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Double Bass Avalon U5 review

#41
well I just did a gig using just the U5 into a Mackie srm 450. Now that is a fine sound. Man I know it was gunna be sweet but wow. I know that the Mackie is a little bassy and there are probably better powered speakers out there( and it is a ridiculous schlep, but the whole biamped high end is very sweet and not at all tinny like thru the LDS.
I am really curious about how a FC thru U5 and Bergatano 112 or pub 280 sounds.
 
#42
flatback said:
I am really curious about how a FC thru U5 and Bergatano 112 or pub 280 sounds.
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Funny you should ask. My brother, who wins my Tom Bowlus runner-up award for gear warehouser, loaned me his U5 and REDDI, which I have been playing, mostly through my Pub. Both front ends sound awesome! :hyper:

(Too bad bro doesn't have a Summit. :bawl: )

The REDDI, though it sounds fine--maybe even a little better to me (warmer and deeper) than the U5 even, is not rated as a high impedance that you'd normally want to load a piezo, though, and also it doesn't fit on top of the Pub so well. Also it costs more and doesn't have all the flexibility of the U5.

The U5, OTOH, fits perfectly on the Pub and it sounds killer good. I think I like tone curve 1 best, though 3 & 4 would also be appropriate. I might end up buying this unit, though this small compact rig that looks like it was made as a set is not at all what I would call portable, at least not given its ~60lbs total!

I did some comparison to my LDS and Clarus, but not much, and I've not yet tried the U5 (or REDDI) as a front end for the Clarus as power amp. The LDS/Clarus combo was more hollow, without the punch, warmth, and full fidelity of the U5/Pub. Though I didn't take a lot of time to adjust the Clarus tone controls either. This is still a trial in progress.

I also should note that a friend built up one of the Altoid box buffers, and I also tried it between the FC and the REDDI and this sound was to die for, even with no tone adjustment. I still think I could be totally happy with the much more feature-rich U5, though. (I didn't even try it w/ the buffer because the U5 input Z is already 3M ohm.)
 
#43
I took the plunge and got a used U5 for $300. I'm using it with a vector to a Baggs mix pro (I need phantom) to the U5 to the FocusII and a 12 or a Schroeder 1210. I report back after a few gigs this week. On a side note. I just got back from the UK and forgot to switch the voltage on the Focus back to 110. No problems but the other way around could have been a disaster.
 
#47
Adrian Cho said:
Holy cow. A preamp that weighs 2 or 3 times more than the amp. I think I'm going to have to change the signature for my posts. You guys clearly care more about the sound than me.
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Your right, I must be out of my GDM. Although, after NY the SF schlep is cake.Any one, Can I use the phantom on the Focus after going through the U5?
 
#48
Geoff,
I dont think its gunna work like that. Bet I put the original preamp back on the VEKTOR and it sounds great thru the U5. Seems like most of the weight and bulk is the casing(and the knobs). But the sound is butta. I gotta say I'm using a mic and FC right now. Mostly cause I haven't figured out a way to get both Pick ups on the same bridge.
I put the Focus sideways on the U5 and hook the thing together and put the whole thing in an old GK case (the half size one that was for the little guitar amp.) it goes on top of my cab (which has one of those built in carts from LDS) its still a pretty small rig.
 
#51
all_ground_up said:
Care to comment on the U5 sound vs the Walter Woods sound for EB and UR? One possibility would be to put the U5 into the WW power amp (bypassing the preamp)?
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I would love to comment on that but I don't have a U5 and don't yet know anyone around here who does. Perhaps someone would send me one to demo? :D

PrisonBoyJumsuit said:
I carry the U5 and an avalon Focus power amp in a "buckemouth" 16 inch tool bag. Works really well, and has room enough for cables, ext. cords, etc.
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Pics please.

JamNNuts said:
It's not THAT big
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That's what she said. :hiding:
 
#52
LOL!

Sorry, it's "bucketboss" brand, not bucketmouth

B00002243C.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1056652651_.jpg


This one works well for me
 
#55
Uncletoad said:
UncleanToes wrote: That's cool. Where'd that come from?
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Sears, the hardware dept. Amazone carries them too.

It has padded sides already (not sure why) and i stick some foam in the pockets at the ends so it's a little bit padded there too.

Just came back from a family camping trip where i used it to carry clothes. Now it smells like bar stink AND smelly clothes.

nice.
 
#57
Uncletoad said:
I would love to comment on that but I don't have a U5 and don't yet know anyone around here who does. Perhaps someone would send me one to demo? :D
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Actually, another TBer is borrowing my U5 right now for a recording session, but once I get it back, I can send it down to you. :)
 
#59
it seems i'm noticing a difference in sounds from the different output jacks. even with the trhough switch engaged (or disengaged, whichever activates the front panel output with the mojo in it). anyway, what output are you guys using? the front output sounds nice to me, but alittle dull compared to the 2 on the back (even with the mojo "in"). on the back the mic out sounds nicer to my ears, and the line out sounds nice too, but it's way to hot for my amp to handle. what are your experiences?
 
#60
I have a vague sense that I like the line out into my power amp more than the mic out, but it's mostly the greater output. I have a slighlty less vague sense that I like the 1/4 out the least, but I've ever actually done an A/B test--maybe later this week I'll check it out
 

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