Yo Aguilar, where's your Micro????

[naturalkinds]

Maybe compared to the Little Mark, but if you think 18 lbs is pretty darn heavy, you need to get off Talkbass right now and start doing some situps and pushups!!!! Seriously...other than that, the rest of your post made sense.

Ha! The qualifying statement is that I don't have a car. (I spent all my coin on gear.)

: )

The extra pounds sure make a difference on transit. When I had my Shuttle, it was a dream to lug around in my gig case, just having to hold a single cabinet. But it was no DB in tone. Just wish there was something a little more in that league for the transit-taking crew of musicians.

 

[R. Laevinus]

The Real Men have moved into the city, where a car is an extravagantly expensive luxury.

Men like me use public transit - not because I care any more or any less than the next guy about the environment, but because it gets me around faster and cheaper than a car does.

However - this means I need to CARRY my rig up and down looong flights of stairs, down the street for thirty minutes, and up into the venue to play - and then I get to do it all again in reverse, except a much longer walk, 'cause the subways are shut down when I'm done.

Can I lift a heavy cab? Sure. Do I want to carry a hundred-pound BOX for what amounts to 2+ hours every time I gig? Not really, no.

Most of my jobs have been warehouse jobs - lots of heavy lifting, sure. Funny thing about those - I tended to come home sweaty and tired. I don't know about you, but I sure don't want to take the stage stinking to high heaven and too whacked to play!

To each their own, dude. I like light stuff.

 

[Smallequestrian]

At the moment, no. If you give me enough time I'm sure I could come up with something better than an educated guess though. What I do see is quite a few micro amps on the used market - typically indicative of products that aren't necessarily bad but just weren't what people were used to or what people expected from them; as well as products that were only needed for short-term use and didn't win over the buyer to keep it longer than necessary. It may also be because they are cheaper to ship and easier to sell due to their light weight. I'm not saying I wouldn't check one out if Aguilar put something together, I just wouldn't camp out over night for it.

Your assertion might seem to make sense, but I think the Micro heads are selling quite well. If anything the presence of them on the used market is indicative of a lot of product being out there in general. It also seems that while some people sell them and go back to something a bit more traditional, many of them are selling them to try out a micro of another maker. I know I have done it several times myself.

Most companies don't give out this kind of information, but I bet the amount of amps that Genz Benz has sold since the introduction of the Shuttle has increased dramatically.

 

[NKUSigEp]

I still think the REAL MEN are living out in the country driving trucks (like me LOL)...but I'm not gonna argue with you. I can definitely see how your needs fit into the light-travelling criteria that a micro amp is perfectly suited for. However, I would say your still a minority unless things change in the future, and the current market demands aren't screaming for yet another ultralight.

It seems like I'm fighting an uphill battle here though and all I'm really trying to say is I personally would prefer something like an Eden or Aguilar in the 10-20 lb range that is exceptionally well-built, sounds phenomenal and is still fairly light, compared to something that sacrifices headroom, power, depth, and just overall tone for a few pounds. I'm not saying they don't sound good, I'm just saying they don't sound AS good, all in my most humble opinion.

 

[afroman]

It just seems a bit pointless to devote resources to making something aimed at an already flooded market. Stick with what works for you, ya know? And having said all that, who knows? Either way, I think Aguilar has cemented their place in the low-end world and can afford to wait and see where this trend is going. I don't think it would take a whole lot of effort on their part to mate a Tonehammer to a 500 watt micro power section and sell it. Hell...we'd all probably buy one! LOL

Totally agree

 

[jokerjkny]

it may simply be that they don't find class D to be appropriate for (bass) amplification, as the conventional wisdom held for a LONG time... they're not alone in this belief, either...

really?

care to go into detail?

 

[R. Laevinus]

...all I'm really trying to say is I personally would prefer something like an Eden or Aguilar in the 10-20 lb range...

...ah, and now we're all happy again!

I hear where you're coming from - just bear in mind that there's a lot of different angles to every issue, and you really ought not make big blanket statements. In this particular case, there MUST be a market, regardless of what you or I say about it, because the things are selling. I know they are because companies keep making them - they wouldn't funnel money down the drain.

...and as for the whole Real Men thing - while I agree there is undeniably a level of extreme masculinity in living in the country and driving a big truck, I am personally more inclined towards the sort of masculinity that involves me living in a swanky apartment in the city, having a job with an impressive title, and wearing a finely tailored suit to work!

 

[ElMon]

...ah, and now we're all happy again!

I hear where you're coming from - just bear in mind that there's a lot of different angles to every issue, and you really ought not make big blanket statements. In this particular case, there MUST be a market, regardless of what you or I say about it, because the things are selling. I know they are because companies keep making them - they wouldn't funnel money down the drain.

...and as for the whole Real Men thing - while I agree there is undeniably a level of extreme masculinity in living in the country and driving a big truck, I am personally more inclined towards the sort of masculinity that involves me living in a swanky apartment in the city, having a job with an impressive title, and wearing a finely tailored suit to work!

No pics, no 'swanky apartment in the city' or 'finely tailored suit'!!!! THOSE ARE THE RULES!!!!

 

[R. Laevinus]

I thought that rule only applied to basses and rigs... and chicks at shows!

I gots no camera, I spend all my money on strings... but how 'about this, next time you're in my neck of the woods I'll buy you a beer and you can see my fine duds for yourself!








(In case you're curious, I work for the Big Man Upstairs... no, not God, his brother, Government.)

