• 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 Focus died on gig/AI support

A

abaguer

Nov 27, 2001
835
135
Milford, NJ
#1
Just thought I'd share a little story. I had just finished playing the first of 4 sets of my sun night gig and when I went back for set 2 my Focus wouldn't work. :hmm: The power light started blinking and I switched outlets to make sure the power was good (even though I play there every Sun and have never had a problem). Needless to say the amp started making that awful powering down sound that you get when you have an XLR coming out of the Focus DI and forget to unplug it before powering off. I switched to the GK house head and finished the gig. (thank God there was a house rig)

To make matters worse I was leaving the next day for a 3 week tour. I took my WW on the road instead and had my wife send the amp to AI after I had written them an email describing the problem. I've used the Focus, and before that a Clarus, for the last 4 years on the road and have never, ever had a problem so I was very surprised that the amp died on me.

My wife phoned me a week later saying that the amp had arrived everything fixed, free of charge. Though it was stressful having it stop working, I can certainly vouche for the quick and professional response of Rick and the guys at AI. ;)
 
#4
abaguer said:
Just thought I'd share a little story. I had just finished playing the first of 4 sets of my sun night gig and when I went back for set 2 my Focus wouldn't work. :hmm: The power light started blinking and I switched outlets to make sure the power was good (even though I play there every Sun and have never had a problem). Needless to say the amp started making that awful powering down sound that you get when you have an XLR coming out of the Focus DI and forget to unplug it before powering off. I switched to the GK house head and finished the gig. (thank God there was a house rig)

To make matters worse I was leaving the next day for a 3 week tour. I took my WW on the road instead and had my wife send the amp to AI after I had written them an email describing the problem. I've used the Focus, and before that a Clarus, for the last 4 years on the road and have never, ever had a problem so I was very surprised that the amp died on me.

My wife phoned me a week later saying that the amp had arrived everything fixed, free of charge. Though it was stressful having it stop working, I can certainly vouche for the quick and professional response of Rick and the guys at AI. ;)
Click to expand...

Was yours the newr Focus III series? We have alot in common. Mine did the same thing on a gig in Jan. when it was brand new and was fixed immediately after sending it to Rick at AI. Some kind of power section issue. It's been fine ever since. I geuss they need to iron this out w/ the new design. Mine was the eighth one off the line. Serial #0008

BTW; My birthday is 11/28/61, we both live in NJ, I've worked w/ Peter Theodore as well (maybe it was you that I subbed for w/ him), I know Tony Cimorosi, and also love Ray Brown and Oscar Pettiford.

All The Best, BG
 
#7
Bob Gollihur said:
That was an initial issue that affected just a few units. I wouldn't worry.
Click to expand...

After getting the repaired unit back within 2 days, the Focus has been great ever since. See my post in Gear Reveiws:
http://www.talkbass.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=824

So light I can take it on fly out gigs tucked under the seat in front of me in the soft bag, check my EUB or BG and gear bag, and just rent a cab at the destination. I always have my sound w/ me wherever.:)

BG
 
#9
Okay, I'll stop being a nervous nelly.

Although it sounds like you guys have more "professional" needs. I'm a hobby player that barely needs amplification on DB if only to compete with drummers who don't know what a jazz kit is never mind having one. And I seem to get into combos with guitar players that play like Wes but want the volume of Jimi.

Looking forward to clean power in a small package.
 
#11
I've had issues with a series 2 Focus on gigs,but Rick at AI has been great.Got it back before this current couple weeks of work,and everything is going just fine.I think issues will just surface with newer amp designs because players use them in so many different situations.One thing I was wondering about was the DI on the series 2.Does it seem too hot to anyone.I've had times when the house finds the signal too loud.And there is no way to adjust it.(I think?).Thanks and sorry for the highjack!
 
#12
countrybass said:
I've had issues with a series 2 Focus on gigs,but Rick at AI has been great.Got it back before this current couple weeks of work,and everything is going just fine.I think issues will just surface with newer amp designs because players use them in so many different situations.One thing I was wondering about was the DI on the series 2.Does it seem too hot to anyone.I've had times when the house finds the signal too loud.And there is no way to adjust it.(I think?).Thanks and sorry for the highjack!
Click to expand...

There was some discussion of this here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226837&page=2&highlight=hot

The discussion of DI issues starts on the bottom of the second page. Sounds like another repair issue. :(
 
#13
Bob Gollihur said:
That was an initial issue that affected just a few units. I wouldn't worry.
Click to expand...

Interesting..... "initial issue"......not to challenge you Bob, but that is exactly what Lemur Music told me when my early Clarus broke down at a gig. I felt that the amp was good, and they were great about quick fixing the problem, but I was disappointed that it seemed the company was willing to use their customers bucks for Research and Development. I WAS WORRIED and gave that amp away!
 
#14
mrpc said:
Interesting..... "initial issue"......not to challenge you Bob, but that is exactly what Lemur Music told me when my early Clarus broke down at a gig. I felt that the amp was good, and they were great about quick fixing the problem, but I was disappointed that it seemed the company was willing to use their customers bucks for Research and Development. I WAS WORRIED and gave that amp away!
Click to expand...

You unfairly characterize those issues as public R&D -- that's simply not the case. I frankly don't know how you can come to that conclusion. AI tests their gear under quite a number of conditions (they even gig prototypes themselves!) and have sent me prototypes to beat up on occasion. But nobody can anticipate everything or test every combination of gear on the planet. It's not humanly possible.

Rick at AI is quite the perfectionist, and I am damn sure that he would not let anything goes out the door that he expected might return.

How many other amp companies offer a five year warranty?
 
#15
Bob, I don't know alot about amp companies and their warranty policies.

My conclusion was based on the problems I experienced with the ONE A.I. Clarus I owned. As I said, I thought it was a good amp. I imagine that the new ones are even better. Some say that they are the best, I don't have an opinion there. And the company is good for repairs, probably the best in the business from what I've seen.

Don't worry about it: folks are going to keep purchasing, using, and loving these amps, in spite of anything I've said here. I'm just sharing my PERSONAL experience of an amp I haven't owned for quite awhile now.
 
#16
I work in marketing/product development in another industry (dental equipment). We test, test, and re-test any new model. We even install pilot manufactured (pre-production) equipment in working dental offices. And yet when we release a new model, within the first six months there are always unforseen issues that only appear in real numbers in the real world.

Its a normal part of any manufacture and the price one pays for being an early adopter of the "latest and greatest."
 
#17
The one time I did have an issue with my AI, I experienced the true meaning of customer service. Back in October, I accidentally caused my Clarus II's output transistors to fail during an amplifier evaluation session. I called Rick and he told me to send it in and that I would get my repairs and mods free-of-charge!! No company has ever done this for me before. Even after I explained that I was the one responsible for the damages (which is out-of-warranty) he still insisted I send it in. They fixed it in one day! :eek: (minus shipping, of course)
When I got it back and called Rick, he told me that, among other things, they modded the circuit so that, instead of the transistors failing during a short, it would now simply just blow a fuse. They were so nice, in fact, that they made me feel like they were the ones who broke the amp! Overall, an unforgettable experience. Although I've since sold the Clarus, I won't hesitate to invest in another one of their fine products. Perhaps a Focus is in my future? :cool:
Brad
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back