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Double Bass Simplifying the rig

Huy Nguyen

Huy Nguyen

Official Forum Flunkee
Supporting Member
Mar 16, 2004
6,521
2,103
Richmond, CA
#1
the Focus is on its way to getting repaired right now, but more and more I'm wanting a simpler set up.

Why not just a Clarus instead of the Focus and EDB2? So what if there's only 4 bands if EQ? I run everything virtually flat anyway and only season to taste. A Clarus provides the phantom power I need for the Ischell. Am I really going to notice a difference?
 
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#4
Yep. Considering the crickets for responses, I might be going through with this. Hifi is great but practicality is starting to win out.

A loud 25 lb setup with just 3 cables seems really appealing.
 
#5
I ran a 2 channel Focus for years back when I was mixing mics and pickups. I liked it a lot. It was simple and had all the basics, plus that built-in phantom power and variable HPF. I'm assuming you're talking about a 2 channel Clarus that has all the same stuff? If so, I don't see why not.

My love affair with the PJB Flightcase amps has to do with their simplicity and the fact that I can run the EQ flat. I do have an Fdeck velcroed to the back for the FX loop, but don't always use it unless it's a loud gig. When I don't use it, it's a one-cable setup and a sound I can make music with. When I do use it, 2 short cables for the HPF, then the same. The camp faculty used the amp for the Aebersold concerts this year and dug it. When they asked me how I set it, I said (pointing to the HPF knob sticking off the back) "turn this one counterclockwise to make it less muddy, and (pointing to the master volume, which is bigger than the other knobs) turn this one clockwise to make it louder".

They dug it. There's a lot to be said for simplicity.
 
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#7
Huy Nguyen said:
Yep. Considering the crickets for responses, I might be going through with this. Hifi is great but practicality is starting to win out.

A loud 25 lb setup with just 3 cables seems really appealing.[/QUO
Click to expand...
Huy Nguyen said:
the Focus is on its way to getting repaired right now, but more and more I'm wanting a simpler set up.

Why not just a Clarus instead of the Focus and EDB2? So what if there's only 4 bands if EQ? I run everything virtually flat anyway and only season to taste. A Clarus provides the phantom power I need for the Ischell. Am I really going to notice a difference?
Click to expand...

Should work just dandy, I did love that the control surface on the Focus was on the top of the amp. Just a silly question here, would there be any benefit for the Ischell to have full 48 volt phantom power. The XJack system provides 9 volts, so I guess it
doesn't need 48 v. Both the Headway EDB-2 (18 volts) and the Focus (? volts) provide higher voltage to the mic. I know that the noise floor on the DPA 4099B lowers, as the power is increased. Would that apply to the Ischell as well?

Ric
 
#8
That'd be nice. Lower house for is always a good thing.

Chris Fitzgerald said:
I ran a 2 channel Focus for years back when I was mixing mics and pickups. I liked it a lot. It was simple and had all the basics, plus that built-in phantom power and variable HPF. I'm assuming you're talking about a 2 channel Clarus that has all the same stuff? If so, I don't see why not.

My love affair with the PJB Flightcase amps has to do with their simplicity and the fact that I can run the EQ flat. I do have an Fdeck velcroed to the back for the FX loop, but don't always use it unless it's a loud gig. When I don't use it, it's a one-cable setup and a sound I can make music with. When I do use it, 2 short cables for the HPF, then the same. The camp faculty used the amp for the Aebersold concerts this year and dug it. When they asked me how I set it, I said (pointing to the HPF knob sticking off the back) "turn this one counterclockwise to make it less muddy, and (pointing to the master volume, which is bigger than the other knobs) turn this one clockwise to make it louder".

They dug it. There's a lot to be said for simplicity.
Click to expand...
yup. Might be putting the old Focus SA up for grabs just to finance it. Ever since I forgot my pre on one gig and messing with cables, the simplicity has be appealing. A 2 channel Clarus is deff what I'd get since I might double eventually. Or run a Mic in channel 2 for announcements.
 
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#10
I regard it as being in the same class as the Clarus, and I have been a fan of the iAmp from long ago as I used to own one. Very transparent. I still prefer the AI gear by a hair since there's two xlr inputs instead of one.

If a good deal pops up for one instead of a Clarus, I'd be all over it nonetheless.
 
#12
I'm considering a Clarus for similar reasons. I'm a doubler and I use very little eq on my instruments, and the Clarus is the epitome of fidelity for MI amps. Add to that the simplicity of taking one head, no switching boxes or my beloved FDeck HPF.

My last AI amp was a series 2 clarus, and it was a great for the upright gigs but the current series 4 is a huge step forward. Adding the mic pre+phantom is a huge factor for me, as I am contemplating using mics more regularly. The series 4 power section (the same as the SL that Tom Bowlus just reviewed) appears to be capable of handling the needs of most electric gigs. In addition, (IMO) the series 4 Clarus is very reasonably priced for the whole package and I have yet to see a simpler solution that checks all of the boxes.

If I buy one, the series 5 will be introduced the following week.:facepalm:
 
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#15
I'm going through the exact same thought process. Want a new amp for doubling without outboard gear. My worry is volume. We can go from trad jazz ballad to heavy fusion. Not real loud but a strong drummer.
 
#16
pnchad said:
I'm going through the exact same thought process. Want a new amp for doubling without outboard gear. My worry is volume. We can go from trad jazz ballad to heavy fusion. Not real loud but a strong drummer.
Click to expand...

EA Doubler goes plenty loud, IME. It's worked fine for me in higher volume "fusion" situations with very loud drummers and percussionists.
 
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#17
The EA doubler has some features that make it a contender for this purpose, and at a very reasonable price. switched inputs, variable phase on channel 2/mic, wet/dry blend control on the loop is also nice. very interesting...

If the Doubler can safely operate at 2.66Ω, then that would be another huge deal for me. I do most gigs with two 112's, but I would like to be able to add a third for the loud outdoor electric gigs.
 
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#18
Nathan Levine said:
Focus SA alert. Focus SA alert.

What number do you have?
Click to expand...
TBH, it's on the way back from AI right now after a repair. Something fizzled out right before a gig last week and they fixed it (ain't AI great?). I'll take photos of it when it comes home. I'm pretty sure I'll trade it out now and buy a series 4 Clarius.

Time for someone else to fiddle with preamps and stuff. I'm kinda done fiddling with gear now that I found the setup I want.
 
#20
My friend had three of the SA amps that he had to sell. Took him a day or so. Still a very sought after piece of gear.
I'm using the Clarus S4+ for doubling and even some R&B electric gigs, in spite of having at least three other great amps that are mainly (only) for electric bass.
No issues whatsoever with volume. Lots o headroom.
 
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