Small Combo, Volume & Punch

[pbasswil]

Does anybody have an opinion on which is a louder combo, the Acoustic Image or the MarkAcoustic AC 101?
I'm pretty confident they're both good DB amps, but which would be a better bet with a loud drummer or a big band? And maybe the occasional smaller electric gigs?

A friend of mine is pretty big on his A.I. because he claims the sealed cab makes it punchier. But he says a ported design (like the AC 100) has the advantage in efficiency.

Comments?

thanks in advance,

- Peter

[JtheJazzMan]

Yes they are both great double bass amps, but Im not sure at the volumes you are thinking. I know quite a few players with acoustic image combos and they all say it works best at low to med volumes, the AC101 was a nice warm sounding amp but I only liked it at low and med volumes too. I have a CMD121P and that does the job great.

[pbasswil]

Thanks J,

My friend with the A.I. uses his in big bands; but I think it sort of squeaks by at the limit of its volume. I was curious to know if the MarkAcoustic AC 101 might be a touch louder.

Also to know if anyone agrees that the sound from the sealed design of the A.I. feels "punchier".

[Marc Piane]

I would not describe the sound of the AI as punchy. Quite the opposite IME. More ambient.

[dodgy_ian]

It probably varies according to your bass but I use the AC101 for electric and double and just by itself I've been able to play quite large gigs with just the amp turned up against a loud funk drummer. SO I reckon it would go loud enough for what you needed it for.....I've been nothing but pleased with the AC101 since I bought it and have had many great comments about the sound.

[jacochops]

Originally Posted by fingers

I would not describe the sound of the AI as punchy. Quite the opposite IME. More ambient.

Yup...my vote as well. If you want loud...a Markbass LittleMark II into a Schroeder Mini 1X12. P-U-N-C-H-Y!!!

[pbasswil]

Appreciate the responses, everybody.

Ian, I'm glad to hear the feedback about the AC 101; that's the one I was most interested in.

Incidentally, I'm also very interested in a European amp that isn't distributed to this side of the pond: an Arco DB510 bass combo, made by the Danish company CAD.
http://www.cadaudio.dk/arco_db510.htm

It weighs 9 Kg (around 20lbs?), and the designer, who I've been in touch with, has no hesitation in claiming that it goes considerably louder than any of the combos of that size and weight that are available in N America. The specs look very intelligently thought out, so my interest is peaked.

The guy has offered to put me in touch with a couple of DB players over there that own one, and I think I'll pursue it.

Peter

[boylebass]

If you need loud, do not go with AI. If you double, do not go with AI. For me, AI is a one-trick amp, but it does the trick for DB really well. I love this amp, I use it exclusively on about 95% of my gigs. It will handle a big band gig with no problem. It's one of the best 'DB only' amps out there. It just doesn't sound like what you are looking for...

[wiro]

Originally Posted by jacochops

Yup...my vote as well. If you want loud...a Markbass LittleMark II into a Schroeder Mini 1X12. P-U-N-C-H-Y!!!

And even more so:
The AI Focus 2 series III through Schroeder 1212L. Not only punchy but also LOUD

However most of the time I gig with two Epifani 112UL because they sound so nice and smooth.

I don't agree with Boylebass. The AI Focus is a very versatile amp with high pass / notch filters, good eq. and nice usable onboard effects. It's my favourite for doubling BG and upright alternately. Every little detail of intonation is audible (if the other musicians in the band allow me).

If you're looking into European stuff also have a look at the new AER Basscube. This one sounds extremely heavy: Lots of ultra low end and still tight and very natural sound. And with an extra cab, like an Epi 112, it's also pretty loud. With the active AER sub400/12 it's as loud as the Focus. And with both you won't believe your ears.

Once before a gig I hooked all the stuff together which caused some of the audience to leave the hall because their stomachs were about to turn upside down..... I had to promise them to not do that again before they where willing to come in again. Then again: This is far from small.

