Acoustic Image Corus combo or Clarus with Raezer's Edge?

**louisguitar** · 05-10-2015, 11:18 PM

Hi all,
I play a 175 with a great tube Amp, a Tony Bruno UG30 combo 2x12, but it's very heavy.
Moreover I have played an Acoustic Image Clarus with a Raezer's Edge cab and I was very impressed.
Now I would like to know if is better this combination or a Corus combo.

Thanks.

**Stringswinger** · 05-10-2015, 11:34 PM

You want the Raezer's Edge Cabinet. The AI Combo amp has a plastic cabinet/case and a down-firing woofer. I tried one and found it to sound very clinical and downright awful if I set it on a carpeted floor (You will need to keep a small plywood sheet in your car if you use one of these).

The AI Clarus head combined with the right RE Cabinet is as good as it gets IMO (It is my main gig rig and I own two vintage Fender tube amps). With my 175's, I like the Stealth 10 cabinet. You do not need the extended range cabinet unless you will also be amplifying an acoustic guitar as well.

Cheers,

Marc

Disclaimer: I have endorsed Raezer's Edge Cabinets for years and they have my picture on their Testimonial page (I am right between Mundell Lowe and Sheryl Bailey). In fact, Mundell Lowe borrowed one of my Raezer's Edge cabinets for a recording project in Northern California about a year ago.

**Danny W.** · 05-11-2015, 02:18 AM

I have several RE cabs and several AI combos. I do almost all my gigs with an L-5CES and AI Corus.

Danny W.

**louisguitar** · 05-11-2015, 04:23 AM

I live in Italy and the

**louisguitar** · 05-11-2015, 04:26 AM

Sorry....

**louisguitar** · 05-11-2015, 08:26 AM

I live in Italy and the European distributor of AI isthe same as the RE.
He proposes a combo version of the AI with the RE, with a 12" or two 8" speakers.

**oriv** · 05-11-2015, 09:42 AM

had both, for archtops and electrics the AI + RE is the winner for sure.

**floatingpickup** · 05-11-2015, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

You want the Raezer's Edge Cabinet. The AI Combo amp has a plastic cabinet/case and a down-firing woofer. I tried one and found it to sound very clinical and downright awful if I set it on a carpeted floor (You will need to keep a small plywood sheet in your car if you use one of these).

The AI Clarus head combined with the right RE Cabinet is as good as it gets IMO (It is my main gig rig and I own two vintage Fender tube amps). With my 175's, I like the Stealth 10 cabinet. You do not need the extended range cabinet unless you will also be amplifying an acoustic guitar as well.

Cheers,

Marc

Disclaimer: I have endorsed Raezer's Edge Cabinets for years and they have my picture on their Testimonial page (I am right between Mundell Lowe and Sheryl Bailey). In fact, Mundell Lowe borrowed one of my Raezer's Edge cabinets for a recording project in Northern California about a year ago.

I have an AI Clarus and three RE cabs (Stealth 12, Stealth 10 and Stealth 10er). Like Stringswinger, my favourite is the Stealth 10. Whether I am playing one of my ES175's, L5CES's or acoustic archtops with floating pickups, the Stealth 10 is always the one that sounds best to me.
Keith

**sgcim** · 05-11-2015, 02:37 PM

I've been very happy with an AI and a Redstone 10 inch cabinet. I use it on all my gigs in large rooms, because musicians have told me the sound projects all over the room.

**vernon** · 05-11-2015, 03:01 PM

I play Quilter Aviator head though an RE Stealth 10 or an RE NY8. Heritage Eagle 17 is best through the 10... really warm and smooth and even throughout the full range of the guitar. What really has surprised me is how fantastic the 1x8 sounds with my 335, tele, and strat. I have been amazed at the quality of sound playing through the Raezer's Edge cabs. I've thought about getting an AI - but then I read about people adding tube preamps to warm up the sound... so I think I'll be content with this setup for a while longer.

**louisguitar** · 05-11-2015, 04:10 PM

I am culturally binds to the 12 " , but I think I should try also the 10".
I don't know of I need the ER version.
I play also a Collings AT 17 with a floating pickup.

Louis

God give me the sun on cold winter days, the shade on hot summer days , and a guitar .....
( Andalusian prayer )

**Jonathan0996** · 05-11-2015, 10:47 PM

I've got the Corus combo and I've played through the Clarus/RE combination. In a perfect world, I think the latter setup sounds better, but you'll hear yourself better with the combo amp. Either setup is wonderful with an acoustic or classical guitar.

Those little closed back RE cabinets are very directional, and while they sound terrific if you're sitting in the sweet spot, they can sound very different off axis and can be downright hard to hear when you're standing beside them with a rhythm section cranking away. In a quieter environment like a solo or duo gig, they're much more manageable and can sound really beautiful.

