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Double Bass Acoustic Image Contra series II - worth it used?

B

Bossu

Jul 2, 2017
7
0
#1
So, I have an option to buy the AI Contra series II combo used, and I'm wondering if I should jump on the deal. I play jazz, I have a Full Circle, and I would probably use it for small clubs, as well as trio/duo gigs.

It's an older model, and opinions online seem mixed. But on the other hand, some of my idols use AI amps, and I've wanted one for a while.

Also, what do you think is a fair price? Some go for about 400$ used from what I could see, some can go up to 650-700$.
 
#4
The ones I had didn't allow the internal cab to be bypassed.
The externel cab output jack was wired in parallel with the internal one.
The down-firing design has been completely abandoned as far as I can see.
That says something IMHO.
If you can get the combo for the price of a head alone, you could always manually unplug the internal speaker system.
But with some older designs, you had to have a load connected to the amp when it's operating, otherwise it may turn into oscillation, overheat and get damaged, so be warned...
 
#5
I have a Contra Series S4 combo, and I really like it. I don't know how relevant it is for your needs, but I do find that I can play medium size jazz gigs with the combo-it's very handy and easily portable. This is mostly how I use it-as a combo.
It takes a bit of adjustment to get used to the characteristics of the down-firing cab. I do have the option on mine to remove the head(the combo is designed for this) and plug it into a regular cabinet when I play big band or larger venues(I use a Schroeder Mini 12+, or a 10+, or both). The amp itself sounds beautiful and natural with any cab I've used.
Could you maybe have a tech install an external speaker jack?
You might also want to reach out to Rick at Acoustic Image-my experience with him is that he is very helpful-he might have some input for you (no pun intended!).
Good luck!
 
#8
Bossu said:
Thank you! What about using the combo with a different cab, bypassing the downfiring one? Are these older models outdated in terms of tone as well, never mind the cab?
Click to expand...
The amp is not outdated in terms of tone. If the Contra Series II you’re considering looks like mine, the internal speaker can be disconnected, allowing you to connect up to two external 4Ω cabs.

08AEC1D3-A17F-495D-9390-35720DFCB9A6.jpeg
 
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#9
The Contra is a great jazz guitar combo, but a mediocre double bass combo. The voice is there, but they are delicate. I'm a big fan of the higher powered AI heads, but as much as I want to like their cabs, I've blown every one I have owned. Like Francois mentioned, I use them with other maker's cabs. The AI combos seem to place their emphasis on a great cab for low volumes that can handle occasional mid level push. I need something that is more constant mid level that can handle regular high level pushes. I'd be more inclined to suggest getting a used Clarus head and pair it with your favorite cab for more variety.
 
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#11
Thank you all for the replies! So... maybe it's not worth it? I'd love a clarus head but tbh can't afford one, and this contra just dropped on my lap so I thought it'd be worth a shot.

Michael Eisenman said:
The amp is not outdated in terms of tone. If the Contra Series II you’re considering looks like mine, the internal speaker can be disconnected, allowing you to connect up to two external 4Ω cabs.
Click to expand...

Yeah it looks exactly like that!
 
#12
I've used my Contra Series IIa (slight re-design to lower the head into the cab body for a more sleek design, but still with rat fur) for a *very* long time—often with its matching extension speaker. With respect to @Chris Fitzgerald's very nice piece on how an upright bass amp sounds (i) where you are, and (ii) where the audience is, I've been continually surprised how uninteresting (kind of characterless) the Contra sounds where I am, yet how remarkably good it sounds in recordings from the room. It's not a terribly loud bit of kit on its own, but it can hold the fort even in an 18-piece big band setting—especially with a bit of nice preamping in front. Using the tilt leg is really important as is making sure it has a nice reflective surface to bounce its bottom off. In my experience adding the extension speaker has been a terrific improvement. With that, the Contra can give out enough oomph to even play a pretty loud blues gig in a bar setting. While I have other things that I use more these days (Clarus SL and DoubleShot among others), I'll always retain the Contra and Ex in the fold. Until the great COVID-19 pause, the piano player in my big band has been using it to great effect. In small rooms, I've used a little mixer and the two of them to serve as mini-PA for bass, piano, and vocals (with a drummer)—and it sounds pretty darned good. Acoustic/jazz guitar, fiddle, mandolin, they've all been though it and sounded dandy. Looking back, I think I paid something close to $1500 CDN to get the Contra and maybe a third or half that for the EX: a lot of money early on. But these two little units (affectionately known as "the toasters") have been so flexible and so utilitarian that they owe me absolutely nothing at this stage. For a few hundred dollars, why the heck not?:D
 
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#13
I have a series 1 Contra (Artoo Deetoo) and I've been pretty happy with it. From where I am it sounds boomy but out front I am told it sounds very well balanced.

I paid $250 for it about three years ago if memory serves, so that's kind of another data point.
 
#14
I still have an original series 1 contra(#0064) that I bought new and an ex speaker that I got used on TB. They have served me very well in the situations that were suited to them- not extremely loud( I don't like those anyway) and generally not outdoors, although I have used one or both in those situations. I did build an angled platform for them to expose the bottom speaker more and use a preamp to give more tonal flexibility. The fact that they tend to be more present to the audience than the player that some posters have mentioned is something I actually like. I think that not being able to hear the amp much when I'm playing is a plus for me. I learned to play in the all-acoustic days and still prefer hearing the bass that way when playing. I now use an upshot and mini-amp more these days but that's more for ease of transport and weight than sound and the fact that the places I play now are mainly small indoor venues with duos. I'll always have a use for the old contras. I've never had any technical or repair issues in all the time I've had them.
 
#15
Bossu said:
Thank you all for the replies! So... maybe it's not worth it? I'd love a clarus head but tbh can't afford one, and this contra just dropped on my lap so I thought it'd be worth a shot.



Yeah it looks exactly like that!
Click to expand...
I understand—though I have not attempted it—that the head can be detached from the cab and used on its own. In that case you essentially have a Clarus 1, and you can use the cab as an extension cab.
 
#17
It's a great amp. I've used one successfully for years in many contexts. Is it the best amp? Probably not. Smart people have been working hard to improve our gear. You pays your money and you takes your chance. My philosophy is if I have something that works, great. I'm gonna shed and try to play in tune and focus my energy there.
 
#18
Michael Eisenman said:
I understand—though I have not attempted it—that the head can be detached from the cab and used on its own. In that case you essentially have a Clarus 1, and you can use the cab as an extension cab.
Click to expand...
I sent Rick at AI a message, and he sent me the attached instruction sheet for separating the head from the cab.
 

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#19
Michael Eisenman said:
The amp is not outdated in terms of tone. If the Contra Series II you’re considering looks like mine, the internal speaker can be disconnected, allowing you to connect up to two external 4Ω cabs.

View attachment 4051392
Click to expand...
Good day, i have this same model, but unfortunately the plastic plate with the small switch is completely broken. Do you know where i can get a similar plate that can do the job. I contacted the factory but as you probably know the owner has passed away and since 2023 and there's no more products assistance. I can make one from scratch but i'm still undecided about just keeping the head or selling the whole amp. Thank You
 
#20
z65 said:
Good day, i have this same model, but unfortunately the plastic plate with the small switch is completely broken. Do you know where i can get a similar plate that can do the job. I contacted the factory but as you probably know the owner has passed away and since 2023 and there's no more products assistance. I can make one from scratch but i'm still undecided about just keeping the head or selling the whole amp. Thank You
Click to expand...
If you like the amp and can make a new plate, then why not try it? Also, Fuchs Audio has taken on some repairs of AI amps; maybe they can offer a suggestion.
 
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