I love my AI Coda, and I expect to use it for many years to come, but Acoustic Image is no longer a going concern. Is there a consensus forming on what will be the go-to small-yet-powerful-enough, high quality combo amp for double bass in the near future? People ask me for recommendations and I don't know what to tell them.
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Double Bass Successor to Acoustic Image?
- Thread starter Neon Scribe
- Start date
Currently, the Genzler/Gollihur acoustic combo seems to be enjoyed by some. Both Schertler and GR Bass also appear to have combos aimed at amplifying double bass with the capability of blending a mic and pickup. I don't have any experience with any of these amplifiers so I can't comment further on them.
IMO, I think the future will trend more and more toward modularity - acoustic instrument-friendly preamps like those from Grace or Headway running into a separate power amp and speaker. Honestly, I love that Genzler and Mesa both offer 1/4" Aux Ins on their amps (and don't understand why so many other manufacturers only offer a 3.5mm Aux In...) Plug a pre into it and you've got an instant doubling rig using your amp of choice to shape your BG sound.
IMO, I think the future will trend more and more toward modularity - acoustic instrument-friendly preamps like those from Grace or Headway running into a separate power amp and speaker. Honestly, I love that Genzler and Mesa both offer 1/4" Aux Ins on their amps (and don't understand why so many other manufacturers only offer a 3.5mm Aux In...) Plug a pre into it and you've got an instant doubling rig using your amp of choice to shape your BG sound.
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Modularity is great, but it's hard to beat the convenience of the small combo. With the shoulder strap, bass and amp are an awkward-but-possible one trip carry.
I haven't heard one yet, but on paper the GR Acoustic Cube is close in features to the Coda. It lacks a high pass filter, which is a shame because they are otherwise DB friendly. Not cheap, list is $1639.
I will second the little Genzler combo. It's what I was recommending before AI shut down.
The MG350 makes less power than the big AI amps, but the BA10-2 plays louder (119.4dB) with available power than the AI DoubleShot (118dB). The MG350 can push up to three of the BA10-2s for 126dB calculated...So you have a scalable rig that should be loud enough for anything you would do with upright, except maybe Rock-A-Billy. Power rating of MG350 is 175W at 8 ohms, 350W at 4 ohms or 2.67 ohms.
Gollihur exclusively sells a bass specific version of the Genzler Acoustic Array Pro. This has a two channel preamp with mic inputs (12V phantom). Gollihur Series Bass Acoustic Array Pro Amplification (Exclusive) (gollihurmusic.com) 150W at 8 ohms and 300W at 4 ohms.
The MG350 makes less power than the big AI amps, but the BA10-2 plays louder (119.4dB) with available power than the AI DoubleShot (118dB). The MG350 can push up to three of the BA10-2s for 126dB calculated...So you have a scalable rig that should be loud enough for anything you would do with upright, except maybe Rock-A-Billy. Power rating of MG350 is 175W at 8 ohms, 350W at 4 ohms or 2.67 ohms.
Gollihur exclusively sells a bass specific version of the Genzler Acoustic Array Pro. This has a two channel preamp with mic inputs (12V phantom). Gollihur Series Bass Acoustic Array Pro Amplification (Exclusive) (gollihurmusic.com) 150W at 8 ohms and 300W at 4 ohms.
I don't know if this observation is worth anything to anybody because my Acoustic Image, acquired fairly recently, is the first generation Coda; two channels, with coaxial mid driver and piezo tweeter. I also own an almost brand new Genzler Bass Acoustic Array Pro. I love them both, but they could not sound more different. In the world of audiofools (in which I embarrassingly inhabit, although I remain in the parts that intersect with the real world), the AI is an AR3, and the Genzler is a Magnepan. The AI FEELS wonderful... it's warm, full, and has that same "tangibility" of real acoustic instruments, but it's far from being the last word in resolution or fidelity... whatever fidelity means in the world of sound reinforcement (rather than reproduction). The Genzler is a much tighter amp, a lot more air and top end, and in general very balanced across the spectrum. If there's something wrong with your setup or your playing, the Genzler will let you know. The AI forgives pretty much everything.
If I had to give one away, it'd be the AI, and I'd be thrilled to play nothing but the Genzler. Still... for certain things.. I'd miss what the AI does. Again, I'm talking about the first generation Coda... I'd love to hear one of the later models. Haven't had that pleasure yet.
