Company history
IT ALL STARTED BACK IN 1997…
The year was 1997, and the Ashdown Bass Amp rig was about to make its mark on the world's biggest stages alongside some of the most renowned bands of our time. With a rich history spanning over two decades, Ashdown has firmly established itself as a prominent player in the realm of "Rock 'n' Roll" history, dedicated to delivering exceptional bass tone both on stage and in the studio. However, the story of Ashdown begins even before its inception in 1997. The founder of the company, Mark Gooday, had already made significant strides in the bass amp industry as the managing
director of Trace Elliot for 12 years. Gooday's deep-rooted passion for bass amps and his keen eye for design and attention to detail played a pivotal role in establishing Ashdown as a global leader in amplifiers. With a wealth of experience and a head full of new ideas, Gooday embarked on the journey of bringing Ashdown Engineering to life. But instead of diving headfirst into the design process, he sought feedback from some of the world's most respected bass players, including John Entwistle of The Who, Mark King of Level 42, and JJ Burnel of The Stranglers. Drawing inspiration from the invaluable comments of these trusted advisors, Gooday focused his efforts on creating a new breed of bass amp. He envisioned a product that combined superior tone, unmatched power, and tour-grade performance within a meticulously engineered and uniquely styled package. Thus, the ABM (Ashdown Bass Magnifier) was born, setting new benchmarks in tonal flexibility, power, and reliability. Originally named Klystron Bass Magnifier, a nod to a scene from Gooday's favorite movie, Flash Gordon, where Doctor Zarkoff exclaims, "Turn up the Klystron Magnifier," the ABM amps captured the essence of immense power depicted in the film. Gooday, along with his wife Jane, son Dan, and daughter Daisy, built these early units in the evenings within the confines of their living room while he visited dealers and artists during the day.
PROAUDIO CATALOGUE 2023
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