Ashdown/Hayden Essex Blonde 8W review
Is there any chance whoever reviewed this amp could very briefly let me know what they thought of it, especially in the construction stakes? I'd very much like to know whether the model is generally shoddily put together or I've just got a lemon. I've not seen them in any shops since, so not had the chance to try any others out.
Ta.
Whosoever steppeth upon a distortion pedal in my sight shall make a sound that is unclean.
It is similar to the Matamp C7/First Lady is it not?
In what way does it differ? Does it sound nice?!
This is what I'm trying to establish. I've heard conflicting stories - apparently Matamp designed the circuit for them based on their own C7, and may even have built some of the early chassis. Matamp owners have been quick to distance themselves from it! Ashdown/Hayden are keeping firmly schtumm about any Matamp link too.Originally Posted by sammo303
The launch was a bit wierd - a limited run badged as Ashdown at £360 (which is when I bought mine), then withdrawn for a couple of months and relaunched as Hayden at £750-odd.
It's certainly got the same layout as the C7 - regarding components and construction, all I can say is that up close the cabinet is pretty shoddy, and it has a serious rattle problem. Basically looks like someone's shoe-horned a C7 chassis into a homemade cab.
However, turned up loud with drums, bass, guitars etc it sounded great.
Whosoever steppeth upon a distortion pedal in my sight shall make a sound that is unclean.
I actually spoke to Mark Gooday (Ashdown/Hayden owner) about this at LGS and he said that the first 50 that were badged Ashdown were built entirely by Matamp, cabinets n all. He wasnt too happy with the finish and the Hayden ones are now built completely in house.This is what I'm trying to establish. I've heard conflicting stories - apparently Matamp designed the circuit for them based on their own C7, and may even have built some of the early chassis. Matamp owners have been quick to distance themselves from it! Ashdown/Hayden are keeping firmly schtumm about any Matamp link too.
The launch was a bit wierd - a limited run badged as Ashdown at £360 (which is when I bought mine), then withdrawn for a couple of months and relaunched as Hayden at £750-odd.
It's certainly got the same layout as the C7 - regarding components and construction, all I can say is that up close the cabinet is pretty shoddy, and it has a serious rattle problem. Basically looks like someone's shoe-horned a C7 chassis into a homemade cab.
However, turned up loud with drums, bass, guitars etc it sounded great.
I have one of the 50 ashdown 15W , and perhaps I'm lucky but mine is great . Sounds very good , has the "P/Up" selector and bypass switches which change the tone. I paid £450 from Coda so again got it at a good price (before they rebadged to Hayden)
Listened to the fallen angel last week up against a marshall , no comparison the ashdown was very poor ( but then this is a cheap chinese build) , and have heard from within the trade that the chinese ashdowns have a poor reliabilty record.
You also have the option to change the valves without having to rebiase.
The manual is poor , but I have found the personal backup by email very very good.
So is was made by matamp , don't really care it sounds great and seems rugged enough to me.
What issues did you have to make it a lemon.
no worries
They do. And it is TOTALLY justified :evil: .
This has been a bone of contention with me for a while now
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Yes seems the chinese ones are bad. I have a friend who works for a large music retailer and understand they are one of the most returned amps they sell.
Mine is the Uk hand wired , and was surprised by noise polluter that he got a lemon.
I guess it happens.
I record on a Yamaha aw1600 and mine died after only a few months and spent two months at Yamaha getting fixed, but from what I have seen on the specailist forums mine was only one of a few that failed. They are usually reliable. guess there is also a bit of luck involved.
I bet it was a chinese made bit inside !!
no worries
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