I'm thinking of upgrading and would like advice. I recently bought a tonedexter and love it. I'm thinking of plugging the Dex into either a powered MAS 6, or into a single channel Clarus/Upshot. Both would end up being in the same ballpark in price and weight. I own a couple of combos, but not a separate amp. I'm not interested in playing electric bass through either.
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Double Bass Mas 16 vs upshot
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I have the powered MAS 1/8 it’s the “bigger brother” of the 1/6 and it has the ability to project sound with amazing low end response and clarity. I would expect the 1/6 to do the same at lower levels.
Volume should be similar. The 16 and the Wizzy 10 go about the same volume. The biggest differences would be tonal balance, note envelope and projection in a room.
I have the powered 1/6 using it with a Felix. It's very impressive for double bass; it's easily covered all the rooms I've played in so far. It has made my db very easy to perceive on stage even with a drummer, and also sounds great in the room. And it's a joy to schlep. I may move up to the 1/8 but only because I do a fair number of electric gigs that call for more volume. Can't go wrong with Mike's speakers.
I just picked up a MAS 1,6 a couple of weeks ago and I can attest that it is an impressive piece of kit. I was considering the same options you were and happened to stumble onto this little gem.
I paired it up with my EA Doubler for rehearsal this week and it projected everything I like about my bass into the mix. I was playing with a 20 piece Big Band and sounded great. Even the BL, who was a little skeptical at first, totally fell in love with it. These results may be atypical, as that is a very live room and I’m in a corner. However, I also used it tonight with an electric bass and a 12 piece band and it sounded just as amazing.
I still need to experiment with it a little more to find that line where appropriate/inappropriate meet in regards to band/room size... but so far it has completely impressed me.
As a side note, keyboard players seem to be completely enthralled with it. I play a few notes through it and they’re drawn to it like moth to a flame
I paired it up with my EA Doubler for rehearsal this week and it projected everything I like about my bass into the mix. I was playing with a 20 piece Big Band and sounded great. Even the BL, who was a little skeptical at first, totally fell in love with it. These results may be atypical, as that is a very live room and I’m in a corner. However, I also used it tonight with an electric bass and a 12 piece band and it sounded just as amazing.
I still need to experiment with it a little more to find that line where appropriate/inappropriate meet in regards to band/room size... but so far it has completely impressed me.
As a side note, keyboard players seem to be completely enthralled with it. I play a few notes through it and they’re drawn to it like moth to a flame
The nice thing about getting a separate head is you can have different speakers, it is less costly to just get a speaker than a new combo. The Upshot works great for many settings, if I need more I have a 15. I want to get a normal lightweight cab at some point. It is great to just bring the head when places have a bass cab, also. So, I'd recommend going with the Clarus/Upshot.
One thing is while that combination has a great sound, it seems to want to be tweeked a bit for each room, rather than having a dependable setting.
One thing is while that combination has a great sound, it seems to want to be tweeked a bit for each room, rather than having a dependable setting.
Just a note here, the MAS 1/6 is avaliable as either a stand alone cabinet or a powered cabinet. So you can have one with the head of your choice.
Damon,
I agree on the separate head concept. My MAS cab is not powered so I use the EA Doubler. Which I prefer for the same reasons you do. I can use the MAS, or a single 112, or if it’s an outdoor gig I can use a pair of 112’s if there is limited PA support (shudder) All using the same head.
I agree on the separate head concept. My MAS cab is not powered so I use the EA Doubler. Which I prefer for the same reasons you do. I can use the MAS, or a single 112, or if it’s an outdoor gig I can use a pair of 112’s if there is limited PA support (shudder) All using the same head.
That is a great town you live in - Joe T. Garcia's and the only Michelangelo painting in the US.
Yes! The Torment of St Anthony at the Kimball. I’ve seen it many many times. My 7 year old is scared of the painting.
I cant wait to get my MAS 16, which should ship this weekend. I guess that is a private remark. But then I will be able to comment on the differences between a WW with an AI downfiring cabinet, and a 16. Upshot will have to wait...
I just acquires the AI SL head and an Upshot, complete with backpack. I think the 16 and Upshot comparison is a good discussion to have.
I know the MAS gear is great. I owned a 26 for a while. Powered with an old AI head. It was great. Very well suited to DB. There is no doubt in my mind that Mike A. makes great cabs. However, with the Upshot it is different. I comes down to "sound dispersion" or "perception".
