Double Bass Best micro head AI or comparable on the used market?

damonsmith

damonsmith

May 10, 2006
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Saint Louis, MO
www.balancepointacoustics.com
#1
I have the old GK 200mb - it really serves me well, but I'd like to move into the 21st century! I'd like some more clarity and low end when I amplify.
I'd like to spend under $500, I've seen series 1 AI heads for $300. Are there huge differences in the later models? Some of the best sound I have heard has been from AI heads. I have a 15" speaker, so I thought I would start with the head, this means I need to be able to plug it in to the 1/4" input on the speaker. I'd like one that does not need a pre amp.
I will probably get one of those up firing speakers Harvey S. is using later, but who knows?
 
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#2
As for speaker plugs, most heads now use Speakon plugs, but you can get a Speakon to 1/4" cord from Gollihur:
Speaker Cable: ¼ inch to Speakon at Gollihur Music - Double Bass, Upright Bass, String Bass Specialists
Euphonic Audio heads are great too.

That said:
You may be surprised by the improvement you could get with using a good preamp and feeding your head through the effect receive jack, therefore bypassing the head's internal preamp.
Coloration is most of the time happening in the preamp section, and I think is the most important part of the amplification chain.
 
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#3
I've recently started using, and am very impressed with the Aguilar TH350 head. Its just about within your price range. Worth checking out, if you're trying different amps. Plenty of clean power, sounds great even when cranked loud for full-on free jazz drummers. I'm using it with a 12" speaker not 15" (a Barefaced Supermidget). Massive improvement on anything I've had before and on the vast majority of things that have been provided when traveling.
 
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#4
I've been using an AI Focus series 3 that I picked up for less than $500. It's really a nice amp. They seem to come up in the classifieds, so if you can wait... Wattage and number of channels are two differences between the models. My focus is two channels and 450w@8ohms.

I also use and love my EA Doubler. I bring it to most of my gigs with backline. I had a chance to try out An Aguilar 350 and 500 this way but preferred the Doubler. Different strokes...
 
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#6
I have the little Clarus 1 (first design) and have been happily using it for a few years. I have had a few other AI heads, the latest being the docking unit in a transitional Coda combo. It was labeled a series 4 but still had the 3 band eq.
Bottom line, they all sound great and I didn't see much difference between the newest 600 watt version and the old one. I may get a new Clarus SL at some point, but am in no hurry to drop the $600. The old unit still works perfectly like new.
I use the Clarus with an Acme B1 or GK MBX 112 cab.
I'm also a fan of the GK MB150. The tone from the Clarus/MBX is just a bit warmer, but but it's not much different. The GK eq is much more effective.
I think Rick messed up by creating a great product 20 years ago and continuing to service it. The new stuff is more efficient and has more features, but if it ain't broke??? I prefer the simplicity and utility of the little Clarus.
Hope this helps.
 
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#8
Since you're buying used anyway, I would suggest checking out the Genz Benz heads. I think a 6.0 or 6.2 or above would be fine. The 3.0 might be a little light on power. Even though they are no longer made, Aged Horse (member here) provides excellent after-warranty service.

On feature I really like with the GB is the semi-parametric sweepable mid.

I didn't see on your info page what type of pickup you are using, but IF it is a piezo, the sweepable mids can be extremely useful to knock down the 'Piezo Quack' which seems to live somewhere around 600 hz.

I just did a little video demonstrating this:
 
#9
I've used the high power later model Focus for hundreds of gigs. It is a fantastic amp, but maybe a little bit too much power for a lot of folks. I'd rather be running a lower power unit in the middle range than just barely making sound at 2 on the dial for a high output model. I like the 900 watts down to 2 ohms because I can use it in almost any situation and combine backline cabs when needed and I also regularly use it as a small PA. Run instruments into the main two channels and the use the effects loop input with a preamp for two more, plus a built in high pass and effects. Rick's got the best warranty in the business; 'can't say enough good things about his products and how he runs his business. There are lots of companies who make nice products for a one time sale, but he makes customers for a lifetime.
 
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#10
james condino said:
I've used the high power later model Focus for hundreds of gigs. It is a fantastic am, but maybe a little bit too much power for a lot of folks. I'd rather be running a lower power unit in the middle range than just barely making sound at 2 on the dial for a high output model. I like the 900 watts down to 2 ohms because I can use it in almost any situation and combine backline cabs when needed and I also regularly use it as a small PA. Run instruments into the main two channels and the use the effects loop input with a preamp for two more, plus a built in high pass and effects. Rick's got the best warranty in the business; 'can't say enough good things about his products and how he runs his business. There are lots of companies who make nice products for a one time sale, but he makes customers for a lifetime.
Click to expand...

