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Double Bass The New Acoustic Image Clarus+ Series 4

Don Sibley

Don Sibley

Jun 27, 2005
684
34
Fort Worth, TX
#1
Preliminary report.

Finally able to spend a bit of time with this little monster today. Just plugged in some of my gear in the living room but I am very impressed! I have a Big E MAS45, DPA 4099b, Kay bass with a Fishman Full Circle and a Pollmann with an Ehrlund pickup through the EAP.

The fit and finish of the amp are perfect. It's incredibly light and all of the knobs have just the right amount of resistance. The illuminated buttons are super convenient too. This may have been a feature of previous models, but the little recessed area where you can store the rubber feet is more evidence of an incredibly thoughtful design.

This is the cleanest, quietest amp I have ever owned. You can crank the master volume and it's dead silent. With every other amp I have tried, the more you boost the input gain, the more distorted and twangy a piezo pick up will sound. Not so with this one. I had the input gain well beyond 12 o'clock and it sounded the same, just louder. Using the Ehrlund I can leave the EQ almost flat.

The EQ section is intuitive and highly effective. I have tried AI amps in the past, and while I liked the natural voicing of the amp (or lack thereof) I felt like I didn't have the ability to shape the tone to my liking. Having the extra band of EQ made all the difference in the world. The Fishman and the DPA required quite a bit of EQ to sound good for me.

I did not really hear a difference with the HPF but I did not play with it much on the Fishman, the only item in my setup that really needs it. I did engage the +10db switch on both the EAP and DPA.

This amp really makes the MAS45 sing. I have the cabinet mounted on a tripod at ear level. The low frequency response is tight, focused and huge. This is my favorite feature of this cabinet. I was able to get a huge amount of usable volume without under supporting the drivers.

I did some mixing of the two pickups and the DPA. The results were interesting but I think I can see how many on this forum have come to the conclusion that it's not really worth all the fuss. I will probably do some experimenting with this in a live setting just out of curiosity and just because I can now.

Again, this is just futzing around in my living room but I am very optimistic that this is the solution for which I have been searching.

Here are some recordings I made. The signal chain is listed in the title of each track.

https://soundcloud.com/don-sibley/kay-fishman-clarus-s4-mas45

https://soundcloud.com/don-sibley/pollmann-dpa-clarus-s4-mas45

https://soundcloud.com/don-sibley/pollmann-eap-clarus-s4-mas45
 
#2
Hey Don,

Really glad to hear you are so happy with the new gear! I think your recording with the EAP is the best I have heard. I wonder if you will decide the mic doesn't add enough to make it worthwhile. It's exciting to be getting so close to the ideal you have in your head for what your sound should be.

I am still searching for the holy grail myself. I did a rehearsal with piano, guitar and bass and just recorded it acoustically with a little digital recorder. I was adding a bit to my sound with my PJB Super Flight Case at a very low volume. I loved the sound we got and the recorded sound of my bass thrilled me. Then I played a gig tonight with a 5 piece and wasn't really happy at all. Maybe the answer for me is to play quiet, almost acoustic type gigs. That's probably my preference anyway and apparently much easier to get that 'almost studio sound'.

Keep us posted with your new Clarus. It sounds like it is everything you were hoping it would be! With all the great features of that head you may not even need to use the new Headway, but you are next in line after Ric Vice and I will be interested in reading your review of it (if you still wish to get it).
 
#3
I have a big band rehearsal Monday night so that will be a pretty good trial of the new gear.

Don't get me wrong. Mixing the DPA with those pickups sounded really good (the recordings are posted on my soundcloud) but I had all these wires hanging off my bass and the additional set up made it a hard sell especially when the pickups are sounding so good alone. The mix recordings are so loud that they are overloading the digital recorder. I forgot to change the sensitivity of my recorder again.

I'm still curious about the EDB-2. I think I could get a lot more volume out of the DPA if I had a variable notch filter. Also, I really want to check out The Bass Band. I've heard good things from local guys though I've not heard the unit directly.
 
#5
Thanks for posting those recordings!
How did you record it? A mic in front of you cab or did you use an output on your amp into a recorder/PC?
I actually liked the sound of the Full Circle / Clarus combination. I bought a BigE45 a couple of months ago and I'm looking for a good amp to use it with. I'll wait until you post your comments about your big band rehearsal and then I'll probably order one myself.
Did you order it from the Gollihur Boys?
 
#6
Norre said:
Thanks for posting those recordings!
How did you record it?
Click to expand...

I used a Zoom Q3HD placed on a countertop about 25' across the room. At the volumes these recordings were made I feel confident you're not hearing any of the unamplified bass sound.


Norre said:
I actually liked the sound of the Full Circle / Clarus combination.
Click to expand...

