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Double Bass Acoustic Image Support

#2
dc-upright said:
I am buying a used Clarus head from a guy here on a Talkbass. I contacted Rick at Acoustic Image about the amp, and he went above and beyond providing the info I was asking about even though I told him I was buying a used amp. Just wanted to share what a great experience I had with his company.
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They're famous for their great customer service.
 
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#4
I couldn't speak more highly of the company.

Several years ago I shipped my (out of warranty) Contra back to them to have the feet replaced. I got it back with new feet, a new handle, and a new metal grill on the bottom speaker. All for only the cost of shipping.

They really stand behind their products.
 
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#7
+1 to all the above.

Usually one must compromise- you get either a good product OR good service OR a fair price.

Acoustic Image is really "F-ing" with the bell curve! :D

I'm a "lifer" too. I have a Series 1 Contra and a Series 3 CodaR that I bought used from TBers. I came late to the party too- I kept telling myself that my Polytone was FINE...yeah, if it was 1985! :cool: I finally got wise a while back and I could kick myself for waiting so long!

Anyhow, just like everyone else, I told Rick that I had gotten them used- I didn't even know if I had bought from the original owners! It didn't matter! Rick is the man!

Joe
 
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#9
I talked with Rick at the 2013 ISB show and he remembered fixing my series II Clarus almost a year earlier! We talked about the new Flex system but he told me he would continue to service my old amp and there was no reason to buy a new one since I am happy with the sound and features of the old one. I've since bought a series I and am very happy with its great sound (none), size and simplicity. Over the years I have owned two other AI heads (series III Focus and Clarus), selling them to try other stuff but none of them sounded as natural for DB. Rick makes great amps and earned my loyalty by delivering amazing service.
 
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#10
Not long ago, I exchanged emails with Rick regarding the serial numbers when they discontinued the Focus. I had purchased a Clarus that was advertised as having Focus power and needed to confirm.

Rick was a peach in both speed and completeness of his response. Simply superior communication from the AI company - even around discontinued products.

John
 
#12
I managed to drop my Clarus 2R and completely destroyed one of the side plates. I emailed them and had a new one in my hands in less than a week. Didn't even charge me for shipping. I was totally at fault and felt like an idiot but they took such good care of me. Oh yeah, and it's the best sounding upright head I've ever heard :)
 
#14
Last week I fried My Focus 2R...I think plugging in a Schertler. Sent to Rick. Rick has already sent it back. Literally, got it in and out in one day. Back to me, in one day. Cost? Shipping. $600 repair to open the amp? Nope. Pride in his workmanship and a business model that has service #1 yup. Customer loyalty? Yup. Further Rick suggested that I might want a 10Meg Ohm input in my amp for the pickup I am using. Installed, no charge.
This kind of old school service and attention to detail, makes me happy about his product, his business, and about how lucky we are that he makes Bass Amps.
Bravo again Rick.
Thanks so much,
Piro
 
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#15
one more plug for Rick....I got my amp back 15 minutes before leaving for my gig (somehow I think Rick pulled that off too) but the amp, was cleaned new feet were put on the bottom,all the buttons were changed out (I wanted a Red button for Mute but he changed them all for consistency) and the impedance was changed to 10MegOhms which made a huge difference in the sound of the amp (I highly recommend this if you have to send your amp back...)
Rick does what no other maker does, he honors his own older creations as though they were just purchased. I wish Apple who has gazillions of dollars more then Rick, would learn a thing or two about how to treat your customers.
Rick is just Stellar.
 
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#16
Many moons ago, I had an intermittent power inlet connection on a Clarus 2 head. It was a faulty IEC inlet that had loose connections to the pins.

When I called AI, Rick offered to do the fix free of charge, but he wanted to save me shipping and avoid down-time. He asked if I had soldering skills and then proceeded to walk me through a fix as I opened the chassis. Great guy, fantastic support!
 
#17
flatback said:
Rick does what no other maker does, he honors his own older creations as though they were just purchased. ...
Rick is just Stellar.
Click to expand...

This was my experience with him too. After 10 years of heavy use, my original Clarus developed an issue. I called him to see if it could even still be serviced, fully expecting that the answer would be "no" since it was such an old model. He said, "send it back to me and we'll get you up and running." A week later, I had the amp back, fixed, at no charge. His customer service is literally as good as it gets.
 
#18
I was impressed emailing & asking about the warranty, as I am about to buy a used Coda ( less than one year old).
Received an email back the next day from Rick, telling me that I would pick up the warranty. Also, answered some questions!
 
#19
You cannot beat Rick at AI. I was on the waiting list for their first Contra and have been using AI products ever since. Service has been perfect, no charge ever. I know this sounds like ebay feedback or something, but I want to show appreciation for a great company.
 
#20
I bought a used series 4 Coda which was broken. No output section on the head and the woofer was bad. A quick call to Rick and I shipped the head off last week. Today I received a repaired head, new woofer and free bag for the removable head !! I only paid shipping one way. Rick has always taken care of me.
 

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