Ashdown Engineering

CTM-300 Head

Name: CTM-300 Head
Brand: Ashdown Engineering
Price: 2999.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

£2,999.00

The Ashdown CTM-300 stands as a testament to the timeless allure of classic tube heads, while embracing the demands of modern bassists. This 300W valve masterpiece is meticulously hand built in the UK's Ashdown Custom Shop, ensuring top-notch quality and reliability.

Housed within an 18mm Marine grade birch ply cabinet, the CTM-300 boasts rugged construction, complete with heavy-duty flip-style handles and an internal fan for optimal cooling during those relentless gigging sessions. This amplifier is engineered for longevity, utilizing only the finest components to guarantee years of trouble-free performance.

At its core, the CTM-300 features a classic five-valve preamp configuration and a robust power section powered by six KT88 output tubes, delivering the immense grunt, warmth, and headroom that bassists crave. Whether you're seeking the mellow tones of the '60s, the growling power of '70s rock, or the contemporary punch of today, this amp covers a vast spectrum of sonic ground. Engage the Mellow button for smooth, warm, clean tones, or push it out to achieve pure valve-driven growl.

With standard tone controls and additional features like Deep, Mid Shift, and Bright switches, you can fine-tune your sound to perfection. The interactive nature of these controls allows you to sculpt your tone precisely as you envision it.

The CTM-300's user-adjustable bias for each individual power tube saves you the hassle and cost of tech visits while ensuring your amp maintains its peak performance. You can easily set the bias by using the dual-function VU meter on the front panel, which also indicates tube or fuse failure. Speaking of tubes, they are individually fused and user-replaceable without removing the unit from its case.

For studio and stage versatility, the CTM-300 features a tube-driven, transformer-derived DI output with an isolated ground for pristine sound quality and consistent output. Additionally, the front-mounted effects loop, also tube-driven, preserves your tone for maximum impact.

In summary, the Ashdown CTM-300 is not just an amplifier; it's a powerful statement of sonic craftsmanship, combining the best of the past with the demands of the present. Elevate your bass game with this tube-driven masterpiece.

Please Note:

Direct purchases NOT available in the United States

Find your local dealer HERE

Amp Review of CTM300 & CTM15

Mark Gooday (founder of Ashdown) and Marc (from Chicago Music Exchange) slap some bass and give one hell of an in-depth review on Ashdown's newest additions to their Valve amp series. Enjoy

SPECIFICATIONS

Power Output - 300 Watts
Power Handling - 750 Watts
Power Requirement - 115-240 Volts
Speaker Outputs - Speakon/Jack
Frequency Response - 35Hz - 18Khz
High Instrument Input - 450MV
Low Instrument Input - 150MV
DI Output - Valve Driven Transformer Derived

Output Impedance - 2 Ohm Minimum
EQ - Passive EQ Section. Bass, Middle and Treble plus shape push buttons
Effects Send - Jack
Effects Return - Jack
Pre-Amp Tubes - 1 x ECC83, 1 x ECC832, 1 x ECC99, 2 x ECC82
Output Tubes - 6 x KT88
H x W x D (mm) - 266 x 590 x 336
Weight (kg) - 28.2

Classic all-valve tone

With a classic five valve preamp configuration and a fully-loaded power section consisting of 6 x KT88 output tubes to provide the huge grunt, warmth and headroom bassists crave, this is a serious bass amplifier to be called into action when only the best will do.

Ashdown CTM 300 Bass, Middle, Treble controls

Flexible tone shaping

From mellow '60s bass tone to growling '70s-style bass, straight through to thick and powerful modern tone, the CTM-300 covers a huge range of sonic ground. Hit the Mellow button to engage smooth, warm, clean tones – or punch it out to dial-in pure valve overdriven growl.

