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Double Bass Which Head to go with my EA Cabs?

Bruce Lindfield

Bruce Lindfield

Unprofessional TalkBass Contributor
Gold Supporting Member
In Memoriam
Dec 13, 1999
32,313
197
Brighton, England, UK, Europe
#1
I have 2 VL208s that I don't ever expect to part with, but I am now in the Market for a lighter head that will give me decent sound and portability.

So I have a few ideas and wondered if anybody wanted to comment on or had any experience of using these, with Double Bass?

I think I have narrowed my search to :

Acoustic Image Clarus
Little Mark II
GK MB2 500

But if anybody wants to throw out any more suggestions, as long as they are lightweight and high quality, I would be interested?

I just got a bonus and am looking to spend some money!! :p
 
#2
Bruce

I use a Clarus with my 1/10", 2/10", 1/12" or 10"/12" Wizzies and it is good for any of them, but no experience of 2/8" regrettably. I like it very much and it is very versatile particularly with its HPF which, to my mind, seems to act as an eq section all on its own.
 
#3
I currently use an Acoustic Image clarus and love it. Previously I had used a GK RCB200 which I also loved, but just lacked juice for some gigs. Sometimes I do miss that warm GK push that sits so nicely with drums. But the AI is a great amp too. Much more open and full sounding. Hey.... what about the EA doubler?
 
#4
The Clarus looks a favourite - I notice the Bass Gallery in London, advertising that they sell them - I might give them a ring soon! ;)

The only thing is that the Clarus is 300 watts, whereas the other 2 are 500, I wonder if I need the larger headroom and if so, then the AI equivalent is very expensive...:eek:

So - EA Cabs are notoriously inefficient - they may need more power than 300 watts - especially if I am only using one?
 
#8
I'm using a Markbass F1 with my pair of VL108 cabinets and I'm happy with the results, although I have not been using it with my DB a great deal. I also used it with the VL208 I briefly owned. The tight but deep bass of the F1 seems to mate well with the EA cabinets. I wish it had an XLR input like the Little Mark 2 though.

If I had a pair of 208's, I'd get a Clarus+ (500 watts @ 8 ohms, 800 @ 4, 1000 @ 2). I know that's a lot of power for a DB, but the AI heads sound terrific, and the Clarus+ costs under $1000 USD (plus your shipping fees of course). Some people complain about the tone controls on AI heads being subtle, but I've found that they are fine, particularly with the notch/high pass filter. You'd be set if you ever break out a BG too.
 
#9
I couldn't imagine why you wouldn't get the new EA Doubler. 550 watts and sounds great on DB and electric.2 independent channels. Mic input with phantom, notch filter and VARIABLE phase shift.Did I mention that it weighs 3 lbs?
 
#10
Lotsa power dude!
The more the merrier!
I own a pair of VL V110 's and a VL 208.
and they like the power as you know they are not that efficient.
Some gigs I use both VL110's or the combo of VL208 & VL110.

Yes- the VL 208 is not efficient either- but it sounds great!
with power. I use it on occasion for the bigger rooms.

Usually I use Vl 110- because it's smaller and fits into small clubs I play at.
With my Mesa M2000.

You won't be necessary louder -but it gives you the headroom for
E string punch! and it cuts thru with drums & keys a lot better.

Since I double on EB & upright I use a Mesa M2000: 600 RMS.
with 2 separate preamps- tube & solid state.
As I like tube sound.
but it ' s heavy- 45 lb or 20k.
A trade off.
I use a Marcus Miller 5 also when I double.

Use to use a EA 800 -a lighter digital amp. but it was real clean but sterile for my taste.
Nice for upright bass but I did not like for my electric.
20 lb or 9K
800 RMS.

Also use to use a WalkAbout- but I did not like the voicings for upright with EA.
And found it under powered for the EA.

Or Mike A. recommends Doubler too- Altho I have not tried one.

If you want spend some $$
Try a high powered Walter Woods!
some of my friends recommended to me.

Out my budget- as I got laid off a couple months ago and am finally working
part time now.
 
#11
Mike Arnopol said:
I couldn't imagine why you wouldn't get the new EA Doubler. 550 watts and sounds great on DB and electric.2 independent channels. Mic input with phantom, notch filter and VARIABLE phase shift.Did I mention that it weighs 3 lbs?
Click to expand...

That sounds very interesting - I just haven't seen these being advertised for sale in the UK..?

Any ideas about that anybody - I have googled sites in the UK with no luck?


Just to clarify - this is for Double Bass only and I mostly do quiet-ish gigs with one cab. Although I wouldn't rule out louder ones with 2 cabs ; the small Jazz gigs are my priority and trying to reduce the weight and bulk of what I carry around! ;)
 
#18
smperry said:
I think you'll want more power (Focus or Clarus+) for 2 208s, but hope it suits you. :)
Click to expand...

Well - most of the time I am just using one VL208 for quiet-ish Jazz gigs and am looking to get what I take along, to be smaller, lighter - I have no plans to be in louder bands, but I don't rule it out - although I feel that my tastes have changed to where it probably won't happen...:eyebrow:

Although I know that two VL 208s with a lot of power would be awesome...:p

It probably wouldn't fit in with the sound of the kind of music I like playing now. :)
 
#20
Mike Arnopol said:
I couldn't imagine why you wouldn't get the new EA Doubler. 550 watts and sounds great on DB and electric.2 independent channels. Mic input with phantom, notch filter and VARIABLE phase shift.Did I mention that it weighs 3 lbs?
Click to expand...

As a guy who's also owned a Focus I can say the Doubler sounds way better with a VL208. At least with my bass and pickup.

Good luck with the Clarus !
 

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