Fallen angels....haydens...?

[varkunus]

Hello there I played a ashdown fallen angel at my music colllege today an absolutely love the sound, just what I want. So it is now my aim to buy an ashdown fallen angel 212 combo. But I am aware they dont crop up often since they are discontinued, but I am aware ashdown got took over by Hayden (well at least sold their distribution rights to them) and was wondering about buying a Hayden. Now the one that looks most similar is the peacemaker series. So would this be exactly the same as the ashdown besides the digital effects? Like will all the distortion be the same, as well as the reverb cause although I think its digital I really liked the verb sound. Anyway if anyone knows ....

Firstly where I can get a fallen angel... like refurbishment sites/maybe a user on here is selling one or something
Secondly... is the Hayden peacemaker 60w combo the same
Thirdly.... Does anyone know any faults with these amps? Like the ashdowns got pretty good harmony central reviews for reliability where as the haydens didnt, although they are supposedly hand wired.
Fourthly... is this a good buy? http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product.asp?id=1940 or would I be better of with the 50w. I am tempted by the hundred because it will have more headroom, be tighter due to higher wattage and has 212s not 112.

Anyway hope you can help UG didnt seem to be even replying so hope you guys can help me a bit more - it shouldnt be to hard!!!!

Thanks RIchard

[Adam.M]

I think the peacemaker is different, but i spotted a fallen angel head in PMT (professional music technology) in Leeds, give 'em a ring and see if you want.

Head + 2x12 would be a better option imo anyway, incase you wanted to move up to a 4x12!

[varkunus]

but a 412 is to impracticable for me a 212 maybe. How much is it advertised for and will they post?

[HTH AMPS]

is this a good buy? http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product.asp?id=1940 or would I be better of with the 50w. I am tempted by the hundred because it will have more headroom, be tighter due to higher wattage and has 212s not 112.

the amp you've linked to concerns me slightly - I'm curious to know how they're getting 60w from a pair of EL34s in class A (impossible imo).  a pair of EL34s in class A is more likely to give around 35w.  still a good deal though, however I would personally stay away from any amp with built-in digital effects.

[varkunus]

also how is the peacemaker different

[varkunus]

oops didnt see ur post. And I obviously wouldnt buy it cause of digital effects, but they are a added bonus I suppose. And the verb sounded good. Also does that PMT post or pickup only..? And have you got MSN or something so I could talk to you more easily about it.

[varkunus]

look this looks good, a little pricey without a cab, but good http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/32073/r/base

thats only second hand fallen angel i can find! Are you sure the peacemaker 60 is different, I mean the knobs all look the same, as does wattage etc

[varkunus]

so annoying seriously I NEED a 212 fallen angel, unless the peacemaker is the same then I can buy that! But its really annoying me cause I for once know the amp I want, just cant find the bugga!!! Like i said I found a head http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/32073/r/base but its refurbed and without a cab. Whats the cheapest I could pick a cab up for

[varkunus]

bump please dont let this thread die and yes I am desperate!

[Woogie]

Don't worry man, it has been 25 mins since your last post, we aint gonna lose this one!!

You may have to wait for one to appear on evilbay

[varkunus]

There are some on in AUS but there close to £600 plus postage if they post. Do 212 combos come up alot on bay..? And if so how much?

[Adam.M]

Have you tried emailing Hayden and asking them if it's the same or not? that's the first point of all.

[maverickf1jockey]

I would assume that the peacemaker is identical to the amp of the same name manufactured by Ashdown with the same components and just a rebranding and a change from black tolex to cream (they also have the same VU meter installation which makes them easy to spot).
The peacemaker would also not be hand-wired as it is a large scale production model and so would only be cost effective with PCB mounting.

In short it is neither the Fallen Angel, nor handwired (that niche market being aimed at with the handwired custom shop part of the operation).

Also there are numerous different versions of the Fallen Angel so one should always try before one buys.
1: Is valve powered
2: Is the same but with a different output section
3: Has a solid state power amp section.
These differences in the designs may have been due to the reliability issues many people found with the amps which has been attributed to the biasing necessary to get the characteristic distortion sound of that particular amp architecture.

I found all this miscellaneous information researching the company before I bought my Hayden cab as they were an unknown brand to me and the price seemed to be ever so slightly too cheap from the retailer (it did seem to actually be a quality product when I received it so I was quite chuffed).

Hayden are currently working on a 'new' set of amp designs and I would expect that the fallen angel might become a new part of the product lineup as it was one of Ashdown's most popular amplifiers.

The peacemaker is more aimed at classic rock players, I gather.

[varkunus]

ahh so the peacemaker isnt a fallen angel. So my best bet is to keep looking for a ashdown second hand or email hayden and ask them when this new range of amps will be released and will they have a FA type amp. Thanks for your help.

Anyway what did you think of the hayden cab? And say my only option once I have a response from hayden is the old ashdown fallen angels. If I say brought that head, what would be the cheapest I could get a 212 cab for. Would have to be something pretty cheap as I would be pretty broke

[Sifu Ben]

I've got one of the original english made Fallen Angel FA60 2X12 combos, and I love it :) Tons of tone, masses of gain, and above all it doesn't sound like a Mesa (although TBF I haven't heard the Stilletto, which may be closer).
The Peacemaker is more of a souped up Marshall type.
 Your best bet is probably to wait for an original to come up on ebay, but it probably won't be cheap. They were £450 new and they were only made for a couple of years, so availability is severely limited.