 

[ElMon]

I thought that rule only applied to basses and rigs... and chicks at shows!

I gots no camera, I spend all my money on strings... but how 'about this, next time you're in my neck of the woods I'll buy you a beer and you can see my fine duds for yourself!








(In case you're curious, I work for the Big Man Upstairs... no, not God, his brother, Government.)

I don't know, I've heard that you Canucks can do some SERIOUS drinking. I might have to stretch beforehand. We can drink micro-brews and discuss micro-heads. Nice!

 

[NKUSigEp]

...and as for the whole Real Men thing - while I agree there is undeniably a level of extreme masculinity in living in the country and driving a big truck, I am personally more inclined towards the sort of masculinity that involves me living in a swanky apartment in the city, having a job with an impressive title, and wearing a finely tailored suit to work!

I tried that gig...had the penthouse suite in a downtown apartment working as a financial advisor - I think I've still got some pics to prove it though most aren't TB appropriate LOL. Just wasn't for me though, I grew up in the country and that's where I belong.

I recant my earlier statement too, I think if Aguilar made an ultralight that was around 300+ watts, 5-6 lbs and still sounded like an Aguilar...I'd probably buy. Hahaha

 

[naturalkinds]

I recant my earlier statement too, I think if Aguilar made an ultralight that was around 300+ watts, 5-6 lbs and still sounded like an Aguilar...I'd probably buy. Hahaha

Ha. Nice. Knew you would, NKU.

: )

 

[fdeck]

They've already got the switchmode power amp. All that remains is the power supply:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[pbassnut]

I've always been a proponent of serious iron to get good, solid bass ... heavy tube amps, old school type A/B Crown and Crest poweramps, Mesa Boogie Road Ready cabinets loaded with EV 15s, etc. However, I picked up a used Schroeder 1515L a while back that has made a believer outta me (at least regarding NEO speakers). Only 40 pounds for a compact, highly efficient 2 X 15 cabinet that can handle 800 watts. Coupled with my 21 pound GK 800 RB, it absolutely screams. I am now pondering getting rid of my killer sounding, but heavy as a friggin' cinderblock Crest V1100/Ashly BP-41 rack head and replacing it with a 16 pound Thunderfunk 550. I recently turned 55 and just can't hang with the big iron anymore.

 

[R. Laevinus]

...well, now that we're done arguing, I should say, in all fairness, that I love the sound of gigantic amps through ceramic magnets - I never miss a chance to play through a 500 pound rig.

But as mentioned earlier, a lightweight rig has significant benefits for me personally - and if it sounds good, it sounds good.

In fact, as one of my outfits is currently me and an acoustic guitard, I plan to buy an acoustic bass tomorrow so I don't have to carry an amp to practice - this particular guy is a consummate musician and a 'hobby-bassist', so I have confidence that he'll play softly enough that I won't need one. Also, I'm GASsing right now for a PJB 8x5 - imagine, equivalent speaker area as a 4x10, but with twice as many driver coils and weighing in at a one-hand-friendly 54 lbs!

NKUSigEp, I'm glad that you've given the other side a try and have returned to where you feel most at home. Different strokes, right?

And ElMon - you've heard right, but inebriation on your part will make the conversation fruitless on my part, so I'll go easy on you!

 

[NKUSigEp]

...Also, I'm GASsing right now for a PJB 8x5 - imagine, equivalent speaker area as a 4x10, but with twice as many driver coils and weighing in at a one-hand-friendly 54 lbs!

NKUSigEp, I'm glad that you've given the other side a try and have returned to where you feel most at home. Different strokes, right?

Just a friendly fyi: 8x5 surface area ~ 157"; 4x10 surface area ~ 314"

Wasn't so much the strokes as it was recognizing that I was on a path to self-destruction. LOL

 

[RCCollins]

really?

care to go into detail?

the limitations of class D are several, but the biggest challenge for bass amplification is poor damping factor. whether or not that (and other issues) has been improved in the last few years is a matter of opinion.

my own opinion is that significant improvements HAVE been made, but not enough that I would choose a microamp for myself

 

[R. Laevinus]

Just a friendly fyi: 8x5 surface area ~ 157"; 4x10 surface area ~ 314"

Wasn't so much the strokes as it was recognizing that I was on a path to self-destruction. LOL

Crap, I've done my math wrong! I knew that 53% I got in Grade 9 match was gonna come back and haunt me! Thanks... I'll go recheck my numbers, although I doubt you're wrong.

And hey... better to figure that out later than never!

 

[Passinwind]

Just a friendly fyi: 8x5 surface area ~ 157"; 4x10 surface area ~ 314"

Those are both too high, and therefore skewed. Don't go by frame mounting centers, go by actual cone diameter, which is much smaller. The 18Sound 10" driver spec sheet I'm looking at right now spec's ~54 in^2, for instance. For a Faital 5 I'm seeing 17.6in^2.

So, for these particular drivers: 8 X 5 = 140.8in^2; 4 X 10 = 216in^2. Quite a bit different than what you posted, no? This'll vary a bit depending on individual driver BTW. And watch out for bad spec sheets -- the Faital 5 and 6 ones were interposed on the US Speaker website.

But what's really important is actual cone displacement, which depends on Xmax times surface area. I'll leave it to someone else to do the math...

--PW, aka Pedants 'R Us

 

[Lurker79]

The first time I went up three flights of stairs with my 6.0 and avatar cab, I breathed a sigh of relief before I took one step. Light amps with tube pre's are the working players future. I would buy one from aguilar in a heartbeat.