small combo for EUB

**Francois Blais** · #1 10-21-2001, 02:56 PM

Hi.
I'm looking for suggestions for a small but good combo for my EUB.
I presently use a Roland Cube 60 and like it, but I lack some power.
Brands I thought about:

SWR (Workingman 12)
Euphonic Audio iAMP combo (expensive though)
EBS Drome 12

I'd like to read your comments and additions!
BTW, I'm located in Canada, if that can change anything.

rllefebv · #2 10-21-2001, 08:42 PM

I know that the Acoustic Image Contra gets high marks for Acoustic Bass, and also works well for Electric. Probably a good choice for an EUB. Looks like $799 for the combo, or you can get the Clarus head for $559

http://www.acousticimg.com/index2.html

-robert

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #3 10-21-2001, 09:14 PM

I'm using an AI Clarus with a single 8" speaker. I've gotten more compliments on my sound since I got that setup than I've ever had before. It weighs 19 lbs, and fits in one of those carry-on size suitcases that stewardesses are always wheeling around airports.

For louder gigs, or when I need more coverage, I can add one or two more speaker cabs (each is 8ohm) at 14 lbs. apiece. But for about 80-90% of my gigs, I only need and use one.

farmerdude · #4 10-22-2001, 07:39 AM

Ampeg B15N. You can find them for $400 - $700. All tube (30 watts) 1 - 15" speaker. Flip top design makes them very portable. There is an Ampeg logo that glows from the light of the tubes. Very cool amp. Sounds great with DB.

brianrost · #5 10-22-2001, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by farmerdude
Ampeg B15N. You can find them for $400 - $700. All tube (30 watts) 1 - 15" speaker. Flip top design makes them very portable

Portable by 1965 standards maybe.

Really heavy by today's standards for such a low powered amp.

Wil Davis · #6 10-22-2001, 12:36 PM

I've use my AI Contra, although I haven't needed to use the extension cab yet, and I've found the AI to be really great. I think I prefer it to my GK MB-150E, but the AI isn't nearly as well-made (push-fit speaker grilles (yikes!!!!)), athough both my cats prefer the AI contra (something about the GK breaking the claws rather than sharpening them...). I think I can get a nicer sound from the AI (although it's all in the fingers, right?).

I'm using the K&K Bass Max pickup with the Golden Trinity upgrade (from Bob (All Hail!) Gollihur), and have found the K&K by itself to be great for pizz. but lousy for arco HOWEVER turning the K&K down, and bringing the GT up works really well for arco. The AI tends to be less prone to feed-back (than the GK) when I'm using the GT. It took some time to get the settings of the litte pre-amp box tweaked correctly, but was well worth the effort.

BTW - I'm using Pirastro Obligatos

um - hope this helps...

- Wil

mchildree · #7 10-22-2001, 02:17 PM

I'm having pretty good results from a SWR WM-12, but it's a bit bulky. It's got a good power/size ratio and I'm wondering how a WM10 might be since I'd never turn up the WM12 anywhere near it's top volume. I'd love to try an AI Contra, but I can't justify the expense based on the few times I need an amp. I got my WM12 used for 300.00. It works well for doubling on EB, which I do often.

**Francois Blais** · #8 10-22-2001, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Fitzgerald
I'm using an AI Clarus with a single 8" speaker. I've gotten more compliments on my sound since I got that setup than I've ever had before. It weighs 19 lbs, and fits in one of those carry-on size suitcases that stewardesses are always wheeling around airports.

What is your 8" speaker, Michael?
The Contra EX cabinet seems to use a 10".
I'll check with the Ontarian distributor, here in Canada, for prices.

farmerdude · #9 10-22-2001, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brianrost

Portable by 1965 standards maybe.

Really heavy by today's standards for such a low powered amp.

Gk MB 15 - 24lbs?
Swr Wm 12- 47lbs
Swr Wm 15- 55 lbs
Ampeg B100- 65 lbs
Ampeg B15 - 66 lbs

Heavy?... Yes. "Really heavy by today's standards"?...Not really. "Low powered amp"?...not your modern el-cheapo 30 watt combo. This thing can hold its own with most 100 watt combos I have played. Would I play it with a loud group?...I have but had to mike the amp through the monitors.
I like it so far but I have yet to try everything out there.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #10 10-22-2001, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by francois

What is your 8" speaker, Michael?
The Contra EX cabinet seems to use a 10".
I'll check with the Ontarian distributor, here in Canada, for prices.

