Mr Bassman Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 I love Acoustic Image combos, I'm on my 4th, which is a 2 channel Coda with removable head. As I play several gigs where I plug direct into P.A. or house bass amp I started taking the Clarus head to use as a pre amp, which means I ca have full control of my sound. It doesn't weigh much but it's too large to fit in a gig bag so I started looking at alternatives and ordered the Fishman Plat Pro. That didn't sound as good, in fact it was disappointing. Anyway, to cut a long story short I ordered a Clarus SL-R from Laurence at Acoustic Image U.K. I love it! It's tiny weeny, weighs next to nothing, has built in reverb etc (great for fretless or EUB), 600 watts but most of all sounds amazing. I've used it just as a pre-amp with my Eminence upright (Fishman Full Circle) & Rob Allen Mouse and have been very pleased with the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 That sounds very nice indeed. I used an AI for ages on DB and it hit the spot every time. Ooh ooh ooh ooh you have a mouse! If you come to the DB Bash could you bring it with you? It one of the few things left on my "I need to try that" list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted September 25, 2016 Author Share Posted September 25, 2016 I've freed up some time so might be able to make the bash, if so I'll bring the Clarus & Mouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Ooo - that looks pretty. Nice and simple too. I had a Ten2 combo for a while, liked the amp but didn't get on with the cab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I've got an old series III Clarus (single channel) and it's awesome with upright. The new ones are amazingly small too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted September 25, 2016 Author Share Posted September 25, 2016 Just back from a 4 x 1 hour sets gig, used Eminence & the Mouse plugged into the mini Clarus & a PJB C4L Couldn't have been happier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted September 30, 2016 Author Share Posted September 30, 2016 A friend has lent me an Acoustic Image Flex pre amp It's an amazing piece of kit, so far I've used it on 2 gigs into the p.a. without a bass amp. Tonight i'm going to try it as a mixer for female vocals (with reverb) & piano into my Bose L1 Compact and use the Clarus SL-R with cab for my bass. Will be quality sound & easy carry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Is he friendly enough to let you bring it on Sunday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted September 30, 2016 Author Share Posted September 30, 2016 Yes, if I can get there I'll bring the Flex Pre and the Clarus SL-R Won't know for definite until tomorrow but I'm hopeful. What time does it start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 10.00 til 5.00, Keith. Would be good to have you with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 [quote name='Mr Bassman' timestamp='1475247733' post='3144435'] Yes, if I can get there I'll bring the Flex Pre and the Clarus SL-R Won't know for definite until tomorrow but I'm hopeful. What time does it start? [/quote] I think we are aiming to roll in at about 10am, but it is all very flexible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Ho hum, always late to the party! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted September 30, 2016 Author Share Posted September 30, 2016 TEN? Bloody 'ell thought it was 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 You can turn up late and be given a special welcome. We can be like roadies and empty your car (if it will be anything like last time). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted September 30, 2016 Author Share Posted September 30, 2016 Ha, don't think I'll bring as many uprights as last time, 3 db's & 2 eub's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Thread re-ignition here .... If a new amp is going to cost as much as a post brexit AI Contra S4 (now £1074 at Thomann) has anyone compared the AI amps to the AER Amp One (now £1276). I've tried an AER One with my Wal (and various Scheckter basses that were in the shop ... not nice) and the AER was pretty good - but maybe a bit lacking in punch. Think it would be very nice with my double bass. Maybe waiting for a London Bass Show or another bass bash to try one of course as no-one with an actual shop seems to stock either of them (AER HQ on Denmark St being an exception). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philparker Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 I have an AER One, which I also use with a 5-string Wal fretless as well as my DB. I also have the AI Clarus +, which I use with one (or two) Crazy 8(s). The AER is definitely a one-for-all solution and I have gigged with it extensively, You have identified a problem that can be overcome and that is experimenting with the EQ; you can get it to be punchy with both DB and EB as well as an unlimited palette of colours. The AI is clean and transparent without trying to dial in that clarity - indeed, it is difficult to get a muddy tone from the settings, whereas you have to be careful with the AER. I can use the AER without a pre-amp, but then again I laso have an GK MB 200 that I can also use (with a Crazy 8) without a pre-amp. I prefer the flexibility and I also can use the 2 Crazy 8s as a small PA or acoustic amp for my classical guitar performance, which the AER would not match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Thanks Phil, that's really helpful .. and glad to know it wasn't just me or my bass that rendered the Aer a bit dull. I did find the colour and boost buttons improved things, but frankly, endless knob twiddling to get the perfect time is one reason my trace Elliott is facing replacement. Need to find an AI showroom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 [quote name='NickA' timestamp='1478025808' post='3166155'] Need to find an AI showroom![/quote] Where are you located? I have an AI Focus 1 you could borrow. Not sure how different the eq section is from today's amps but your welcome to check it out. PM me if need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 Thanks for the offer. Very busy at the moment (work intruding on bass playing hobby) but will certainly bare in mind (I'm in Derby btw). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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