[mstclairmiller]

I think Boylebass was talking about the combo. I found the series 2 combo to be completely unable to cope with an electric guitar and drummer, and also had complaints when playing in a miced up big band that I couldn't be heard properly, when the regular bass player used a GK 150 and was heard fine. Its a great sound for a small band that is trying to sound acoustic but lounder, but not when pushed to compete with loud amps and drummers. IMO.

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by wiro

And even more so:
The AI Focus 2 series III through Schroeder 1212L. Not only punchy but also LOUD

...Holy ****.
I thought my bass, stool and a Mini-Brute 12" were a drag.

[Gary Lynch]

But.........I thought this was about a small combo, not a head and cab? A comobo that a guy can pick up with one hand and a bass in a bag with should strap and be walking into the gig the easy way?

Which combo is tops low or high vloume, one size fits all?

[anonymous02282011]

right. combos.

I can't answer your question, as I don't have experience with either the AI combos or MarkAcoustic, but heres some ideas:

the polytone minibrute or whatever it is, that 12" speaker combo

that GK MB whatever the numbers are that everyone uses

and then there's all the Acoustic Image stuff and the euphonic Audio combos

the Markbass combos (not mark acoustic -- two different beasts) are geared more towards electric bass, but i think there are a few guys here who like these for upright.

The little GK is a workhorse. It'll do loud and electric bass OK. The AI stuff should get you through a big band gig just fine I'd think. Sorta depends on the drummer.

figure how much you want to spend and check out these options. I've sorted of listed them from cheap to expensive. I'd suggest you buy used, save a few bucks.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I'd throw the PJB Super Flightcase in the mix, too. It sounds wonderful for the settings described. I've been testing one for a review, and although I don't own a combo at the moment, this would be the one I'd own if I did.

[anonymous02282011]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

I'd throw the PJB Super Flightcase in the mix, too. It sounds wonderful for the settings described. I've been testing one for a review, and although I don't own a combo at the moment, this would be the one I'd own if I did.

Yes, that sound clip you posted of you with the PJB is still in my minds ear bro. nice sound. cheers

[BrandonEssex]

I've got an AI Clarus series III and a little cab by Ramsa with an 8" woofer. I honestly can't believe how well it works. Some of the ultra low is not there, but I find that range pretty unusable for DB anyway. I use it for outdoor gigs with 2-3 horns, a real drummer who's not holding back and a guitarist, and it works great. I've still got headroom and everything. Much punchier than the AI Contra series I it replaced. Very few DB gigs can make use of more sound, IMO. I don't like AI preamps for passive EB though. If I use them together, I put an ART Tube MP in front. It seems like the old impedance mismatch again. I used to use an active EB with my Contra, and that sounded great.

[pbasswil]

Hey folks,

I almost missed this party -- I thought the thread had fizzled after my previous response almost 2 weeks ago.
It's great to hear all the various opinions and recommendations.

There's not much in stock at retailers in my town, so if I don't go for A.I. or G.K., I'm going to be taking a stab at an unknown quantity on the basis of other people's opinions.

But yes, it's going to be a light combo, not separates. And preferably the loudest one I can find that sounds decent for DB (in this case, an Eminence).

I'll let you know what I decide on. But I'm not in a rush; I'm just starting back up on upright after a long hiatus, so I've got some woodshedding ahead of me before I think of playing out.

Meanwhile, I'm all ears if anyone else has anything to add.

cheers,

Peter

[LarryR]

Markbass CMD121P is supposed to be pretty happenin'.

[wiro]

Another option for small and loud and perfect (some say the best) for DB is the Bergantino IP112. Then again this is not a combo. It needs a pre-amp.....

http://www.bergantino.com/

[Monte]

Originally Posted by LarryR

Markbass CMD121P is supposed to be pretty happenin'.

I'm a known hater of all bass amps as a Dyn B user, but this one just works well for me.

Had a lot of gigs lately that required some volume and it really fills a room and sound very natural.