Double Bass Adding a speaker cabinet to my AI New Yorker combo

[orbix]

So I've done a bunch of searching and haven't found anyone having mentioned using one of Acoustic Image's speaker cabinets to boost the sound output from their combo units...

I have a New Yorker which I love dearly, but it's just not quite enough power for some of my gigs. I play a mix of folk-rock (more folk, not so much rock, so it's not very loud) and jazz, and I really need just a bit more volume for the occasional small outdoor gig. From what I've been reading, adding a speaker cabinet to the combo should add volume, but I can't get a sense of whether it's really *that* much louder.

I really like the idea of just extending what I have if it's not going to be a colossal waste of money, and it makes sense to me to go with AI's cab that should match what I'm running already. Has anyone gone this route with any success? If not, any recommendations for what *will* do what I'm talking about? I'm open to suggestions of other brands, I just figured I'd start with the AI.

 

[orbix]

One clarification- I'm really only looking for more volume for the folk-rock gigs. The AI by itself is plenty of power for every jazz gig I've ever used it for, even big-band stuff!

 

[LowNote]

I owned a New Yorker for several years, and when I needed additional volume I paired it with an AI Contra EX cabinet. Because this cabinet was designed to pair with the Contra's and New Yorkers, it sounded exactly like the New Yorker, only louder. Assuming you really like the sound of the New Yorker (yes it was shy a bit of power for me as well and this led to me selling it on), I would recommend that you keep your eyes open for a used, last generation (wooden cabinet and not plastic cabinet) Contra EX cabinet. I have one I'd like to sell but am unfortunately in Edinburgh, Scotland so I'm afraid that's non-starter. They should be very reasonably priced used, and it is a safe assumption that anyone who bought one was unlikely to have played music through it that was abusive.

Cheers,

Erik Lars Hansen aka Lownote

 

[orbix]

Erik-

If I might ask, what rig did you move to after selling the New Yorker? I'm a fan of it generally speaking, but I'm not so attached that I wouldn't seriously consider other options, especially since the extension cabs aren't cheap.

 

[LowNote]

I'm effectively using the AI Ten2 by which I mean I'm running a last generation AI Focus--pretty much equivalent to the amp in the current Ten2--through a Ten2EX speaker cabinet with the serial number of 0001! This works for me for 90% of my gigs where I either need no more power than this affords or I'm going into the house system as well. If I do need more volume, I bring along either a Wizzy10 or a Schroeder Mini10+ extension speaker, or I use two Wizzy10s with the Focus. I love the sound of the Ten2 cabinet and it has worked well for upright as well as bass guitar gigs.

FYI, I'm playing a hybrid LaScale with a RevII solo pickup and Evah Pirazzi Weich strings. I also carry with me a Headway pre-amp to use with crappy back line amps and as a front end to house sound systems. Although I think I like the sound of the Headway slightly better than the preamp section of the AI Focus, there isn't enough of a difference to make it worth the hassle of plugging in yet another piece of gear. I['m mostly playing in a modern big band or small group, straight ahead jazz gigs with the occasional pop/function band built around a horn section.

Erik Hansen
Scotland

 

[orbix]

So one last question- How does the Ten2 (or at least your effective approximation! ) compare in terms of volume vs. the New Yorker plus an extension cab? Obviously you can't get the spread that two cabs gets you with just one unit, but with dual 10s and an absurd amount of power amp-wise, I could envision the Ten2 winning that battle, and at much less weight as well...

 

[LowNote]

Sorry but I can't give you an objective answer since I sold the New Yorker quite some time ago and can't do a comparison. I think the Ten2 is louder but don't know. It is definitely less hassle to have a single combo amp that requires no additional plugging.