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NAMM Preview: Ashdown Essex Blonde Combos

January 20, 2005

Essex Blonde
(Click for a close-up)

Hand-wired in Essex, England, and hand-covered in striking blonde Tolex, Ashdown's new Essex Blonde guitar combos were created in the pursuit of classic, vintage tone.

Two models – 8 and 15 Watts – each feature oversized, locally-wound transformers, matched tube sets and reverb trays. The use of polished gold corners, hand-engraved front panels, chicken head knobs and enamel badging mean that the Essex Blondes also look every bit as luxurious as they sound.

The 8 Watt combo uses an all-tube passive preamp, with a mono tube in the power section allowing the guitarist to experiment with the different output tubes without the need to bias. Controls are pure and simple – just Treble, Mid, Bass, Gain, Reverb Level and Output – and power is delivered via a single 10" Jensen speaker.

The 15 Watt model features a duet of 6V6 output tubes, with a Voice control re-configuring the preamp tubes in a number of switchable settings to select a variety of tones from bright and British, through to thick and US. Additional controls include Treble, Mid, Bass, Reverb Level and Volume, and the amplifier is partnered with a Celestion Vintage 30 speaker.

For more information, visit their web site at http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk/.

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