Dethklok and Zappa Plays Zappa bassist Pete Griffin is putting Ashdown’s compact PBM-200 “Ant” bass head and RBM-112T cabinet through their paces, covering everything from modern metal and slap bass to old-school R&B and effects-heavy solo tones.
Griffin — who has also performed as part of Generation Axe alongside Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt, and Tosin Abasi — points out that a tiny amp like the Ant makes a whole lot of sense in the age of pedalboards and modelers.
“It’s really cool to see these guys are now making these smaller, lightweight pocket amps,” said Griffin. “Now that everybody brings modelers with them anyway, a lot of times I have my tone with my pedalboard — not necessarily with the amp — because people don’t want to see amps on stage anymore, unfortunately, or travel with all that stuff.
“So, it really makes sense to have something this tiny that still gets nice and loud and delivers the sound that you want.”
The Guitar Center-exclusive Ashdown Pocket Bass Magnifier UK-PBM-200 “Ant” is a UK-built 200-watt solid-state bass head weighing just 2.65 pounds. Controls include a three-band EQ and Ashdown’s Pre-Shape switch, alongside a switchable passive/active input.
There’s also a balanced DI output for running directly to front of house or an interface, plus a headphone output and line input for practicing. Auto-voltage operation makes the amp usable internationally without having to worry about different power standards.
Griffin pairs the Ant with Ashdown’s Guitar Center-exclusive UK-RBM-112T cabinet. The UK-built cab features a 12-inch Sica NEO driver rated for 300 watts at 8 ohms alongside an adjustable tweeter with Hi, Low, and Off settings.
The cabinet is constructed from ply and weighs 33 pounds, with Neutrik speakON/1/4-inch combo connections around the back. It comes finished in Charcoal Tweed with Silver Weave grille cloth.
Basically, it’s a 200-watt bass rig where the actual amplifier weighs less than plenty of pedals. Given Griffin’s point about more and more of a player’s sound already living on the pedalboard, it’s not hard to see the appeal.
Get ’em here – the Ashdown Pocket Bass Magnifier UK-PBM-200 200W Bass Amp Head here for $379, and the Ashdown Rootmaster UK-RBM-112T 1×12″ 300W Bass Speaker Cabinet here for $649.
