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Double Bass wizzy 12/wizzy 10 comparison

#41
Finally, I get to chime in. I've had a Wizzy 12 for a couple of years, but have been using my GK combo a lot lately for our guitar-harmonica-bass blues trio. Just got a "broken in" Wizzy 10 and took it to practice last night with a Clarus head. For this group, I use my Azola BugBass EUB.

A few observations. The Wizzy 10 is related to the 12 in design, but quite a different cab. Most obvious is size and weight, but the 12 has more bottom and low mids, while the 10 has more clarity. At practice, the guys had mercy and carried my bass downstairs while I carried the cab and amp. They're used to this with the GK combo. The Wizzy 10 is much less awkward to carry than the GK and makes an easier load with the EUB on one shoulder, the amp in one hand and the cab in the other.

There's more punch to the Wizzy 10 + Clarus compared to the GK, and certainly more clarity. Happily, there's no harshness in the Wizzy 10's highs...much more pleasant the the old WM12 I'd used for awhile. With the Wizzy 12, I've usually raised the mids and highs a little. For the Wizzy 10, I've found that either flat EQ or just a bit of extra bass does the job.

Stacking the Wizzy 12 and Wizzy 10 makes a great combination of clarity and bottom end that neither cab can do on its own. And the Clarus is fine with the 2 ohm load.

At the end of practice, I spoiled the fun by asking them to lift up the Wizzy 10 cab...big surprise for both guys...now I'm probably stuck carrying my own gear again.

No experience here with the Wizzy 12M, but I hope this helps sort out some differences that haven't been mentioned yet in this thread.
 
#42
Sweet. I have the Wizzy 12M but I dig your story.

I use my GK lately for mostly corporate and restaurant dates. I like the tone as something to support the acoustic tone and the plug and play part is key. It is just my 'no worry' amp. I plug it in, plug my bass into it, and I know what I am going to get.

Maybe I'm crazy but it seems that the AI/EA rig I have is more fickle about the room than the GK. Is that possible? It is more full range so there is there more to go wrong?
 
#43
fingers said:
Maybe I'm crazy but it seems that the AI/EA rig I have is more fickle about the room than the GK. Is that possible? It is more full range so there is there more to go wrong?
Click to expand...

The GK seems to have a narrower range of both frequency response and attack...certainly less chance of messing up when there's less to interact with the sound environment.

I'm planning to use the GK with my American Standard upright and RSII pickup for an upcoming pit gig...good response with both pizz and arco, with no nasty edge to the arco like I've experienced with some full-range amps and other pickups.
 
#45
Yes, it goes into the Clarus input rather than straight into the effects return (thus using the main amp section only). I go into the preamp because I like to take the middle down to 10 0clock. I also take the middle slider in the FishPro down a bit to compensate for the Underwood/Wizzy combination. Then everything is fine.
 
#46
Roger Davis said:
Yes, it goes into the Clarus input rather than straight into the effects return (thus using the main amp section only). I go into the preamp because I like to take the middle down to 10 0clock. I also take the middle slider in the FishPro down a bit to compensate for the Underwood/Wizzy combination. Then everything is fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks!! I've had the Full Circle/Pro Plat for about a year and a half now and I love it. Just got a Clarus and I've got a Wizzy 10 on the way. Wasn't sure about using the Plat with the Clarus but I guess I'll have to give it a try!!
 
#47
I've used the Platinum Pro with my Clarus and, and at least IMO, it doesn't really help much. The benefit of that box is the impedance matching, HPF and phase switch. I use it all the time with my GK since it lacks those things but the AI already has 1 Mohm input and a HPF. I think both the Fishman and the AI have pretty lame EQs. Bottom line, don't expect magic. Of course IME.
 
#48
fingers said:
I've used the Platinum Pro with my Clarus and, and at least IMO, it doesn't really help much. The benefit of that box is the impedance matching, HPF and phase switch. I use it all the time with my GK since it lacks those things but the AI already has 1 Mohm input and a HPF. I think both the Fishman and the AI have pretty lame EQs. Bottom line, don't expect magic. Of course IME.
Click to expand...

Well, I wasn't sure I was even going to try the Platinum with the Clarus, but I guess giving it a little test won't hurt. Not expecting magic, but I am hoping the Claurus/Wizzy will be a bit better than my SWR.
 
#49
klem.gote said:
Well, I wasn't sure I was even going to try the Platinum with the Clarus, but I guess giving it a little test won't hurt. Not expecting magic, but I am hoping the Claurus/Wizzy will be a bit better than my SWR.
Click to expand...

I used to use a pre-Fender WM10 and WM12 so I'm speaking from my own experience here. The SWR amps have a 'sound'. It is not a sound that is 'natural' per se but one that really adds some life and warmth to piezos which can otherwise be pretty cold sounding.