If I had to give one away, it'd be the AI, and I'd be thrilled to play nothing but the Genzler. Still... for certain things.. I'd miss what the AI does. Again, I'm talking about the first generation Coda... I'd love to hear one of the later models. Haven't had that pleasure yet.
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
I have owned a few AI amps and currently have a first gen Clarus and Contra EX. A friend recently brought in a third gen Contra for comparison and it sounds very good and similar to my old one, with the older cabinet having just a tad more low end.
OK, what to look at down the road? I’m curious as well. Although I have enough amps to carry me to the end it’s ok to look, isn’t it?
OK, what to look at down the road? I’m curious as well. Although I have enough amps to carry me to the end it’s ok to look, isn’t it?
Who said I can only have one amp????????
Modularity comes at a higher price point than a combo. It’s advantage is that if you chould need a repair you can swap out the components and head out to the gig.Based on the success of the Markbass line if GR Bass becomes accepted in the same way, then it could be the logical successor to Acoustic Image. Just my take.
I haven’t used the GR amps but I just acquired their 1x10 cabinet and (powered by an AI head) it sounds incredible. It’s much bigger than an upshot, not so backpack friendly, but is actually lighter.
I never cared too much for the AI combos/speakers but the amps are brilliant.
I never cared too much for the AI combos/speakers but the amps are brilliant.
I have the exact same setup...a new Clarus SL and a GRBass AT1x10. Light, powerful and killer tone!!
The Acoustic Image cabinet designs were conceived out of a desire to come up with a very light, portable, and small DB speaker.
They did that quite well. New materials have made it possible to make a bigger cabinet lighter. Since they move more air they will
Sound better. Just my take of course.
They did that quite well. New materials have made it possible to make a bigger cabinet lighter. Since they move more air they will
Sound better. Just my take of course.
It was a conscious choice to prioritize light and small over everything else. They are more polite dinner theater cabs than versatile good sounding cabs. Unless you have to take public transit to every gig, I see no reason to make all of the compromises based upon weight. We're not taking about needing an SVT, just reasonable weight with a huge bottom and punch.
The only other company that strikes me as similar to acoustic image is Phil Jones. Euphonic Audio did a good job of catering to DBers, but I think they stopped making combos quite a while a ago (and now they don't make anything). The Genzler Golihur special is very cool and very much in the AI vein, but it's a one off special--not something that I expect them to expand on.
Fortunately, there are lots of very good options for separate components these days, and for those looking for combos, there seem to be a number of BG combo amps that work reasonably well for DB as well--but you can forget about variable HPF, phase switches, and phantom powered mic inputs on those.
One more thing that comes to mind: I have been told that (some of?) the Fishman Loudboxes can be used with DB. I have yet to see this in the wild, and I don't think the people who have told me this actually play bass, so....
Fortunately, there are lots of very good options for separate components these days, and for those looking for combos, there seem to be a number of BG combo amps that work reasonably well for DB as well--but you can forget about variable HPF, phase switches, and phantom powered mic inputs on those.
One more thing that comes to mind: I have been told that (some of?) the Fishman Loudboxes can be used with DB. I have yet to see this in the wild, and I don't think the people who have told me this actually play bass, so....
I tried to use a Fishman Loudbox a couple of times. They aren’t really design for bass frequencies. Even the biggest one ( Loudbox Performer) will “choke up”. It’s a great design
and their reasonably priced.
and their reasonably priced.
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+1 that PJB is definitely worth checking out. A long time ago when the PJB-300 combo was first introduced I bought one and was really impressed. Worked really well for DB and BG but ran out of oomph in real loud situations imo, although I think you can add a speaker extension if extra volume is required. Over time I found out that for my specific needs, I preferred the modular setup. Still using my Focus SA though, such an awesome little amp.
Lots of great info shared in this thread!
Since Acoustic Image amps use IcE power modules, they should be in service for a long time. Should they need repair
a competent amplifier technician should be able to service them.
a competent amplifier technician should be able to service them.
Was that a more recent development? Because, I think that AI amps predate the introduction of IcePower.
my guess would be using a good preamp like the Messenger, Alix or Felix and plugging into a quality powered cab of some sort. My AI head isn't going anywhere even though we've gone ampless. I still use it at home for my BG.