Who's Michael? Was that an attempt at a Fuquism that I just didn't understand?

Anyway, the 8" speakers I use are made by Falk Audio, a local studio/equipment place. I offered to send one to Ed to try out, but he never took me up on it. I currently own two of their 8" cabinets, and one 10" cab, which I almost never use. I don't know what customs are like these days for US to Canada mailings, but if you can float the cost of shipping you're welcome to try the 10" speaker for a week or so. The 8" cabs go for about $129 US, and the 10" go for around $185 or so.

These speakers work great for DB, not at all for BG. I like the fact that by using these, most of the time I can carry a tiny amp to the gig, and when I need more, I can just take an extra cab.

Bass Boy · #11 10-23-2001, 12:50 AM

Hi Francois, I tried out the EA combo at Club Bass with (guess what!) a SUB 1 and loved the sound. I have also tried an Acoustic Image with the SUB and hated it. (It also sounded bad with my DB, but the guy who owns the amp gets a good sound) I think the AI goes for a little over a grand CAN and the EA is a few hundred more. Alot of guys around here have been selling their AI combos for some reason. I did get the chance to play a Calrus head through an EA 110 and it sounded great as well. From my experience the weak part of the AI stuff is the cab.

brianrost · #12 10-23-2001, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by farmerdude
Ampeg B15 - 66 lbs

Did you put that on a scale? Ampeg's spec sheet for their reissue version says 117 pounds!

I find it hard to believe it could be only one pound more than a B-100R which is solid state so doesn't have two heavy transfromers inside.

Whatever.

farmerdude · #13 10-23-2001, 06:59 AM

BRAINROAST

This is the real thing. Not a reissue. And yes I put it on a scale.

**Francois Blais** · #14 10-23-2001, 08:29 AM

Chris, forgive me for calling you Michael. My mistake...

Quote:

Originally posted by Bass Boy
Hi Francois, I tried out the EA combo at Club Bass with (guess what!) a SUB 1 and loved the sound. I have also tried an Acoustic Image with the SUB and hated it. (It also sounded bad with my DB, but the guy who owns the amp gets a good sound) I think the AI goes for a little over a grand CAN and the EA is a few hundred more. Alot of guys around here have been selling their AI combos for some reason. I did get the chance to play a Calrus head through an EA 110 and it sounded great as well. From my experience the weak part of the AI stuff is the cab.

Thanks a lot, Randy.
Which amp setup do you use with your SUB-1?
I'm tempted by the SWR WM-12.
I think I can easily get a WM-12 in town.
I've seen a Baby Blue II once but I think they're discontinued. (?)
The WM-10 seems nice too, but I'm not sure its 80W rating is worth the investment over a Cube 60.
I think the WM-12 gives 100W in its 8ohms speaker, and 120W into 4ohms. (coupled with an external 8ohms cab, for instance)

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #15 10-23-2001, 08:36 AM

Francois,

About the WM12: this is only a personal opinion but quite a few of my friends share it - the 12" speaker is way muddier than the 10". I've played both of these amps and also own a Baby Blue II, and the Baby Blue sounds way more natural and "honest" than either one, but it especially kills the WM12, which sounds like a big mud puddle by comparison. The WM 10 was a little cleaner. As always, YMMV.

Bass Boy · #16 10-23-2001, 10:49 AM

Francois, I use a EA iamp600 with a vl208 cab for my EUB and DB. I would have bought the iamp combo but I got a good price on the head and already owned the cab. I may in the future buy one of the new EA 10's though. I also share F Scott's view of the SWR stuff. I used to own a Baby Blue which I really liked, however I found it lacked some power for the type of gigs I was doing at the time. I think the EA combo is a few hundred dollars more but is worth every penny. The iamp combo weighs a bit more but the thing is balanced really well and tiny. My Baby Blue was a little more difficult to carry because of its shape.

rekesbass · #17 11-04-2001, 06:33 AM

sorry if I butted in on something,but I'm going to change the subject a bit...has any one tried the Ashdown acoustic radiator 2 combo for urb..a 2x8 combo(8 in. spkr w\ 8in. passive radiator??) the input jack is supposed to accept piezo p\u's and 2 notch filters to handle feedback..120w...(kinda pricey though at $1449.list) anyone??