Ashen Amps APG700.4 Bass Amplifier

Posted by Sean Fairchild | Oct 17, 2024 | Bassic Reviews, Gear | 0 |

A relative newcomer to the bass amplification market, US-designed and Ukraine-produced Ashen® Amps offers their APG700.4 head (700 watts into 4 Ohms, 350 into 8 Ohms), with or without a bespoke wooden enclosure. We got ahold of one with an attractive emerald green-stained hardwood case and put it through our real-world testing process of gigs, recording, teaching/studio environment playing, and more.

The APG700.4 is a purposely simple amp. With I/O comprising a single twist-lock style speaker connection on the rear panel, one ¼” input jack, and one XLR line output on the front panel, the amp offers just five controls: Presence, Blend, Treble, Bass, and Level. An input pad or preamp gain control were purposely omitted, as the company states: “Including an input gain/pad control might introduce unnecessary complexity and frustration for many users. Instead, we’ve optimized the input stage to effectively handle a wide range of signal levels. This approach helps us focus on delivering high-quality sound with minimal adjustments needed from the user.”

APG stands for Ashen Power Generator, and this amp certainly does live up to that moniker. I rarely took the Level control past 5 on its unorthodox 1-12 scale (take THAT, Spinal Tap!), playing through a single 4-Ohm Gallien-Krueger NEO IV 212 cabinet. I quickly discovered that the addition of the wooden cabinetry around the amplifier necessitated using straight, rather than 90-degree angled, instrument cables, as the inset amp didn’t play nicely with my right-angles. The amp is very quiet, with only minimal fan noise apparent on startup and under heavy loads, and the whole package is quite small and light – weighing in at just 9 pounds, including the wooden case and attached, high-quality leather handle.

In play, I found the APG700.4 most suited to producing traditional, darker, and more mid-heavy bass tones. I wasn’t able to tweak the controls in the right combination to obtain a satisfactory modern tone – with a reasonable amount of high end and somewhat contoured upper midrange character – without making considerable changes to cabinet tweeter levels, channel strip EQ, or employing tone-sculpting effects. One of the most challenging aspects proved to be the Blend control, which the company explains is actually a mid-scoop, “The ‘Mid Scoop’ is labeled as ‘Blend’ because it controls the balance between the midrange frequencies and the overall sound. This term reflects how the control adjusts the mix of midrange frequencies in relation to the other frequency ranges, allowing you to shape your tone more precisely. It’s essentially blending the midrange into your overall sound, which is why we use the term ‘Blend.’” A markedly different approach to more conventional bass amps, to be sure.

I disagree with that design philosophy, personally, as more precise control over a wide range of midrange frequencies is arguably what allows for maximum tonal adjustability and produces unique character. The midrange is the most crucial part of the sonic spectrum; not only to our ears (see: Fletcher-Munson curve), but especially to the electric bassist. I felt that the lowest setting through 8 or 9 on the Blend control’s 1-12 scale produced an exceptionally mid-heavy tone, even when significantly boosting Treble and Bass. I found my favorite tone settings with Blend around 10-11, at nearly the maximum amount of midrange cut, with Presence at 9, Treble at 7, and Bass at 9. EQ frequency specifications are not readily listed by the company on their website, and when requested, I was told they’d be provided in the Owner’s Manual – also seemingly not available on the website, and which was not provided prior to publishing. To my ears, Presence sounds like it’s centered higher than Treble, perhaps at 5 kHz, with Treble around 3 kHz. I was not able to easily discern the centers of Blend or Bass.

While the color and joinery of this particular lumber-encased APG700.4 appear very attractive from a distance, closer examination reveals sub “instrument-grade” craftsmanship. There are slightly mis-angled cuts, and the dovetail joints are not flush – which the unevenly applied gloss finish exacerbates in the right (or wrong) light. There are several 2-inch or longer scratches/gouges evident on the left side panel that were clearly present prior to staining and finishing; edges that should be true and straight are not in places, and the amplifier itself wiggles around a little within the enclosure. The screws that mounted 2 of the 4 rubber feet – which evidently are meant to keep the amplifier in place within the cabinet – were loose, as well.

In my opinion, this represents substandard craftsmanship for a $1,299 product [Editor’s Note: Ashen Amps tells us the actual price is $1,199 – though it appears that there may be an even more affordable sale price], which the company proactively and perhaps suspiciously seems to address and provide caveat against in the website description, “Our products are handcrafted with care, and as a result, they may have slight inconsistencies or minor flaws, such as differences in dimensions, minor dents, or scratches. These imperfections reflect the handmade nature of our products…We strive to keep the prices of our handmade products as low as possible, taking into account these potential minor cosmetic imperfections. However, please note that these flaws do not affect the overall appearance or functionality of the product. By placing your order, you acknowledge and accept these conditions.” While I am all for handmade charm and the uniqueness that only one-of-a-kind creations from skilled artisans can offer, to me – given my in-hand experience with the product – this kind of expectation-managing statement smacks of “Buyer Beware, Sold As Is” language.

Ashen Amps’ APG700.4 is no doubt a powerful and pintsized amp head, and those who appreciate simplicity, deep bass, and copious midrange content are likely to be satisfied with it. As a relatively new name in the bass amplification game, it’s entirely possible the company is still refining their designs and defining their position within the market; the next couple of years may bring interesting development in their product line. I’d personally recommend opting for the cabinet-less variant, and saving the extra $300 for perhaps a high-end amp bag or accessories, at this point in time. The APG700.4 with the custom wooden case option normally retails for $1,299, but is at the time of publishing on sale for $1,100. Ashen Amps offers a 3-year limited warranty to the original purchaser, and you can learn more about Ashen’s guitar and bass amp and cab product lines at https://www.ashenamps.com/.

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