I second that, I use mine for many different applications including Chapman Stick and guitar. The only proviso that I would mention is that it is an amp that really has to be learnt as the operation of a few features may not be obvious at first. And go easy on the master volume!!

Cheers
 
#12
Do you run bass >pre amp> volume pedal>amp? As much as I like the idea of a volume pedal, if I run one without a pre amp then it seems like it cuts the body of the signal, not just the volume. If I don't use the pre amp it sounds even worse...

Duchead is right about the Focus for guitar. That with a pair of acme B1s is the best acoustic guitar sound I have ever had.
 
#14
james condino said:
I've used the high power later model Focus for hundreds of gigs. It is a fantastic amp, but maybe a little bit too much power for a lot of folks. I'd rather be running a lower power unit in the middle range than just barely making sound at 2 on the dial for a high output model. I like the 900 watts down to 2 ohms because I can use it in almost any situation and combine backline cabs when needed and I also regularly use it as a small PA. Run instruments into the main two channels and the use the effects loop input with a preamp for two more, plus a built in high pass and effects. Rick's got the best warranty in the business; 'can't say enough good things about his products and how he runs his business. There are lots of companies who make nice products for a one time sale, but he makes customers for a lifetime.
Click to expand...

I had one of those and they have a lot of power reserve. It would be ideal when I run two Acme cabs because 300 watts doesn't quite do it.

99% of my gigs don't require the power. It comes down to having enough to drive a chosen speaker to the desired level. 900 watts? I'm too old for that.
 
#15
james condino said:
Do you run bass >pre amp> volume pedal>amp? As much as I like the idea of a volume pedal, if I run one without a pre amp then it seems like it cuts the body of the signal, not just the volume. If I don't use the pre amp it sounds even worse...
Click to expand...
Of course, if the volume pedal is passive or has a low impedance input, that will distort the pickup signal.
A passive piezo should be immediately followed by a high input impedance buffer/preamp/amp input. Nothing in between. Volume pot following.
If you have a look at the schematics of Francis Decks buffer/preamp designs, you will see that the first is the high impedance input that gets buffered and the volume pot is the last just in front of the output jack.
 
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#16
AI has always had a high enough input impedance so a preamp is not necessary.

The biggest difference to be aware of is that Series I and II single channel amps did not have mike inputs, the two channel models had an instrument channel and a mike channel. Starting with Series III, all channels had switchable mike/instrument inputs.

If you never use a mike or never need two channels, then it's a wash.
 
#17
james condino said:
Do you run bass >pre amp> volume pedal>amp? As much as I like the idea of a volume pedal, if I run one without a pre amp then it seems like it cuts the body of the signal, not just the volume. If I don't use the pre amp it sounds even worse...

Duchead is right about the Focus for guitar. That with a pair of acme B1s is the best acoustic guitar sound I have ever had.
Click to expand...
Maybe an fdeck before my volume pedal will make me happier with my GK. I have been thinking of getting one for "house amps" that can't take the impedance of a piezo. I assume running it before the pedal would work in those situations as well? I have a plastic boss pedal I've had for 20 years, I had a light controlled Morely for a while but it was just too bulky, east coast venues require a one trip set up.
I am playing music with such a wide dynamic I can have it off most of the night. The problem is those moments when the rhythm section "takes off" are with such incredible drummers I want the tone to be even better. I don't mind a sound you can hear the amp in for those sections, as long as it is strong and round. When there is no drummer I don't use an amp.
 
#19
I've got a Focus 1 Siii for sale. Love it love it love it, so much headroom and clean power! 450W@8Ω 800@4Ω (I think) and 1000@2Ω. I'm only selling it because I got a Genzler Magellan 800 that I like more for electric, which I'm playing out more than upright these days and I'm GASing for some other gear...
 
#20
damonsmith said:
Maybe an fdeck before my volume pedal will make me happier with my GK. I have been thinking of getting one for "house amps" that can't take the impedance of a piezo.
Click to expand...

My second pickup after the Polytone "bar" was a Barcus that stuck to the bridge with putty. It came with a preamp and didn't sound good without it. Of course in those days the amps probably had <1kohm inputs. I think you'll get a marked improvement with the Fdeck or other buffering pre. That being said, I much prefer the amps I mentioned above to any GK I've owned and used.
 
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