Double Bass AI Contra Series II

[rnilson]

Hey Guys,
I have an Acousitc Image Contra Series II combo. I had always loved it for it's clean accurate response for my double bass when using a realist.

Lately I have been playing with larger groups and in fusion setting instead of traditional jazz. I have found that if the gain and master volume are at noon. The ten inch woofer bottoms out bad on an open E string if I lay into it. Is this normal operation and I am just finding the limits of a single ten, or have I blown out the woofer?

 

[Ric Vice]

Hey Guys,
I have an Acousitc Image Contra Series II combo. I had always loved it for it's clean accurate response for my double bass when using a realist.

Lately I have been playing with larger groups and in fusion setting instead of traditional jazz. I have found that if the gain and master volume are at noon. The ten inch woofer bottoms out bad on an open E string if I lay into it. Is this normal operation and I am just finding the limits of a single ten, or have I blown out the woofer?

Rnilson,

One thing that you have to consider with the Realist is that it works well in settings that require low to medium volume. At louder volume levels, the tone quality becomes harsh, not at all like what you get below it's "threshold" so that may be part of the problem.


It's also very likely that you are just having to push that little amp to hard. I'd consider a second cabinet like the Ten2 extension that AI now manufacturers or a EA Wizzy 12 mline. A good service tech can take a look a the speaker for you, but they usually make some nasty sounds when they are actually blown. My guess is that the cabinet can't keep up at those higher volumes.


Ric

 

[GEPA]

Hi guys, I have a Contra III and it works well at low volume, but when I want to play a little louder, the speaker seems to have some limits, especially when you hit the E string with more strength. I recently add a Wizzy 10 cab to the Contra and it seems to help quite a bit. Try adding another cab, I don't think your speaker is damaged.

 

[jrlynch]

roll off the bottom with the hpf, that's what's making the speaker break up.

 

[Pat Harris]

roll off the bottom with the hpf, that's what's making the speaker break up.

Indeed, and IMO (IME), the AI combos "put out" more sound than what you can hear on stage. If I ever let another bassist sit in on a gig, I'm always amazed at how much sound goes into the house when the stage volume seems quite low.

You're never going to get a "bumping" bass from an AI combo or any single 10 speaker for that matter. Adding an extension cab is definitely the way to go.