The Ashdown company is known for its amplifiers and effects devices, which it produces primarily for basses but also for guitars. The British manufacturer can be found in Chelmsford, Essex, England. Ashdown was founded in 1997 by Mark Gooday, Trace Elliot's chief engineer and manager, and he designed the logo based on the engine badge of the Austion-Heale sports car brand. Ashdown's unwavering focus on design and innovation is clearly evident in its product range: tube and hybrid amplifiers, combos, practice amps, effects pedals and more!
Ashdown Engineering remains true to its roots, today as well as in 1997!
The 22 Head was hand built in Ashdown's British Custom Shop and designed to Shavo Odadjian's specifications. Shavo Odadjian is an award-winning musician, songwriter and entrepreneur. He's best known as System of a Down's bassist, but the guys in Ashdown know Shavo as a family member.
Ashdown and Shavo's relationship began in 2002 and Shavo has been using Ashdown's ABM range ever since. Shavo expressed his gratitude at being part of the Ashdown family, saying, "I was fascinated by their personalities, they were like family...then they showed me their amps and they completely blew me away. I'm honored to be part of a family business that's not just 'off the shelf' and I represent the company legitimately." Shavo has since become a major ambassador for Meters Headphones, Ashdown Engineering's sister company.
With particular attention to Shavo's penchant for ABM heads, the Ashdown Artist Edition 22 Head had to be built on the solid foundation of the ABM 600 EVO IV, with a 600-watt power section, a 12AX7 tube preamp, one-knob compression, a subharmonic generator and a 9-band EQ.
Shavo was impressed with the look of the Geezer Butler Head of Doom after personally attending its US debut at NAMM 2018, so it was clear that the 22 Head deserved the same dual-VU functionality and bold visual presence.
Why 22? Shavo has a close connection to the number 22. He was born on April 22nd, married on May 22nd, System of a Down started when he was 22 years old, and System fans will recognize that he often wore a number 22 jersey on stage. That's just his thing.
The 22 Head features a sophisticated 9-band EQ with familiar bass, mid and treble controls and six sliders that enable precise cut and boost at 100 Hz, 180 Hz, 340 Hz, 1.3 kHz, 2.6 kHz and 5 kHz. The EQ can be turned on via a footswitch and offers a wide range of sound variations and the ability to adjust the perfect sound.
Once heard - never forgotten. The “One Knob” ABM Sub-Harmonic Generator adds an octave below the played notes, adding fullness to every bass part. The sub-level can be controlled independently and can also be operated using a foot switch.
The 22 Head features a tuner output, line out, transparent FX loop and a line input for connecting an external sampler or sound source. Output muting cuts the signal from the DI output but leaves the tuner output active, allowing the player to tune in silence.
The FS-4 footswitch (not included) allows for tonal changes in an instant. With footswitchable valve drive, compression, EQ and sub harmonic generator, the FS-4 puts dozens of sound combinations at your feet.
Specifications:
Handcrafted in Ashdowns UK Custom Shop
Was designed according to Shavo Odadjian's wishes
Built on the solid foundation of the ABM 600 EVO IV
Shavo Odadjian is a multi-award winning musician and songwriter, best known as the bassist for System of a Down
Output power: 600 watts
Features a massive but intuitive 9-band EQ section
The EQ can be switched on using a footswitch and offers a wide range of sound variations
The "One Knob" ABM sub-harmonic generator adds an octave below the played notes
The sub-level can be controlled independently and can also be footswitched
Speaker outputs: 2 x jack/speakon outputs
Frequency response: -3dB @ 17Hz and 30KHz
High instrument input: impedance 3.9m ohm, input range 150mV
Low instrument input: impedance 10 kOhm, input range 300 mV - 40 V p-p
Line input: impedance 22 kOhm, input level 0 dBu nominal
DI output: 600 ohm balanced, level 0 dBu nominal
Tuner output: impedance 22 kOhm, level 0 dBu nominal
Impedance: 4/8 ohms
Effect path: impedance 22 kOhm, level 0 dBu nominal
Effects Return: Impedance 22 kOhm, input level 0 dBu nominal
Output tube: 1x 12AX7
Switchable valve drive, compression, EQ and sub harmonic generator
H x W x D (mm): 434 x 280 x 140
Weight (kg): 10.5
Footswitch not included
.png "Ashdown 22 Head, Shavo Odadjian Artist Edition")
.png "Ashdown 22 Head, Shavo Odadjian Artist Edition")
.png "Preview: Ashdown 22 Head, Shavo Odadjian Artist Edition")
.png "Preview: Ashdown 22 Head, Shavo Odadjian Artist Edition")
.png "Ashdown 22 Head, Shavo Odadjian Artist Edition")
.png "Ashdown 22 Head, Shavo Odadjian Artist Edition")
