Ashdown Triple Shot
Launching in September 2023 Ashdown is proud to announce the NEW Ashdown Triple Shot blended drive pedal.
Bass guitar distortion is an effect that is often compromised due to lack of control. The Ashdown Triple Shot is a super high-gain bass overdrive offering ultimate control and versatility over your overdriven tones.
In essence, the Triple Shot is three individual distortion pedals in one! The signal from the instrument is split into three distinct frequency bands (“Dark”, “Medium” and “Light”) and fed into three distortion generators. Each band has its own level (“Roast”) control before being recombined to create a full signal. It is therefore possible to retain and enhance the low-end frequencies of your bass sound with a thick and chunky overdriven tone, enrich the top-end with high-gain trebles — or take the two extremes and mix them together to harvest a vast selection of distinct sonic qualities.
With all of the ‘Roast’ controls set all the way to the left, it’s a simple, independent EQ… but using each of the Roast controls in harmony with its corresponding Dark, Medium, or Light control, then you can vary the drive from a light little tickle in the mid-range to a full-on overdriven bass sound.
With all the controls at 12 o’clock, you get a rich driven bass sound that cuts above the mix in a live ‘alternative rock’ situation, whilst retaining the bottom end over your original bass signal. The pedal’s rotary controls are extremely sensitive, and a slight adjustment can mean a major characteristic change in sound. As a result, you have the ultimate control over your drive sound.
The pedal requires a minimum of 9v with 45ma draw center pin negative (power supply not included).
The Triple Shot VU will be shipping via a dealer near you in September 2023. Affordably priced and engineered to last a lifetime, responsibly designed to be repairable down to a component level for the next 25 years. The Ashdown Triple Shot VU comes with the Standard 5-year manufacturer warranty as applicable to all Ashdown products.
Ashdown Pro Di
Launching in September 2023 we are proud to introduce the Ashdown Pro Di pedal. A preamp pedal designed to meet the needs of the NEW touring bass player. With simple useable features engineered to last.
The Ashdown Pro Di features a 5-band EQ section with an appliable Ashdown Shape option for that scooped tone if required for additional shaping options. The EQ has been taken from the basis of our ABM preamp and subsequent variations, such as the MAG and ROOTMASTER series making this a very professional product for people unable to rely upon a backline being provided.
The on-board valve emulated overdrive features with a drive mix and level to ensure you don’t lose any volume or gain when engaging the drive, used in conjunction with the input and output controls and the provided Ashdown VU meter to balance your levels to ensure unity to the output. There is also a passive and active input sensitivity pad provided with a -3dB cut for use with active instruments.
As mentioned the Ashdown Pro Di features everything you might expect from a touring Bass Pre-Amp pedal, including its own transformer-isolated Di output providing perfect balanced output for front of house or a monitor feed. With an optional ground lift for use when required. The transformer is hand-wound in the EU and has been designed by us to ensure quality. There is also a link out for connection to another monitor feed or alternative output for front of house. Both the Di and Link Outputs are post-EQ and are set at a nominal output of 0dB.
There is a line input with its own dedicated Line Mix level control on the top on the pedal for when you need to learn a part you can plug in an audio device to play along to… Or a feed from a monitor mix and blend the amount you want to hear in your own headphone mix via the dedicated headphone output on the rear of the pedal… So you get the sound you know and love directly to your ears…
The pedal requires a minimum of 9v with 45ma draw center pin negative (power supply not included).
The Ashdown Pro Di will be shipping via a dealer near you in September 2023. The Ashdown Pro Di is the perfect tool for bass players looking to reduce the amount they carry. Affordably priced and engineered to last a lifetime, responsibly designed to be repairable down to a component level for the next 25 years. The Ashdown Pro Di comes with the Standard 5-year manufacturer warranty as applicable to all Ashdown products.
Ashdown CTM-15
Launching in September 2023 Ashdown is proud to announce the NEW Ashdown CTM-15 all-valve desktop bass amp.
The re-introduction of a classic Ashdown Tube Magnifier, the low-wattage powerhouse that is the CTM-15. 15 Watts of beautifully rich valve tone in a tiny package, now with built-in load and headphone output for silent use. With the on-board Line Level Di, this makes the CTM-15 a perfect studio companion.
Plug in and lay down a few bass lines through the Ashdown CTM-15 tube amp, and you won't be the first to wonder "Wow, is that really only 15 watts?". The CTM-15 delivers deceptively large tones from its dual EL84 power stage, and its low wattage means it’s easier to get red-blooded overdrive by driving it hard – all without shaking the foundations.
Whether the session needs big fat clean tones or growling, overdriven bass, the CTM-15 will have you covered.
Like all similarly equipped Ashdowns, the CTM-15's analog VU meter isn't just there for show. Giving an instant accurate display of your power amp's output the CTM-15's VU meter lets you quickly find your amp’s sweet spot – where the magic really happens.
With 4 and 8-ohm speaker outputs, the CTM-15 is ready to plug into your bass cab and rock. The CTM-15 also comes with a custom-fit gig bag, making it easy to transport safely to every session.
