Remember that the AI head is easily removed, so you could use it with one larger cab if you need to. There is even a set of rubber feet stored on the underside of the amp's chassis.
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Double Bass the new AI Ten2
- Thread starter jweiss
- Start date
Yeah, I want to hear about that too. Seems like a good rig for a mostly DBist who needs to blast every now and then.
I know that the head is basically a Focus, so that part of the equation is known. My big question concerns the capabilities of the 2x10 configuration being a very small and light molded cabinet. I really don't want to use the head with my Euphonic Audio VL-210. It's a great cabinet, but it weighs a ton. My chiropractor says it has to go. Even the Bergie 112s weigh over 45 pounds each. I might keep one of them for special situations. The AI sounds like a great solution for me, but it would be an expensive experiment. Everyone I perform with loves the sound my Pollmann gets through the Focus/Bergantino stack. If I could be certain of getting at least 90% of that tone/volume, I would not hesitate.
George
George
61pollman - I wonder if another full-range cabinet in a 1x10 config would be enough volume for your gigs? If so you could try something like an ACME Low B1. It is 31 lbs.
If you are currently using 2 1x12 Bergantino cabinets, I seriously doubt that the 2x10 AI cab will be anywere near as loud. Might not even be as loud as one of those...
If you are currently using 2 1x12 Bergantino cabinets, I seriously doubt that the 2x10 AI cab will be anywere near as loud. Might not even be as loud as one of those...
I was using Acmes B1s which as noted above are 31 lbs. They used to seem light but after back surgery have become heavy.
one was fine for small gigs but they are inefficient and 2 or more were used for louder gigs.
I got a couple of Wizzy 10s which are 18 lbs and efficient but very middy.
I tried out a AI 2-10 EX. Just great. 23 lbs. Sound comparable to the Acmes and more efficient.
one was fine for small gigs but they are inefficient and 2 or more were used for louder gigs.
I got a couple of Wizzy 10s which are 18 lbs and efficient but very middy.
I tried out a AI 2-10 EX. Just great. 23 lbs. Sound comparable to the Acmes and more efficient.
This is great to know!
How loud would you say the 10-2 EX is relative to the Acme B-1s? E.g. as loud as one? As loud as 2? Somewhere in between? I realize that it may be difficult to make this comparison...
Based on my experience so far. One AI 2X10 is comparable to 2 B1s IMO.
Noticably more efficient and hence louder w/o distortion than one.
I had very good results with one AI under circumstances where I would have used 2 Acme B1s.
Noticably more efficient and hence louder w/o distortion than one.
I had very good results with one AI under circumstances where I would have used 2 Acme B1s.
^
Hard to say, if that 2x10 has the same detail and presence as those Bergantino's do, but it just might. What about going to the Berg AE's, they weigh 12 pounds less than the HT's do. Don't they sound almost as good? Granted they are expensive, but IMHO the AI Ten2 is such a unusual design. I like downfiring subwofers in stereo systems. hard to say about using them as bass cabinet's.
Ric
To clarify my earlier comment, I am not saying the AI 2x10 is a better sounding cab than the Acme B1. I love the Acme B1s. What I am saying is they have some of the same tonal characteristics as opposed to the Wizzy 10 and they are fairly efficient which mean they put out a fair amount of volume without unde wattage and they are relatively light.
I just got my AI Ten2 delivered yesterday. I've had a chance to play though it at home, but the true test will be with my piano trio tonight. My preliminary thoughts:
-This combo has some serious power. Excellent flat and full range frequency response. It was SO nice to plug into this after having to have used my SWR RedFace 350 for the past month.
-Noticeably more low end and "presence" than the SIII Contra I had. I had to roll the bass off quite a bit in comparison to leaving the Contra totally flat. I like an even bass sound without tons of low end.
-Very quick responding cabinet.
-The Room Coupling Control basically rolls off the lows from the bottom firing speaker to help tame boominess.
-To my ears, it's not as "transparent" as the Contra, but I believe this will be something I will get used to. I had to trust that the Contra was putting the sound out there, because even though I loved the sound, it wasn't the best stage monitor. The TEN2 seems like it could be the best of both worlds.
More to come after my gig tonight...
-This combo has some serious power. Excellent flat and full range frequency response. It was SO nice to plug into this after having to have used my SWR RedFace 350 for the past month.
-Noticeably more low end and "presence" than the SIII Contra I had. I had to roll the bass off quite a bit in comparison to leaving the Contra totally flat. I like an even bass sound without tons of low end.
-Very quick responding cabinet.
-The Room Coupling Control basically rolls off the lows from the bottom firing speaker to help tame boominess.
-To my ears, it's not as "transparent" as the Contra, but I believe this will be something I will get used to. I had to trust that the Contra was putting the sound out there, because even though I loved the sound, it wasn't the best stage monitor. The TEN2 seems like it could be the best of both worlds.
