Acoustic Image - Thank You!

Dave Irwin · #1 01-15-2009, 05:20 PM

I just wanted to say a public thanks to Acoustic Image for helping with my Contra.
I've owned the amp for 5-6 years now and it started distorting when pushed moderately.
One call to AI and they volunteered to send a replacement woofer (a 6 pound lighter Neo!)
Got it today, threw it in there and problem solved. I never realized they had a "quasi" lifetime guarantee (see website).

I just wish they made an extension cab with a front firing woofer.

I know the Wizzy 10 is a good cab, but does anyone use it specifically as an extension to a Contra?

Anyway, I'll definitely buy AI anytime I can.

Thanks,
Dave

conte2music · #2 01-16-2009, 09:05 PM

The wizzy 10 is much more efficient than the contra, and when they are paired the contra only adds some presence...the wizzy really takes over (volume and tone)

I really prefer the sound quality of the AI, but the wizzy works so great in any room all the time. At home, the AI is a dream, but for the AI to work better than the wizzy the conditions need to be ideal. If you're doing lots of stage "performances", then the AI can be incredible...if you're playing bars, background music, and jam sessions...the wizzy gives more clean output, and is so much more consistent from room to room.

On its best day I think the AI is the winner, but 9 out of 10 days the Wizzy takes it with the clarity, presence and shear output it provides. If you purchase a wizzy, get ready to want to remove the head from your contra.

conte2music · #3 01-16-2009, 09:07 PM

All the above being said...I love the AI head, and if the Wizzy 10 wasn't available I'd still be very happy with the contra.

Hey Dave...shoot me a pm if you wish to purchase my series II AI contra extension with gig bag. It's in great shape and hasn't been leaving my house too much the past few months ;-)

salcott · #4 01-16-2009, 11:43 PM

AI service is second to none.

clink · #5 01-17-2009, 10:18 AM

I went through this a year ago:
AI Cabinet or Wizzzy 10

I have been very happy with the Wizzy, so much so that I sold the Contra.
My criticism is the overly middy nature of the Wizzy, but that is easily EQ'd out. I am now using a Focus III/ Wizzy 10 mostly.

Tanglehead · #6 01-17-2009, 12:56 PM

+1 on Acoustic Image's service. I can't imagine any company doing any better. I had the tell-tale clicking of a bad power transformer and Rick sent me instructions to remove the transformer module from the amp and sent it to him. I got that back in less than a week, and I still had some distortion, so rather than just getting a replacement speaker, he asked me to ship the whole amp so he could solve any and all issues that might be going on. He paid to ship it back to me, and I got in within a week. I bought this amp used from the previous owner (not a store) and there was no charge at all for the service - and AI paid for all return shipping.

brandonwong · #7 01-19-2009, 11:03 PM

+2

I think we all had the same good experience in service with AI.
And also the knowledge and expertise he has with the amps.
My amp blew up once and i just took photos to show which are the parts that fried.
He sent new replacement parts and also explained to me the newer parts will prevent the same problem from happening again, and it haven't for a year.

kittyboy · #8 01-27-2009, 12:11 AM

Dave Irwin · #9 02-03-2009, 05:51 PM

AI comes thru again! I bought a used contra ex and it needed a new woofer. I sent it to AI and they found cracks on the inside/bottom that couldn't be seen from the outside.
So they offered to exchange for a new EX for half price.
Between the used price and the upgrade price, I pretty much paid for a new cabinet but AI made sure I didn't get stuck with an unusable cabinet.
Great company.

flatback · #10 02-05-2009, 11:25 AM

a HUGE THANK YOU to Rick and everyone at AI. my Focus III went down on the gig last friday night in San Francisco....bad power in an old cranky building.
When I called this morning to find out if it had arrived safely, Rick told me it had been sent out FED EX... no charge for sending no charge for fixing and he upgraded it. The two acoustic gigs were fun and good for me, but I'll sure be glad so see that Fed EX truck...
damn fine man damn fine business model damn fine company great amp
= huge amount of loyalty.
anybody know of another amp with that kind of customer service? didn't think so....

bonaventura · #11 02-10-2009, 05:04 AM

I would also like to join in on the "hats off" to Rick and AI for their truly great products and great service.

I just ordered a new Focus 2R III, having had great experience with the Coda II + Contra X and Clarus 2R III -- all of which I still use, depending on the gig. Often use a Wizzy 10 or 12 with the AI heads...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Irwin

...I just wish they made an extension cab with a front firing woofer...

Me too. And I guess our collective wish is about to come true, see the new thread by bolo.

Uncletoad · #12 02-10-2009, 06:50 AM

Yes. I too have discovered that they make customer retention and satisfaction their highest priority.

Hard to do for company with such a small client base but crucial for long term survival.

I highly recommend them.

flatback · #13 02-12-2009, 11:25 AM

hey word of warning: check your speakon to speakon cable (or any others ) I just fried my amp twice because of a shorted cable.
again cant say enough good things about Rick and AI who fixed it twice without charging and sent it back overnight twice. I am so impressed with their care and attention to their players needs. really beyond anything I have ever experienced from any product company of any kind and obviously a sign of a truly good, decent, man and company.
many many thanks to Rick et al.