Standard tone controls give you a wide range of uber-musical sounds, while Deep, Mid Shift, and Bright switches let you fine-tune your tone to the situation. The EQ section is a passive tone circuit - meaning if all controls are at zero there will be no sound through the amp. All the controls are highly interactive, giving you the possibility to dial in exactly what tone you want. Don’t be scared to dial the pots all the way to get the most from the controls.

Tube life preserver

Saving costly and time consuming trips to the Tech and keeping your amp sounding better for longer, the CTM-300 features user adjustable bias for each individual power tube which can be set by engaging the bias mode of the dual function VU meter on the front panel. Each output tube is individually fused and user replaceable without removing the unit from its case (meter also indicates tube or fuse failure).

Ashdown CTM 300 DI output and Effects Loop input

Tube-driven DI & Effects Loop

To get your tone direct to the desk in the studio or on stage, the CTM-300 features a tube-driven, transformer-derived DI output with an isolated ground to deliver maximum sonic purity and consistent output night after night.

Similarly, the front-mounted effects loop is also tube-driven for maximum tonal preservation.

CTM WARM UP PROCEDURE

1. Turn on the preheat only to warm up the tubes and allow the bias supply to stabilise (this will take about 2 minutes to heat the KT88 power tubes).
2. Turn on the main HT wait another minute for the tubes to continue warming.
The amp is now ready to play, it's a good idea to start at lower volumes for a short while and ramp up the volume gradually for the first 10 mins.
If pausing (half-time during a set etc) use the MUTE switch to silence the amplifier. This means that the CTM will not require additional time to warm up after playing.

The CTM, once on, should not be disturbed and be left running at full until the session is over.

CTM POWER DOWN PROCEDURE

Power down is the reverse of the Warm Up Procedure.
1. Switch off the main HT, wait a couple of minutes.
2. Switch off the preheat.
It is a good idea to allow the amp to cool down before moving if time allows.

Resources

CTM 300 User Manual

Download

ABM Head & Cab Video

Watch the ABM head and Cabs being put through their paces. For the best possible experience make sure you listen using headphones or quality speakers...

CTM 300 Features

Ashdown | Setting the standard since '97

Variable Valve Drive Plus – from zero to rock hero!

Our Variable Valve Drive preamp section has also been upgraded in EVO IV. Delivering more current to the 12AX7 tube enables more drive and harmonic content than ever before, enabling players to dial in a sound from pristine clean, to the fattest, fullest bass overdrive currently available. The Drive level can be preset and kicked in and out via footswitch, providing access to a huge range of clean, warm and overdriven tones.

The best EQ in the business, just got better!

Bassists plugging into EVO IV will be greeted straight away by the flickering of the new Input VU meter, allowing them to quickly find the sweet spot for their instrument. From there, EVO IV 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 taking the player from a flat fretless sound to their favourite EQ setting instantly. The NEW 9-band EQ is a revelation of sonic perfection and will surprise older ABM users.

One knob compressor

Other ABM favourite features are retained in EVO IV, including Ashdown’s famous One Knob Dynamic Compressor sub octave note for huge bass tones. Kick it in and this simple to use, great sounding compressor delivers a powerful, even sound, guaranteed to help your bass fill out any mix.

Sub-Harmonic Generator

Once heard – never forgotten. The ABM Sub-Harmonic generator adds an octave below the notes being played bringing fullness to any bass part. The Sub level is independently controllable, letting you dial in anything from a subtle hint of deep bass to a full-on subterranean funk.

Professional Connections

Not that you'd expect any less, ABM is loaded with connectivity. 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.

Flexible Footswitching

Paired with our FS-4 footswitch (not included) the ABM comes alive for onstage use, enabling on-the-fly tonal gearshifts. With footswitchable Valve Drive, Compression, EQ and Sub Harmonic Generator, ABM puts dozens of sound combinations at your feet, without so much as an effect pedal in sight.

Specifications

Power Output	600 Watts
Power Requirement	115-230 Volts
Speaker Outputs	4 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 Per Side
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)	135 x 474 x 320
Weight (kg)	12.5