• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass EA questions on amp and cabs

sloppysubs

sloppysubs

Nov 24, 2002
1,862
49
Tarboro, NC
sweetsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
#1
I put this over in EB also, but since I play both (live and studio), I'm really curious about this gear.

This is a two fold question:

1 - what is the prevailing opinion on their micro amp? I haven't been able to find too many reviews or anything on the new ones. It appeals to me for the simplicity of the EQ section and amp on whole but also the idea of having 2 separate inputs for 2 different basses (thinking of switching during live settings). Curious how these inputs differ other than their mid-range contours.

2 - what is the main difference between the Wizzy 12 and the Wizzy 12 M-line? There isn't much description on the website other than the M-line is "like a studio monitor". Anyone played either one of these cabs and have a preference?

I keep reading where EA is pretty good at making amps and cabs that don't color the sound and represent the true sound of the instrument. I'm sort of looking for some of that purity.

As it is now, I think I do damn well with a GK 800RB and 2 of their Neo112 cabs. Will the EA gear work well with both EB and DB? Not cause too much guff and grief?

Thanks in advance.
 
#2
I have both an iAMP 500 and a Micro 300 amp. I like them both quite a bit. A BassDriver helps with electric bass, because they are pretty uncolored. The eq is so much more sophisticated on the iAmp, if you need that, but the 3 band simple eq on the micro works just fine.

The M-Line cabinets in addition to doing what the regular Wizzy does, is ported to radiate out the sides or something. Someone else may be able to explain it better. My Wizzys are not M-Line, but I have a friend with one and it sounds nice with DB. Don't know if that's a desirable feature for EB or not.
 
#3
The EA Micro is pretty neutral with simple EQ. Both Wizzys are rather mid forward -- particularly the non-M version. (The drivers are the same in both the Wizzy 12 and 12M. The M-line has a slightly different low end due to the difference in the cabinet design.)

If you are used to and like the GK sound, you may be surprised by the EA stuff. You will have to decide if you like that surprise for yourself.

I've owned lots of GK stuff. Still do. Also owned all three EA Wizzys (10, 12 and 12M), and to me they all sound quite different. Even the classic GK amps like the 800RB sound very different than the new amps like the MB800. It's all good. You just have to decide what you like.
 
Last edited:
#4
Don't forget the Wizzy 10".

From what I've read of other people's experience on TB, the amps are pretty clean and neutral – perfect for DB, but may need warming an EB with a pedal of some kind unless you're going for super clean for that too; the 12" Wizzy is well suited to EB, whilst the M-Line is slightly flatter across the spectrum and suited to DB – IIRC. Again, just what I've read. I've no experience other than EA 300 and a Wizzy 10".

It's kind of like comparing apples though, which makes a better apple sauce, McIntosh or Granny Smith? And somebody will answer Spartan, another Golden Delicious or Red Delicious, and yet another Money Apples.

On with the pie tasting...
 
#7
Eric Hochberg said:
How does the CXL112 compare?
Click to expand...

It's a very different beast. More clear and precise, and able to take a huge amount of power. Not as warm/round as the Wizzy. The M-line is somewhat closer to the CxL-112, but they are still very different sounding.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eric Hochberg
#8
I've owned a Micro and now own a Doubler. Uncolored sound. Tiny. EQ is responsive, but basic. No mid freq adjustment, just a straight mid. Some might call it "sterile" sounding. Simple though. Power rating somewhat overrated IMO. I've found it hard to generate a comfortable level of headroom on mostly the secondary channel, but on the Doubler (I think also for the micro) it's designed for a piezo instrument with a high mohm impedance input. But when I sent my Micro back to Gary EA, he opened it up, made both channels hotter and I then had acceptable headroom. There are channel gain adjustable trim pots on the top of the units and they are counter-intuitive - turning them counter-clockwise actually increases the gain. But if you think about it, they are called "trim" pots, so turning them clockwise "trims" (decreases) the gain. I'm too dumb to understand the purpose of the trim pots, because you have a gain on each channel and also a master gain. Also, the trim pots are somewhat inconvenient, but purposely placed because they are on the top of the unit, and are sunk in the top and require a small flat screwdriver to "trim" them.

I double, so I decided to buy a used TB Doubler and it is really the same amp. Only extras include a notch filter and a HPF trim pot which I can't seem to get the HPF to work as I think it should work. Also has an ajustable to phase to control feedback if needed (again, motly because that channel is for piezo outfitted instruments. Both the Micro and the Doubler have a useable mute switch.

Don't get me wrong from the above. I really like these amps. I'm going to gig this Saturday with the Doubler and my '79 Sabre for a cover band gig. The DI is a little funky as it's 1/4 out but it comes with a 6"conversion cord to male XLR.
 
#9
I've not used any of the newer EA micro amps, but I've had an iAmp 800, and a pair of the original (non-M Line) Wizzy 12s for many years. I've used this rig on every type of gig you can think of, except those requiring extreme volume....never even wanted to look at other rigs. Reliable as a hammer. I've used this stuff with URB, EUB, and EB, doubling frequently, and it seems to have just the right voicing for everything with very little eq tweaks. The Wizzys are really, really portable and lightweight.

FWIW, I had the chance to play a couple of URB gigs with one of the M-line prototypes, before their general release. I honestly didn't hear enough difference to make the switch.
 
#12
moonbass said:
I'm using a Wizzy 10 with a Walter Woods Ultra on EB. How can i keep from blowing the Wizzy 10 which is only rated at 200 watts i think? Mostly jazz type gigs in small rooms.
Click to expand...

The simple answer is, don't expect to get the same volume level you'd get out of a larger cabinet. Don't push it too hard and if it starts to sound distorted or unpleasant, back off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: moonbass, NG51 and MR PC
#17
Got an email back from JD at EA (my email had originally got booted to the spam folder, apparently, but he saw this thread and went email hunting). Driver needs replacement, says he.

I've been sick in bed, so I haven't properly checked it yet, but I'm certain it isn't the handle, 'cause I always use that as a kickback stand. Before the New Year I did place my hand on the grill while my friend played through it and that didn't "fix" it. I've got, and have had, for a long time that sick feeling of "something's wrong, and it's not one of the simple fixes", but being in denial I've suppressed it. It's been easy to do so 'cause what few gigs I've had recently have had provided backline.

If I'm up and around by the end of the week, I'll give it an extremely thorough going over.

Thanks for your help Mark, Troy.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back