Having said all that, both the combo and amp+ cab setup sound pretty clean and flat, and they don't give you much at all in the way of tone shaping. The sound you get is the sound you get. None of them really cut through a rhythm section. If you like any grit or brightness in your sound, this isn't your amp. It's more of a Martino sound and not at all a Benson sound. Some players love them and others hate them. You'll have to try it and see what you think.

**capnrory** · 05-11-2015, 10:59 PM

I have just obtained a AI Clarus II head and a Raezer's Edge Stealth 10 ER cabinet, so I am new to that set up, but have played the Fender Jazzmaster Ultralite head and cab extensively. Sadly, that rig was the property of a big band's inventory, and I no longer belong to that band. I loved the portability of the past rig and the same holds true for my present rig. I had been running a Deluxe reverb clone and a Heritage Kenny Burrell Freedom amp, both tube amps, but the solid state clean rig for my acoustic archtop is my favorite. I am little less fond of the sound with my Collings SoCo compared with the tube amps, but I may try and warm up the electric sound with a tube pedal, specifically the Kingsley Jester pedal.
The AI rig was a no brainer since it was used, and at great price at my local music store. I knew it was favored by many archtop players, I can say I now understand why after just two rehearsals !! Recommended highly.

**Cunamara** · 05-12-2015, 01:38 AM

I used my Clarus 2r with a Redstone 8" and a RE 12" and preferred the latter with my carvetop although the 8" sounded good with my other guitars; there is just something about my carvetop that the RS 8 doesn't flatter. Too bad, the portability of the 8" is great. Of course, on a gig it was probably unnoticeable. This is a rig that is not color-free but it suits jazz well and it suits acoustic instruments very well. To my ears it can be bright if you want it to be bright, I don't feel locked into the dark Martino thing but that may depend in part on your guitar. I used the Clarus as my main gigging amp with the RE 12 with my careftop, GB10 and Tele- worked great for all three. Sometimes I used a mic tube preamp in the effects loop to warm things up, especially with the Tele.

I've since moved on to using a modeling/effects pedal and a FRFR powered speaker (Zoom MS100bt and Alto TS110a) and have been delighted with the results. Great sound and excellent portability plus easy to deal with a PA if needed. I am keeping the Clarus and the RE 12" for a whole, though.

**louisguitar** · 05-12-2015, 08:14 AM

Thanks to all for your valuable advice .
I also have the chance to buy a 1982 roland jazz chorus 120 in perfect condition and at half of The prive of RE+AI , but the Jc 120 is another heavy amp.

Louis

**louisguitar** · 05-12-2015, 08:15 AM

Price not prive...

**Klatu** · 05-12-2015, 11:04 AM

I had a JC120 years ago and I don't remember it being excessively heavy. Having casters made it easy enough to get around. The reason I parted with it was due to its loud hum that bothered when playing lower volumes at home. Otherwise, it was a champ in performance.

**louisguitar** · 05-12-2015, 04:50 PM

At the same price of the Jc 120 I have the chance to buy an old Pearce g2r combo with EV, but i don't know if this amp has a good jazz sound.
I know, I have no clear ideas , but this is because where I live there is not a chance to try all these amps.

Thanks

**sgcim** · 05-13-2015, 07:24 PM

I've heard people say the Pearce G2R doesn't have a great jazz sound, but that it is great for rock-oriented stuff.

If that has an SRO EV 'coffee can' speaker, it's not light.

The JC 120 is a very versatile amp. It was provided for me on two different show gigs, and it gave a very musical sound with my laminate archtop, but I never used it for jazz.

The AI is only good for jazz.

**louisguitar** · 05-13-2015, 10:47 PM

Thanks , also the seller of pearce confirm me that does not have a good jazz sound and the jazz chorus is very heavy.

**Greentone** · 05-13-2015, 10:50 PM

Given those choices, it's the AI/RE. Sonic paradise with a decent 175 and TI flats.

**louisguitar** · 05-14-2015, 08:39 AM

Ok, AI/RE.
12" or 10" speaker?
I have read that the 10 ER is the best.
I know that Pat Martino use two 12".
I would like a warm sound, I do not want to miss a sound with blues soul.

Thanks, Louis.

**oriv** · 05-14-2015, 08:49 AM

10 = more balanced, "acoustic", 12 = more warmth, bigger bass, but less definied trebles. I once had the 12 and sold it but actually miss it, the 10 sometimes feel too balanced to me, more hifi than the 12.

**Stringswinger** · 05-14-2015, 01:28 PM

Get Both....used together you put a 4 ohm load on the AI which gives you more headroom. Having both allows you to choose the right size cabinet for the job.