I liked that sound too, it's big, full and it probably cuts well. I just didn't find it to sound very much like my bass. In fact it sounds much better on the Kay than it does on my Pollmann though still not very acoustic IMO.

Yep, I ordered this unit from Gollihur. I will post more after the rehearsal tomorrow.
 
#7
I liked that sound too, it's big, full and it probably cuts well. I just didn't find it to sound very much like my bass. In fact it sounds much better on the Kay than it does on my Pollmann though still not very acoustic IMO.
Click to expand...

True. I bet it's a more usefull sound in a band situtation than the DPA alone. Ofc, playing amplified is ALWAYS a trade off. I also prefer to play as acoustically as possible. Btw, for me, the sound of the FC is still acoustic-y. Believe me, I've heard other basses that sounded much worse! But I think you may be a little spoiled with that great Pöllman bass :hiding:
 
#9
Badong said:
I'm still curious about the EDB-2. I think I could get a lot more volume out of the DPA if I had a variable notch filter. Also, I really want to check out The Bass Band. I've heard good things from local guys though I've not heard the unit directly.
Click to expand...

Gentlemen,
I played with Rosanna Vitro her in St. Louis, in a medium sized club using only the EDB-2, QSC K8, DPA 4099B, and the Ehrlund EAP sans it's preamp. It was heaven. The blend between the two sources is seamless, frankly I didn't need the Notch Filter on this gig, and even though it was just a trio backing here, we were pushing

the levels pretty hard. Putting the DPA in with the Ehrlund gives you better mid range and upper range clarity and definition. Register transitions are smooth and even.

This morning I used my Clevenger Keyhole EUB with a 60 voice church choir and trio backing them on some gospel tinged arrangements. No problem cutting through the mix, with the EDB-2 as the pre amp. I'm lovin' that standby switch, as it just eliminates all the hassle of having to turn the QSC'S power amp in sequence

after startup and before shutdown on the Headway EDB-2.


I'm headed to do a benefit for a local jazz DJ who passed recently, and that's in a much bigger hall, but I'm only taking this little rig. If need be, I'll run the balanced line out to the board. This setup just kills

Ric
 
#12
The recording of the Ehurland is my favourite. I love my old Clarus series 3 and will look for into this new model. The Ehurland, DPA and Big E cab are all things I want to try so this thread is not helping my GAS! . . And you reminded me I want a Pollmann. :-)
 
#15
Ric Vice said:
Gentlemen,
I played with Rosanna Vitro her in St. Louis, in a medium sized club using only the EDB-2, QSC K8, DPA 4099B, and the Ehrlund EAP sans it's preamp. It was heaven. The blend between the two sources is seamless, frankly I didn't need the Notch Filter on this gig, and even though it was just a trio backing here, we were pushing

the levels pretty hard. Putting the DPA in with the Ehrlund gives you better mid range and upper range clarity and definition. Register transitions are smooth and even.

This morning I used my Clevenger Keyhole EUB with a 60 voice church choir and trio backing them on some gospel tinged arrangements. No problem cutting through the mix, with the EDB-2 as the pre amp. I'm lovin' that standby switch, as it just eliminates all the hassle of having to turn the QSC'S power amp in sequence

after startup and before shutdown on the Headway EDB-2.


I'm headed to do a benefit for a local jazz DJ who passed recently, and that's in a much bigger hall, but I'm only taking this little rig. If need be, I'll run the balanced line out to the board. This setup just kills

Ric
Click to expand...

Ric,

Obviously you Love the QSC. Would you recommend the k8 OVER the K10, or is it just the schlepp factor? I wonder if the QSC rig would have made my 5 piece gig last night a success. Our Quintet piano player has the K10, I'll have to borrow it and try it on my trio gig and see what I think. Do you get enough low end??

Wondering what I can sell to buy some more gear (I'm also looking at a hybrid half-size tomorrow to maybe be a little brother for my 7/8 Shen, and a slightly bigger brother to my Eminence).

Do you know anybody who'd like to buy a kidney? I've got a spare.
 
#16
rickwolff said:
Ric,
Obviously you Love the QSC. Would you recommend the k8 OVER the K10, or is it just the schlepp factor? I wonder if the QSC rig would have made my 5 piece gig last night a success. Our Quintet piano player has the K10, I'll have to borrow it and try it on my trio gig and see what I think. Do you get enough low end??
Click to expand...

Rick,
If you're looking for low end then the K10 is probably the best choice. My thing is, make the schlep two and from the gig as easy as possible. The K8 cuts off at 66 Hz on the low end and has a wider dispersion pattern than the K10, so it's more likely to feed back. The K8 just suits my needs perfectly for all the gigs I do, with or without FOH. While I can live with it's relatively high cut off point on the low end, you may not be able to.:cool:

rickwolff said:
Wondering what I can sell to buy some more gear (I'm also looking at a hybrid half-size tomorrow to maybe be a little brother for my 7/8 Shen, and a slightly bigger brother to my Eminence).
Click to expand...

