Double Bass New amp time (ai or ea)

I've been using an SM58 shoved through the afterlengths into a Clarus with either a small pa cab I modified (10" and a tweeter) or a Wizzy 12 MLine for most of my gigs and couldn't be happier. The Clarus has no bells or whistles but it is pretty transparent and that works for how I am using it.

My New Standard Cleveland wears Spiro Mittel with a full circle. I prefer that pickup over the rev solo by a huge margin. It's dark, full, fat but still has good arco tone. The Rev Solo is much brighter to me and had less low end weight.

Through the Focus into an EA VL208 that bass and pickup sounds amazingly good. Simple to use. The Focus is a dark sounding amp. It doesn't have the bright upper end like my Walter Woods but the low end has lots and lots of strength. Spiros can come off very gutlike through that dark sounding amp.

The Markbass is a fine amp but really didn't do much for me with the Double Bass. I think either choice is a good step up even though I have no experience with the Doubler yet.

The little Wizzy didn't have enough low end power for my tastes. I prefer more low end and richness and I often overdrove it when the band started cooking. It is a very fine sounding box though and surprising for it's size. With you're brighter pickup, darker strings and the AI head into that box I could see you getting a very usable tone.

Both companies provide excellent service. My AI amp has been there twice for a couple small issues with super quick turn times and absolutely no money from me save for shipping one way.

Funny you should ask - I was just doing an A/B between the AI Clarus 1R I've been using for the last few years; and, the EA Double that I just got from Grollihur.

Uncle Toad's observations are, as usual, spot on. The AI is darker sounding to my ears. The EA has a little more mid-range and high end. Not a lot - but, noticeable. I think I'm going to like that because my current bass/string combination is pretty dark sounding so it'll offset that (it wasn't so much of an issue when I had Mittels on the bass).

I use a Wizzy 10; and, I'm sure UT's right about that as well; however, I just don't play that loud so it's not an issue for me. Plus, I like the slightly nasally tone (helps my marginal intonation ).

I'm using a Full Circle pickup presently. I tried the Revolution Solo II a while back. I had a bit of a problem with keeping it in the sweet spot. I'm sure that was a combination of a poor installation (by me!) and that fact that I'm somewhat ham-fisted occasionally. I see a mic in my future, but for now the Full Circle is working.

Be aware that while the AI has a high-pass filter, the EA does not (somebody correct me if I'm missing something). That's not a big deal because you can get one of FDECK's cute little buffer / high-pass filters for a very modest price.

The EA also has the ability to do channel switching. I'm intrigued by that. I'm working on getting more dynamic range using my hands. But there have been a lot of times when it would be nice to be able to stomp a button and have some head-room. I'll probably never use it, but it's nice to know it's there.

The AI is double the weight of the EA (5lbs verses 2.5lbs). I think that's only an issue for old guys like me.

Finally, the EA has a fan while the AI does not. The fan noise is noticeable (but not when you're playing).

I hope that helps more than it confuses...

I'vd had a Clarus (series III) for awhile and recently got a Micro 300. They're noticeably different sounding amps, but I like them both.

I'd agree with the description that the Clarus is darker than the Micro. I really noticed the difference going through an Acme B-1 cab, where the Clarus had more punch and bottom. I compared the Clarus to a friend's LMII and thought his amp had more bottom than I'd like for upright.

I should add, though, that my usual cab is a Wizzy 10 or Wizzy 12 and that I'm usually playing electric upright rather than my Old Standard (via a Rev Solo) and I'm playing blues rather than jazz.

Last night, I used the Micro 300 with a pair of Wizzy 12 cabs, doubling with electric bass for a blues gig. Both instruments sounded great through this rig and I only had to set the master volume to noon because the drummer behaved himself volume-wize. I thought this rig did a better job than the SWR SM-400 plus 410 cab I'd taken to that gig in the past. Far smoother and well-defined without excess bottom and top.

All that said, I'd lean toward the Clarus if you're looking for more of an old school sound on DB.

Ben Rolston said:

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The EA does have a hpf, though it is a screw trim pot (I think on the top of the amp)

John, what was it about the Clarus that made you want to get the Doubler?

Do you think it would be necessary to get a preamp in between either of these amps and the RSII pickup? Also on the topic of pickups, the planet wing pickup has me intrigued.

Peace

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Thanks for the reminder about the HPF Ben! I kinda remembered something about that from the EA Doubler Thread but the mind's the first thing to go, or third, ...

The main issue that I have with the Clarus is that, as UT said, it's a dark sounding amp. Somedays it gets down right muddy. The HPF really helps, the tone controls, not so much (others may have a totally different experience). Mainly, I'm looking for a little more "clarity" in my sound. It seems like that's going to be the case; but, I need to do a few gigs with it to really be sure.

The weight was another issue. I know it's only a 2.5lb difference, but it is a difference. I'm rarely able to get within a block or two of there the gig is; so, any reduction in weight is a good thing.

Finally, my Clarus is a 1R, which means one channel (with reverb ). As I mentioned before, I am intrigued by the idea of channel switching. Also, I'd like the ability to blend a mic with my pickup. Obviously, if I had originally gotten a 2R that would not be a problem. Although, to the best of my knowledge, the AI gear does not allow you to control the phase between the two inputs.

Finally, I don't see any need for a pre-amp. The input impedance is up at a meg-ohm and there seems to be plenty of sensitivity. That is also the case for the AI gear (actually, the hi-z input on the Clarus is rated at 10 meg). I never noticed a problem with the Clarus using the RSII, the Realist or the Full Circle.

