The Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter is an Ashdown wah pedal, currently around $243.31. Close alternatives include the Emma DiscomBOBulator and the Aitone AT-08. It pairs well with the Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo and the Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt.
Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter
Ashdown · pedal
The Ashdown Type 23 is a three-band dynamic bass filter pedal from the UK-manufactured PRO FX series. Three frequency bands (high, mid, and low) are processed by independent voltage-controlled envelope filters that generate speech-like and funky bass tones. A single Sensitivity control sets how strongly the filters respond to playing dynamics. A switch on the pedal base varies the oscillation frequency of the selected filter for further tonal shaping. Requires 18V isolated power supply. Steel housing with anodized fascias and Neutrik jack sockets. Dimensions 63 x 108 x 120mm, 0.6kg.
What stands out
“The Type 23 is a sophisticated bass filter for players who have outgrown single-band envelope filters”
— from the reviews
“Tone: triple voltage-controlled envelope filter producing speech-like, vocal, and funky bass textures; each of the three bands sweeps dynamically in response to playing attack and dynamics”
— from the community notes
“A switch on the pedal base varies the oscillation frequency of the selected filter for further tonal shaping”
— from the listing
“Second limitation: the multi-band response is harder to predict and control in live performance than a single-band envelope filter”
— from the reviews
“A single Sensitivity control sets how strongly the filters respond to playing dynamics”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“Signal-chain interaction: best placed early in the bass signal chain before compression; the three independently sweeping bands react differently to clean versus driven input signals”
— from the community notes
- filter
- envelope
- frequency
- response
- bass
- envelope filter
- dynamic
- vocal
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter is commonly used in
- Experimental
- Funk
- Soul
- Reggae
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Electronic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter
Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo
Mesa Boogie
17% matchMesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Comes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Friedman BE-Mini Head in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run mid-forward into Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 for more high gain on top
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Egnater Tourmaster Combo 4212
Egnater
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Egnater Tourmaster Combo 4212 stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Pedals that stack with the Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter
Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz
Cusack Music
18% matchCusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Comes later in the signal chain
Greer Black Mountain
Greer
17% matchPut Greer Black Mountain in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Comes later in the signal chain
Boss DD-2 Digital Delay
Boss
5% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Boss DD-2 Digital Delay after Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Benson Amps Delay
Benson Amps
5% matchKeep Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter's dynamic voice out front: Benson Amps Delay goes after Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter in the signal chain so its slapback voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Death By Audio Destruction
Death By Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Death By Audio Destruction layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Subdecay F-Bomb
Subdecay
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Subdecay F-Bomb stacks fuzzy on top of the mid-forward already here
Warm Audio Jet Phaser
Warm Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Warm Audio Jet Phaser goes after Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter — modulation reads clearest once the core tone is set
Cheaper alternatives
Animals Pedal Double Spy Mission is Imp Filter
Animals Pedal
54% similarityShared character: soul, sensitivity, filter
Electro-Harmonix Micro Q-Tron Envelope Filter
Electro-Harmonix
53% similarityShared character: soul, sensitivity, filter
Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron Plus
Electro-Harmonix
53% similarityShared character: filter, response
Electro-Harmonix Doctor Q
Electro-Harmonix
52% similarityShared character: soul, sensitivity, filter
Fender Pour Over Envelope Filter
Fender
51% similarityShared character: soul, sensitivity, filter
FTelettronica Envelope Filter
Ftelettronica
51% similarityShared character: soul, sensitivity, filter
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Emma DiscomBOBulator
pedal
60% similarityShared character: soul, sensitivity, filter
Aitone AT-08
Aitone
55% similarityShared character: sensitivity, filter, bass
Maxon AF-9 Auto Filter
Maxon
55% similarityShared character: soul, live performances, sensitivity
IVY Filter IV v2
Ivy
55% similarityShared character: vocal, filter
Vox V863CA Auto Wah
Vox
54% similarityShared character: sensitivity, vocal, filter
Guyatone Wah Rocker WR3
pedal
53% similarityShared character: sensitivity, filter, attack
See all alternatives to the Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter?+
The closest matches in character are the Emma DiscomBOBulator, the Aitone AT-08, the Maxon AF-9 Auto Filter. Budget picks: Animals Pedal Double Spy Mission is Imp Filter, Electro-Harmonix Micro Q-Tron Envelope Filter, Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron Plus.
What pairs well with the Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo, Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt, Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II — Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here.
How much does the Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter cost?+
Around $243.31 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).