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Signature SOAD Tone from Ashdown





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Bassist Shavo Odadjian first used Ashdown amps in 2002 following the breakout success of System of a Down’s Toxicity. Having trusted Ashdown with SOAD's low end ever since, he has now partnered with the company on the Shavo “22” bass head. “22” references Shavo’s lucky number, the age he was at SOAD’s founding, the date of his marriage, and his favorite jersey to wear onstage. However, the “22” head packs a much bigger kick than 22 with 600 watts of power and several built-in effects. This 2-channel head features Ashdown’s standard solid-state circuit, a drive channel driven by a 12AX7 valve preamp, a 1-knob compressor, and a sub-harmonic octave generator. Rounding out the Shavo “22” is versatile 9-band EQ for dialing in everything from heavy-metal chug to warm, clean bass tones. All you have to do is B.Y.O.B. (bring your own bass) ? the Shavo “22” will do the rest.





Valve drive and 9-band EQ





At the heart of the Shavo “22” is a powerful 12AX7 tube preamp. You can engage the tube using a toggle on the front for driven sounds ranging from light breakup to 600 watts of hefty low-end power or bypass the tube section completely for a solid-state tone. This head’s most powerful tool is by far its 9-band EQ section, with classic bass, mid, and treble knobs plus six additional graphic EQ sliders for fine-tuning frequencies to taste. The valve drive is super versatile when paired with the head’s 9-band EQ, but the EQ can also be bypassed via a toggle should you so desire. Both the valve drive and EQ can also be controlled using an Ashdown FS-4 footswitch (sold separately).





Ample I/O





This head packs countless I/O options for shaping tone and sending signal where it needs to go. There's input and output level knobs for dialing in volume and gain, a passive/active pad for adapting to different kinds of bass pickups on the fly, and Ashdown’s classic flat/shape switch for tagging in scooped tones with the push of a button. Talking I/O, there’s a XLR DI, an FX loop, a tuner output, and two 1/4-inch PA/line-level outputs that offer limitless ways to configure sound for the stage or the studio. There’s even a pre/post DI switch that lets you choose whether outgoing signal is EQ’d or not.





Mesmerizing FX





The Shavo “22” premium built-in effects remove the hassle and uncertainties of relying on outboard gear. In addition to drive and EQ, this head has a versatile compressor for reigning in tone and a sub-harmonic octave generator for pumping out ultra-low riffs that rattle some skulls. Both effects sport single-knob controls, so the head interface stays clean and it's easy to dial in usable tones on the fly. When paired with an FS-4 ABM footswitch, all of these effects can be controlled via footswitch. Sweetwater bassists really love this amp head's full-featured footswitch capabilities that let you access all the bass essentials in one compact package. It's less gear to carry, and what you do carry delivers powerful tone wherever the music takes you.





Ashdown 600-watt Shavo Odadjian Signature “22” Bass Head Features:


Shavo’s modified custom version of the ABM 600 EVO IV head with a custom red and black color scheme


600W power section with a 12AX7 powered valve preamp


Independent level controls for solid-state channel and valve drive channel


Powerful built-in Ashdown effects: valve overdrive, 1-knob compression, and a sub-harmonic generator with independent level controls


Versatile 9-band EQ (3 knobs, 6 graphic sliders) capable of tackling any style


Passive/active pad switch for quickly adapting the head to different pickup styles


Dual vintage-style VU gauges for monitoring


2 Neutrik Jack/Speakon sockets with a 4 ohm minimum, usable with a single 8-ohm cabinet, 2 x 8 ohm cabinets, or 1 x 4 ohm cabinet


Versatile I/O: 1/4-inch tuner output, line input, FX loop, and 1 XLR DI out with pre/post EQ output switch


Signature Ashdown shape switch for scooped tones at the push of a button


Handbuilt in Ashdown’s UK Custom Shop