Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Recording Week 25
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Seven Nation Army
  • Avril Lavigne
  • Prince and The Beatles
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
Rhodes Stage 61
Keyboards & Pianos “A classic Stage Rhodes, which plays like a dream and sounds every bit as classy as its timeless heritage would suggest”: Rhodes Stage 61 review
EVE Audio EXO
Studio Monitors Why EVE Audio’s all-new EXO Series is the ultimate modern monitoring solution
IK Multimedia
Headphones IK Multimedia’s ARC ON·EAR promises to bring a pro studio soundstage to any pair of headphones
Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN
Electric Guitars “Some might say a guitar at this kind of price point has no business resonating so well”: Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN review
IK Multimedia Tonex Signature Bass Collections
Bass Guitars “The ultimate library of bass tones”: IK Multimedia’s Tonex modelling suite and pedals arrive for bass guitar
Debbie Gough of Heriot demoes the new Jackson Pro Plus Metal Phase II Warrior on a darkened studio set.
Guitars Jackson adds Warrior, King V and Concert Bass to its limited edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Guitars Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
Blackstar Debut Bass 25: this compact little combo is finished in black with matching grille clothe and is photographed in close-up against a stone floor and weaved rug.
Guitar Amps “Its solid quality, punchy tone and its surprising amount of headroom might make it a secret weapon for rehearsals, or even gigs”: Blackstar Debut Bass 25 review
Geezer Butler's signed Ashdown amp heads from Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning show are being sold exclusively via Reverb, signed by the man himself.
Artists “Your chance to own the sound that defined heavy metal”: Geezer Butler bass amps from Sabbath’s final show to go on sale
Mooer SD30i Intelligent Amp: The compact desktop amp is finished in grey-cream and has a black control panel
Guitar Amps “If you’re looking for something to use for home practice, then it’s an invaluable tool”: Mooer SD30i Intelligent Amp review
The BEAM SOLO is the new headphone amp for guitar and bass from Blackstar Amplification, and is a compact unit with an integrated jack featuring amp models and effects, and a suite of digital features.
Guitars Blackstar Amplification unveils the BEAM SOLO – has the Fender Mustang Micro Plus found a rival?
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ HRG: the reissued high-headroom tube amp is a cult classic that returns here with a heritage finish.
Guitars Mesa/Boogie reissues a cult classic with a design that takes the amp brand back to the beginning
The Line 6 Powercab CL looks like the usual FRFR guitar speaker you might expect, but has switchable speaker voicings emulating classic drivers. It is pictured here onstage and in low-light situations.
Guitars Line 6 introduces multi-voicing for active guitar speakers as the Powercab CL offers ups the ante for amp modelling rigs
The newly refreshed Classic Series from Squier reworks vintage Fender-inspired electric and bass guitars for beginners and budget-conscious players.
Guitars Squier channels the Fender archive for 10 stunning yet affordable news Classic Vibe models
The Sterling By Music Man Kaizen is a more affordable version of the Animals As Leaders guitarist Tosin Abasi's signature model, and is offered here in Firemist Purple Satin and Stealth Black.
Artists Sterling By Music Man unveils affordable version of Tosin Abasi’s futuristic Kaizen signature model
  1. Guitars
  2. Bass Guitars

NAMM 2014: Ashdown unveils Rootmaster range and PiBass amps

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

Plus new models for AAA series

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

PiBass-240 Artist Signature Series amp

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

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

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

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.

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
IK Multimedia Tonex Signature Bass Collections
“The ultimate library of bass tones”: IK Multimedia’s Tonex modelling suite and pedals arrive for bass guitar
 
 
Debbie Gough of Heriot demoes the new Jackson Pro Plus Metal Phase II Warrior on a darkened studio set.
Jackson adds Warrior, King V and Concert Bass to its limited edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
 
 
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Blackstar Debut Bass 25: this compact little combo is finished in black with matching grille clothe and is photographed in close-up against a stone floor and weaved rug.
“Its solid quality, punchy tone and its surprising amount of headroom might make it a secret weapon for rehearsals, or even gigs”: Blackstar Debut Bass 25 review
 
 
Geezer Butler's signed Ashdown amp heads from Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning show are being sold exclusively via Reverb, signed by the man himself.
“Your chance to own the sound that defined heavy metal”: Geezer Butler bass amps from Sabbath’s final show to go on sale
 
 
Mooer SD30i Intelligent Amp: The compact desktop amp is finished in grey-cream and has a black control panel
“If you’re looking for something to use for home practice, then it’s an invaluable tool”: Mooer SD30i Intelligent Amp review
 
 
Latest in Bass Guitars
Thundercat and Sam Rivers composite image
“He played the role of a bass player very musically”: Thundercat pays tribute to Sam Rivers
 
 
Blackstar Debut Bass 25: this compact little combo is finished in black with matching grille clothe and is photographed in close-up against a stone floor and weaved rug.
“Its solid quality, punchy tone and its surprising amount of headroom might make it a secret weapon for rehearsals, or even gigs”: Blackstar Debut Bass 25 review
 
 
Jazz bassist Anthony Jackson performs at North Sea Jazz festival, The Hague, Netherlands, 10th July1998
"Rest in Power": Anthony Jackson, six-string bass ace, dies aged 73
 
 
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Geezer Butler's signed Ashdown amp heads from Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning show are being sold exclusively via Reverb, signed by the man himself.
“Your chance to own the sound that defined heavy metal”: Geezer Butler bass amps from Sabbath’s final show to go on sale
 
 
Danish audio engineer and record producer Flemming Rasmussen
“But there's no bass on there": Flemming Rasmussen is still confused by the Metallica’s production choices ...And Justice For All
 
 
Latest in News
The prehistoric monument of Stonehenge in England
“An iconic band performing at one of the world’s most legendary landmarks”: Spinal Tap’s final act is coming to cinemas in 2026
 
 
Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Wembley Stadium on August 15, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management )
Taylor Swift finally nominated for the Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame
 
 
Liam Gallagher (L) and Noel Gallagher (R) of Oasis perform during the opening night of their Live 25' Tour at Principality Stadium on July 04, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales
Oasis Knebworth gigs for 2026 appeared to be leaked... in the House of Lords
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $170 off a PRS SE Silver Sky, $200 off a Casio piano, and big savings on a host of studio gear
 
 
Photo of Neil PEART and RUSH and Alex LIFESON and Geddy LEE; L-R: Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart, Geddy Lee - posed, studio, group shot,
Think you know your... Rush?
 
 
Nicholas Petricca (WALK THE MOON) and Bryce Vine at Anti Social Camp NYC 2025
PinkPantheress, Billy Bragg, Jamie Cullum and more to spill hitmaking secrets at Anti Social Camp
 
 

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

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

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

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...