Hayden/Ashdown Essex Blonde

Pastor of Muppets

New member
So I went into my local guitar shop and found one of these

http://www.haydenamps.com/amplifiers/detail.asp?ID=151

at a huge 50% off MSRP to clear...I had to give it a go and I was blown away. Despite testing it with a Squire Obey Tele (that felt even worse than it looked) this thing sounds incredible. I'd never even heard of Hayden, but the shop owner tells me they are Ashdown's new boutique guitar brand. Everything about the sound screams 'vintage tube', the cleans were rich yet biting and the drive rocked.

I'm taking my Tele back to the shop and Wednesday and I think the trigger is going to be pulled. Just sounds phenomenal...
 
Re: Hayden/Ashdown Essex Blonde

Looks like a nice amp. If you pull the trigger be sure to post some clips, it'd be cool to hear the awesomeness you speak of.
 
Re: Hayden/Ashdown Essex Blonde

Can I ask how much is will cost then? It does look really cool, and I like the idea of using different valves! Hope it works out for you dude.
 
Re: Hayden/Ashdown Essex Blonde

I would love one of these but there so hard to find in the UK, I've only ever seen one at Music Live Show. But if I was gonna spend £699 on an amp it would have to be a Cornford
 
Re: Hayden/Ashdown Essex Blonde

I would love one of these but there so hard to find in the UK, I've only ever seen one at Music Live Show. But if I was gonna spend £699 on an amp it would have to be a Cornford

My local store still has one - I just picked the other one up; it's an Ashdown-badged model, ex-demo, that they did for £380: RRP is £799. They still have a Hayden badged one I think...
 
Re: Hayden/Ashdown Essex Blonde

Have you told your wife you picked up an Essex Blonde? :jester:
 
Re: Hayden/Ashdown Essex Blonde

My ashdown has a kickass clean channel so I can only imagine that one has a much better one.
 
Re: Hayden/Ashdown Essex Blonde

That looks sweet, and if you can pick it up cheap go for it, I know that Ashdown badged amps are still selling new for well under RRP.

But they do sound lovely, although I've never tried the handwired ones.
 
Back
Top