: RobertK
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back