Double Bass NEW Euphonic Audio iAMP Doubler

[Ric Vice]

thanks wneff, Peter, Mike, clink for the replies, you are helping me ge

i guess it's called the "Doubler" because (apart from the DB features it has) it is designed to use a mic in channel 2 and a piezo in channel 1 and to blend these two. using a "double" rig of piezo and mic is what a lot of double bass players (myself included) have been doing over the years anyway, but this amp is designed specifically with this kind of set up in mind. so, in addition to notch and HPF, the Doubler has the phase reversal, which until now no other amp has done and that fills a real need.

Up until this amp only there were only a few amps that had a Phase Reverse switch. That's very different from the variable phase control that's on the EA Doubler. It's much more flexible than the traditional phase switch. The EQ voicing on the Doubler is different on each channel. That's not a very common thing either.

Ric

yes i heard EA has good service, i just don't know if they will provide that good service to a customer outside the US. i've just ordered a Doubler from Bob, so i guess if something needs service, i will find out...

If your concerned about this talk to Mike, He toured with one of the Doubler prototypes and I believe he had to have some work done on the fly. He just called EA and they solved the problem

 

[Uncletoad]

EA customer service is excellent. Very attentive. You'd have more to worry about with shipping issues across borders than their ability to provide. They are timely and comprehensive.

 

[PaperbackRyder]

seems that the name "Doubler" means that this amp is designed for those who "double" on both upright and electric.
Each channel's eq points are optimized for a particular task; channel 1 for mic / upright and channel 2 for pickup / electric.
Is this correct?
Anyway, I have one in my sights. Gonna put my Ampeg up for sale.
=JR=

 

[sadowskyschmaus]

I have used the doubler a few times paired with a Bergantino HT112 lately and it has proven to be a very useful piece of gear. With my upright alone I plug my wilson into ch1 and use an EV Re 20 in ch2 and it sounds great. There are so many useable features in this tiny head, EA really put a lot of thought into this. Last night I used it through the Berg with my Zon 5/1 fretless and it killed! I have also had good results using ch1 for my Zon and plugging both the mic and pickup into ch2 FWIW. I am going to pair it soon with a 4ohm acme low B1 cab to get all the juice out of it, but it also sounds great and is plenty loud with the 8ohm Berg. Oddly enough for most doublers I usually use an Epifani UL-502 and the Berg HT112 for my main doubling amp/cab (just use the wilson with that, although sometimes I'll use a dtar soltice to blend with a mic), and I keep the Doubler in my gig bag for a backup. Although for a gig that just calls for the upright I will choose the Doubler over the Epi, obviously because it is just better suited for that purpose.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

The EA guys are great. I was in Poland with the Doubler. On our rider we ask for a transformer to 110v. The transformer they supplied (big concert venue and sound company) was one for an electric shaver. I don't even know what time it was in the states, but I called Mike D. and within 5 minutes he called back with instructions on how to do the internal voltage switch. Now I'm an endorser and had some input on features on the Doubler but I know from other guys that EA treats everyone else the same. The difference between the 2 channels is that the center eq point on one is about 600hz and the other about 800hz. Before I got my Doubler I was real hot on getting the new Iamp Pro for my electric gigs. Now I'm not so sure that I need it. I agree that at 8 ohms for a LOUD electric gig that it's pushing the envelope, but I've found that if thne gig is that loud, I bring 2 cabs (which would be required anyway) and at 4 ohms I have plenty of volume and headroom. The only reason I would want the Pro is the more sophisticated EQ----not the power.

 

[William Hoffman]

thanks Ric, Phil, JR, Mike, thanks everybody for your replies.

...You'd have more to worry about with shipping issues across borders...

actually, a replacement part sails right through without customs hassles. not subject to customs. the question is, will EA send it if a new part is needed because of failure, or would i be obligated to send the whole amp to them?

seems that the name "Doubler" means that this amp is designed for those who "double" on both upright and electric...

the name has a lot different ways of reading it. double bass, double pu/mic, switching between channels, double instrument. maybe Mike at EA knows which is correct, but i gather you are right: a "doubler" a bassist who switches from a BG to a DB.

as Mike Arnopol pointed out (from Bob G's website):

• Channel 1 Mid EQ set at 500Hz for better compatibility with electric bass
  Channel 2 Mid EQ set at 800Hz for better compatibility with upright/acoustic bass

 

[all_grown_up]

I'm going to keep my eye on this thread. More doubler friendly gear would be great. If I used an amp more, I'd be far more interested though .