The AI is the exact opposite. I was actually a little taken aback at first. After spending all the bread for the AI/EA rig I was expecting heaven as soon as I plugged in. The initial tone I got was not at all to my liking. It is very flat and, at least IME, I have to run my Realist through a Sansamp to give it a little shape. The fake tubes in the Sansamp warm and fatten up an otherwise cold sound. The eq section is pretty weak so if you need to do eq best to do it with an external unit. Basically it is going to make what you send it louder sans any shaping.

The last week I've really been getting into the mic through the amp thing. I know I bitched about it around here mostly because I hate tweaking. Once I found a setup that worked for me though the AI has been the magic I was hoping for. It only took a year and lots of cursing.

I'm not trying to discourage here. Quite the contrary. I hope it is plug and play for you. If not really work with it. The rewards are huge.
 
#50
fingers said:
I used to use a pre-Fender WM10 and WM12 so I'm speaking from my own experience here. The SWR amps have a 'sound'. It is not a sound that is 'natural' per se but one that really adds some life and warmth to piezos which can otherwise be pretty cold sounding.

The AI is the exact opposite. I was actually a little taken aback at first. After spending all the bread for the AI/EA rig I was expecting heaven as soon as I plugged in. The initial tone I got was not at all to my liking. It is very flat and, at least IME, I have to run my Realist through a Sansamp to give it a little shape. The fake tubes in the Sansamp warm and fatten up an otherwise cold sound. The eq section is pretty weak so if you need to do eq best to do it with an external unit. Basically it is going to make what you send it louder sans any shaping.

The last week I've really been getting into the mic through the amp thing. I know I bitched about it around here mostly because I hate tweaking. Once I found a setup that worked for me though the AI has been the magic I was hoping for. It only took a year and lots of cursing.

I'm not trying to discourage here. Quite the contrary. I hope it is plug and play for you. If not really work with it. The rewards are huge.
Click to expand...

Hi. No, not discouraging at all, I appreciate the input. My SWR is only a year old, WorkingPro 12. Not a bad rig but I haven't been able to get the sound I've wanted. Even with the Plat it was usually too muddy, boomy. I tried the Clarus with a few cabs before I bought it, 2 Edens and another I forget the name of, a 10, a 2x10 and a 12. I also took it to a friend's home recording studio, took the direct line from the Clarus into the board. I all instances I was very happy with the sound and response I got, much clearer than the SWR, much more a "real doublebass sound". Maybe the difference is in our basses? I'm looking forward to getting the Clarus/Wizzy together and putting them through a few gigs to give it a real workout. And as you say, you have to work with it. Never seems to end, does it?!?
 
#51
klem.gote said:
Never seems to end, does it?!?
Click to expand...

It never ends and that is what gets to me.

The post-Fender SWRs are not as good for DB. I used one when I was doing a clinic at a high school and was pretty underimpressed considering I had owned the same amp before Fender 'redesigned' it.

There are so many variables here it makes your head spin. I'd say the biggest variable here might be the pickup. I use a Realist. I have tried most other pickups and there is some percussive quality to the sound of that pickup that has become part of my sound and I miss whenever I try something else. It needs the Sansamp though or there is a strange mid honk that the AI eq can't tame without totally killing the sound. I've heard similar reports around here about the Underwood.

I know Chris Fitzgerald and Toad use a Full Circle with an AI and have made good reports. I think they both use it without a pre.
 
#52
fingers said:
It never ends and that is what gets to me.

The post-Fender SWRs are not as good for DB. I used one when I was doing a clinic at a high school and was pretty underimpressed considering I had owned the same amp before Fender 'redesigned' it.

There are so many variables here it makes your head spin. I'd say the biggest variable here might be the pickup. I use a Realist. I have tried most other pickups and there is some percussive quality to the sound of that pickup that has become part of my sound and I miss whenever I try something else. It needs the Sansamp though or there is a strange mid honk that the AI eq can't tame without totally killing the sound. I've heard similar reports around here about the Underwood.

I know Chris Fitzgerald and Toad use a Full Circle with an AI and have made good reports. I think they both use it without a pre.
Click to expand...

Yes on both counts, never ends and so many variables, including things like chops and weather!! I tried a few pickups, my bass seems to like the Full Circle. I feel the way you do about tweaking, the less the better, so I'll probably start without the pre and see how it works. Less stuff to mess with is better.

I also have to say I'm looking forward to NOT lugging around the 44 pound SWR!!
 
#56
fingers said:
How do you eq it? I have this same setup and I have to run the Sansamp in line in order to tame some strange mids.
Click to expand...

Yeah, mostly cutting mids around 1k, I think. Every room is different, and of course a lot of my problem is this bright bass and a newish mittel set. I'm not very methodical about EQ, and haven't played in several weeks. Left arm is in a sling right now.

I have noticed that this rig exposes a less than perfect cable pretty quick also. You might want to check that. Just a suggestion.
 

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