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Double Bass Walter Woods? Or not...

#161
CryingBass said:
Being in a similar situation outside of hardware, I have often said that "Emulation is the most Sincere form of Flattery!" :)

I think you will have a lot of fans around here if you can pull all that off. It's not like you don't have competition ( eh? ), but for us to have another "Near Walter" option that will take us through the next decade(s) would be great.

Good luck with the build!
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Considering all the currently available “options” there isn’t a high powered two channel all in one DB/EB amplifier out there at present. With the passing of Rick Jones and Euphonic Audio closing their doors, there isn’t really a comparable option. Of course the MarK Acoustic and Genzler Acoustic Array are well thought out amplifiers, that said they are lower powered than (both put out @150 watts) the Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio, or Walter’s Electroacoustic Ultra. The Acoustic image Claris 4+
is 650 watts at 4 ohms and the Euphonic Audio Doubler MKIi was 625 watts at 4 ohms. You have to reduce that figure by @1/3 to get the 8 ohm output power. By comparison the Walter Woods Ultra (rated at 8 ohms) is 800 watts at 8 ohms it’s 1,200 watts at 4 ohms Now that much amplifier power for Double Bass isn’t usually necessary, but you might want and need it for electric bass. Ultimately it’s the preamp that seal the deal for me and that’s where the Electroacoustic’s shine. They have a sparkle in the midrange that’s not aurally apparent in the Acoustic Image or Euphonic Audio heads. There’s a “Balance” control that will boost lows and cut or boost highs and cut lows and a semi parametric midrange. Just my take of course.
 
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#164
FUCHSAUDIO said:
Our solid state preamp is the Electroacoustic style circuit. I do like the earlier circuit with the cut/boost switches etc. I haven't ruled out bringing that to market as well.
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that older preamp, with the switches, is the sound that make walter famous. the electracoustics were very good, but not as good as the early model. i tried an early model and decided to order one. when i was delivered the electracoustic, i was disappointed. i used it for years, but after many years i bought an early model used and still own both. there is a big difference when used side by side. ( by the way, i live in Jersey ;-)
 
#166
jjcarswell said:
I switched from WW to EA doubler II….I really dig the sound & versatility…
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I would probably have done that but for the preamp EQ differences. I almost pulled the trigger on a Doubler Mark II. Since I already had dropped nearly
grand on a Grace Felix two years previous to that I decided it was time to “get out of Dodge” before it was to late. :):D:laugh:
 
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#167
crd said:
There is a really big difference in tone between the Electroacoustic and earlier WW designs. I love the sound of the original MI-100/400. Which is your's modeled after @FUCHSAUDIO ?
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Having owned both I would say yes their is. The MI-100-8, 400-8 and 600-8 sound and act much like a tube amplifier. While the Electroacoustics sounds like a hybrid
amplifier. They’re both great in their own way, but the low end of those earlier amps blossoms while the Electroacoustics are more focused, of course it’s all subjective anyway. Not a lot of players ever got to use the high powered MI series because he only built them for a couple of years. Once in a telephone conversation with Walter he told me he only built and sold 50 of the MI-400-8 ‘s and even less of the MI-600’s.

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#168
I had an older MI-200 before I got my Electracoustic. The two channels were voiced differently and I have to say the old one sounded better for double bass but Walter told me he could no longer repair it because of certain parts no longer available. Long story...I was 2 years already on Walter's wait list when I bought the MI-200 from Steve Azola with plans to sell it when I finally got my Electracoustic, which I did. That was 20 years ago, who knows if the amp would have lasted that long or not.
 
#169
Hard to say, I had my MI-400-8 for 24 years until I sold it in 2017 and never had any issues with it. I did clean the pots and jacks with Deoxit about once a year. I got the Electroacoustic Ultra I still own in 1997 so it's been
with me for 25 years. I had to send it out to Walter once when a few drops of water from a condensation leak above a stage caused it to shutdown. Walter fixed it right a way and it's been fine ever since. It was a rather expensive
repair from my perspective, but that's just my personal opinion.
 
#170
My MI-400-8 is still going strong but I don't take it out on gigs anymore mostly because I worry about it getting stolen. Felix/power amp is a great replacement but I still think the MI-400-8 has a little bit more of the right kind of grind in the mids to help a bass sound project in the room.
 
