Just for your info: the early Focus heads I think like the one above have 10 Meghom inputs the later models (like mine series 3) were less. When I sent it back to Rick he put a new impedance in there of 10 Meghom so that I could use a high imp pickup without a preamp. (I had been talking to him openly about why the Headway had a better eq section and he said looking at the specs of the headway the main difference was the input imp.) SO if you buy a focus you can always have RIck optimize it for your pickup.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
Welcome to TalkBass! Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Double Bass Best micro head AI or comparable on the used market?
- Thread starter damonsmith
- Start date
-
- Tags
- ai head micro micro head used
I have a Focus r2 III and a new Clarus S4+. I want to sell one of them but just can't pick. They both sound fantastic but have slightly different features. The Focus r2 (for me) works as a three channel head. Mic in channel 1, pickup in channel 2, and Sansamp pre for electric bass in either effects return channel. Each pickup has its own eq. For more Avant garde work I think I'd look for one of the more powerful AI heads. Allows more sensitivity in the right hand. imho
Damon,
I’ve had the AI Focus 1 series 2 for years now. I love it. Many amps have been developed since but I haven’t bothered looking until recently. (Toying with the idea of a mic in combo with my pickup)
My favorite part is how transparent and sensitive to dynamic playing it is. The preamp handles a bow really well too. If you make it to Chicago to play with Jerome before you get the amp, you can try mine.
I’ve had the AI Focus 1 series 2 for years now. I love it. Many amps have been developed since but I haven’t bothered looking until recently. (Toying with the idea of a mic in combo with my pickup)
My favorite part is how transparent and sensitive to dynamic playing it is. The preamp handles a bow really well too. If you make it to Chicago to play with Jerome before you get the amp, you can try mine.
Just saw this on reverb.com
Acoustic Image Clarus 1 $350
Acoustic Image Clarus 1 | Eric 's Gear Emporium
Acoustic Image Clarus 1 $350
Acoustic Image Clarus 1 | Eric 's Gear Emporium
Focus S3 in the classifieds now Damon. A little more than you want to spend... but you’ll never need another amp.
Do you double at all on electric?
If so I'd suggest the Genzler Magellan 350 -- pretty cheap, and it sounds convincing with both double bass and electric. It also hits a lot harder than its 175/350 watts would suggest.
Even without considering slab, I think its a pretty good alternative to the fairly dark (and in my experience less flexible) AI sound.
If so I'd suggest the Genzler Magellan 350 -- pretty cheap, and it sounds convincing with both double bass and electric. It also hits a lot harder than its 175/350 watts would suggest.
Even without considering slab, I think its a pretty good alternative to the fairly dark (and in my experience less flexible) AI sound.
Funny you say dark. I roll off tons of highs on mine. I've never thought of the need for another amp. I'd like another cab for weight but... Might be your pickup. Granted, I go unamplified as much as possible and with a mic through the house as much as I can when I need volume. I don't play slab much (1-2x yearly) but when I do, I use a Sansamp in the effects loop and all is well. The Genzler sound is kind of P Bassy on my bass IMHO. Not bad, just not as pure more electric than acoustic.
Yes, interesting that. I was a Clarus user - had two of them - until I bought a Puma 500. Against the Puma’s clarity I found the Clarus to be dark, a darkness I hadn’t previously perceived. The only downside is that I have to use an outboard HPF that the Clarus has internally. But the Puma’s ‘taste’ control is very versatile as compensation. I’m now looking for an amp with a ‘talent’ control. (Pinched that from a previous poster).
