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Double Bass Arnopol 8 Cabinet - A Winner!

#181
That's next for me and my coin jar: a Crazy 8 to use as a trio of 8's on electric gigs and for the smaller coffee shop gigs as well.
For my Sunday gig (loud funk jazz jam with drummer and percussionist, keys and horns, 68' P Bass into Clarus head) the 88 worked great, my keyboardist said he heard mid and hi detail he's never heard before. There was a tangible clarity and tactility to the notes and the separation between them. Watching the cone jump was lots of fun too. Very excited about this little cab!
 
#182
I received one of Mike's composite Crazy8's, with tweeter, in time for a gig on Saturday.

I'm in a duo with a vocalist and myself on upright (no other instruments). Our main gig is the bar area of a large restaurant. The stage layout is such that when the crowd noise gets even moderately loud, the crowd-facing cabs don't (and can't) provide any support for us on the stage (not even low-end warmth). So we're completely dependent on a monitor.

Okay, so this is common enough. But what has eluded me is a decent stage monitor.

The stage is ridiculously small, and there is only room for me (and the bass) and the vocalist. The usual wedges are way too big. Even a 1x10 cab is still too big. Everything smaller that we've tried just doesn't sound all that great to start with - too thin - and sounds pretty bad to terrible at higher volumes (which happens for the first hour with the dinner crowd of 80-100 catching a drink while waiting for their tables).

With the arrival of the Crazy8, I'm in heaven (I'm powering it with a Series 1 Clarus, with an FDeck Pre). It's just small enough to work on the stage (it doesn't sound small!). We're floating in wonderful, no compromise bass-ness, and the crowd can yak away as loudly as they want. And of course when it quiets down - at any volume, really - the sound is fantastic.

(Now I have to ponder, when funds allow, replacing the PA and bass cabs with some crazy's . . .)

Thanks Mike for making a great product!

- Scott
 
#186
Another satisfied Crazy 8 customer! I got mine today and used it for a rehearsal tonight. I have a Thompson RM200 bass with a Rev Solo II PU, run through a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0. I immediately noticed a big difference between the GB 8t cab and the Crazy 8 - I did an A/B comparison. The Crazy 8 has a deeper voice (not very technical I know) which means I set the amp EQ almost totally flat whereas w/the GB cab I had to do more EQing to get the desired warm sound. I also noticed a very small amount EQing has a direct tonal impact with the C8. Super, super light.
 
#187
The Crazy 8 is a phenomenal (need a stronger word) cabinet for DB.
However, I took it to a big band gig tonight which has a lot of modern arrangements so I played slab and it simply defied the rules of physics. Not much I can say other than it's better than I ever imagined. :hyper:
 
#189
I've had my Crazy 8 for a little while now and thought I would share my impressions. I have a bare bones version with no tweeter or other options.

First of all, it's super lightweight and small. I've been using a Wizzy 10, and I thought that was small! The 8 is easily lifted with one finger. I've picked up my bass in its case and the Crazy 8 with one hand on a few occasions. Construction seems nice and sturdy.

Soundwise, the thing I've noticed most is clarity. Compared to the Wizzy 10, I need to turn the amp quite a bit higher for similar volume (no doubt a combination of the Wizzy's 4ohm impedance and, especially, its high efficiency). However, even at what seems like lower volumes, the clarity of sound allows the bass to be heard through the band. I've never felt like I was pushing the amp or speaker too hard, even with a big band.

I've also noticed that I get more use out of the EQ on my amp than I do with the Wizzy. With the Wizzy, I almost always have to turn the mids, and sometimes highs, way down to avoid crappy tone or even feedback. With the Crazy 8, I can use my EQ controls quite freely to adjust for different rooms. The mid-control is no longer just the suck knob!

FYI, I've only used it with upright so far. Mostly my carved bass with AKG C411 contact mic into an EA Doubler, but also a Kay with a Planet Wing pickup.
 
#190
Glad it's working for you, Michael!
It is relatively low efficiency. That's not really a problem unless you're using an amp below say, 100watts. The max volume, while you have to turn up higher is the same or a bit better than the Wizzy.
 
#192
Mike Arnopol said:
Glad it's working for you, Michael!
It is relatively low efficiency. That's not really a problem unless you're using an amp below say, 100watts. The max volume, while you have to turn up higher is the same or a bit better than the Wizzy.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm sure the Doubler has more than enough juice for my needs. I've never really cranked it with the Crazy 8, but it sounds so nice and clear at lower volumes that I haven't had to. A clean, accurate sound cuts through so much better than loud and muddy or honky.
 
#193
Yep, I can see myself getting one of these Crazy8s. How to fund it though.. Sell my micro300/wizzy10 rig and just look for a used Clarus or something.. or.. sell my old W Seifert German bow.. or.. oh, there I go again, posting out loud.

Any NY'ers out there with a Crazy8?
 
#194
Today the FedEx stork delivered a big sister for Crazy8 named Crazy88. :D She was PERFECTLY packed and arrived without a scratch; Mr. Arnopol doesn't mess around when he packs cabs for shipment!

As much as I love my Crazy8, these two sisters together are a formidable pairing! Two cabs with a combined weight of ~30 pounds that'll handle any gig I'm likely to play. Holy cow!

Five-string fretless sounds clean and BIG with an effortless B string; Azola EUB sounds fantastic; and when I plugged in "Baby," my 1939 Mittenwald DB, the clouds parted, the angels wept, and the dishes in the kitchen cupboards rattled. I can't wait to gig this pair! :bassist:

The fit is a little snug, but Crazy88 fits the Meinl cajon bag like they were made for each other. I'll order another Meinl bag tonight.

I am a VERY happy camper. Thank you, Mike Arnopol! :D :D :D
 
#197
I just conducted an unscientific preliminary comparison of three cabs after a very long week (and a few beers):

Euphonic Audio VL208
Euphonic Audio Wizzy 12M
Arnopol Crazy88

I played three different basses through an FDeck HPF/Pre into an iAmp800 with its EQ bypassed:

Lakland 55-02D fretless, TI flats, active, knobs at noon;

Azola chambered mini-bass (strings unknown), piezo element built into bridge under each string;

1939 carved DB (Mittenwald, Germany), Spirocores, Underwood.

I played each instrument facing the cabs about 8 feet away. Then, I played each instrument with the cab at my back, as though gigging on a small stage.

The Wizzy is a nice, lightweight, cab, but, it didn't hold a candle to the competition IMHO. Eliminated in the first round of testing. Inconsistent warmth, less clarity, boxier sounding.

With Electric, Azola, and DB, the Crazy88 was my preferred cab - by a nose; with DB, Crazy88 had a bigger lead. When I used the Crazy88 and Crazy8 together, the added height and SPL enabled the Crazy stack to take an unequivocal lead with all three instruments.

One thing is certain: I wish I had a switch box that would make it faster and easier to switch between speakers! I find it difficult to remember the sound of one cab with enough clarity to make a meaningful comparison when it takes awhile to unplug and re-plug the cabs and start playing again.

I'll play with them a little more tomorrow morning when I'm well rested.

As of tonight, the Crazy88 is slightly ahead of the VL208, and the stacked 8 & 88 beat the venerable VL208 handily in my living room, with my hands, my basses, and my beer. ;)
 

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