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Double Bass Acoustic Image Series III

#41
I had a thought about the roll out of these new AI series III's.
If you were the guy who owned the company and played bass
yourself wouldn't you want to play with your new toys first!
That picture of Rick Jones on the AI site shows him holding
a upright, not sitting in front of a desk with his name on it.
That's definitely worth something isn't it?
Given that, once Rick is satisfied, it couldn't hurt to get some
additional input. Chris has volunteered, and since he is already
a AI owner and a TalkBass moderator, and a player with a capital P
(nice version of My Foolish Heart, I can only play one instrument .....) they just couldn't go wrong letting
him check one out.

Ric
 
#42
Rick Jones does do jazz gigs around the Raleigh, NC area, and perhaps beyond central NC. I've been out to see him play a couple of times.

As one of my drummer friends said to me once, and I'm probably paraphrasing somewhat, "Rick's amplified sound sounds more like an acoustic bass than anyone else I've played with." That did not surprise me in the least.

I wonder if he may be concerned about the Commercial User's policy, or whatever it's called. The monster thread re: the Revolution SOLO that started with a "giveaway" of sorts comes to mind. (Where do you think I got the idea to buy my SOLO? I was all set to pull the trigger on a DYN-B at the time, but changed my mind at least temporarily after I spent the $99 for the SOLO, which I happen to really like).

Anywho, I do like the beta test idea.
 
#43
The only other AB amp company that had players
as the owner and designer was Ampeg. Considering
the legacy of the B-15 and SVT, that puts Rick Jones
in some very impressive company. It might be a small market
but its a loyal market. I'll take a bass player's endorsement who
I trust over market hype every time. Word of mouth still counts
for something in out little world.


Ric Vice

PS: Thanks for the heads up on Rick, thats really valuable
information. Glad to hear it from a fellow TBer.
 
#44
Ric Vice said:
PS: Thanks for the heads up on Rick, thats really valuable information. Glad to hear it from a fellow TBer.
Click to expand...

Just to add to Bolo's comment, Rick is a fine bass player - one of the more requested bassists from the better players in town (research triangle area in NC). Nice bass too - '68 Pollmann. Rick's assistant, Paul Ingbretsen is another top call bassist in town. They aren't the center of the universe for bass amplification (like any company), but I feel they come closer than most.
 
#45
jcbassomatic said:
Just to add to Bolo's comment, Rick is a fine bass player - one of the more requested bassists from the better players in town (research triangle area in NC). Nice bass too - '68 Pollmann. Rick's assistant, Paul Ingbretsen is another top call bassist in town. They aren't the center of the universe for bass amplification (like any company), but I feel they come closer than most.
Click to expand...

Thats great to know. This kinda reminds me of Everett Hull and Jess Oliver!
 
#46
bolo said:
Rick Jones does do jazz gigs around the Raleigh, NC area, and perhaps beyond central NC. I've been out to see him play a couple of times...
Click to expand...

I had never heard Rick play, but he gave me a recent CD at NAMM in January, "Conversations", Rick Jones and Gary Brunotte (piano). Great sound, he's an excellent and very tasteful player.
 
#47
MISSISSIPPI VICE said:
Given that, once Rick is satisfied, it couldn't hurt to get some
additional input. Chris has volunteered, and since he is already
a AI owner and a TalkBass moderator, and a player with a capital P
(nice version of My Foolish Heart, I can only play one instrument .....) they just couldn't go wrong letting
him check one out.
Click to expand...

Aw, shucks... thank you, kind sir. :o

I'd be happy to do it if Rick wanted anything of the sort.


WATER BOLO said:
I wonder if he may be concerned about the Commercial User's policy, or whatever it's called. The monster thread re: the Revolution SOLO that started with a "giveaway" of sorts comes to mind.
Click to expand...


I don't think Rick needs to worry about that. As far as I know, he's not even a TB member, at least not one who posts regularly. I could be wrong, but I think that if he *loaned* a beta version of an amp out in order to get an honest review, and was content to let the review be a real one, there wouldn't be any harm in it. I'm certainly not looking for any free stuff, as that would be kinda dishonest in a political way.
 
#49
I noticed these spec at Lemur Music today:


Detailed Description
As you know, throughout the history of Acoustic Image, we have only changed things for good reasons. And those same reasons apply to Series III, where we are further reducing the size and weight and improving the aesthetics of our products, without altering the Acoustic Image “sound”.

