• 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.

Replacement for Acoustic Image Focus

#21
groooooove said:
has there been any public discussion on this, or are we just speculating?
Click to expand...

Possibly speculation? I know I read it somewhere but I don't remember where, however I should have placed that disclaimer on my comment. The best person to answer the question would likely be @Mark Gollihur

Rick Jones was an amazing human being and always found the time to answer my silly questions. I feel like he was a champion for the double bass world and I would be surprised if he didn't have some contingency in place for his legacy. I'm content to wait for that time to reveal itself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FormerUSAFbass and Jazzdogg
#23
Jazzdogg said:
Now that Acoustic Image is no longer in business, it's time for me to start paying attention to possible replacements in an effort to be prepared when replacement becomes necessary.

I love just about everything about my Focus. It's a two-channel, 2-Ohm capable, doubling amp. The form factor, weight, size, built in variable high-pass filter, and easy schlep are great, and it sounds good with double bass and electric.

Which other amps should I be considering?
Click to expand...

I guess the answer would be AER; very high quality stuff which sounds great on DB and electrics. I own the AER Amp Three, it is by far the best high end bass combo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jazzdogg
#27
Well, I sure am sorry to hear that they closed down. I have two Acoustic Image amps, an older Contra combo, and my Clarus 2. It has a glitchy input gain pot I was hoping to get fixed eventually.

Really great products.
 
#28
EdwardofHuncote said:
Well, I sure am sorry to hear that they closed down. I have two Acoustic Image amps, an older Contra combo, and my Clarus 2. It has a glitchy input gain pot I was hoping to get fixed eventually.

Really great products.
Click to expand...
A potentiometer such as an input gain should be an easy replacement job for any qualified electronics repair shop.

Thr deeper circuitry stuff I've seen here, maybe not so much. But the pot should be a simple affair.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EdwardofHuncote and groooooove
#33
brianrost said:
According to the manual, the low cut is only for the overdrive section :( Won't be retiring my fdeck yet...
Click to expand...

Bummer, personally, I'd ditch the overdrive and possibly the compressor (not entirely sure about that one) Just by comparison I prefer their Control and EQ setup for the GR AT Acoustic.

It's appears to be a much better preamp for Double Bass.

GR Bass AT Acoustic.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jazzdogg
#34
Hasty said:
Possibly speculation? I know I read it somewhere but I don't remember where, however I should have placed that disclaimer on my comment. The best person to answer the question would likely be @Mark Gollihur

Rick Jones was an amazing human being and always found the time to answer my silly questions. I feel like he was a champion for the double bass world and I would be surprised if he didn't have some contingency in place for his legacy. I'm content to wait for that time to reveal itself.
Click to expand...

Can confirm - AI is completely closed, all existing amps and cabs were sold off (mostly to us) and are pretty much sold out - I may have a couple of Clarus heads left. But the rest of the parts/components/etc. have been liquidated. I don't know about any arrangements made (or possibly in the works) but I'm to understand that Rick himself had kind of hinted that he didn't necessarily want the company to continue once he was gone, and that seems to be how it's been handled. So I don't foresee (unfortunately) anyone else picking up the mantle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FormerUSAFbass and Jazzdogg
#35
Mark Gollihur said:
Can confirm - AI is completely closed, all existing amps and cabs were sold off (mostly to us) and are pretty much sold out - I may have a couple of Clarus heads left. But the rest of the parts/components/etc. have been liquidated. I don't know about any arrangements made (or possibly in the works) but I'm to understand that Rick himself had kind of hinted that he didn't necessarily want the company to continue once he was gone, and that seems to be how it's been handled. So I don't foresee (unfortunately) anyone else picking up the mantle.
Click to expand...
It's really disappointing to see such great minds not be able to think past their own existence when they're gone. My hope is that the amps are at least able to be repaired going forward. I adore my AI amps, and Rick was always a pro
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: FormerUSAFbass and Jazzdogg
#37
emjazz said:
It's really disappointing to see such great minds not be able to think past their own existence when they're gone. My hope is that the amps are at least able to be repaired going forward. I adore my AI amps, and Rick was always a pro
Click to expand...

Maybe he thought often past his own existence when he would be gone, and could not find anyone willing to give his company and his customers what he gave them. If so, it's understandable why he wanted the company dismantled after he was gone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FormerUSAFbass
#38
Lee Moses said:
Maybe he thought often past his own existence when he would be gone, and could not find anyone willing to give his company and his customers what he gave them. If so, it's understandable why he wanted the company dismantled after he was gone.
Click to expand...
It wasn't meant to be a personal attack. Great, great guy who cared deeply for his business. I think in the end the hope is that schematics will be released, and I did read that should be the case, which would be great!
 
#39
I went through some of the same problems with my Walter Woods Amplifiers circa 2005. So, I sold one and purchased a Grace Felix. It's been wonderful paired with my powered MAS 1/8's. At the time the total system cost @ $1,700.00. Newer amplifiers all use IcE or Hypex power amplifiers. It's relatively easy to replace them and they are standardized. Acoustic Image Amps use those power amps. Walter Woods do not,because Walter had to build his own power amps from scratch(IcE and Hypex modules weren't available to him) So anyone with an Acoustic Image Amplifier should be able to have them serviced for many years. Two channel amps are more expensive to build and have a smaller market share. I can count on my right hand the number of times I've had to truly double this year. Unless you're doing broadway pit work it's not often a pre requisite as much as it used to be. Just my take of course. :) Keep smiling!
 
  • Like
Reactions: emjazz and Jazzdogg
#40
Ric Vice said:
Unless you're doing broadway pit work it's not often a pre requisite as much as it used to be
Click to expand...

I will say, since my high level big band folded earlier this year my doubling opportunities aren't what they used to be. Nowadays most of my doubling is by choice just cause there's some tune I want it for. I've got a few doubling dates on the calendar this year, but it's not like it was in years past. Shame really.

At least I still have some great options available to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ric Vice

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back