The CTM-15 will be shipping via a dealer near you in September 2023. Affordably priced and engineered to last a lifetime, responsibly designed to be repairable down to a component level for the next 25 years. The CTM-15 comes with the Standard 5-year manufacturer warranty as applicable to all Ashdown products.
For more information, please visit ashdownmusic.com.
PG Editors pick their top gear from the second day of NAMM. See everything from day 2 in our photo gallery.
EarthQuaker Devices Fuzz Master General
Winter NAMM 2015 found the ever-prolific EarthQuaker Devices showcasing the Fuzz Master General, which while evoking the mighty Univox SuperFuzz, delivers a tighter-than-SuperFuzz basic fuzz tone and a super clear and acidic octave fuzz sound. The extra versatility means a ticket to Live at Leeds...and beyond.
Source Audio Vertigo
Source Audio's new One Series digital pedals are simpler, more streamlined by the standards if the company's Soundblox pedals, but they are no less potent. The Vertigo tremolo features emulations of vintage optical, harmonic, and bias trems, but parameters can also be customized via the iOS interface. Prices should be right around $149 when they hit the street this spring.
Danelectro Baby Sitar
Couldn't be more psyched about the return of the Danelectro Baby Sitar. A simpler, more streamlined cousin to the old Coral Vinnie Bell Electric sitar, the original baby sitar and this new version did away with drone strings to create an easier-to-wrangle six string version. The reissue will street at $499.
Godin Summit Classic
Godin Guitars brought some real nice-sounding, real classy-looking, real light new single-cuts to NAMM. The Summit Classic series comes in three Seymour Duncan-outfitted configurations with chambered Spanish cedar bodies and maple caps—a P-90 version (shown), a humbucker model, and a P-Rails model. Each also features Godin's unique High-Definition Revoicer circuit (activated by the black button in the recessed route), which has a pronounced and very musical effect on the EQ voicing.
ESP Mystique
Every NAMM we go out of our way to highlight the out-there designs that ESP brings to show off the capabilities of the luthiers at their Japanese custom shop. Inevitably people get snarky about the practicality of an angel guitar with a three-foot wingspan, or a guitar with medieval armor. So this time we thought we'd show this lovely Mystique model with sweeping lines, faux-tortoiseshell binding, and a crushed-seashell top. Kudos, guys!
D'Angelico EX-59
D'Angelico brought an astounding array of guitars to NAMM this year. While the model shown here—the 17", P-90-equipped EX-59 hollowbody—isn't exactly brand new, we just had to put it out there as an example of the swanky new finish work the company is doing these days.
Taylor 600 Series
Huge props to Taylor Guitars for being one of the big guys stepping up to do something about more responsible wood sourcing. The 600 series guitars they brought to NAMM feature new all-maple construction that's part of a greater consciousness of forest depletion. Master builder Andy Powers fine-tuned each body style in the series to optimize bracing and other construction elements so that they complement the tonal characteristics of the new maple parts, rather than just swapping solid mahogany or rosewood backs and sides for maple and calling it good.
Ashdown B-Social
Ashdown Engineering debuted the multi-functional B-Social at NAMM 2015. What started out as plan to create a nice looking and sounding bass amp for the home in a compact enclosure turned into much more. The B-Social features Bluetooth connectivity with an included wireless transmitter for cable-free jamming (and wireless audio streaming), a built-in USB interface, and an App-Tek socket to access the ever-growing range of amp sim and effects available. There's plenty more onboard and more importantly, it sounds really good.
Phil Jones Bass Quantum Series
Phil Jones Bass unveiled the Quantum Series line of combos with the Quantum800 and Quantum400. Boasting 350 and 75 watts, respectively, these wee but powerful combos are packed with PJB Custom 2.5" drivers.
Blueridge BR-65KCE
Blueridge Guitars showed off their new limited edition BR-65KCE single cutaway: the first offering from their Blueridge Custom Collection. Features include a solid Sitka top, solid koa back and sides, and a B-Band T-35 pickup system. The price? $995 suggested retail.
Schecter Dawn of the Dead
Schecter Guitar Research brought a bunch of cool new axes to NAMM. The rad dude on the left pays tribute to George A. Romero's classic zombie flick.
Diamond Pedals Counter Point
Diamond Guitar Pedals introduced the new Counter Point multi-tap delay at NAMM 2015. The Counter Point offers four different delay modes using carefully constructed sets of multiple delay signal taps and variable sample-rate modulation for tones flexible enough for a wide range of genres.
Hughes & Kettner TriAmp MkIII
NAMM 2015 saw the unveiling of Hughes & Kettner's TriAmp Mark 3, truly an amp to be reckoned with. Each of the Mark 3's six independent channels represents an entire era of tone, and each of the six eras can be routed to three independent tube power amps. Though the TriAmp Mark 3 leaves the factory with two pairs of 6L6s and one pair of EL34s, the amp works with other tube types as well, leaving players with options galore.