From my perspective, the bass rules the roost as the first thing in the signal chain that makes the sound. If it's not working for you, perhaps it's time to look around, perhaps not though. My main instrument is a turn of the century 5/8 ths Mirecourt bass. I've had it since I was an undergraduate in music school. I would not recommend moving around from 7/8 to 1/2 size and back again, as that could be counterproductive. My EUB has a neck and fingerboard that are exact replicas of my DB, that way I don't have any problems transitioning between the two instruments.:)

rickwolff said:
Ric,
Do you know anybody who'd like to buy a kidney? I've got a spare.
Click to expand...

Dude,
You have two great rigs in the Phil Jones Superflight Case, and it's little brother the Bass Cub. That should cover you on almost any gig, IMHO, you should probably look no further. I like having two kidneys, as it gives you options down the road. :D Besides, this talk of selling of organs to buy gear is getting a little weird. :eek:

Ric
 
#17
Ric Vice said:
From my perspective, the bass rules the roost as the first thing in the signal chain that makes the sound. If it's not working for you, perhaps it's time to look around, perhaps not though.
Click to expand...

I'm certainly not considering replacing my (new) 7/8. I Love it's sound acoustically and in quiter gigs but havn't quite gotten the 'cuts through the mix' thing going on louder gigs yet. Mainly, I'm just thinking of getting a cheaper backup bass (other than the Eminence) for when I don't want to risk the Shen.


Ric Vice said:
I would not recommend moving around from 7/8 to 1/2 size and back again, as that could be counterproductive. My EUB has a neck and fingerboard that are exact replicas of my DB, that way I don't have any problems transitioning between the two instruments.:)
Click to expand...

You're probably right about going back and forth with different string lengths, my Eminence also matches my Shen. I just got a bit of a bee in my bonnet re: the 1/2 size since I used to play one (and it's carcass still stands in the livingroom corner as a conversation piece). and have fond memories. I'll probably have to take a peek for old times sake and risk liking it.



Ric Vice said:
Dude,
You have two great rigs in the Phil Jones Superflight Case, and it's little brother the Bass Cub. That should cover you on almost any gig, IMHO, you should probably look no further. I like having two kidneys, as it gives you options down the road. :D Besides, this talk of selling of organs to buy gear is getting a little weird. :eek:

Ric
Click to expand...


Good, sane, advice. Thanks!

I think I just got a little crazy when my sound wasn't what I wanted on the gig last night. I actually had a chance to have another (very good) bassist sit in so I could listen out front. It just wasn't cutting through the mix. Hopefully I can help that when I get my EDB-2. I hadn't used the Headway before and using the EDB-2 on trial really sold me. Sounds like you're impressed with it as well. If necessary I may look at other pickups, even though I really like the Lifeline.



Not to worry about any bodily organ sales, at my age I've gotten most of the useful mileage out of mine and doubt they're worth anything anyway. Mea Culpa if my crude humor crossed a line:rollno:
 
#20
rickwolff said:
I'm certainly not considering replacing my (new) 7/8. I Love it's sound acoustically and in quiter gigs but havn't quite gotten the 'cuts through the mix' thing going on louder gigs yet. Mainly, I'm just thinking of getting a cheaper backup bass (other than the Eminence) for when I don't want to risk the Shen.
Click to expand...

Me thinks that's what the Eminence is best suited for ;)

rickwolff said:
You're probably right about going back and forth with different string lengths, my Eminence also matches my Shen. I just got a bit of a bee in my bonnet re: the 1/2 size since I used to play one (and it's carcass still stands in the livingroom corner as a conversation piece). and have fond memories. I'll probably have to take a peek for old times sake and risk liking it.
Click to expand...


In that case, it might be worth putting it back together.


rickwolff said:
Good, sane, advice. Thanks!

I think I just got a little crazy when my sound wasn't what I wanted on the gig last night. I actually had a chance to have another (very good) bassist sit in so I could listen out front. It just wasn't cutting through the mix. Hopefully I can help that when I get my EDB-2. I hadn't used the Headway before and using the EDB-2 on trial really sold me. Sounds like you're impressed with it as well. If necessary I may look at other pickups, even though I really like the Lifeline.
Click to expand...

It's going to make a big difference, in your EQ options for the PJB's. The EDB-2's EQ section is just very refined, compared to most other's. Just my take.


rickwolff said:
Not to worry about any bodily organ sales, at my age I've gotten most of the useful mileage out of mine and doubt they're worth anything anyway. Mea Culpa if my crude humor crossed a line:rollno:
Click to expand...

It's all good, I just thought it was pretty funny that topic even came up. :D

Ric
 

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