AI Cabinet or Wizzzy 10

[clink]

I'm looking for the perfect cabinet to go with my Clarus III.
For those of you who have tried both cabinets, please help me to understand how they compare soundwise. How is the Wizzy's low end? I am getting a bit lazy regarding carrying extra stuff so am not really interested in anything bigger.

I'll be using a Full Circle straight into the Clarus.

[Randy Ward]

Clink;

Asking what the best cabinet might be like what the best strings are.
Many options and opinions.

I belive this has been covered here before so be sure and do a search.

I can't give you a definitive answer, but I do happen to own both.
MY STORY:
After I got a Wizzy 10 I was smitten and my Contra EX stayed home
unless it was a louder gig where I used both. I was thinking about
selling the AI extension and getting another wizzy 10.
A drummer asked me why I didn't use the little round thing
anymore so I brought only it to the next gig and it sounded
great and VERY natural and I fell in love with it all over again.
I can't belive I was going to sell it!
By coincidence the piano player on that gig was a guy
who had just moved here from North Carolina
and had gigged with Rick and others at Acoustic Image.

So I am happy to have both for different applications.
They are sort of the opposite of the other as cab for double bass.
Each a very different takes on the idea of a small high fidelity
speaker enclosure design for upright bass.
I am sure you are familiar with the designs of each.
I don't think one is better than the other so these
are my humble opinions and YMMV
Also:
I use a full circle in to a Focus 2R lll so close to your set up.

Contra EX:
Pros:
Sound can be very natural in situation where there
is a wall behind the band and the acoustics in the venue are good.
It blends very well with ‘acoustic ensembles’ and doesn’t ‘stick out’.
Seems to have more top end than the Wizzy 10.
Cons:
Sound can get lost in some rooms or situations
where there is not a wall behind the band
and/or acoustics are boomy, echo-y or just less than ideal.
Not as loud as the Wizzy 10.

Wizzy 10:
Pros:
Sound is directional and it is easy to hear in situations
where the acoustics are bad or the band is loud.
It is MUCH Louder than the Contra EX.
Backpack is spiffy & convenient.
Cons:
Has a mid bump that can sound artificial in some settings.
Seems to have less perceived low end thump than the Contra EX.
To me it seems a little less rugged than the AI cab.

They are both great sounding cabinets that are light
and easy to transport and of high quality.

All that being said the best cabinet for you might be neither of them.

[clink]

Randy,
Exactly what I was looking for. I like the AI low end thump and think it sounds very natural. One thing I am missing with my current cabinet is that low end push that can drive a band.
Interesting that you mention the AI having more high end than the Wizzy. Are you talking about the stuff above 5K? How are the upper mids on the Wizzy? Do you experience that "where's the amp?" thing with the Wizzy?

[drurb]

So why has the Wizzy 12 been abandoned? I'm still quite happy with mine.

[Randy Ward]

Originally Posted by clink

Exactly what I was looking for. I like the AI low end thump and think it sounds very natural. One thing I am missing with my current cabinet is that low end push that can drive a band.

I know what your are talking about and I don't know if either of these by themselves have that. But I did a cocktail gig recently outside with a classic bop quintet using both cabs pointed back at the band from the high hat side. The drummer is aggressive and I was trying
Drive it. He commented later on the great sound and the bass response from such little stuff outside.
But in your profile I see that you are in two big bands. I can't remember whom but someone here has two Contra EX and uses them in a big band and sets them next to each other and got good results. For a single cab low drive maybe you'd want to look at the wizzy 12 or the MLINE version of the Wizzy 12.

Originally Posted by clink

Interesting that you mention the AI having more high end than the Wizzy. Are you talking about the stuff above 5K?

Yes I guess I mean the stuff above 5K. With the wizzy I felt sometimes I wanted that stuff and it wasn't there even with the highs up on the Focus. That night with the piano player from NC and the contra I started with the horn off and when I turned it on it was like...oh yeah, it's there if I need it.

Originally Posted by clink

How are the upper mids on the Wizzy? Do you experience that "where's the amp?" thing with the Wizzy?

The upper mids I guess is where that bump is but when playing loud it helps to cut. For me in softer situations it needs a little taming.
And no I never loose the wizzy in the mix. I recently played at Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club in Miami Beach where the house system is great. I just used the wizzy 10 as a monitor so I didn't have to be in the wedges.
I heard it fine.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I recently replaced the VL208 cabs I'd been using for years with a pair of Wizzy 10's. I've only ever *needed* a single one on any gig, but like to have two just in case (new years gigs, outdoor gigs, etc.). I think the Wizzy 10 cabs are amazing and very easy to "tame". At the club where I play most often, everybody loves 'em, and nobody onstage ever complains about not being able to hear the bass.

The few times I've played through a contra/AI downfiring cab, I've always found it difficult to hear myself, and others have complained of the same thing. Granted everybody's sound is different, but the Wizzy wins this one hands down for what I'm doing. YMMV, FWIW, YMWCB, etc.

[jallenbass]

I've never played through a Contra but have heard a number of them from the audience. they do sound good soloed but with a group they just sound muddy. All of the players using these that I heard were also using a realist pickup. That may have something to do with it.
I do own the Wizzy 10 and like it very much. I can always hear myself and I find it very easy to EQ. I even need to turn the bass down most tof the time. I haven't used it in a loud situation so I can't comment on that.

[clink]

Originally Posted by drurb

So why has the Wizzy 12 been abandoned? I'm still quite happy with mine.

