Clarky Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I have an AI Clarus+ which produces the clearest, most faithful representation of upright bass of any amp I've tried (my opinion). I put it through an AI cab or - for more volume - a Wizzy 12. I've never considered using it for electric bass as I have always assumed it to be DB-specific (the features are clearly DB tailored, eg, phase switch, notch filter, mic input). However, this means I have two rigs, one of which is not being used (my electric rig, based around an Aguilar TH500). This is clearly a bit superfluous if the AI works well in an electric setting. Thus, I just wondered if any of you doublers have tried an AI for electric gigs and how it measures up? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Yes, I run my Focus 1 for both db and leccy. It's 600 watts into 4 ohm so paired with 2 Aggie GS112s, it puts out. But, I always run some sort of preamp pedal with tone shaping in front to boost the signal and add a bit more tonal variety. The AI tone controls aren't the most dynamic, but with a Sadowski pre DI or DHA DI EQ etc...you get more flexibility. The thing I like about AI is that they sound pretty neutral so if you run something like a Tech21 VT bass pedal in front, you get that out to your speakers. As you mentioned above, they sound great for db and other acoustic instruments as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Great amp for doubling. I like it with electric & love it with electric. If I only played electric it wouldn't be my first choice though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I ran my Focus for years with Sansamp and EBS pre's. It was fine, it did the job well, but it missed the oomph of latter-day switching amps. It reminded me a bit of the RH450...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sercet Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I use mine with a Summit Audio T100D preamp. Great sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB2000 Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I used a Clarus with a SABBDI for a while, I think the SABBDI was the weak link in that setup. Changed the SABBDI for a tube preamp (some cheapo think intended for vocalists) and it was a nice little rig. Had a couple of AI SA's and a Yamaha PB-1 later on and it was fantastic. Big fan of AI, their amps are very well designed and are honestly specced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin spangles Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 yes I ran it paired with some EA cabs . Great results. But it might depend on the style of music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Hughes Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Yup - paired mine with an Ashdown BP1510 (2x10 + 1x15 in the same cab) for years with a pretty loud rock band. We liked it a lot Only changed because I wanted more tonal flexibility than the AI onboard EQ offered. Great gear - and good people too. Dr Rick rocks!!! (see what I did there? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I ran for a long time doubling DB and plank into a Focus 2. I still regret selling it and when I see another will try and pick it up. Putting a preamp into the power stage for the plank made it nicer. I ran it into a Berg NV610 and it was just luscious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted November 24, 2011 Author Share Posted November 24, 2011 (edited) Thanks all. I am thinking a Dave Hall DHA DI EQ with phantom power (£84 http://www.davehallamps.co.uk/page42.html) as a preamp might be just the ticket. Hmmmm Edited November 24, 2011 by Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I've used my Clarus for electric bass. The basic sound is good, but the EQ is not great for electric bass IMO as there is not much "voicing" built in and the mid control is not centred in quite the right place for my needs . I'd imagine it would work well with an active bass where you've sorted out your EQ on the way in. I like to run an OLC flipster (FET preamp voiced to sound a bit like an Ampeg fliptop) in front of mine when playing electric. The HPF is useful if you're trying to squeeze the maximum level out of a small cab. I should probably keep quiet about this (as it's not a bad product), but I wasn't crazy about the DHA DI-EQ I had. The EQ didn't seem to work in nearly the way I expected and it was quite hard to get really musical results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Precision with flats, AI Contra II + Sansamp VT you'd think you had a B-15 behind you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero9 Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 (edited) I use both an AI Contra R and AI Clarus for both DB and electric. I found both to be great with electric basses. I mainly use Status Graphite basses and they sound great. I've also used a Fender P and got good results (although I would tend to concur that active basses work better in terms of EQ control). I tend to leave the EQ generally 'flat'. With the Clarus, it will depend what speaker cab you use as this can 'colour' the sound. Edited December 1, 2011 by zero9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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