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Double Bass AI Ten2 for doubling?

M

Marial

weapons-grade plum
Apr 8, 2011
7,633
17,810
#1
Newb here, and new to URB, but loving it. I'm currently playing in two projects, one in which I only play BG which falls under that nebulous indie-rock umbrella, the second an alt-country band in which I'm playing 95% URB.

I play a Fender Hwy1 Jazz and a Palatino 3/4. I had a Realist on the Palatino but experienced a lot of difficulty with boom/honk/feedback so I'm switching to a Rev Solo after sifting through a few of the threads here. It's strung with weich Spirocores (so much better on the bass then then Helicores it had on it previously).

I'm currently lugging around either an Ampeg SVT-4 Pro/410HLF rig or an Ampeg BA300.

With all of that in mind, I'm looking for a lightweight rig that will work for both and get decent volume (certainly doesn't need to be as loud as the SVT4), and it seems like the AI Ten2 is a good candidate, with an additional cab for louder situations. Does anyone use the Ten2 for both and what are your impressions?
 
#2
I use the Ten2 for any and all gigs ranging from a quiet jazz trio on upright bass to a loud funk gig playing a 5 string electric bass and everything in between. When I need more "fire power" I put a Bergantino AE 2x10 with it and it's more than enough to handle any situation. If you're traveling, take the head with you and use a back-lined cabinet. The Ten2 is worth every penny and then some, imo.
 
#3
Thanks Pat! Edited to ask: Are you using a preamp of any sort? I'm looking at the Fishman Platinum Pro.... Also, do use any sort of splitter? I'd maybe like to use the Fishman for URB and my Aguilar Tone Hammer for BG.

Edited: NM, checked out your profile and see you're using the Fishman.
 
#6
I don't gig much, but I use my Ten2 for everything I do, which includes keyboard and archtop electric guitar as well as electric and upright bass. The Ten2's only disappointment will be if you don't like the way your basses sound through it - it's designed to be neutral and that's not everyone's cup of tea. For that reason, I suggest trying one out if you can or making sure there's a return policy. These folks

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have a 14-day trial period. I didn't buy my Ten2 from them (I bought it slightly used from someone here) but I've bought a few things from them and they've always been a pleasure to work with.

-S-
 
#7
Bass Northwest is a dealer but I don't know if they have one in stock to test. I do know their return period is short, something like 72 hours, so I'd be more inclined to order from Gollihur so I'd actually have some time to 'live' with the amp.

I actually like how my little Palatino sounds, for how much I paid for it ($850) it's a heck of an instrument, and with a preamp and the onboard effects of the Ten2 I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get a great tone.
 
#8
Evan at Bass Northwest is pointing me in the direction of the Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 models, which they do actually stock. Anyone have any points of comparison between them and the Ten2?
 
#9
hey man. I have a ten 2 and it rules. I use it for doubling gigs. Its EQ isnt too flexible for electric, another pre amp might be an idea if you neeeed itt.

I just rock the 3 band eq thought. Might dip, highs push, bass at 8 o clock, and I use the low cut filter to stop my low B from blowing anything up when I crank it. !!!

hope this helps.

this thing rules.

I forgot to mention that, for upright, it's the best thing I've done for my sound.

In some places however!!!1 I find the speaker a little muddy if I can't get it nice and close to my ear. This is only if I'm crammed somewhere.
 
#10
Bumping this thread because I had a question.

I'm also a doubler planning on getting one of these for use in NYC (jazz/funk/rnb, whatever. i'm not a rocker though). My question is, how sensitive is the downfiring woofer to dust/dirtiness? Not all floors are clean, and I'm a little concerned that it might affect the life of the unit.
 
#11
Snarf said:
Bumping this thread because I had a question.

I'm also a doubler planning on getting one of these for use in NYC (jazz/funk/rnb, whatever. i'm not a rocker though). My question is, how sensitive is the downfiring woofer to dust/dirtiness? Not all floors are clean, and I'm a little concerned that it might affect the life of the unit.
Click to expand...

AI has a very good reputation for customer service. I'd just send an email to Rick Jones and ask the question. They are very good at answering questions and providing service for their amps. My guess is they have sealed the speaker in some way to prevent just this thing from causing a problem.

Ric
 
#12
just wanted to chime in and say that i love my ten2. i use it for jazz gigs and rock electric bass gigs. ive even played the stone pony with just that amp (going through the PA of course), but ive also played rock gigs without PA support. i just added an extnesion cab and it was plenty. the fact that you can run it at 2 ohms is great. for upright, it is my favorite speaker right now. i love the speaker. i didnt like the amp at first, so i just removed it and put my walter woods on top and got the best tone i've ever had on upright. now, however, im learning how to use my external preamps to get the sound im looking for out of the AI head. the convienene of carrying a combo amp is the reason i got it in the first place, so i was bummed when i couldnt make it work for me that way. after owning it for a year i think i can finally use it as a combo with my preamp and get the tone i want. also, for electric i always use a preamp too.... im not crazy about the EQ on the AI itself. i think its to generic for bass players, but that's one of the things that make the amp great for so many other instruments too. i personally use the radial PZ pre with electric and upright and im happy with the tone. (sometimes ill use the sansamp for rock gigs. works great)
 
#15
The thing with the Ten2 speaker, as with any AI will be sensitivity to the type of floor. I have a Ten2 ex and I use it whenever possible, but when I'm on a portable platform or concrete (and ofcourse plain earth), I switch to a regular front firing speaker. I love it for it's sound when I can use it but I can't cover every gig with it.

Dave
 
#16
Dave, have you tried the tilt-back gizmo on the bottom of the Ten2 and, if so, have you found it makes a difference in terms of the sound for you? I pretty much always use it on my Ten2 and on my earlier AI stuff, e.g., Contra, too.

-S-
 
#18
Dave Irwin said:
The thing with the Ten2 speaker, as with any AI will be sensitivity to the type of floor. I have a Ten2 ex and I use it whenever possible, but when I'm on a portable platform or concrete (and ofcourse plain earth), I switch to a regular front firing speaker. I love it for it's sound when I can use it but I can't cover every gig with it.

Dave
Click to expand...

Would bringing a small square of plywood to place under the speaker bottom help? Say 40cm x 40cm?

How does the downfiring woofer of the top cabinet sound when it is on top of the extension cabinet?
 
#19
I have the Contra rather than the Ten2, but they both have a down firing woofer. I used the Contra on top of a Wizzy 12 at an outdoor gig recently and was happily surprised with how well it worked...big sound and plenty of bottom and clarity.

I also cut out a plywood circle for use under a Contra EX several years ago...I thought it helped with clarity, but using the tilt back legs does much the same thing, if with a somewhat more directional sound.
 
#20
The plywood board might help but I think the AI design relies on using the floor to propogate sound so the small board might be limited in its efectiveness. I never tried the Ten2ex on top of another cab but I didn't like it when I tried that with the contra. It just didn't add much. If you are thinking extension cab, I'd just pull the ten 2 head and use the extension when the gig doesn't suit the downfiring woofer.

Dave

longfinger said:
Would bringing a small square of plywood to place under the speaker bottom help? Say 40cm x 40cm?

How does the downfiring woofer of the top cabinet sound when it is on top of the extension cabinet?
Click to expand...
 

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