Interview with Guy Pratt, bassist of Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets!
Get to know Guy Pratt, the talented bassist behind Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets! We had the chance to sit down with him before his live performance at Kursaal Ostend. In our interview, Guy shares the story of his Pink Floyd audition, his love for Ashdown gear, and reveals his choices when faced with some tough musical dilemmas. Don't miss this exclusive insight into the mind of a legendary musician!
INTERView
His ASHDOWN rig
musical dilemmas
Ashdown products
Interstellar 600
The Interstellar isn't just a bass amp; it's a testament to the enduring partnership between Ashdown and iconic bassist Guy Pratt. Drawing inspiration from Guy's extensive history with Ashdown's ABM-900 series, the brand embarked on a journey to create something extraordinary. This collaboration gave birth to a 600-watt powerhouse of a bass amp that redefines what's possible.
Central to The Interstellar's design is its emphasis on tonal versatility. A sophisticated 9-band EQ and valve drive provide bassists with unparalleled control over their sound, ensuring that every note resonates with precision and power. What's more, the amp includes foot-switchable compression and sub harmonics, meticulously tuned to Guy Pratt's exacting standards.
The name "Interstellar" pays homage to Guy's current band, "The Saucer Full of Secrets," and their rendition of "Interstellar Overdrive." It reflects a momentous occasion in music history, brought to life by the unmistakable sound of Guy's bass. The amp's custom wood enclosure is not just visually striking but also acoustically tuned for optimal performance. Additionally, an optional rack kit allows for rack mounting, providing flexibility in how you set up your rig.
The Interstellar is more than an amp; it's a celebration of Guy Pratt's 40-year career, Ashdown's unwavering support, and a shared passion for exceptional British amplification. Turn it on and embark on a sonic journey that transcends boundaries – this is The Interstellar, where tradition meets innovation.
Guy had a few words to say on the amp “I can’t tell you how proud it makes me to have a signature amp with my Ashdown family, who’ve been with me every step of the way of my 40 year career.
We’ve been tinkering with bits and pieces for years, and this combines our shared passion for great traditional British amps with everything I know and trust about my ABMs.
It’s not about bells and whistles, well apart from the dedicated Taurus input, it’s about solid, shapeable, deliverable power. Along with my 3x10s this is my ultimate dream rig. Turn on and trip out!”
The head is designed to be used in its custom wood sleeve however the head can be rack mounted via an additional rack kit sold separately.
CL-310
Ashdown launch a 3x10” Dual Horn Bass specific speaker column.
Inspired by the best British PA systems of the 60s and 70s, the CL-310-DH uses 3 x 10” custom Ashdown drivers as well as a set of high frequency horns to deliver deep tone with superior clarity.
The guys at Ashdown received a special request from their good friend Guy Pratt to design some custom speaker cabinets to pair with his custom ABM heads. Guy has recently taken on a new role as the bass playing front man for Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, which features an incredible line-up of musicians including: Lee Harris of the Blockheads, Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp and music producer Dom Beken.
So, challenge accepted; Ashdown set-about developing what would be the CL-310-DH cabinet... The cabs were so striking in looks and sounded so superb that they simply had to put them into production for the wider audience. It would have been rude not to!
The CL-310-DH cabinet is rated at 450w at 8 Ohms and is rear ported with a 6” tuned port. The cab features a tilt back design with casters on the rear and a conveniently placed handle on the top, so you can just tilt back and wheel away. The cab also has another side recessed leather handle to carry on its side.
The CL-310-DH features a red custom weave grille with old English style white piping, finished in a heavy Bronco Tolex and lastly; adorned with the famous Ashdown double winged logo.
“Plugging in a pair of these cabs with the Ashdown CTM-30-LS valve amp head is like taking a trip back in time with the warmth and clarity associated with amps of the past,” said Mark Gooday, Managing Director at Ashdown Engineering.
The CL-310-DH Specifications are as follows:
H: 999mm 39.3”
W: 325mm 12.7”
D: 350mm 13.7”
Weight: 26.4KG (58lbs)
Power: 450w
Impedance: 8Ohms
