EA vs. Walter Woods

[macteacher]

I've only found one post comparing the EA amps with the Walter Woods.

Anyone else have a chance to play both and have an opinion?

Here's the match ups:

EA Doubler vs. the WW stereo amps.

WW monos vs. the EA Iamps and Micro

[glenfong]

I've yet to check out the EA Doubler.

Had a IAmp800 and sold it after picking up a used Walter Woods Electracoustic Greenlight (mono). For me, the WW wins hands down for db. Was able to dial in a good sound almost immediately. The EA was a lot harder to set up the tone controls (it's probably just me) and for db was pretty good but I was able to get as good a sound with a Genz Shuttle 3.0

With electric bass it's a bit different. I would wager the IAmp would clobber anything that got in it's way. Plenty of clean volume, practically ear-splitting with a couple cabinets to draw more power (down to 2 ohm loads). The WW sounds great with electric too, but will start to distort before getting as loud as the IAmp. Also, the WW is 2 channels vs. the single channel IAmp making it a little more convenient for the occasional doubling gig.

[Ric Vice]

Originally Posted by macteacher

I've only found one post comparing the EA amps with the Walter Woods.

Anyone else have a chance to play both and have an opinion?

Here's the match ups:

EA Doubler vs. the WW stereo amps.

WW monos vs. the EA Iamps and Micro

The EA Doubler is such a new product that it's gonna be a while before enough former or current Walter Woods owners "take the plunge". Walter has been building amplifiers for a long time and the players who have them tend to keep them. IMHO a group they don't tend to try out new amps as often, cause they payed a premium price for those amps. Mike Arnopol compared the the two favorably.

Ric

[Mike Arnopol]

I've played and endorsed both. I now play EA. The WW was THE amp in it's day. The problem I have with WW amps is the punch. Not midrange punch, but the physical low end punch that the closest comparison I can come up with is the visceral kick-drum kind of punch. Before I even think about overall tone my #1 priority is on DB is there a strong physical weight to each note as I'm walking? And on electric does each note carry enough power that if the kick drum drops out does my sound have that weight and power? That's the biggest difference to me. Many amps can do that but they weigh tons, and then I don't get the overall tone that I like. The Iamps have the most flexible EQ out there. In my opinion, you can never have too many eq options. I get bugged that bassists don't take the time to educate themselves on EQ use.
When I play gigs I consistently get compliments from the Pa guys that I have one of the best sounds they've heard. It's not that I'm a better player but that I've learned to use eq so that I know how to get a great sound onstage no matter what context and that I know what to send to the house. And I want the amp that will allow me to do that.

[basshog]

Mike, it sounds like you have a lot of good experience in the studio mixing process (in addition to live performances of course). The concept of the mix, especially dealing with the bass vs kick EQ's, is so often overlooked by players of all levels. That simple concept can easily change a nice, punchy, clear stage sound into a muddy one. Thanks for bringing up the importance in EQ, and sorry to everyone for the brief hijacking of the thread.

[AdamWoz]

I'm currently thinking about making the plunge and dropping my WW for the doubler. I loved my WW until I seriously upgraded my bass. I no longer like the color it gives my bass. I feel like I have to scoop out most of the bass eq to get rid of the kick drum effect and whats left is an unpleasant mid range. I've tried all my options with the three band eq and I can't find what I'm looking for

Also, I play in a few bands where I'm often doing a balanced out in to the house (I still like the WW for small jazz gigs).

I have little experience with EA, but the doubler is very interesting. Any feedback on this? could the doubler be an upgrade?

[Ric Vice]

Originally Posted by AdamWoz

I'm currently thinking about making the plunge and dropping my WW for the doubler. I loved my WW until I seriously upgraded my bass. I no longer like the color it gives my bass. I feel like I have to scoop out most of the bass eq to get rid of the kick drum effect and whats left is an unpleasant mid range. I've tried all my options with the three band eq and I can't find what I'm looking for

Also, I play in a few bands where I'm often doing a balanced out in to the house (I still like the WW for small jazz gigs).

I have little experience with EA, but the doubler is very interesting. Any feedback on this? could the doubler be an upgrade?

Interesting, I'd be real curious what type of pickup you were using? With my bass and the Realist, both my Walter Woods amps have a great midrange and bass. The older MI-400-8 will blossom when you increase the volume, so you have to roll of the bass, but I've never considered the midrange sound unpleasant. Just my experience though. I am very interested in the Doubler as well, but I'm waiting until I can get my hands on one, to compare it with the Woods. They have been very reliable and sound great with my particular bass and pickup combination. They do come at a premium price though, so I understand that that's a really important issue these days. My first MI-100-8 was only $600.00 plus shipping in 1980. That's a far cry from what they cost now and there are many options to choose from these days. The Woods current DI is really just a "Line Out" and has to have a direct box between it and the P.A. Otherwise, it can be pretty noisy.

