The Ashdown story starts in 1997, but even in those early days, company founder Mark Gooday could've already easily been described as a bass amp veteran. Having already been one of the driving forces behind another leading UK manufacturer of bass amplification, Gooday had racked up awards and plaudits for his pioneering approach and now had his sights set on even loftier aspirations.
Broadening the product range, Ashdown remained true to their core vision as they expanded to build better bass amplifications for players of all levels – from beginners, to gigging semi-pros, right up to their enviable array of leading artists. Ashdown’s unwavering focus on design and innovation is plain to see in a product collection that encompasses tube and hybrid amps and combos, practice amps, FX pedals and the groundbreaking B-Social – combining wireless connectivity of instruments and mobile devices to create the perfect amplification and recording hub for a bass player’s home.
With a global family of users that runs across all spectrums of the bass playing community, Ashdown Engineering remains as true to its roots today as in 1997, giving it a unique place in the hearts of bassists who know that just like them, Ashdown has bass in the blood.
Hand built in Ashdown’s UK Custom Shop, the 22 Head was designed around Shavo Odadjian’s desires. Shavo Odadjian is a multi award winning musician, songwriter and entrepreneur. He is best known as the bassist of System of a Down, but the guys at Ashdown know Shavo as family.
The relationship between Ashdown and Shavo began way back in 2002 and Shavo has been using Ashdown’s ABM range ever since. Sharing his gratitude for being a part of the Ashdown family, Shavo said: “I was hooked by their personalities, they were like family… then they showed me their amps and they completely blew me away. The fact that there’s a solid-state volume and a tube volume on the same amplifier was amazing and I hadn’t seen that before. I’m honoured to be a part of a family company that is not just a ‘run-of the mill’ and I legitimately represent the company.” Shavo has since gone on to be a huge ambassador of Meters Headphones, sister company of Ashdown Engineering.
Paying close attention to Shavo’s appreciation for ABM heads, the Ashdown Artist Edition 22 Head had to be built on the solid foundations of the ABM 600 EVO IV, featuring a 600 watt power section, 12AX7 powered valve preamp, one-knob compression, sub harmonic generator and 9-band EQ.
Shavo was drawn to the looks of the Geezer Butler Head of Doom after being there in person on 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. We was born on 22nd April, got married 22nd May, System of a Down started when he was the age of 22 and System fans would recognise that he’s often worn a 22 jersey on stage. It’s just his thing.
The 22 Head features a sophisticated 9-band EQ with familiar Bass, Middle and Treble controls and six sliders providing precision cut and boost at 100Hz, 180Hz, 340Hz, 1.3KHz, 2.6KHz and 5KHz. The EQ can be switched in via footswitch providing a huge range of tonal variation and the tailoring of the perfect tone.
Once heard – never forgotten. The ‘One Knob’ ABM Sub-Harmonic generator adds an octave below the notes being played bringing fullness to any bass part. The Sub level is independently controllable, and also footswitchable.
The 22 Head features a tuner output, line out, transparent FX loop and a line input for the connection of an external sampler or sound source. Output muting cuts the signal from the DI output but leaves the tuner output ‘live’, allowing the player to tune up in silence.
A pair of Neutrik Jack/Speakon sockets with a minimum 4 ohm load provide flexible partnering options so that the 22 Head can be used to power a single 8 ohm cabinet, a pair of 8 ohm cabinets or a single 4 ohm cabinet.
The FS-4 footswitch (not included) allows for on-the-fly tonal gearshifts. With footswitchable Valve Drive, Compression, EQ and Sub Harmonic Generator, the FS-4 puts dozens of sound combinations at your feet.
Specifications
Power Output: 600 Watts
Power Requirement: 115-230 Volts
Speaker Outputs: 2 x Jack/Speakon outputs
Frequency Response: -3dB @ 17Hz und 30KHz
High Instrument Input: Impedance 3.9m Ohms, input range 150mV
Low Instrument Input: Impedance 10k Ohms, input range 300mV - 40V p-p
Line Input: Impedance 22k Ohms, input level 0dBu nominal
DI Output: 600 Ohm balanced, Level 0dBu nominal
Tuner Output: Impedance 22k Ohms, Level 0dBu nominal
Impedance: Minimum 4 Ohms
Effects Send: Impedance 22k Ohm, Level 0dBu nominal
Effects Return: Impedance 22k Ohms, Input Level 0dBu Nominal
Output Tubes: 1 x 12AX7
H x W x D (mm): 434 x 280 x 140
Weight (kg): 10.5
.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")
