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A very generous forum member loaned me a first gen Empress ParaEq and I've been running it with a rented mini-PA. The results have been really good. My plan is to build a rig that consists of a ParaEq, a reverb pedal, and a active FRFR cab. In addition to the ParaEq, I have already ordered a Keeley Omni reverb pedal. Now the only piece left is the FRFR cab. I'd like to keep it small, light weight, and reasonably priced. Right now my top candidate is the Alto TS408. I'd really appreciate any comments, alternatives and experiences.
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11-14-2024 06:02 PM
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What's "reasonably priced"?
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I tried a cheaper Alto model, Maybe the 110. Didn't have a mic/line switch. You just cranked the gain into the region marked "mic" on the dial. Sounded awful when it was loud enough to be used.
The TS408 does have a mic/line switch, so it should be fine. That said, I think it would be a good idea to verify that it's implemented properly.
The Alto powered speakers I've heard (three of them) all sounded good.
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Preferably under $600 CDN ($425 US). Preferably under 20 lbs. Must be available in Canada.
Originally Posted by dconeill
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Can you get a Toob shipped to Canada??
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I could but I'd also need a way to power it. I could also get a small Raezer's Edge cab but I'd have the same issue. I thought this might be nice. https://raezers-edge.com/product/min...eaker-cabinet/ Originally Posted by marcwhy
or this https://raezers-edge.com/product/one-6-2/
But power amps are hard to come by without blowing right through both the budget and the weight issues.
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HeadRush FRFR108? 2,000w 19 lbs. ~$300US, less for used, GC online has one for $200.
Last edited by Woody Sound; 11-14-2024 at 07:52 PM.
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That's based on an older version of the Alto. From everything I've read, the newer version is a substantial upgrade. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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I think they just came out with a FRFR-108 MkII. Don't know what the difference is, Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
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The Fender FR 12 and FR 10 list for 599 and 499 US$ respectively.
You should be able to get a discount on those or find one used.
I'm running a Fender Tone Master Pro through an FR12 and I'm happy ... so far.
I kind of like the FR10 a little more in the videos I've seen. I may have to try one of those someday.
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You have to have enough signal coming into the FRFR speaker cab, unless it is designed for instrument level. IIRC rpjazzguitar ran into this with a Boss pedalboard unit. The Empress might have enough output to do this. I had good results with the Alto TS110a with my Zoom MS100bt, as that sent out a strong enough signal. I've also had success with the SansAmp Para Driver DI into the Alto and into a QSC powered speaker. FWIW I thought the QSC sounded noticeably better, albeit much more expensive- my Alto is 10 years old or so, though, and more recent models may be better.
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They now have Bluetooth, I'm not sure if that's new btu they still don't have a line/mic switch on any of the inputs. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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But aren't they advertised as *guitar* cabs? (Even though they have combo jacks.) Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
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The Empress para di mk Ii has a 0 to 30 db clean boost available per the manual.
That would be enough for a powered speaker even without a mic line switch, if I understand these numbers.
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What's about this? Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
I don't know about the availability in Canada, but it has an unbeatable price here. I am using it and I'm very impressed.
Harley Benton GPA-100 – Thomann United States
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They do ship to Canada and even with a large shipping charge, it's still cheaper than the alternatives. Originally Posted by bluenote61
Last edited by Jim Soloway; 11-15-2024 at 02:27 PM.
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If you're looking to get more acoustic tones, dunno. Bose S1 even on sale is $600US. Alto might work great but might have more bass than you want. Since you're working with three parametric EQ channels, closer the speaker is to what you want the more fine tuning you get to do.
If you're looking for warm guitar tones, would add a Joyo American ($40US) to your rig and maybe the Headrush. No experience but gets decent reviews. Especially considering price. Guitar oriented cabinets will probably roll off below 5khz or so but for electric guitar many of us like how that sounds since it's what you get out of a combo amp. When playing electric I usually roll off even lower.
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I recounted my experience with the Bose S1 ad nauseum on here around the beginning of the year. Originally Posted by Spook410
I couldn't make it work in the rig I had in mind, but it might be a good choice with a ParaEq in front of it. The problem I had was that my rig got too complicated for easy on-the-fly adjustment and I didn't want to have to add another box to the set-up.
The S1 has two band EQ plus a few dozen presets (which aren't documented -- I called Bose to find that out). If you can find a preset you like and use the ParaEQ for fine tuning it, at that point the strengths of the S1 might come to the fore.
It can sound great. It can fill a pretty large space. It's small lightweight for all that power. It's less expensive than, say, the Bud (which has 5 band EQ, a decided advantage, I think). It's also versatile.
Into the weeds, in case it's helpful:
The problem I had with it was that in some venues, the quieter ones in particular, I wasn't happy with the sound I got and I didn't know what was wrong and therefore what to change. Couldn't get there with the guitar's tone knob. Couldn't get there with adjustments on the ME90 pedalboard -- and the IRs and cab sim settings were confusing. And, I couldn't simply pick a different S1 preset because of the complete lack of documentation. The S1 two band EQ didn't do it either (the treble control is pretty much above the guitar's range rendering the EQ pretty useless for guitar). I ended up returning the ME90 (which has 3 band EQ) and going back to the ME70 (which, despite being an earlier model has 4 band EQ). And, when I simply plugged it into my LJ or JC55, it always sounded good. The S1 could have been useful in some situations, but I already had other gear that could cover them - a little more poundage, but no additional expense.
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AFAIK, the Harley Benton GPA-100 is available in 220-240V configuration only. Works fine on this side of the pond with my Metro 6.5FR II. However, a preamp/line level signal is a must.
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Thanks for the heads up Markku! Originally Posted by Gitterbug
You are right. Sorry, I overlooked that.
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I've played a guitar straight through an Alto 110, works fine. Tried the same though an SRM Flex, would not work in ch 3/4, even with a high end pre. Only channels 1/2.
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I've used mine on probably 40+ gigs. Sounds great on it's own for a duo gig (and with electric bass, we can get pretty loud) and a pair of them is loud enough for a loud 4pc band. Originally Posted by rpjazzguitar
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Originally Posted by rpjazzguitar
Kind of off topic.. still, when has that been an issue?
Started with your experience. Then, after looking over lots of reviews on the Bose S1, JBL Eon, and EV Everse 8", I punted. I'm going to get an inexpensive mixer that supports Bluetooth allowing me to use my Schertler Jam150 speaker instead. Don't really need the battery function, EQ, or a lot of power. Just need the Bluetooth for backing tracks and a speaker as close to a studio monitor as I can reasonably get. Mixer seems a hassle when I'm setting up for a small coffee shop but a small pedal board, mixer, and speaker isn't all that much to complain about.
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Jack, which exact model/version and was the guitar straight into the Alto? I'm trying to figure out why I had a poorer experience. Originally Posted by jzucker
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Quilter Labs BlockDock 10TC plus a Toneblock amp would be my choice.
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