Perhaps most importantly, we are making our products even more appealing in both substance and looks with only a very modest increase in price.

WHY ARE WE GOING TO SERIES III?

Feedback from our customer survey identified new features wanted by Acoustic Image customers:
Injection molding technology offered a lighter, structurally inert, more maintenance-free polymer cabinet with unchanged acoustic qualities. Modifications to our existing electronics offered higher wattage with no change in sound or additional weight.

WHAT’S THE BASIC SERIES III STORY?

No product name changes (just the Series III suffix)
Contra, Coda, and Clarus Series III power output increases to 300 watts at 4 ohms (versus 200W in SII)
Focus and Focus SA power output increases to 800 watts at 4 ohms (versus 600W in SII)
All combos and integrated amplifiers will have: three-band EQ, mute switch, dual-purpose quarter-inch/XLR inputs, notch/high pass filter in both channels of the two-channel units, reverb plus other effects (chorus, flange, delay), pre and post EQ on the direct out, and stereo capability (with satellite amp). All combos will weigh approximately 5 to 7 lbs. less and have CAD-designed injection molded cabinets with integrated handles, internal speaker connection, and spring-loaded tilt mechanism, as well as a cover with power cord storage compartment and a shoulder strap for easy carrying.
The Clarus amps will weigh 2 to 3 pounds less.
 
#51
Good info, thanks univac jr. . I hope that by upping the power and
redesigning the cabinet on the combos, they will solve the problems with that downfiring 10" woofer. Will just have wait and see. The weight reduction if a fringe beinfit providing they produce
a great sound. The Focus and Claris heads are great "little" amps and reasonably priced. IMHO

Ric Vice
 
#52
univac jr. said:
All combos and integrated amplifiers will have: three-band EQ, mute switch, dual-purpose quarter-inch/XLR inputs, notch/high pass filter in both channels of the two-channel units, reverb plus other effects (chorus, flange, delay), pre and post EQ on the direct out...
Click to expand...

Where's that "drooling smiley" when you need it?
 
#54
I thought that was wierd too, but when I looked at the specs
the Focus was actually lighter than the Clarus. I guess that was because it was the older design of the two. More Power, Less Filling, go figure.

Clarus Specs
"Cigar box size, weighs just 6 lbs"
Focus Specs
"Cigar box size, weighs just 4 lbs"

Now, that said if it falls on the 3 lbs lighter side that makes it
"3 lbs" that's udderly astounding (or stupid light) If Acoustic Image
makes em' any lighter there gonna' have to come with a anchor 'cause pretty soon we goin' into negative numbers ;) Ok by me.

Ric
 
#55
Yeah, the Clarus is an older desing... heavier and less power. The new Series III will make more 'logical sense', with the lower power amps (Clarus) being about the same weight or less than the higher power amps, and putting out full power into 4ohms (Clarus 300 watts now into 4ohms and Focus, now 800 watts into 4ohms). So, in other words, it sounds like they will use the 'Focus' design for the whole line now. By all accounts, the sound of the amps will remain pretty much the same, with some expanded features like a mute switch and what looks like unique (at least for me) dual usage inputs for each channel... (1/4" and mic input), and they are dropping one band of EQ... should be pretty cool.
 
#59
Ric Vice said:
G... I hope that by upping the power and
redesigning the cabinet on the combos, they will solve the problems with that downfiring 10" woofer. ...

Ric Vice
Click to expand...

What problems? The only ones I 've heard about arise where the venue does not provide a proper surface for reflection/coupling. Please be more explicit as I'm considering buying one.

Thanks.
 
#60
Well, from my viewpoint that downfiring ten has just dosen't have the presence that a front firing cabinet does. I borrowed a Series I Claris from a friend and tried it out on several different gigs. It sounded nice in a duo, but when I used it with a the trio that play with regularly, all of us were having trouble hearing the bass.

I have to say that our drummer is a very sensitive cat. He dosen't overplay or bash at all. So, the trio isn't playing at very loud volumes at all. My VL 108 combined with a Walter Woods MI 400 cleaned the AI Contra's Clock. Now I'll grant you that the Woods has much more rated power than the Contra but that EA cabinet is pretty small potatoes.

IMHO the original Contras were underpowered, so hopefully
the newer versions with 300 watts and the redesigned cabinet will
improve the sound. That said, I noticed in your profile that you already own a Contra, so if it's working for you, then I'd have to say that the new model would be even better.

Ric

PS: I use a Realist so that's a whole different animal as well.
 

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