Double Bass Acoustic Image Series III

[Ric Vice]

Good Morning!
Acoustic Image just put pictures up of their Series III Combos
and Heads. The heads look similar to a Walter Woods. The
Combos look like a Walter Woods with a different cabinet.
The web page mentions that they are have
"more power and headroom, are even lighter in weight,
heavy with features, have the unchanged AI high fidelity sound.
and the sleek look is a bonus. From the picture
it looks like they are now using a spray finish on the cabinets.
I wonder if they got the down firing ten to work better?

Ric Vice

Thanks to kjung for the email.

 

[bluegreenturtle]

Actually from the picture it looks like they're using a really bad drawing program. Those aren't photos.

 

[Aaron Saunders]

Actually from the picture it looks like they're using a really bad drawing program. Those aren't photos.

+1

Lookin' pretty swanky though -- intruiging.

 

[Wxp4759cb]

I personally like how the controls on the series I-II are facing upward since it allows me to easily adjust them without getting off my stool. Maybe there will be some cool additions to the series III though.

 

[Freddels]

I hope it sounds better than it looks.

 

[wateroftyne]

'I hope it sounds better than it looks.'

+1 - they look terrible..!

 

[Ric Vice]

The new series III is a real design change that's for sure!
I can't imagine why they would change a good design that
made sense ergonomically with the knobs on top, thus
easier to reach.
It's hard speculate on how it will sound until someone
buys one and writes a review.
Granted, there aren't many amplifiers that don't change
over the years, but the original design was very nice and
user friendly. I wonder if we could invite Rick to talk about it
when it's actually ready for release?

Ric

 

[Bob Gollihur]

There have been three different versions (not counting early prototypes) of the Contra/Coda combos, and each improved upon the one before. I have no reason to believe this will be any different, and once free to provide details, nobody else will, either. I can tell you not to expect any difference in their basic sound.

I think I can also let a little slip about the new cabinet-- it will be "Injection molding technology offered a lighter, structurally inert, more maintenance-free polymer cabinet with unchanged acoustic qualities". You've probably seen similar construction in some of the nicer PA cabs. Personally, as a cat owner, I will not miss the carpet covering on any speaker cabinet.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I think they look fine, although the part of the square casing tha sticks out past the controls is kind of vexing - why would you do that? But other than that, they look fine to me. As someone who usually puts mine up on a stand anyway, having the knobs facing up has become a disadvantage. But if they've upgraded the features to where the hi-pass filter is either selectable between channels or universal to both, I'll probably want to give one a whirl.

 

[Ric Vice]

That's interesting an injection molded cabinet.
Thanks for the info. When in September does AI expect to
put these up for sale?

Ric

 

[Bob Gollihur]

A plan is one thing, reality is another.

As soon as all the parts arrive from the various suppliers.

 

[basss]

Any word on specs for the new amp?

 

[Jason Hollar]

Yes, that's the money word right there. I think there is a great deal of agreement among users that the AI heads and combos sound good with acoustic instruments -- especially considering the piezo-friendly design.

The web page states there will be even more power offered with the various upgrades. Mr Gollihur...can you let some of that information slip too???

I'll be seeing you next week! Looking forward to shopping for new toys...er...tools.

 

[Ric Vice]

Since AI is the only company that makes a Double Bass specific
amp other that Walter Woods ( UHP now selling for $2.400.00)
I hope to get a chance to try this amp out when it's available.
Thanks to Bob for giving us as much info as he can. Since the
series III are a different design getting all the components together to build it can be tricky. I remember when Walter Woods offered a high power version of the earlier design. He had to stop building it for a couple of years because the cost of one of the components went through the roof!

Ric

 

[tombowlus]

I'm definitely "in" on this thread!

 

[Ric Vice]

AI just posted a drawing of their new series III Contras and
Head. Check it out on their website. They have changed the
design a bit. It's a new look for them.

 

[brianrost]

Nice to see AI finally went with real two channels...looks like combo jacks so you can use 1/4" or XLR on either channel. That would have saved me a LOT of money if they had offered that a few years ago, instead I went with Walter Woods.

Too late for me I guess

 

[Ric Vice]

Wow that would be cool! You could actually use a Schertler Dyna B
with a AMT mic. Although, I talked to Rick at AI a year ago and he
said that the Schertler Pickup really needs the Schertler PRE A II
since it's a Class A device.

Ric

 

[Jazzman]

Designing the 'hot half' of injection molding machines by day, I do not want to speculate how much that will drive the price up. I can't imagine AI makes enough units to reap the benefits of injection molding considering the significant cost investment it requires.

Are they using an outside mold maker or are they running the shells themselves?

 

[Randy Ward]

I think they look fine, although the part of the square casing tha sticks out past the controls is kind of vexing - why would you do that?

Chris

I think that is to protect the control knobs from breaking off 'in transit'. Although since they usually supply a nice case I'll be vexed too!