Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About Us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist
  • Guitar Techniques
  • Total Guitar
  • Bass Player
More
  • Purdie on the Purdie shuffle
  • Type beats
  • 86000+ free music samples
  • How to make an AI cover song
  • Three-chord trick

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. News

NAMM 2014: Ashdown unveils Rootmaster range and PiBass amps

By Matt Parker
( Total Guitar, Guitarist )
published 24 January 2014

Plus new models for AAA series

PiBass-240 Artist Signature Series amp
Wojtek Pilichowski gets signature model

PiBass-240 Artist Signature Series amp

NAMM 2014: Bass firm Ashdown Engineering has been busy since last year's show. The company has not only announced a new signature model, in the form of Wojtek Pilichowski's PiBass-240, but a whole new range of solid state gear, dubbed the Rootmasters, and new three additions (plus AppTek connectivity) for the Access All Areas amp series.

Check out the gallery to view the official press releases, starting with the PiBass 240 below, and head to the Ashdown Engineering site for more information.

PiBass-240 Artist Signature Series amp

PRESS RELEASE: WINTER NAMM SHOW, ANAHEIM, CA, January 23rd, 2014 - Ashdown Engineering (Booth 6440 / Hall A) announces the PiBass-240.

This new, 240-watt digital bass amp was designed to the exacting specs of bassist Wojtek Pilichowski, an accomplished musician who has played with the likes of Greg Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Joe Satriani), Rick Latham, Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Marco Minnemann (H-Blockx), Vinnie Moore, and Chris de Burgh, as well as fronting a super group in his native Poland.

The PiBass-240 is ideal for the serious musician who needs a reliable, versatile, high-quality portable amplifier that can withstand the rigors of the road. Weighing in at just 7.7 pounds, it's small enough to fit in the front pocket of most gig bags and is well-suited for air travel.

Featuring an active/passive input select, a 3-band, semi-parametric equalizer with an EQ in/out switch, master volume, headphone out and a DI output with a ground lift, the PiBass satisfies the fundamental demands of any professional application. When coupled with any small footprint, 8 ohm Ashdown speaker cabinet such as the Mi12 or ABM Mini 210 NEO, players can feel confident that the low end is deftly handled while the subtlety and nuance of the instrument is articulated with clarity and punch--an ideal combination for gigging players looking to lighten the load without compromising their sound.

The Ashdown PiBass will be available in February 2014 with a U.S. Street price of $399.99.

Page 1 of 3
Page 1 of 3
Rootmaster amp range
A brand new solid state range

Rootmaster amp range

PRESS RELEASE: WINTER NAMM SHOW, ANAHEIM, CA, January 23rd, 2014 - Ashdown Engineering (Booth 6440 / Hall A) announces the new Rootmaster range of solid state bass heads, speakers and combo amplifiers.

With its affordable price and professional features, the new Rootmaster line of bass amplification is perfectly suited for players of all levels and skills in addition to being a solid solution for most schools, churches, nightclubs and backline companies seeking a reasonably-priced bass rig.

The Rootmaster line consists of two powered amplifier heads, three full range combo amplifiers and five speaker cabinets, all moderately priced and capable of producing sound pressure levels to satisfy almost any live performance situation.

Housed in a sturdy steel chassis, all Rootmaster electronics include classic Ashdown attributes like Variable Overdrive, Variable Compression, an Ashdown Sub-Harmonic generator in addition to a comprehensive 5-Band EQ, variable input gain, master volume, and an external input blend control that allows the user to mix in external audio sources alongside the amplified instrument.

Additionally, the amplifiers all feature front panel push button switches that activate EQ in/out, Drive in/out and a global "Shape" feature that re-voices the amplifier. Rear panel connectivity includes a mini-jack input plus a SpeakOn® combination connector, DI out, FX Loop, footswitch jack that accesses the Sub Harmonic generator and Drive FX. The electronics are kept cool with a silent running fan ensuring optimal performance under any conditions.

The Rootmaster Slim cabinetry utilizes an Acoustic Suspension design that maximizes transducer performance by mitigating unwanted resonance. This delivers tighter, more accurate low frequencies, enabling the Rootmaster system to be highly efficient.

Ashdown is also proud to offer a new 5-year limited warranty on all products.

The Ashdown Rootmaster Series will be available in February 2014. Available models include:

  • Rootmaster 420 - 420w Head;US Street $499.00
  • Rootmaster 220 - 220w Head; US Street $399.00
  • Rootmaster C115 - 420w 1 x 15" Combo; US Street $599.00
  • Rootmaster C210T - 420w 2 x 10" Combo; US Street $649.00
  • Rootmaster C112 - 220w 1 x 12" Combo; US Street $499.00
  • Rootmaster 115 - 250w 1 x 15" 8 ohm speaker w/tweeter; US Street $299.00
  • Rootmaster 210T - 250w 2 x 10" 8 ohm speaker w/tweeter; US Street $349.00
  • Rootmaster 212T - 300w 2 x 12" 8 ohm speaker w/tweeter; US Street $399.00
  • Rootmaster 410T - 450w 4 x 10" 8 ohm speaker w/tweeter; US Street $399.00
  • Rootmaster 414T - 450w 4 x 10" 4 ohm speaker w/tweeter; US Street $399.00
Page 2 of 3
Page 2 of 3
AAA amp range
Three new models and AppTek connectivity

AAA amp range

PRESS RELEASE: WINTER NAMM SHOW, ANAHEIM, CA, January 23rd, 2014 - Ashdown Engineering (Booth 6440 / Hall A) has expanded its popular Access All Areas (AAA) range of affordably-priced combo amplifiers with new models that feature increased wattage and the integration of convenient AppTek connectivity.

