Ashdown Teams with Reverb to Sell Geezer Butler-Signed Amps, Unveil “Cab of Doom”
Update: A previous version of this article stated the amps for sale were used on Back to the Beginning. Geezer Butler has clarified that he is not selling his rig from the show and is not involved in the sale of these amps. “These amps were used in rehearsals and I signed for [Ashdown] as a thank you,” he wrote on Facebook. “I have no objection to them being sold, but again, I just want to clarify that this has nothing to do with me.”
Reverb also sent a clarification.
“While the 15 signed Head of Doom amps were used by Geezer, they were not used during the ‘Back to the Beginning’ show in July,” the said in an email. “Instead, they were used for rehearsals for the shows, with the made-to-order cabinets being sold separately by Ashdown modeled after those actually used on stage during the band’s final show.”
Original story:
Heavy metal history was made on July 5th when Black Sabbath played their final concert at “Back to the Beginning,” and now a piece of that history is about to hit the market. Geezer Butler‘s mammoth bass rig, used for the event, will be available for purchase on Reverb starting October 14th.
The bassist signed fifteen of the Ashdown Head of Doom bass amp heads from the show and rehearsals. Ashdown has also announced a new range of UK-built 2×15” and 2×12” cabinets, made to the same specs as those used by Geezer at the final show.
The 2,400-watt rig Butler used at the final gig was designed by bass tech Terry Welty and Ashdown’s Dan Gooday. As we previously reported, the final rig consisted of four 2×15″ cabinets wired in 16 ohms as well as four 2×12″ cabinets with variable horns. Four Head of Doom amps were used to drive the cabs, with two running the 2x12s and two running the 2x15s.
Geezer Butler Signed Head of Doom Photo Gallery:
The new signature cabinets are made-to-order in the UK, with Ashdown explaining they’re built to the same level of craftsmanship as Geezer’s own rig. Each is rated at 300 watts and loaded with B&C custom drivers. Similar to the ones used on stage, they feature a custom purple Tolex, a heavy-duty metal grill with screen-printed artwork, and three-way variable horns.
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature Bass Cabinets Photo Gallery:
Butler’s signed heads and signature 2×12 and 2×15 cabinets will be available for sale on Reverb starting October 14th at 10:00 a.m. US Central Time. Those interested can sign up for email updates on Reverb.
Ashdown Engineering Geezer Butler Signature Head of Doom Specs:
| Power Output: | 666 watts RMS into 4 ohms |
| Power Requirement: | 115 - 230 Volts |
| Speaker Configuration: | 2 x Neutrik Jack/Speakon outputs |
| Frequency Response: | -3dB an 17Hz and 22kHz |
| High Instrument Input: | Impedance 3.9m Ohm / Input range 50mV to 15V p-p |
| Low Instrument Input: | Impedance 10k ohms / Input range Input range 300mV to 30V p-p |
| Line Input: | Impedance 22k Ohms / Input level 0dBu nominal |
| Line Output: | Impedance 10K Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal |
| DI Output: | 600 Ohms balanced / Level -20dBu nominal With Ground Lift |
| Tuner Output: | Impedance 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal |
| Impedance: | Minimum 4 Ohms |
| EQ: | 9-Band |
| Effects Send: | Impedance 22K Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal |
| Pre-Amp Tubes: | 1 x 12 AX7 |
| H x W x D (mm): | 127 x 431 x 279 |
| Weight: | 31 lbs |
| Other: | Signed by Geezer Butler, Certificate of Authenticity, Used for 'Back to the Beginning' |
Ashdown COD-215-8-UK Geezer Butler Signature 2×15 Cabinet Features:
| Construction: | Hand-built in the UK from premium Latvian birch ply |
| Power Handling: | 300 watts RMS |
| Speaker: | 2 x 15” B&C custom-loaded drivers |
| Impedance: | 8 Ohms |
| Finish: | Custom Purple Tolex |
| Grill: | Custom heavy-duty metal grill with Geezer Butler screen-printed artwork |
| Logo: | Exclusive black and purple Ashdown double wing logo |
| High Frequency: | Horn with 3-way variable control |
Ashdown COD-212-8-UK Geezer Butler Signature 2×12 Cabinet Features:
| Construction: | Hand-built in the UK from premium Latvian birch ply |
| Power Handling: | 300 watts RMS |
| Speaker: | 2 x 12” B&C custom-loaded drivers |
| Impedance: | 8 Ohms |
| Finish: | Custom Purple Tolex |
| Grill: | Custom heavy-duty metal grill with Geezer Butler screen-printed artwork |
| Logo: | Exclusive black and purple Ashdown double wing logo |
| High Frequency: | Horn with 3-way variable control |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