Not exactly abandoned, but I don't want to carry any more weight than I need to. I have borrowed a series II Contra but have only tried it at home. Although it isn't terribly loud I love the tone. It has a nice low end and sounds very natural.
I THINK it would be loud enough for most of my gigs, but would be willing to trade off some tone for volume insurance.
The two DIY cabs loaded with Eminence 2512's sound OK and are much more efficient, but they lack the low end push. They also are middy and sound too 'amplified'. They sound great with the plank.
They weigh under 20lbs, so I've been spoiled with small gear.
I just can't see myself carrying speakers that weigh over 30lbs.
Thus, the quandry: AI or 10? I'm leaning towards the AI, but can't pull the trigger.

[clink]

Now I'm thinking Wizzy 10.

I play everything from Trios to Big Bands, inside and outside.
There are also two club gigs a month with a Blues/Jump band playing indoors, although we will be doing a few outdoor gigs this year. I've just signed on for them and the Contra may not cut it.
Wizzy it is unless I change my mind.

I am beginning to think this IS like strings and pickups. I don't want to try them all.

[Mark Perna]

You gotta try both to decide because it really depends on your bass and your amp and your pickup and your strings and how you play. I have two basses with two different set ups. One sounds great with the Wizzy 10 and just ok with the AI cab. The other bass sounds great with the AI cab and just ok with the Wizzy. Both go through an Fdeck pre amp into a Focus series 3. The Wizzy is a 2 ohm cab while the AI is a 4 ohm cab so the Wizzy is going to sound louder if you A-B them with the same settings.

They're both great cabinets.

mark

[robgrow]

Originally Posted by clink

Now I'm thinking Wizzy 10.

A very wise choice I think.

Originally Posted by calivox

The Wizzy is a 2 ohm cab while the AI is a 4 ohm cab so the Wizzy is going to sound louder if you A-B them with the same settings.

Actually the Wizzy 10 is a 4 ohm cab, not 2 ohms. The Wizzy 10 will sound louder because its sensitivity is higher.

[Basicbassist]

Originally Posted by clink

I'm looking for the perfect cabinet to go with my Clarus III.
For those of you who have tried both cabinets, please help me to understand how they compare soundwise. How is the Wizzy's low end? I am getting a bit lazy regarding carrying extra stuff so am not really interested in anything bigger.

I'll be using a Full Circle straight into the Clarus.

Don't overlook the Raezer's Edge Bass 10 at 22 pounds. I think you should try your gear through each of the cab's that look good on paper.

[bolo]

Originally Posted by Randy Ward

By coincidence the piano player on that gig was a guy who had just moved here from North Carolina and had gigged with Rick and others at Acoustic Image.

Randy, it wasn't Gabe Evans on piano was it?

[clink]

In case no one has noticed, we are in a new year! One of my resolutions is to be more responsible with $$. So, I will put this on hold for a few weeks or until I pay off Christmas or just have to buy something.
We'll see how long I can pretend to be a grownup.
Thanks for the info.

[bolo]

New Year means a new bucket for tax write-offs. I spent so much in 2007 the bucket was full. I waited until now to spread out the tax "benefits" if you will to a different year.

bribass just picked up a Wizzy 10 I think. I anticipate reading some comparisons vs. his M-line's soon. That oughta rev up your engine again. Mine too probably.

[clink]

I went with the Contra EX because I really wanted an accurate sound. Will know in a few weeks how it works out.

The Lo-Down on AI Combo Amps, Please...
One reason for this choice over the Wizzy is the fact that my bass is pretty middy to begin with. I really wanted a warm cabinet with more low end push.

Thanks for the help guys.

[clink]

Update:
After a few gigs with the Contra cabinet I am really loving it. It sounds so good I could just...............

However, just to be sure I bought a Wizzy 10 AND a Focus 2R III on Ebay and will be able to decide once and for all which is the ultimate amp and be done with it.
I got the Focus because I've been pining for a two channel amp to go the mic route.

Been spending some time gathering things to sell to pay for all this.
My Clarus 1 III may go on the block soon.

[clink]

Just to update,
I got a Wizzy 10 from TBer Bass-Only from Cleveland and it arrived today.The Focus came yesterday, so I'm done with all this. I don't need or want another piece of gear FOREVER.
Honest. Scouts Honor.

Here's the scoop.
Contra EX:
I also bought the big new bass which we put a Realist on and I took it out last night for a Big Band with the Focus and Contra EX. I and everyone else I talked to gave a thumbs up to the tone. It sounded nice and warm, but with some low end punch. Honestly, I give the bass most of the credit, but everything worked well together. One guy described my sound as about eight feet wide. I guess that's a good thing. The sure negative with the Contra is that I couldn't hear myself very well-common complaint on that.
Twice last week, I took the Contra to some louder gigs and it didn't cut it at all. On a piano duo it sounded absolutely perfect though. Within its limits, it sounds very good.

Wizzy 10:
Just getting it today I haven't taken it out yet, but I can't believe how nice it sounds at home. It honestly doesn't sound as different from the Contra as I thought it would. Maybe it is the bass, or the pickup, but I can run the tone on the Focus straight up flat and it sounds great. The tone is almost as natural as the Contra, but it will play much, much louder.
Now, plugging in a passive Fender Jazz with the tone straight up reveals just how midrange focused the Wizzy is, and how dark my amplified DB is. Players with bright basses and quacky pickups should probably look elsewhere, as the Wizzy will not be forgiving.
For the slab, I set the mids at 9:00 and the treble almost off. Either that, or rolled the tone on the bass way down. The Wizzy appears to be a very versatile cabinet though. I was able to get some very usable tones out of it that will work on almost any gig.

Everything people have said about the Wizzy 10 is true. It sounds great and comes in a tiny little package.

Unless the Wizzy lets me down this weekend, the Contra will go bye bye. Thanks to everyone who did their best to steer me in the right direction.