I have been quite happy with my Walter Woods although from time to time I long for a XLR mike input. However, I can be tempted and I have been following this thread for awhile. I am curious as to thoughts on the Doubler vs a Walter Woods. I got mine in 1998 or 99. Anyone A/B ed themn?

 

[Mike Dimin]

I have been quite happy with my Walter Woods although from time to time I long for a XLR mike input. However, I can be tempted and I have been following this thread for awhile. I am curious as to thoughts on the Doubler vs a Walter Woods. I got mine in 1998 or 99. Anyone A/B ed themn?

In the Oct 2009 issue of Bass Guitar Magazine (UK), John Patitucci talks to the difference between the Woods and the Doubler

Mike

 

[William Hoffman]

Mike, hi and thanks for your earlier responses to my questions. i am still wondering if EA will have service reps in Europe? alternatively, what are my options if, after i buy a EA Doubler, it needs service? i've tried to pm you but could not. can i send you an email? thanks for your response. Bill

 

[Mike Dimin]

William,

I am sorry that I have not reached you sooner. I am, currently recuperating from knee surgery and I am in and out of lucid thought. As anyone with EA gear knows, our customer service is top notch. We care about every sale and about every customer. We will do whatever is in our power to make it right.

That being said. We are currently opening many new European dealers and hope to be able to provide an "authorized" European service option in the near future. In the meantime we would either work with a knowledgeable customer or an electronics service operation that is qualified to properly diagnose and repair the problem.

It is difficult to be more specific without knowing the nature of some potentital issue. With proper care you should have no issues with an EA Doubler

I hope this helps

Mike

 

[William Hoffman]

Mike,

thanks, that's what i needed to hear.

fyi, i ordered the Doubler and am looking forward to it.

Bill

 

[all_grown_up]

In the Oct 2009 issue of Bass Guitar Magazine (UK), John Patitucci talks to the difference between the Woods and the Doubler

Mike

I read the article. Actually, he doesn't "talk to the difference" at all. So I view your reply to my post as essentially an advertisement for EA.
Has anyone actually A/Bed the Woods vs the Doubler (sonically)?

 

[peterpalmieri]

I read the article. Actually, he doesn't "talk to the difference" at all. So I view your reply to my post as essentially an advertisement for EA.
Has anyone actually A/Bed the Woods vs the Doubler (sonically)?

Does he talk about the doubler? What does he have to say?

 

[Feral Feline]

Mike, please clarify a couple points?

POINT 1, HPF

Post #287

HPF is on channel 2 only and is adjustable between 22 to 54 hz. It is designed to eliminate the subsonics often found in uprights

and in Post #314

...
does the HPF only affect channel 2?

does the notch only affect channel 2?
Yes to both of these
...

and yet in Post #318

...
HPF is on both Channels
Notch, Phantom Power Channel 2
...

In the earlier posts you say the HPF only affects channel 2, a later post says HPF affects "both" Channels.


POINT 2, DOUBLER VERSIONS
Also in this thread it's mentioned PeterPalmieri received a modded doubler for him to try.

In post #261,

...so there is two versions of doubler? how do i know i get the updated version?

In post #262, you say

There is not an updated version. We made some custom changes for Peter to try out

In post #269 PeterPalmieri says of his suggested mods

I'm keeping the original....The mod was a failed experiment on my part.

It was made clear that there is only one version, however, later, in post #314,

Peter sent his back and we adjusted the gain structure on his. There is always a compromise between the amount of gain and the amount of noise an amp will deliver. With Peter's help, we adjusted the gain structure and have used Peter's suggestion on all new Doublers

That last sentence supports that there IS an updated newer version of the Doubler? How can buyers know which version they're getting?

I'm not looking to catch anyone out, I realise the posts were made over a period of time and so decisions may have been made to make improvements subsequent to a post.

FWIW, I was lusting after the Micro 300 when it came out and was saving my pennies for that. I would've liked a little more power and the Doubler addresses that and then some additional features. The Doubler, Whizzy 10 and matching Micropak bag fit my needs to a "T" and I see no point in buying a cheaper, heavier, lessor amp as a stop-gap until I can afford the Doubler/Wizzy. I'll continue to use whatever the venue provides as the ugly stop-gap.


Lastly, may as well squeeze this in here, too:

all_grown_up, in post #332 regarding Mike Dimin's referencing Bass Guitar Magazine's article on Patitucci comparing the WW to the Doubler...

I read the article. Actually, he doesn't "talk to the difference" at all. So I view your reply to my post as essentially an advertisement for EA.

