Ashdown Engineering Announces Major UK Manufacturing Return at NAMM 2026
At NAMM 2026, Ashdown Engineering proudly announces Phase 2 of its return to UK manufacturing, following the successful September 2025 launch of the UK-built ABM EVO IV heads and UK-ABM and Classic cabinet ranges.
This next stage represents a continued, long-term commitment to British design, engineering, and production, building on the momentum established by Ashdown’s flagship UK-made products.
For NAMM 2026, Ashdown unveils five brand-new UK-built amplifier ranges, all scheduled to ship in 2026.
Every new model is designed, engineered, and handcrafted in Britain. These launches expand Ashdown’s renewed UK manufacturing focus into a complete, multi-tier amplifier ecosystem, delivering British-built solutions for musicians at every level.
The Ashdown UK-RBM-210T brings the articulate punch of a 2×10” setup into the UK-built Rootmaster Bass Magnifier line. Delivering 300 watts at 8 ohms, this lightweight cabinet is equipped with two high-efficiency Sica NEO 10” speakers and a controllable tweeter, producing quick, responsive lows, clear midrange presence, and detailed high-end definition ideal for modern playing styles.
Crafted from premium ply to balance durability with low weight, the UK-RBM-210T packs impressive projection into a compact footprint. The refined aesthetic, Charcoal Tweed, Silver Weave grill cloth, and the signature double-wing badge, gives it a clean, professional look suited for any stage. Whether used alone or in combination with another RBM cabinet, the UK-RBM-210T delivers precision, speed, and tonal consistency that bassists can rely on in rehearsals, recording sessions, and live performances
The UK-RBM Series is designed for professional bassists who demand maximum power, tonal control, and flexibility. Delivering Ashdown’s most recognisable sound in a modern, lightweight format, the range includes amplifier heads and newly designed UK-RBM cabinets, creating a complete, performance-ready system.
The UK-RBM amplifier heads combine powerful output with advanced tone-shaping tools to deliver deep, authoritative low end, articulate mids, and controlled high-frequency detail. Features such as Ashdown’s Sub-Harmonic Generator, onboard compression, valve-emulated overdrive, and Analogue Cab Sim allow players to shape everything from tight, punchy modern tones to rich, harmonically complex sounds with confidence.
The matching UK-RBM cabinets have been newly designed, tuned, sized, and ported to deliver optimal performance in lightweight plywood enclosures. Equipped with high-performance Italian Sica NEO speakers and adjustable high-frequency tweeters, they provide fast response, clarity, and controlled projection across a wide range of playing styles and stage environments.
Finished in a striking new heavy-duty Charcoal Tweed covering and custom grill cloth, the UK-RBM cabinets combine durability with a bold, modern aesthetic.
Handcrafted in the UK using premium components, the UK-RBM Series is built for demanding live stages, professional touring rigs, and bassists who want total command over their sound.
The UK-OBM Series is designed for bassists who value clarity, simplicity, and reliability. Built in the UK, the range delivers clean, articulate tone with minimal fuss and maximum usability, making it ideal for players who want dependable performance without unnecessary complexity.
The UK-OBM lineup includes newly updated combo amplifiers featuring high-powered models and new Italian Sica NEO drivers, delivering improved efficiency, punch, and clarity. These combos are house in reengineered lightweight plywood cabinets, newly sized and optimised for balanced projection and portability.
Finished in Ice Blue and a new heavy-duty Charcoal Tweed covering with custom grill cloth, the UK-OBM combos combine durability with a modern, professional aesthetic.
With a refined features set and intuitive controls, the UK-OBM amplifiers are designed for musicians who want to plug in, dial in quickly, and get straight to playing. An open, balanced sound makes the series equally well suited to rehearsals, live performances, and studio work
The UK-SBM Series brings Ashdown’s studio-focused tonal philosophy into a range of compact, UK-built bass combo amplifiers. Designed for clarity, responsiveness, and musical transparency, the series prioritises clean tone and dynamic response in lightweight, portable enclosures.
Inspired by Ashdown’s Studio range, UK-SBM combos deliver a refined, natural sound that translates seamlessly in recording environments while remaining powerful enough for rehearsals and small live stages. Newly ported and structurally strengthened cabinets are engineered to handle higher power levels, ensuring confidence and control at increased volumes.
The cabinets are equipped with new, highly efficient Italian Sica NEO drivers, and articulate low-end performance. Finished in a heavy-duty Charcoal Tweed covering with custom grill cloth, the UK-SBM combos combine durability with a modern professional aesthetic.
Featuring DI outputs, FX loops, and onboard overdrive across the range, the UK-SBM Series offers practical versatility for practice, recording, songwriting, and intimate performance spaces.
The UK-PBM Series is Ashdown’s answer to the modern bassist’s need for extreme portability without compromise. Designed and built in the UK, the range delivers genuine Ashdown tone in an ultra-compact, travel-friendly format.
Launching with the UK-PBM-200 “Pocket Bass Magnifier” AKA The ANT, the series delivers a surprising amount of real-world power from a palm-sized chassis. Despite its minimal footprint, its produces clean, articulate output with impressive low-end authority and ample headroom for rehearsals, smaller stages, and professional monitoring setups.
The UK-PBM is solidly built by design, retaining a touch of added weight to ensure stability and resonance. This robust construction helps generate real bass response while preventing excessive cabinet vibration, keeping amplifiers securely in place even when the low end is working hard.
With essential tone shaping, DI output, headphone out, line input, and auto-voltage operation,
The UK-Peacemaker Series marks the return of one of Ashdown’s most iconic amplifier names, celebrating Dave Green’s formidable and widely respected valve amplifier design expertise. Handcrafted in the UK and refined for today’s players, the range revisits and updates legendary designs from Ashdown’s past.
Built for musicians who value feel, dynamics, and harmonic richness, the UK-Peacemaker delivers expressive British valve tone with depth, warmth, and authority. At its core, the series showcases Dave Green’s unmistakable valve amp philosophy, brought forward with modern reliability while preserving the character that made the originals so highly regarded.
The UK-Peacemaker Series is built using premium components throughout, included JJ valves, UK hand-wound transformers, and lightweight plywood cabinets loaded with UK-made Celestion Creamback speakers.Hand-built in Essex, England, the UK-Peacemaker Series stands as a statement range – honouring Ashdown’s heritage while delivering timeless British valve tone for the modern guitarist.
UK-PBM Series is ideal for fly rigs, touring backups, studio use, IEM-based setups, and bassists who need reliable tone wherever they play.
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Source: musicinstrumentnews.co.uk
