Ashdown Rootmaster Evo III 500W

Rootmaster EVO III: Ashdown DNA in a More Agile Head

With the Rootmaster EVO III series, Ashdown pursues a simple idea: to keep the famous grain of the English brand while meeting the current needs of bassists, where portability, reliability, and DI consistency are as important as power. The RM-500 EVO III fits this philosophy by combining a preamp section rich in shaping tools with a decidedly practical approach for the stage, notably through a DI designed to work efficiently with modern setups.

For Which Bassist and In What Contexts?

The Rootmaster EVO III 500W is aimed at the bassist who wants a head capable of everything: intense rehearsals, recording, and gigs where a stable sound that's easy to send to front-of-house is needed. Its power makes it comfortable in most band settings, including when the drummer and guitars play loud, and its minimum 4 Ohm load allows for efficient cabinet configurations on stage.

In terms of styles, it shines whenever a present, thick, and articulate bass is expected: rock, pop, funk, metal, gospel, reggae, or contemporary music. Between the precise EQ, compression, and tube-style drive, you can go from a solid, wide clean tone to more edgy textures, with a dynamic range suitable for fingerstyle as well as pick playing.

Controls, Built-in Effects, and DI Cab Sim: A True Swiss Army Knife

The heart of the RM-500 EVO III is a control section designed for speed and precision. The 5-band EQ (Bass, 240Hz, Middle, 1.5kHz, Treble) allows you to address the truly sensitive frequency areas of the bass: cleaning up a muddy low-midrange, bringing out attack, or opening the high end without harshness. The Flat/Shape switches provide an immediate curve change: handy for adapting your sound to a room, a different cabinet, or a passive/active bass.

To beef up the tone, Ashdown integrates its essentials: a sub-harmonics generator (ideal for thickening the low end at reasonable volume), an effective compressor to smooth levels and enhance note sustain, and a tube drive emulation to add grit and natural compression in feel. A mute completes the package for clean instrument changes and silences on stage.

The major evolution designed for today's stages is the Analogue Cab Sim DI. The rear D.I. XLR output delivers a post-EQ and post-effects signal, with filtering options that reproduce the frequency response of Ashdown ABM cabinets. Once the cab sim is activated, you can choose a PORTED or SEALED profile (extended lows or tighter response), select a 10-inch (more dynamic mids) or 15-inch speaker type, and enable/disable the tweeter emulation via the HORN IN/OUT option. The result: a more "mix-ready" DI sound, consistent from gig to gig, particularly relevant for in-ear setups.

The Sound

The Rootmaster EVO III aims for a warm, solid, and authoritative character, with a clean base that remains full and clear, then a progressive texture build-up thanks to the tube-style drive. The amp stays tight and punchy for pick parts, while maintaining a dense low end and controlled highs for slap and modern playing styles. The compression section and sub-harmonics offer two very complementary levers: one for stability and impact, the other for breadth and a "larger than life" feel. On DI, the analogue cab sim helps achieve a sound closer to a miked cabinet, with better-controlled lows and more natural highs, facilitating integration into a mix.

Technical specifications

Effects	Octaver / Harmony, EQ, Compressor, Bass Overdrive, Cabinet Simulator	Category	Amplifier
Category	Bass amp head	Number of effects	3
Technology	Solid state	Number of channels	1
Input	jack, aux jack, effect loop jack, footswitch	EQ	5 channels
Output	XLR DI, Headphone, Cabinet 2 x Speakon	Headphone output	Jack 6.35, Yes
Effects loop	Yes	Color	Black
Footswitch input	Yes	Power output	500 W
Pedalboard included	No	Weight	2.5 kg
Attenuator	No	Dimensions (mm)	311 x 235 x 89

Power	500 Watts	Analogue Cab Sim DI with options	PORTED/SEALED, 10-inch or 15-inch speaker, HORN IN/OUT
Impedance	minimum 4 Ohms	Footswitch	FS-2 not included (optional)
5-band EQ	Bass, 240Hz, Middle, 1.5kHz, Treble