More to come after my gig tonight...
The gig went great! Most of my early observations were still the case while on stage.
-The combo has some serious serious oomph. I was going through the PA and using the Ten2 as a monitor to keep from blasting the stage sound full of bass. Toward that end, the front firing speaker works really well as a monitor. I do wish it was able to tilt back just a bit more, but I think it would be in danger of tipping over if this were the situation.
-I had to take out some of the lows and dialed them back to around 9:00. The dual 10s move much more air than the single Contra 10. I am pretty surprised by the differences between the combos. Other than that, I was able to keep the mids and treble totally flat.
-I had the notch/cut filter set just to the right it's mid point. It really helped clean up the low end, but again, I was not used to having that much low presence.
-I had a few arco solo spots and the added effects were great. I went direct into the amp with my Full Circle, but for the arco I dialed in some of the hall reverb with the level set at 3:00. It was great and able to "diffuse" some of the direct-pickup-arco tone.
As far as loading in/out. I find the Ten2 to be considerably heavier than the SIII Contra. It's still under 30 pounds, but I don't feel comfortable going from my car to the gig with everything all in one trip. It could be done, but the combo is slightly awkward to carry without two hands on it.
All in all, it's a very fine amp/combo and I'm very happy with it. Once I get the hang of it, I'm sure I'll be loving it.
Edit: I also need to thank Bob and Mark Gollihur for their amazing customer support. AI was running into some delays getting speakers for their cabs and I was in the loop the whole time. They also had to field numerous calls from me. IMO, they are the best in the business.
-The combo has some serious serious oomph. I was going through the PA and using the Ten2 as a monitor to keep from blasting the stage sound full of bass. Toward that end, the front firing speaker works really well as a monitor. I do wish it was able to tilt back just a bit more, but I think it would be in danger of tipping over if this were the situation.
-I had to take out some of the lows and dialed them back to around 9:00. The dual 10s move much more air than the single Contra 10. I am pretty surprised by the differences between the combos. Other than that, I was able to keep the mids and treble totally flat.
-I had the notch/cut filter set just to the right it's mid point. It really helped clean up the low end, but again, I was not used to having that much low presence.
-I had a few arco solo spots and the added effects were great. I went direct into the amp with my Full Circle, but for the arco I dialed in some of the hall reverb with the level set at 3:00. It was great and able to "diffuse" some of the direct-pickup-arco tone.
As far as loading in/out. I find the Ten2 to be considerably heavier than the SIII Contra. It's still under 30 pounds, but I don't feel comfortable going from my car to the gig with everything all in one trip. It could be done, but the combo is slightly awkward to carry without two hands on it.
All in all, it's a very fine amp/combo and I'm very happy with it. Once I get the hang of it, I'm sure I'll be loving it.
Edit: I also need to thank Bob and Mark Gollihur for their amazing customer support. AI was running into some delays getting speakers for their cabs and I was in the loop the whole time. They also had to field numerous calls from me. IMO, they are the best in the business.
AI makes great stuff. I've met Rick and Paul a few times, and have been to their factory on three or four occasions. I actually almost worked for them when they were only about a year old, they had hinted at offering me a job on the production line in Raleigh/Durham, but I had just moved to Charlotte and had a steady gig playing and was working at a music store (which I didn't like that much...maybe that's why they mentioned it). They wound up hiring another guy, and now they have a few more guys. They use a special transformer in their power section, part of their secret to great tone from a small and lightweight amp. I don't thinking any other amp companies are using this transformer which AI has custom made, although many other companies are probably using something very similar. I use an extension cab with my Coda, so it's not for me. However, I'm about to email Rick to see if my Coda can be converted to have their new docking system as my amp head cannot be removed.
My only gripe is with the white push button switching. I don't like these types of switches, especially having so many of them close together. Also, I'd love to see an AI amp with a tube preamp as an option, or even one that can blend with a solid state section. These are minor, and the customer service service and products are still phenomenal regardless.
My only gripe is with the white push button switching. I don't like these types of switches, especially having so many of them close together. Also, I'd love to see an AI amp with a tube preamp as an option, or even one that can blend with a solid state section. These are minor, and the customer service service and products are still phenomenal regardless.
^ I very much enjoyed using my Focus while I had it but....for me...I don't know that I'd profess that AI has any special "Secret to great tone" just my opinion no offense to anyone.
^ What about the other 16 different herbs and spices?
Have anything of interest or value to offer?
Just asking.
They make an effort to have a very flat tone response, and the EQ is meant to be subtle, not drastic.
What AI sells is extremely accurate reproduction of what goes in the input. That reduces the variables to your instrument and your pickup system.
