Double Bass Upshot, Ear Box, other for doubler

[StanE]

First post, long time reader of talkbass

I find myself needing to amplify a variety of instruments; upright, EUB, electric bass, and occasionally acoustic guitar or mandolin. I am having difficulty hearing enough detail to play in tune and to blend.
The AI Upshot and Phil Jones Ear Box both seem to promise improved hearing of higher frequency sounds.

As a doubler (+), how do these solutions compare? Yes, I am aware they functionality quite different.

 

[kerrycares]

I have the AI upshot and it sounds great at low to medium volume.
It sounds great with upright bass.

I have found that the Aguilar Tonehammer 500 and SL112 suits my bass doubler needs.

 

[rickwolff]

First post, long time reader of talkbass

I find myself needing to amplify a variety of instruments; upright, EUB, electric bass, and occasionally acoustic guitar or mandolin. I am having difficulty hearing enough detail to play in tune and to blend.
The AI Upshot and Phil Jones Ear Box both seem to promise improved hearing of higher frequency sounds.

As a doubler (+), how do these solutions compare? Yes, I am aware they functionality quite different.

Actually, the UpShot will NOT provide improved hearing of higher frequency sounds. It consists of just a woofer and has a top frequency response of around 3500 hz, or so (according to my conversation with the designer - Rick Jones). It DOES provide a nice organic sound to your bass (I have only used it with the double bass).

The Ear Box, on the other hand, will do exactly what you say: it will provide high frequencies (and ONLY high frequencies) and equally importantly, it is designed to be put up on a mic stand at ear level. Unlike bass frequencies, which are omnidirectional, high frequencies are very directional and most easily heard if pointed at your ears (and not your ankles). I had an Ear Box and it was particularly useful for the very purpose you describe: hearing enough (high freq) detail to play in tune.

I am now accomplishing the same thing by using my Genzler Acoustic Amp - Gollihur Series, which has a 'line array' of 2.5 inch speakers. I put the amp up on a speaker stand and it not only provides crystal clear highs but also a rich, tight low end that is just beautiful.

 

[StanE]

That is the information that I was looking for.

 

[cultrvultr]

I double with the upshot. Sound great and plenty of high End for bass guitar.

 

[Ric Vice]

I am now accomplishing the same thing by using my Genzler Acoustic Amp - Gollihur Series, which has a 'line array' of 2.5 inch speakers. I put the amp up on a speaker stand and it not only provides crystal clear highs but also a rich, tight low end that is just beautiful.

Agreed, my MAS 4/5 has also has a linear array of 4 small speakers, directly in the center of the cabinet. It's the one best combinations of very tight low end.

with focused highs, I have experienced. You get a distinct "edge" on each note. It makes a big difference onstage.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

Just to clarify---I've been using a line array of silk dome tweets on the 45---- and three 3inchers--same ones as Jeff uses--- and a supertweeter on my 46 in a line array. I had to clear up the claims that this was being used first in Jeff's stuff. I've been doing this for four years. He probably wasn't aware of it. Seems like a good guy.

I'm sure that I'd find if I researched hard enough that someone was doing the same thing 40 years ago!

 

[Mike Arnopol]

Actually, the UpShot will NOT provide improved hearing of higher frequency sounds. It consists of just a woofer and has a top frequency response of around 3500 hz, or so (according to my conversation with the designer - Rick Jones). It DOES provide a nice organic sound to your bass (I have only used it with the double bass).

The Ear Box, on the other hand, will do exactly what you say: it will provide high frequencies (and ONLY high frequencies) and equally importantly, it is designed to be put up on a mic stand at ear level. Unlike bass frequencies, which are omnidirectional, high frequencies are very directional and most easily heard if pointed at your ears (and not your ankles). I had an Ear Box and it was particularly useful for the very purpose you describe: hearing enough (high freq) detail to play in tune.

I am now accomplishing the same thing by using my Genzler Acoustic Amp - Gollihur Series, which has a 'line array' of 2.5 inch speakers. I put the amp up on a speaker stand and it not only provides crystal clear highs but also a rich, tight low end that is just beautiful.

The technology does exist that you could put a cab on the floor and still hear the mids and highs very well.

 

[rickwolff]

The technology does exist that you could put a cab on the floor and still hear the mids and highs very well.

You may be referring to a coaxial tweeter like the one in the AI Two10. I actually talked to Rick about doing that. I got the impression he didn't feel there was the need or interest to justify that.

I haven't played anything yet that gives me better mids and highs than my Genzler Acoustic line array pole mounted.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

actually I was referring to the technology in my cabs. You can put a cab on the floor and still hear mids and highs well. Or you could put it on a pole and still not lose much low end.

 

[Ric Vice]

Just to clarify---I've been using a line array of silk dome tweets on the 45---- and three 3inchers--same ones as Jeff uses--- and a supertweeter on my 46 in a line array. I had to clear up the claims that this was being used first in Jeff's stuff. I've been doing this for four years. He probably wasn't aware of it. Seems like a good guy.

I'm sure that I'd find if I researched hard enough that someone was doing the same thing 40 years ago!

I've seen lots of bass cabinets and there has never IME been a cabinet with that separated line arry for Double Bass before yours. Just my take.

 

[flatback]

I was all set to make the shift to the smaller MAS18, I even had the 46 up for sale on the classifieds, but listening to the way it does what you cats are talking about, gig after gig, weird room after glass hotel lobby, I just love that speaker, the wide dispersion, the face forward mids and highs (that respond intuitively and usefully to eq) the separation of tones, the thump. Sounds so good. Sounds so good that whenever I use other systems I become acutely aware of their drawbacks. (there are really good sounding choices out there though).
I wish Mike would make a really beautiful wood cabinet . I have a pair of old Klipsch Cornwall speakers from the 70's. Speakers used to be beautiful furniture. I would love it if my MAS 46 had an oiled Cherry veneer.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

you know what? I'll be announcing this on Facebook and my web page---We now have a dedicated top pro cabinet maker to do all of the woodworking. Steve's cousin Tim has just retired his cabinet making business. He made REALLY high end cabinets and is excited to come out of retirement to spearhead all MAS cabinet construction. I'm ok at cabinet building---but Tim is the real deal. He's made a few cabs (18's) and the workmanship is amazing.

So--in the future we will definitely be able to do finely veneered wood cabs on a custom basis.I haven't offered them because---to be frank---I'm not confident of my skills at fine cabinet making. It's a different skill set.

Also, Steve will be taking over all of the business end and his son Kevin will be doing xovers and finished assembly.He's really good. I'll be overseeing the whole thing and will still be involved in sales and promotion. I'll be doing r&d and what I've always wanted to do---set up individual get togethers across the country.

Also--we'll be building in big lots and building up a stock of the best sellers. So---within a month---the lead time on 18'w and 28's---maybe B28's--will be a matter of days to ship---not weeks.

I realize that I can't be taking on as much stress as I have been. Too many stress-related physical problems. So--my wife and I are looking into retiring earlier and moving southward. I'll still be involved with MAS on a daily basis.