The (one and only) OriginAL Head

This lightweight, portable and stripped back bass amp head takes Ashdown back to the Origin of their Tone.

After a trivial name change, Ashdown are pleased to introduce: The OriginAL Head.

Ashdown are dedicated to providing bassists with the best possible tone and have pushed the boundaries with innovate creations for two solid decades. With a long spanning legacy in British bass amplification, it goes without saying that Ashdown are fully skilled to take things back to the key fundamentals of everything that makes a great bass amp. Introducing The OriginAL. 

Whether you’re a new bass player looking for your first bass rig, or a seasoned professional, choosing the right bass amplifier head can define your tone, on stage or in the studio. This lightweight, portable and stripped back bass amp head takes Ashdown back to the Origin of their Tone.

Starting from the top, a passive/active switch determines the whether the amp is being used with a high or low output instrument and sets a clear signal path to the input control. From here, the player can fine-tune their input level using Ashdown’s trademark VU meter, which takes pride of place at the very centre of the amp head. 

With the signal at its optimal level, you then hit a defined set of features designed to enhance your tone. The OriginAL encompasses a tried and tested, non-gimmicky 5-band EQ, controlling your traditional bass, middle and treble with a lo-mid and hi-mid sitting comfortably either side of the variable middle control. The additional Shape control further sculpts your tone, lifting the frequencies that really count – like a smiley face on a graphic equalizer – just like how Ashdown’s flagship ABM range does.

The output control regulates the output volume of the amp and wrapping up the features on the front panel is an easy to reach DI output, as well as an independent FX send and return, which allows the amp to set a very clear signal path with no interruptions.

To the rear of this condensed unit is a very well considered headphone out, which doubles this gig-ready head as a great home practice device. 2 x jack speaker outputs allow you to connect to two Ashdown bass cabinets with a 4 ohm minimum load. 

Ready for the road, the OriginAL is a rugged little go-getter, using scuff proof paint over its steel chassis. Retaining a nice yet practical weight to it, with quality feeling control pots, the OriginAL is built to last a lifetime. Offered with a 5 year warranty, the OriginAL comes complete with auto protect voltage for global touring musicians and an adaptive temperature controlled fan for road and studio use.