Has anyone here done a side-by-side comparison between these 2 amps? I have my Woods up in the DB amp classifieds, as I'm wanting to try the Doubler. Any input on the comparison between the 2?
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Double Bass Walter Woods Green Light vs. EA Doubler
- Thread starter Matt Power
- Start date
Jaco Chops,
From what I've heard the Doubler is voiced differently than Walter's Electroacoustic amps. I would think it sounded more like Walter's MI series amp's. I just can't think of any TB members that have had both those amps. Maybe it will come to me.
Ric
- Jan 25, 2006
- 1,292
- 6
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist; Arnold Schnitzer/ Wil DeSola New Standard RN DB
Chops, Buy the doubler ASAP, do the side by side comparison, and sell off whatever you prefer less. Either should sell no problem once you have made a choice. I'll buy the WW if it comes down to that.
I find that the Doubler has more visceral impact than the WW. I used to be a WW endorser. Especially on upright I find that the "envelope" of the note is the best I've heard, The impact and thump at the beginning of the note. The "bloom" and expanse of the note. Does it decay properly or is there too much legato overhang? These are most important to me. Fidelity is a distant second. When I got the Doubler and started walking it was very noticeable . The notes had more authority and were thicker. I had better control over the note decay---I wasn't waiting for the note to decay during fast walking. The Doubler isn't perfect--no amo is. But for the balance of what I play between electric and upright it's the best compromise. I wish the eq was more flexible. I wish the power felt like what it's rated. (although with my new speakers I'm pretty much getting everything I want. It's better than the Woods.
I have a doubler and a WW blue light. This thread made me pull them out and compare, since I'm playing a new instrument and haven't A/B'd the two with it yet. Granted, sound tests in any living room are unrealistic, but it validated my previous experience with these amps in performance situations.
To me the Woods wins hands down, it's not even a fair fight. The doubler is a versatile little box, it's powerful, has some great features, and it sounds pretty good. I hear what Mike says about the responsiveness, and could see how that could be attractive. But to me the amp sounds quacky, very pronounced in the mid range and with too limited an EQ section to dial it out. I've used several basses through it and the doubler's sound is anything but transparent in my experience.
The woods sounds incredibly warm and rich, and with an eq that can really bring out your sound in whatever room your playing in. This is the best amp I've ever played. It's also a lot more expensive, but after playing through one for the last year I really wish I had spent the money earlier and saved myself the grief of buying several amps and never really being happy.
I think comparing the two amps is like comparing the Nissan I drive (which I love) but knowing if I could drive an Italian sports car it wouldn't really be fair to compare the two.
Your results may vary
To me the Woods wins hands down, it's not even a fair fight. The doubler is a versatile little box, it's powerful, has some great features, and it sounds pretty good. I hear what Mike says about the responsiveness, and could see how that could be attractive. But to me the amp sounds quacky, very pronounced in the mid range and with too limited an EQ section to dial it out. I've used several basses through it and the doubler's sound is anything but transparent in my experience.
The woods sounds incredibly warm and rich, and with an eq that can really bring out your sound in whatever room your playing in. This is the best amp I've ever played. It's also a lot more expensive, but after playing through one for the last year I really wish I had spent the money earlier and saved myself the grief of buying several amps and never really being happy.
I think comparing the two amps is like comparing the Nissan I drive (which I love) but knowing if I could drive an Italian sports car it wouldn't really be fair to compare the two.
Your results may vary
They do. I prefer the Doubler. It is simple, works great, and does its thing with both db and eb. I have owned a blue, amber, and green light, and I prefer the EA.
Whatever that (and Mike Arnapol's) opinion matters.
Whatever that (and Mike Arnapol's) opinion matters.
Robert,
Just so I know, which "blue light" Woods amp do you own? The most common one would be the Electroacoustic Ultra. Walter did make an MI-600-8 that had the blue pilot light as well. I checked your user profile and the Woods wasn't mentioned.
I think comparing the two amps is like comparing the Nissan I drive (which I love) but knowing if I could drive an Italian sports car it wouldn't really be fair to compare the two.
Your results may vary
+1 they are very different beasts. I think a fairer comparison would be a Walter Woods MI-200-8 and the doubler, since their tone shaping controls are very similar.
Ric
I own the Ultra Electroacoustic. I bought it from Walter last year, so I assume it's his latest model. Really powerful amp.
I own a '97 Walter Woods green-light Electracoustic amp and have used the Doubler. To me they sound very different. The Doubler has an impressive feature set in a very light and compact package. My Walter Woods amp doesn't have some of the useful features of Doubler, but I still prefer the sound by far. This is totally subjective though, and there is no best here -- just what you like best and what works for you. For me, I'll keep my Walter Woods.
Hey Rob...are you in the Cinci area? I got my Master's degree in Percussion and Jazz Bass Performance in Athens at Ohio University! I'm sure we've chewed up some of the same roads and stages! Holler, bro!
I agree with this when comparing the Doubler to the Green Light.
Comparing the Doubler to an Ultra is a lot different with over twice the power difference. Although what Mike said about the notes being thicker with the doubler may be true, the Ultra will usually stand out more. Not always though depending on cab, room, etc.
Yes I'm in Cincinnati. Athens is a great town. Haven't been there in too long though.
I just a/b'd my new Doubler to a buddy's green light in a nearby town. They both sound great, but I actually prefer the tone of my slab through the Doubler. My db sounds great with both of them. I just got a new FC pickup, and I'm really digging my tone right now!