You have my sympathies Ben. It's really tough to make a decision when you have two good alternatives

The preamp on the Clarus is pretty lame. With a mic you don't really need it. Mine is one channel too but if I need to blend in a pickup I run it into the effects return using either a Sansamp or Platinum pro as a pre. Works great.

I've always felt like I was playing with a bow all of the time with the AI amps. I think that the Doubler is very warm and thumpy, but also detailed. The phase control is super cool if you're combining. And the Doubler sounds awesome on electric.

fingers said:

Mine is one channel too but if I need to blend in a pickup I run it into the effects return using either a Sansamp or Platinum pro as a pre. Works great.

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Fingers :there's only one single input on the Platinum pro (and two output) how to blend a mic, fingers ?

Ben I have the same question i use a wizzy 10 or 12mline and i vote for the AI clarus+ because his power and the colour ( or transparence) of my previous ai amp and the HPF. I just bought it and my first impression with the full circle is very good, but i want to use it on a gig to be sure. the only complaint is about the temperature of the chassis that get quickly hot but it is an 1000 watt just in a little box. Same for the EA ?

Can someone compare both amp in term of power audible : 1000 watts vs 550 watts Is there a comparison like for the cabinet the sensitivity ?

I think that the EQ on either amp is similar. It's the compromise on size that only allows a 3 band eq. That being said, for me you can't have too much eq. I'd be thrilled if they could fit a 5 band fully parametric eq! The AI amps are not bad. It's just that for me I prefer the basic preamp voicing of the Doubler. Both amps actually share a lot of similar parts and design elements.

My biggest criticism of the AI Focus line is the EQ. I think it's terrible. I grab a knob and it doesn't do what I want it too. Annoying. Couldn't tell you why though. Freq centers? Q? Filter Architecture? I dunno.

I've not played the doubler. The iAmp 800 I had from EA had a way better EQ than the focus. I had complaints about it too but it was pretty good. The Walter Woods EQ is my favorite of the stuff I tried on DB. I've become accustomed to the sound of the AI and the convienience so I leave the Woods at home.

I've wanted to audition a doubler since they came out. I'll get to it eventually.

Uncletoad said:

My biggest criticism of the AI Focus line is the EQ. I think it's terrible. I grab a knob and it doesn't do what I want it too. Annoying. Couldn't tell you why though. Freq centers? Q? Filter Architecture? I dunno.

.

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same feeling the equalization with more frequences would be great in particulary with the mid. so i often use the fishman preamp for this purpose.

Hey Ben,

Long time. How are you? Almost done?

I used a Focus for about 5 years and was never really able to get a sound I liked w/out a mic. Using a Realist or Full Circle. Many diferent mics. Always too many mids w/pickup alone. This was through a EA Wizzy 10 or Mline 12. The 12 was better though. That might be a source of your issues (the wizzy 10). I actually just picked up a used Markbass LMII to try out. Not holding my breath though as your post was not what I wanted to read.

Bob used to always say that if you needed anything more than the GK, you shouldn't be there!

Roger

RShew said:

Always too many mids w/pickup alone. This was through a EA Wizzy 10 or Mline 12. The 12 was better though. That might be a source of your issues (the wizzy 10).

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That was my experience.

RShew said:

Hey Ben,

Long time. How are you? Almost done?

I used a Focus for about 5 years and was never really able to get a sound I liked w/out a mic. Using a Realist or Full Circle. Many diferent mics. Always too many mids w/pickup alone. This was through a EA Wizzy 10 or Mline 12. The 12 was better though. That might be a source of your issues (the wizzy 10). I actually just picked up a used Markbass LMII to try out. Not holding my breath though as your post was not what I wanted to read.

Bob used to always say that if you needed anything more than the GK, you shouldn't be there!

Roger

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The LMII is working nicely for me. Compared to the Focus, it has more top and bottom end, with less mids. The tone is a bit punchier and clearer where the Focus is warm and round. The Focus doesn't work well with my main axe/Realist.
I find the EQ more effective as well.
After trying the mic thing with limited success, I don't miss the phantom power or extra channel.
The Focus offers a lot of options with the HPF and Notch filters, phase reversal, but it can be confusing on the gig. It's nice to be able to easily dial in a usable tone and just hit it. I'm able to play all types of gigs with DB or chop and have been getting lots of compliments on the tone on the gig.
Now, after all that, somebody buy my Focus.

Ben Rolston said:

Hey Roger,
Things are great! I've got another year and a half (I'm a junior now). The LMII was pretty frustrating for me, I tried to make it work for a while but honestly I'm not completely distraught that it disappeared on me.

What did Bob mean by that do you think? That any gig where you needed more than a GK was not the place to be, or that the gear hunt is a waste? I could see it being either. I got a chance to be in the studio with him today, he's going to release an album pretty soon. There is some really cool stuff on it!

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I think he meant that it was enough volume for any jazz oriented gig. And if you needed more, there should be a house system, a different drummer, or you should NOT be there as a jazz bassists. I asked him this as I was getting ready to spend some money on a bigger amp (probably the focus). I actually have been using my GK w/an extension speaker (flite 12) and digging it. I also remember him saying he always set the GK flat and made it work from there. Trying the LMII as a last result to keep the Wizzy and MLine. Don't know if it will work or not. I had a CMD 121 P before and it worked pretty well. Not perfect. I am hoping it will be better going through the MLine but I'm not holding my breath.

Good luck with the decision. Keep us all posted.

Bob is one of the baddest dudes out there. He has it all to me. Super swing and modern tonality. Rhythmic variation and not at all predictable. Plus, he's such a nice cat and underrated IMO. I am jealous he's in MI all the time these days. When is the album coming out? Who is on it?