Tone Difference Between AI and WW?

[bucephylus]

I just received an Epifani PS112, and can report that it is stunning combined with my WW MI 200-8 Green Light.

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by bottomzone

Tom Bowlus has some footage from his GTG comparing an AI amd and a WW amp. This was my first time hearing either of these amps and was the spark that led me to enter the domain of separates. Thanks, tom! To my ears, the WW sounds more "open" and "unveiled" than the AI. Check out the FocusWW.wmv clip. Granted, the video camera's mic has limited fidelity, but you can still hear the difference!

I'd say you are hearing it right about how it sounded live, and I'll admit to preferring the sound of the WWU, myself. That said, I think that Phil (Uncletoad) has pretty much nailed the differences and pros/cons of each.

Tom.

[Wilbyman]

I guess I can add that, between an older MI-100 and a SII Focus 2, I didn't find there to be an appreciable difference...at least with some EQ'ing. The Wood was maybe a little warmer, the Focus a bit punchier in the low mids. I used the Woods for a while and then brought the Focus back and the drummer said "I don't know what amp you're using, but just keep bringing it". So I did.

Additionally, I just always found the size/shape of the SII AI amps to be really gig friendly. You can stuff it into other bags, toss it around...I've just never had any fear of roughing it up.

Finally, between those two and the LMII...the LMII input is not suitable IME (in my estimation) for a regular piezo pickup. I like it with the Realist but have a hard time comparing it to those other amps, where you can go straight into the front with any pickup you like.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Wilbyman

I guess I can add that, between an older MI-100 and a SII Focus 2, I didn't find there to be an appreciable difference...at least with some EQ'ing. The Wood was maybe a little warmer, the Focus a bit punchier in the low mids. I used the Woods for a while and then brought the Focus back and the drummer said "I don't know what amp you're using, but just keep bringing it". So I did.

Additionally, I just always found the size/shape of the SII AI amps to be really gig friendly. You can stuff it into other bags, toss it around...I've just never had any fear of roughing it up.

Finally, between those two and the LMII...the LMII input is not suitable IME (in my estimation) for a regular piezo pickup. I like it with the Realist but have a hard time comparing it to those other amps, where you can go straight into the front with any pickup you like.

+1... the older Walters are very, very different from the more recent Electacoustic models. The older ones are much 'warmer, MUCH bigger in the deep low end... almost 'tube like' in their response, versus the much tighter, brighter, mid present newer models. I agree that the AI amps are actually closer to the older Walter tone than the newer Walters.

[Reefer]

Originally Posted by KJung

+1... the older Walters are very, very different from the more recent Electacoustic models. The older ones are much 'warmer, MUCH bigger in the deep low end... almost 'tube like' in their response, versus the much tighter, brighter, mid present newer models. I agree that the AI amps are actually closer to the older Walter tone than the newer Walters.

I just picked up an older WW last week and have been doing some A/Bing with the WWU and the AI Focus. I agree that the older one has a bigger bottom, in fact after playing the old ones for so long it took me quite a while to get used to the Electracoustic when it came out. However, the AI and the Electracoustic overall sound SOOO much better that I could never go back. I also don't hear much similarity between the old WW and the AI. The AI to me sounds more like a TF but not as robust. Just my $.02.

I want to point out that like UncleToad my AI recently broke down and also came back sounding better than it did before it broke down. Apparently Rick has made some changes that has improved the overall tone.