Perfect for students, schools, private teaching facilities or simply as a dedicated practice amplifier, AAA amps offer eye-catching looks, high-quality sound and solid construction, all at affordable prices.

With the addition of Ashdown's proprietary AppTek software integration circuit, players can expand their palette of available tones and features by accessing any music apps they've downloaded to a tablet or mobile device, all with a simple connection via the included cable.

For example, when using the Agile Partners IOS app containing a model of the Ashdown ABM900, players can utilize all of the ABM 900's pro features like 7-band EQ, variable compression, sub-harmonic generator and the drive circuit, all on the AAA amplifiers.

The Ashdown AAA range consists of seven combos and one stand-alone head, all available in the spring of 2014:

  • The Tourbus 10 - 10 Watt combo with 6.5" speaker; US Street $79.99
  • The Tourbus 15 - 15 Watt combo with 8" speaker; US Street $99.99
  • The After 8 - 30 Watt combo with 8" speaker; US Street $199.99
  • The Perfect 10 - 60 Watt combo with 10" speaker; US Street $249.99
  • The new Vintage 12 - 75 Watt combo with 12" speaker; US Street $349.99
  • The Five 15 - 125 Watt combo with 15" speaker; US Street $399.99
  • The new Five 15 Big Boy Head - 180 Watt head w/FX loop and line in; US Street $349.99
  • The new Five 15 Big Boy - 220 Watt version of the Five 15; US Street $499.99
Page 3 of 3
Page 3 of 3
Matt Parker
Matt Parker
Social Links Navigation

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

More about guitars
Ian Ly

Watch bluegrass guitarist Ian Ly become the 2023 US National Flat-picking Champion

Guitarist playing onstage

10 famous rock guitar solos and what you can learn from them

Latest
Cantor Looper

DAW not doing it for you? Cantor is a free “music playground” for looping, sampling and sound design

See more latest ►
Most Popular
“When it came in as a demo, I assumed the rest of the song was going to be built out”: Kylie Minogue didn't realise Padam Padam was finished when she first heard it

By Ben Rogerson21 September 2023

Get your voice heard, and win a £300/$350 Ticketmaster gift card by taking our quick survey

By MusicRadar21 September 2023

Hania Rani on bringing synths and drum machines into contemporary classical: “I spent 20 years playing one instrument, but I’m still interested in investigating others”

By Danny Turner20 September 2023

Genelec’s 9320A Reference Controller enables you to switch between three sets of studio monitors and your headphones

By Ben Rogerson20 September 2023

When Derrick May sold Frankie Knuckles his 909, and house music was born: "This is a Roland 909 drum machine, and it's going to take us to the future. It'll be the foundation of music for the next 10 years"

By Matt Mullen20 September 2023

Black Friday studio headphone deals 2023: Everything you need to know ahead of this year's Cyber Weekend sales

By Simon Arblaster20 September 2023

What could the new Headrush Core offer that the multi-effects pedal competition doesn't?

By Rob Laing20 September 2023

UK synth company Modal Electronics declared insolvent and goes into administration

By Ben Rogerson20 September 2023

It looks like Yamaha is about to launch the Montage M synth, and there’s speculation that it’ll come with a new AN1x-style virtual analogue engine

By Ben Rogerson20 September 2023

8 steps to a better-sounding home studio

By Jon Musgrave20 September 2023

Swift/Antonoff, Bowie/Visconti and the 'fifth Beatle': 5 of the greatest artist/producer partnerships in musical history

By Andy Jones20 September 2023

  1. Marty Friedman
    1
    Marty Friedman’s guitar teacher told him to take a bong hit every time he played an exercise correctly, but the ex-Megadeth guitarist has better advice for students
  2. 2
    "It's become so elitist" – Joe Bonamassa weighs in on players being priced out of the vintage guitar and amp market
  3. 3
    “Sometimes Jimi Hendrix’s girlfriend would go and buy us breakfast because we had no money”: Rod Stewart says early days of the Jeff Beck Group were no picnic
  4. 4
    16 famous musicians who almost joined very famous bands
  5. 5
    "The minute I stopped mixing my stuff, I became my most creative": Should electronic artists mix their own tracks?
  1. chris lake
    1
    10 artists share 50 ways to make your music better: "If something in your mix sounds crap, it’s probably you - not the gear!"
  2. 2
    1997 interview reveals that Aphex Twin owned a tank, wanted to buy a submarine and used the vault of the former bank he owned as a reverb: "It would be great for parties"
  3. 3
    Cindy Blackman Santana tackles the iconic In The Air Tonight drum fill as she joins Chris Stapleton and Snoop Dogg on a new version of the song for ESPN’s Monday Night Football
  4. 4
    “Right now I’d like to do a song, it’s a little thing by Howlin’ Wolf…”: Listen to Jimi Hendrix’s newly unearthed performance of Killing Floor at the Hollywood Bowl, 1967
  5. 5
    “He doesn’t do Zoom”: Mick Jagger reflects on how his songwriting partnership with Keith Richards has changed and discusses Paul McCartney’s bass playing on new Rolling Stones album Hackney Diamonds

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.