Ashdown Engineering has officially doubled down on its British heritage. Following the successful re-shoring of their flagship ABM range last year, the Essex-based titans have used NAMM 2026 to launch five brand-new amplifier ranges—all designed, engineered, and handcrafted in the UK.
If 2025 was the year Ashdown tested the waters of returning production to England, 2026 is the year they dive in headfirst. Dubbed “Phase 2,” this major manufacturing shift sees the brand expanding its UK-built ecosystem from high-end flagship heads to a multi-tier lineup catering to working pros, studio players, and traveling musicians.
While Ashdown is bass royalty, the launch also marks a significant return to the six-string world with the revival of the legendary Peacemaker series, designed by valve guru Dave Green.
Here is a breakdown of the five new British-built lines scheduled to ship later this year.
1. The UK-Peacemaker Series (For the Guitarists)
Target Audience: Valve purists, boutique tone chasers.
Perhaps the biggest news for guitarists at NAMM 2026 was the return of the Peacemaker. Celebrating the expertise of renowned designer Dave Green, this series revisits Ashdown’s heritage, focusing on high-headroom British valve tone.
Hand-built in Essex using premium components—including JJ valves and UK hand-wound transformers—the new Peacemaker isn’t just a reissue; it’s a modern refinement of a classic.
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Key Specs: JJ Valves, UK hand-wound transformers, Celestion Creamback speakers.
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Build: Lightweight plywood cabinets.
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Vibe: Expressive, harmonic richness with “authoritative” clean and drive tones.
2. UK-RBM Series: The Flagship Heavy Hitter
Target Audience: Professional touring bassists.
The UK-RBM is designed to replace the heavy lifting of the past with modern, lightweight efficiency without sacrificing the “Ashdown Sound.” These heads and cabs are built for maximum power and tonal flexibility.
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The Head: Features the classic Sub-Harmonic Generator, onboard compression, valve-emulated overdrive, and Analog Cab Sim.
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The Cabs: Tuned plywood enclosures loaded with Italian Sica NEO speakers.
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The Look: A striking new heavy-duty Charcoal Tweed.
3. UK-OBM Series: Plug and Play
Target Audience: Working musicians who value simplicity.
Ashdown describes the UK-OBM as the choice for players who want to “dial in quickly and get straight to playing.” These are high-powered combos that prioritize an open, balanced sound suitable for both stage and studio.
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Upgrades: Re-engineered plywood cabinets for better projection and portability.
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Drivers: High-efficiency Italian Sica NEO drivers.
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Finish Options: Available in a cool Ice Blue or the new Charcoal Tweed.
4. UK-SBM Series: The Studio Companion
Target Audience: Session players and home recording artists.
Inspired by the popular ‘Studio’ range, the UK-SBM brings that philosophy to UK production. These combos are designed for transparency and flat response—perfect for pedal users or bassists who need their tone to translate perfectly to a DAW.
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Features: DI outputs, FX loops, and onboard overdrive.
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Construction: Ported and structurally strengthened to handle higher power output despite its compact size.
5. UK-PBM Series: The “Pocket” Powerhouse
Target Audience: Fly-rig users and IEM setups.
The “Phase 2” launch includes the UK-PBM-200, also known as “The ANT.” This is Ashdown’s answer to the pedalboard amp craze. It is a palm-sized amplifier that fits in a gig bag but delivers genuine low-end authority.
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Connectivity: Headphone out, Line input, DI output.
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Power: Auto-voltage operation (perfect for international touring).
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Build: Solidly built with a touch of added weight to prevent cabinet vibration (“walking”) when placed on top of a speaker.
FAQ: Ashdown’s Return to UK Manufacturing
Q: Are these amps actually made in the UK, or just “designed” there?
A: They are fully manufactured in the UK. Ashdown states that every model in these five new ranges is designed, engineered, and handcrafted in Britain, specifically in Essex.
Q: When will the new 2026 ranges be available?
A: Ashdown has confirmed that all five ranges (UK-RBM, UK-OBM, UK-SBM, UK-PBM, and UK-Peacemaker) are scheduled to ship throughout 2026.
Q: Is the Peacemaker for bass or guitar?
A: The UK-Peacemaker series is a dedicated electric guitar amplifier range, utilizing Celestion Creamback speakers and a specific voicing designed by Dave Green for guitarists.
Q: Who makes the speakers for the new bass cabs?
A: The bass cabinets (RBM, OBM, SBM) utilize high-performance NEO speakers from Sica, an Italian manufacturer known for lightweight, high-fidelity drivers.
Our Thoughts
The “Phase 2” announcement at NAMM 2026 signals a massive shift in Ashdown Engineering’s business model. By moving a significant portion of their ecosystem—from pocket amps to touring stacks—back to UK soil, they are offering a compelling alternative to the mass-produced imports that dominate the market.
For guitarists, the return of the Peacemaker is a welcome addition to the boutique valve amp landscape. For bassists, the sheer variety of British-built options now available ensures that, whether you are playing a stadium or a coffee shop, there is a UK-made Ashdown rig to fit the bill.
To learn more about the new ranges, visit the Ashdown Engineering Official Site.
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