Violin amp choices

afsalvo

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and glad to be here.

I wanted some opinions on some amps here on DB for violin. I just read the great descriptions in the guitar section and got some great info, but not violin specific...

I'm deciding between the AI Ten2, the AI with RE NY8 ER, and the Unico.
Am using a Headway piezo pu on a classical 4 string.

I get the feeling I'll be satisfied with any of these and am refining at this point.

Suggestions, experiences?

Thanks!

MichaelHorowitz

The Ten2 maybe overkill for a violin....also, the RE speakers sound a lot better than the ones AI uses. My violinist uses a Clarus head with a NY8ER and it sounds really great! The unico is nice too...very even but has less headroom than the AI.

Good luck!

-Michael

mr arp

The Clarus head with a NY8ER is a great choice for violin set up, but very expensive. I prefer the Unico by Schertler over the AER60 (can't get any umph out of the AER60 without shrillness). The Unico also has a more pure acoustic quality (transparent) with a better sonic design and fewer feedback issues. I know one local jazz violinist (better than me) who swears by the Unico after trying just about everything under the sun.

DJM

I prefer the AER 40watt model which has a better speaker for the violin...
Try it out... it is less shrill AND it is the cheaper model of the two.

afsalvo

Are you talking about the Alpha? Didn't realize it had a different speaker.

afsalvo

Question,
Has anyone tried driving a RE cab with the amp output of a lunchbox acoustic?
They are supposed to have a decent amp section, might be all I need, and would solve a flexibility, cost, and sound dilemma.
Of course if I'm way off, let me know.

DJM

Hello again...
Yes I am talking about the Alpha.... Which has a warmer sound than the AER 60 watt...
I also have the acoustic lunchbox... it's quite ok for small places but I haven't found the right cab for it yet..... I tried the lunchbox cabinet but I didn't find it efficient.
You have also some old amps that are quite good for violin although heavier to transport!
ex: the old carlsbro "sherwood" 30 watt develops a very nice sound....
Good luck.
DJM

myspace/djmparis

afsalvo

Hmm, are you able to get enough bass out of the lunchbox acoustic for small gigs? Looking for a place to try it out with no luck. Have you tried driving another cab with it besides the LB cab?

markseale

Resurrecting an older thread... I'm looking for the right amp for on-stage and for creating a clean signal to send to the sound guys. On my violin I have a DPA 4099 that I have been sending direct to the board, but that hasn't always worked out as the sound board operators are not typically well schooled in acoustic violin temperament. I'm looking at the Acoustic Image, AER, Schertler, and Phil Jones. The issue with the Phil Jones being that it doesn't natively accept the XLR input, so I need to know what else goes in that signal chain. Does anyone have thoughts or experience with these amps?

Thanks,
Mark

MacKeagan

If you're looking for an affordable amp for those small gigs, I found the Acoustic AG-30 to be a good little amp for just under $200 US. I use a Kremona pickup ($70 on Amazon) with a Fishman II preamp. My last gig I had to turn it up to about 5 to cut through the crowd/bar noise, with minimal distortion.