After a year in the repair shop (don't ask!) I got my much loved Polytone mini-brute back yesterday. It's around a 1980 model. So I thought I'd do a comparison with my new and groovy Acoustic Image Clarus / Contra combination.
Test instruments were my 1880 flat back double bass with an underwood / Golden Bullet microphone combination (spirocore lights) and my 5 String (low B) Eminence EUB with the Realist pick up (Helicore Hybrid).
My observations were :
1 - The AI wins overall with a warmer rounded sound with adequate focus. The tone shaping and other amp features are far superior.
2 - The Polytone is still a great amp and may well have the edge when you really need to cut through - big band or something loud
3 - The underwood sounds pretty good with the Polytone - very close in quality to the AI. It also really brought out that Spirocore growl. However,it's a very bad bowing combination for me.
4 - The Realist sounds pretty poor with the Polytone and very much better with the AI
5 - The microphone is very much better with the AI, especially when a bit of feedback control or tone shaping is required. I don't think I'd bow with the mic thru the Polytone.
BTW - I tend to use the microphone only for bowing - I often run is through the 2nd Clarus channel where I can give it separate e.q. and possibly a touch of reverb when required.
In summary, it's great to have 2 complete rigs again. The underwood / Polytone combo will certainly get some outings when it's a "take no prisoners" routine. The AI / underwood / microphone will be the set up of choice where taste and tone rule the day. The Realist will probably never be seen with the Polytone.
BTW2 - if things get very rock and pop, I find that the Eminence / Realist and my SWR Baby Blue (original model) really kicks - and the low Bs are great.
Hmm - wonder what happens if I run the ext speaker output on the polytone thru the contra - Later!
Cheers from downunder.
Test instruments were my 1880 flat back double bass with an underwood / Golden Bullet microphone combination (spirocore lights) and my 5 String (low B) Eminence EUB with the Realist pick up (Helicore Hybrid).
My observations were :
1 - The AI wins overall with a warmer rounded sound with adequate focus. The tone shaping and other amp features are far superior.
2 - The Polytone is still a great amp and may well have the edge when you really need to cut through - big band or something loud
3 - The underwood sounds pretty good with the Polytone - very close in quality to the AI. It also really brought out that Spirocore growl. However,it's a very bad bowing combination for me.
4 - The Realist sounds pretty poor with the Polytone and very much better with the AI
5 - The microphone is very much better with the AI, especially when a bit of feedback control or tone shaping is required. I don't think I'd bow with the mic thru the Polytone.
BTW - I tend to use the microphone only for bowing - I often run is through the 2nd Clarus channel where I can give it separate e.q. and possibly a touch of reverb when required.
In summary, it's great to have 2 complete rigs again. The underwood / Polytone combo will certainly get some outings when it's a "take no prisoners" routine. The AI / underwood / microphone will be the set up of choice where taste and tone rule the day. The Realist will probably never be seen with the Polytone.
BTW2 - if things get very rock and pop, I find that the Eminence / Realist and my SWR Baby Blue (original model) really kicks - and the low Bs are great.
Hmm - wonder what happens if I run the ext speaker output on the polytone thru the contra - Later!
Cheers from downunder.
