Ashdown RM-500 EVO II Rootmaster Lightweight 500W Bass Head

Ashdown RM-500 EVO II Rootmaster Lightweight 500W Bass Head Overview

The Ashdown RM-500 is now in its second evolution, ultra light weight and powerful. The power sections of the RM EVOs has been developed to maintain a deep low end, defined mids and transient highs delivering its output into a 4-ohm load. Ashdown Rootmaster heads are the perfect choice for working bassists looking for power and features without the weight.

Weighing in at just 2.6 kg (5.7 lbs) but boasting 500 watts of power, class leading quality and features. The Rootmaster EVO II range also now comes equipped with an on-board headphone preamp to allow for silent practice, which doubles up these gig-ready amplifiers as handy practice devices.

The pre amp includes a passive and active input jack socket for use with high and low output instruments, this sets a clear signal path to the input control enabling you to fine tune your input level using the trademark Ashdown VU meter. With the signal at its optimal level, you then hit the rich features designed enhance your tone, such as the shape button, 5-band EQ and on-board compressor. The drive control, as always delivers a delectable valve emulated over-drive, whilst the sub harmonic controls add further fatness to your tone - both can be foot-switched via an FS 2 foot-switch (sold separately).

Rootmaster EVO II heads also features a handy mute button. What’s even cooler is when switched to mute, the trademark Ashdown Engineering VU meter changes from orange to cool blue – creating the perfect on stage mood lighting between sets.

Matt anodised alloy front panel: Ashdown have upgraded the amp’s front panel with a matt anodised alloy finish, replacing the previous polished stainless steel. This simple, yet observant modification makes reading your amp settings that bit easier when placed under bright stage lighting. No more reflective surfaces.

Simple, powerful EQ: The Rootmaster EVO series’ pre amp now includes a passive and active input jack socket for use with high and low output instruments. The five- band rotary tone controls act with surgical precision to provide total control over your sound, while a shape switch instantly dials you in to a classic Ashdown tone setting, straight from the world-famous ABM.

One-knob Compression: Instantly adding warmth and body to your tone, this simple to use, great sounding compressor delivers a powerful, even sound to make sure your bass will fill out any mix.

Overdrive & Sub: With footswitchable flexibility, our tube-emulated overdrive can take your core bass sound and push it into warm overdrive through to distorted filth whenever you need to add extra grind and girth to your tone.

Bringing extra depth and definition to your bass parts, the Sub-Harmonic Generator lets you dial in a sub-octave and kick it in via footswitch whenever you need the extra depth for those super-heavy Godzilla moments.

Totally connected: If you want to use your favourite pedals or multi-effects, you’ll find send and return sockets on the back panel, along with a DI output for direct injection into the PA mixer or recording console and a Line Input (with front panel level control) so you can jam along with a backing track in rehearsal. A combined Jack/Speakon socket with a minimum 4 ohm load provides flexible partnering options with a dedicated range of Rootmaster EVO cabinets.

Headphone Output: The Rootmaster EVO II range now comes equipped with an on-board headphone preamp to allow for silent practice,which doubles up these gig-ready amplifiers as handy practice devices. The headphone preamp maximises the full sound potential of your headphones, so now your in ear sound can match the quality of your stage sound… given you have the correct (Meters Music) headphones, of course!