REVIEWS
ASHDOWN
Rootmaster RM-500-EVO
& RM-210T-EVO
By David Abdo
C
losing in on their second decade in the
biz, Ashdown Engineering has built a solid
reputation in the bass amplification arena
by designing quality gear for players on all budgets.
Their Rootmaster series in particular gives players
a taste of Ashdown’s most endearing characteristics
while still tagged at a friendly price. The latest
amplifier in the series, the RM-500-EVO, builds on
its cousin RM-420 by offering a boost in power, a
few component upgrades, and a clean, shiny look.
Here, we had a chance to put the new amp to work
by pairing it with an Ashdown RM-210T-EVO cab.
A Chip off the Old Block
The look of the RM-500 preserves the unique
design of Ashdown’s family of amplifiers. The
vintage-inspired VU meter has become a signature
component for nearly all Ashdown heads and the
RM-500 is no different. The EQ contains the
traditional bass, middle, and treble controls, which
are separated by a low-mid dial (240 Hz) and a
high-mid dial (1.5 kHz).
Below the quintet of EQ controls are the
effects most often found on a bassist’s pedalboard:
Compression, drive, and sub controls are available
to tighten up the tone, give it some grit, and double
up a bass note with a sub-octave companion.
Ashdown thoughtfully installed disabling switches
for the comp, drive, and EQ sections.
These features may be familiar to those
who have used Ashdown’s RM-420, but the
aforementioned additions to the RM-500 are both
handy and eye-catching. A mute switch was added,
and passive and active inputs are provided on the
new amp to complement a variety of pickups. Add
to this the power boost (500 watts, from 420) and
a shiny chrome-esque faceplate, and you have a very
attractive upgrade to the Rootmaster formula.
152 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2016
5-band EQ
Active/passive
inputs
Sub-harmonic
e e t
u
lo ole
wrapping
Piezo horn
Ashdown 10"
White Line speakers
Lightweight plywood
construction
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