#171
crd said:
My MI-400-8 is still going strong but I don't take it out on gigs anymore mostly because I worry about it getting stolen. Felix/power amp is a great replacement but I still think the MI-400-8 has a little bit more of the right kind of grind in the mids to help a bass sound project in the room.
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I do the same thing with my 1959 Fender Precision Bass so I get where you’re coming from, that said I’m not sure the general public has any conception or knowledge about Walter’s amplifiers. I guess I’d be more worried about the potential of a possible repair caused by a electrical issue or environmental problem. Walter’s amplifiers haven’t typically brought the prices that some folks are asking. Just my take of course. Being cautious is admirable and of course up to you. I also opted for a Grace Felix and powered speakers to replace the MI-400-8 and my set of Euphonic Audio VL 208 and 108 speakers. I’d considered selling one of my powered MAS 1x8’s to possibly fund a GR Bass AT 110 but it appears they are extremely hard to buy and the price for a single ten with a tweeter is more then my 700 watt powered 1/8 costs
 
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#173
Ric Vice said:
I do the same thing with my 1959 Fender Precision Bass so I get where you’re coming from, that said I’m not sure the general public has any conception or knowledge about Walter’s amplifiers. I guess I’d be more worried about the potential of a possible repair caused by a electrical issue or environmental problem. Walter’s amplifiers haven’t typically brought the prices that some folks are asking. Just my take of course. Being cautious is admirable and of course up to you. I also opted for a Grace Felix and powered speakers to replace the MI-400-8 and my set of Euphonic Audio VL 208 and 108 speakers. I’d considered selling one of my powered MAS 1x8’s to possibly fund a GR Bass AT 110 but it appears they are extremely hard to buy and the price for a single ten with a tweeter is more then my 700 watt powered 1/8 costs
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How much power does your MAS 1X8 put out? I have a GR Bass AT110....I MIGHT be open to a trade of some sort...
 
#174
Admiral Akbar said:
When are these dropping? (I know the website says “summer” but summer is now!). :bassist:
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Let's say "over the summer".

We have a few supply chain issues atm. We went from suppliers not having raw materials or workers (due to pandemic) to the total reverse, which is many suppliers have more work than they had in a few years, so they are backlogged. A 2-4 week chassis lead time has grown to 6-8 weeks.

Thankfully the designs are done and we're ordering things like knobs and pc boards etc while we wait on panels and cabinets etc. Packing materials are designed, boxes on the shelf, lots of parts cross over (line cords, tubes, and such), so we're doing what we can in the meantime to move amps as quickly as we can when key parts start showing up.
 
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#175
Ric Vice said:
I do the same thing with my 1959 Fender Precision Bass so I get where you’re coming from, that said I’m not sure the general public has any conception or knowledge about Walter’s amplifiers. I guess I’d be more worried about the potential of a possible repair caused by a electrical issue or environmental problem. Walter’s amplifiers haven’t typically brought the prices that some folks are asking. Just my take of course. Being cautious is admirable and of course up to you. I also opted for a Grace Felix and powered speakers to replace the MI-400-8 and my set of Euphonic Audio VL 208 and 108 speakers. I’d considered selling one of my powered MAS 1x8’s to possibly fund a GR Bass AT 110 but it appears they are extremely hard to buy and the price for a single ten with a tweeter is more then my 700 watt powered 1/8 costs
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Ha I imagine it would be more of a random thing than a targeted WW theft :) I have these nightmare where someone steals my rig by accident and then is like *** is stuff in this car... I keep everything insured with MusicPro.
 
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#176
FUCHSAUDIO said:
Let's say "over the summer".

We have a few supply chain issues atm. We went from suppliers not having raw materials or workers (due to pandemic) to the total reverse, which is many suppliers have more work than they had in a few years, so they are backlogged. A 2-4 week chassis lead time has grown to 6-8 weeks.

Thankfully the designs are done and we're ordering things like knobs and pc boards etc while we wait on panels and cabinets etc. Packing materials are designed, boxes on the shelf, lots of parts cross over (line cords, tubes, and such), so we're doing what we can in the meantime to move amps as quickly as we can when key parts start showing up.
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great!

I will definitely be ordering the 700W (biggest sound?) amp as soon as ordering page is available.

I had an electracoustic, but just couldn’t get past the scratchy pots and the lack of available local repair people for that amp.

I do love the tone of the WW Mi100-8 - plenty loud for upright bass jazz gigs.
 
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#179
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#180
Looking at the Preamp of the Fuchs Audio amp and comparing it to my Walter Woods Electroacoustic Ultra, two channel capability aside, there are other differences in
the EQ controls. Of primary concern to me as a Double Bassist would be the absence of the "Balance Control" that cuts treble while it boosts bass or vice versa. I find that
control is essential if you're playing DB to dial in a great EQ. Just my take however.
 
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