I read the article too, and Patitucci does speak to at least one difference: SIZE. For the benefit of those who don't have the article, Patitucci says "I've finally found an amp that's very small, half the size of a Walter Woods, [which] I've used for years." Alas, that's all he says regarding comparison.

all_grown_up, I fail to see how Mike Dimin's reply to your post could be construed as an advertisement for EA, his reply being

In the Oct 2009 issue of Bass Guitar Magazine (UK), John Patitucci talks to the difference between the Woods and the Doubler

Considering Mike is the Director of Marketing for EA, I find his posts to be free of hype and as straight up possible; and he handles questions regarding his company's competitors with a great deal of diplomacy.

For those without access to the article, Bass Guitar Magazine's "Interview: John Patitucci", Patitucci said he hadn't tried his electric through the doubler yet, but for acoustic only gigs he would use the Doubler and ask for Aguilar speaker(s). Ideally, for doubling gigs he'd prefer to bring two small amps, Aguilar for his EB and the Doubler for his upright.

Thanks to all contributors, including dissentors, for an excellent thread.

Cheers,
FF

 

[William Hoffman]

Mike, in light of FF's post:

the "version" question is still unresolved for me.

i just ordered a Doubler for delivery in 2010. will i get the old version that was in stock for months, or the newer version?

most important: how can i tell the difference? is there a serial number that marks the point when the changes were made?

thanks again

Bill

 

[peterpalmieri]

There is only one version the original. They had modified the original version which I tried and sent back, preferring the original. They did this for me and me only, this amp went back to the factory where they reset it back to it's original settings. They did this by internally changing the gain structure, this showed how the original amp was super clean even at max volume. By increasing the internal gain on this one modified amp I was able to achieve a higher maximum volume that came at the sacrifice of the ultra clean pure tone. I didn't think it was worth it. This was very helpful in helping me overcome where the volume limitations of the doubler are and why. The guys were nice enough to do this little experiment after reading what I had to say in this thread. I thought that was very cool of them. THERE IS ONLY ONE VERSION!

Tha manual states - The notch filter is only available on Channel 2.

The mic input is for channel 2 and the phase reversal only works when you have a signal plugged into both channels.

The manual does not mention if the HPF is specifically for channel 2, that leads me to believe it effects both channels.

 

[Mike Dimin]

There is only one version the original. They had modified the original version which I tried and sent back, preferring the original. They did this for me and me only, this amp went back to the factory where they reset it back to it's original settings. They did this by internally changing the gain structure, this showed how the original amp was super clean even at max volume. By increasing the internal gain on this one modified amp I was able to achieve a higher maximum volume that came at the sacrifice of the ultra clean pure tone. I didn't think it was worth it. This was very helpful in helping me overcome where the volume limitations of the doubler are and why. The guys were nice enough to do this little experiment after reading what I had to say in this thread. I thought that was very cool of them. THERE IS ONLY ONE VERSION!

Tha manual states - The notch filter is only available on Channel 2.

The mic input is for channel 2 and the phase reversal only works when you have a signal plugged into both channels.

The manual does not mention if the HPF is specifically for channel 2, that leads me to believe it effects both channels.

right on, Peter

 

[William Hoffman]

There is only one version the original. They had modified the original version which I tried and sent back, preferring the original. They did this for me and me only, this amp went back to the factory where they reset it back to it's original settings. They did this by internally changing the gain structure, this showed how the original amp was super clean even at max volume. By increasing the internal gain on this one modified amp I was able to achieve a higher maximum volume that came at the sacrifice of the ultra clean pure tone. I didn't think it was worth it. This was very helpful in helping me overcome where the volume limitations of the doubler are and why. The guys were nice enough to do this little experiment after reading what I had to say in this thread. I thought that was very cool of them. THERE IS ONLY ONE VERSION!

Tha manual states - The notch filter is only available on Channel 2.

The mic input is for channel 2 and the phase reversal only works when you have a signal plugged into both channels.

The manual does not mention if the HPF is specifically for channel 2, that leads me to believe it effects both channels.

Peter, Mike, thanks for clarifying all of these points.

 

[Ric Vice]

Hello all,
It's quite possible that John really likes both the Doubler and the Walter Woods."Patitucci says "I've finally found an amp that's very small, half the size of a Walter Woods, .. I've used for years." Walter's amps are great I have two of them, but they are very high end on the price now. When I bought them they cost considerably less but that was 15 years ago. With the added features on the EA and it's price, it's kind of a no brainer, unless you are really flush with cash.

 

[Feral Feline]

Peter, Mike,

Many thanks to you both for your responses!

chEArs,
FF