Ric

[AdamWoz]

I'm currently using a realist as well. The sound I get with my WW is definitely not bad. I just have my complaints and Im just looking to see if there is the possibility of upgrading. I stand to make some good money selling my WW and the doubler is only $750. I might just take the risk.

Do EA's overall tend to be very transparent or do they have a fair amount of tone coloration?

[basshog]

EA's whole philosophy is that "we believe that neither amps nor speakers should have tone. Tone comes from you, the artist. Like brush strokes to a canvas, your fingers express your musical soul, amplified by EA without coloration." That's from their website. The doubler also has plenty of on-board tone shaping options if you want/need them. I'm gonna be getting one later this week. Very excited.

[glenfong]

Originally Posted by basshog

EA's whole philosophy is that "we believe that neither amps nor speakers should have tone. Tone comes from you, the artist. Like brush strokes to a canvas, your fingers express your musical soul, amplified by EA without coloration." That's from their website. The doubler also has plenty of on-board tone shaping options if you want/need them. I'm gonna be getting one later this week. Very excited.

Please, do report back on how it works out

[basshog]

Will do. In the meantime, there's a big thread dedicated to the Doubler. Some real experienced pros all share their experiences. It's worth a look.
Cheers

[basshog]

NEW Euphonic Audio iAMP Doubler

[adbass]

I've owned both a WW M series stereo and a mono and I currently play through an Iamp800. My bass is carved, has a full circle pickup and is rather loud on it's own.

The Woods:
-More "plug and play" friendly than the EA
-great EQ
-characteristic, often sought after Woods sound
-very light weight, less than 10 pounds.
-the DI isn't the best, but it works
-despite the amp being very reliable, Walter is the only guy who can service it.
-there's no mute switch
-$$$$

the EA iamp800:
-a 'dark' sounding amplifier that can provide too much bottom; I usually drop 10dB around 60Hz or 85Hz depending on the room
-NOT plug and play. Not for me anyway. This thing has a crazy EQ. It took me a while to get used to it and get a workable sound from it, but I got there eventually
-can double as CD/bass instrument mixer which is nice for learning tunes with headphones.
-lots of power in a relatively light weight package, about 20 pounds.
-great for doubling on electric bass
-$$

[peterpalmieri]

I've been playing a doubler for the past 3 months now and for me it really works well for both DB and electric. I use very little EQ and have not been happier with my tone. How this head works for anyone else is going to be much more specific to the bass, pickup and cab that you're working with.

Based on the price and double secret operation of the WW if I was buying new it is a no brainer for $750 or so. With that being said for the guys using a WW and are happy with their current amplification I don't think I'd be inclined to change.

I have played many time but never owned a WW and it's a nice amp, again depending on the other parts of your set up. While the doubler shares the general tone characteristics as the other IAMP amps I think it does the best job for amplifying DB, certainly better then the IAMP 350 that I owned..

[peterpalmieri]

Originally Posted by adbass

the EA iamp800:
-a 'dark' sounding amplifier that can provide too much bottom; I usually drop 10dB around 60Hz or 85Hz depending on the room
-NOT plug and play. Not for me anyway. This thing has a crazy EQ. It took me a while to get used to it and get a workable sound from it, but I got there eventually
-can double as CD/bass instrument mixer which is nice for learning tunes with headphones.
-lots of power in a relatively light weight package, about 20 pounds.
-great for doubling on electric bass
-$$

I've owned an IAMP350, played an 800 a few times and now own the Doubler. Many of the characteristics your outlining above don't seem to be shared by the doubler in my experience...

[adbass]

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

I've owned an IAMP350, played an 800 a few times and now own the Doubler. Many of the characteristics your outlining above don't seem to be shared by the doubler in my experience...

OK.

I have no experience with the Doubler. I only commented on the Iamp800.

[peterpalmieri]

Originally Posted by adbass

OK.

I have no experience with the Doubler. I only commented on the Iamp800.

No problem

I don't have a ton of experience with the 800 but enough to know it's pretty different then the Doubler.

[Mike Arnopol]

Eq function on the Doubler is three bands like the WW. Different frequencies---I like them better on the Doubler. My only caveat is that I wish it had the eq flexibility as the Iamp 800. It was impossible given the size constraints of the Doubler. I find the eq more spot on as far as where I would like the centers on the Doubler.
You guys----if you spent a minimal amount of time figuring out eq you would benefit sooooo much. Unless we are playing accoustically in a concert hall----even with mics---but especially with pickups---we are in the business of sound PRODUCTION not reproduction. Plug and play is for microwave dinners, not getting a great bass sound. I've thought of doing a seminar sometime just on eq for electric and double bass. EQ IS YOUR FRIEND.

[Michael Eisenman]

Originally Posted by Mike Arnopol

I've thought of doing a seminar sometime just on eq for electric and double bass. EQ IS YOUR FRIEND.

Seminar. YouTube. Yes. Please.