My gig on Tuesday, in a problematic room, was great. The Upshot was placed about 3 feet in front of me. I could hear myself clearly, and so could everyone in the room. Actually sounded good with the bow as well. In the past I have used a QSC K10 on a stick w/ EDB-2...a more directional setup. It always sounded great, and immediate, but not everyone could hear me because of the directional nature of the setup and room. The upfiring speaker definitely changed the dispersion/perception factor. I felt as if I was able to "mix" myself into the ensemble sound more effectively and play comfortably and confidently. I liked it.
The Upshot is definitely not "traditional". If you are looking for a traditional cab, but high quality and sounding ,MAS might be the ticket. However, if you are looking for a cab for low to medium volume gigs that is LIGHT, allows you to hear your sound in a different(dispersion and perception) but good way, and sounds great the Upshot might be a good option. Unfortunately, trying the gear is the best way to know if it for you. I know Gollihur has a generous return policy....: ).
The dispersion and perception of sound is the big difference. Am I correct?
PS - I'd go the "head" over "combo" route as well. Modular is the way to go. : ).
I know the MAS gear is great. I owned a 26 for a while. Powered with an old AI head. It was great. Very well suited to DB. There is no doubt in my mind that Mike A. makes great cabs. However, with the Upshot it is different. I comes down to "sound dispersion" or "perception".
My gig on Tuesday, in a problematic room, was great. The Upshot was placed about 3 feet in front of me. I could hear myself clearly, and so could everyone in the room. Actually sounded good with the bow as well. In the past I have used a QSC K10 on a stick w/ EDB-2...a more directional setup. It always sounded great, and immediate, but not everyone could hear me because of the directional nature of the setup and room. The upfiring speaker definitely changed the dispersion/perception factor. I felt as if I was able to "mix" myself into the ensemble sound more effectively and play comfortably and confidently. I liked it.
The Upshot is definitely not "traditional". If you are looking for a traditional cab, but high quality and sounding ,MAS might be the ticket. However, if you are looking for a cab for low to medium volume gigs that is LIGHT, allows you to hear your sound in a different(dispersion and perception) but good way, and sounds great the Upshot might be a good option. Unfortunately, trying the gear is the best way to know if it for you. I know Gollihur has a generous return policy....: ).
The dispersion and perception of sound is the big difference. Am I correct?
PS - I'd go the "head" over "combo" route as well. Modular is the way to go. : ).
Indeed, dispersion and perception of the sound is one big difference. I think with the Upshot you're getting the sound of the instrument in a "bubble" which is apparently the way sound expands out from the cabinet.
Think of the "cone of silence" in Get Smart. Then it spreads and reflects of other surfaces. So I can definitely see where you're in close quarters in a small club the Upshot would allow both you and the band to hear,
the instrument. It's a valid way to solve a problem. There are other solutions. I have a Birdhaus 4x6 that has two front facing speakers and a single side facing speaker on each side of the
cabinet. This design also works very well, and along with it's port plug to reduce bass response and a frequency boost switch, provided, if you get the speaker a little off to the side, then you can hear very well. The MAS
1/8 has a wave guide that also pushes sound out so, there are definitely different solutions. The AI light factor is perhaps one of it's best features and of course it's sound. It's also the least expensive, so to each their own.
One last thought:
If you are using a ToneDexter, you might desire a more "Hi-Fi" sound. In this case, the MAS might be a better choice.
If you are using a ToneDexter, you might desire a more "Hi-Fi" sound. In this case, the MAS might be a better choice.
just to mention--I'm now including a "passive" switch so that a powered cab can be used as a passive cab with any amp.
Hmmmm, I wonder where that idea germinated from.
Looks line my MAS 1/8 and 4x5.5 will be traveling to the windy city for an upgrade. What a great idea.
Well, the MAS 1/6, 1/8 are about as Hi-Fi as you can get, especially considering their compact size. My 1/8 is totally somoothe across the entire register
of the Double Bass, and Electric Bass. My newly aquired powered MAS 4x5.5 is incredible.
Thanks. The 8 is out of the question for me. Weight is all important. I'm 70 and often take the subway to gigs which usually means several blocks of walking on each end, several staircases in between, and if I don't get a seat, an increasingly common thing in NYCs deteriorating and overcrowded system, a long time standing with the amp on my shoulder. Don't get me started about people telling me they love the cello.
