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I have an opportunity to pick up an AI Clarus SL-R at a very good price, and I’m curious to know if those amps are still worthwhile to grab since the company is no longer in operation, primarily because I worry about reliability/repairs. How have your experiences been with respect to reliability, and do you still use AI amps with all of the options out there?
As a follow-up, I have a ZT extension cabinet that I would consider using with the AI, but would it overpower it or even sound good? Are Raezer’s Edge cabinets still worth getting, or are there better alternatives to the old AI/RE recipe? I’ve read a lot about their weight (30 lbs for the 10”?) and would prefer something lightweight and portable.
If folks are out there still using AI amps, especially the Clarus SL-R, let me know your thoughts!
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01-22-2024 09:19 AM
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I love the AI Clarus amps for their sound and EQ possibilities, do not know the SL-R. Sadly Rick the owner of the company, who has no successor for repairs died last year, so servicing is getting difficult. I own two Clarus 2R series III and one Clarus 2R series IV. One of my series III amps has had a failure which caused two speakers to blow up, and Chris, the son of Rick said that repair would not really be recommended because of some recurring problems with the pcb boards in these amps, which make it likely that failures happen again. As i do like the amp a lot, i would take this risk, but there's the problem to find someone who is able to repair it. Acoustic Image, although initially agreeing to publish the schematics of these amps on their website, is after all not willing to give out any schematics. The series IV model has the flaw of audible noises, which for live gigs is okay, but i would not record with it, as these noises might be audible on quiet passages of a recording.
I also love the Raezers Edge cabinets, and the combination Clarus - Stealth 10 is one of my preferred.
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As a follow up, what do you think of the AI extension cabinets (not the combos)?
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I have an SL-R bought new when that model was first introduced. I paired it with a RE Twin 8, and a RE Twin 6, and love the tone I get with this gear.
I’ve never had any problems with the SL -R.
Recently I picked up a used TOOB Micro 6.5GB that I pair with the SL-R. Sounds fantastic!
AKA
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I used Acoustic Image amps for years with Raezer's Edge cabinets. What a great sound! But I sold my last Acoustic Image head after Rick died, as without him, over time, these amps will become either A) a source of parts for other Acoustic Image amps or B) very expensive paperweights. The power supplies that were made for these amps are now out of production and will probably never be made again.
I did try one of their combo amps and the plastic cabinet sounded very sterile to me, so I would stay away from those.
I have left Polytone and Acoustic Image behind. In addition I have left Fender and Mesa tube amps behind. Today I use Henriksen and Quilter amps. And I am quite happy about that.
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I use my AI Clarus 2r Series III daily through a Raezer's Edge Stealth 12. Great combination. It was a bit noisy at one point and with Rick's instructions opened the case and used contact cleaner, which solved the problem. I do get an occasional pop when plugging in an instrument cable. Otherwise dead reliable, sounds great with my archtops, Tele, Strat, piezos. Short of a power surge or something like that frying it, I have no concerns about its reliability.
Although considering downsizing to an SBUS and Toob for space considerations. The house is getting crowded with musical stuff. I have a home-built 5E3 amp I made from a kit and enjoy, too.
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Can you remember which parts you cleaned? I'd love to be able to eliminate the noise in my series IV Clarus .....
Originally Posted by Cunamara
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It's usually pots, sockets and switches which can benefit from being cleaned with contact cleaner (somewhat implied in its name). Components that have some moving parts. Originally Posted by JazzNote
You can kind of hear it that if a pot makes noises (a certain type of noise) when you turn it, then it might benefit from being cleaned. Similar with switches and sockets.
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True enough - but background noise audible when recording is not likely to be coming from a dirty contact surface. Originally Posted by orri
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Also true. Cleaning with contact spray is (unfortunetly?) not a magic solution to all possible noise issues. Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
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Personally, never played through one or heard anyone play through one that I liked the sound of.
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+1 Originally Posted by Stringswinger
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I had a couple of noisy pots and I had a periodic crackling noise similar to inserting a jack plug that would crop up every so often. Rick thought that it was oxidation in the jacks and/or a pot; I took the DeOxit and sprayed all of the potentiometers, all of the jacks, and that solved that particular set of noises. Originally Posted by JazzNote
I've had this amp for at least 10 and probably 15 years; it's been outstandingly reliable. Some folks think that the centers of the tone controls aren't quite right for electric guitar; they are probably voiced more for bass and acoustic instruments, but I find it just fine with my Telecaster, Stratocaster, archtops, nylon strings, steel string flattop. I am not ever trying to re-create 1950s bebop guitar sounds or Da Thunk, though, and I appreciate a more neutral amplifier with limited coloration of sound. To my ears this is a more modern sound than the more classic vibe one gets via Fender or Polytone amplifiers and their respective offspring. And, when I do want something along the lines of that sort of sound, I have a 5E3 circuit amp, a Fender Pro Reverb, and a Polytone Baby Taurus to scratch that itch.
But, of course, GAS being what it is, I keep pondering an SBUS through a Toob and/or one of jazzmus's Polytone pedals through a Bose...
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I haven't tried the SL-R but still love my series ii Clarus 2R. I pulled mine open recently and it's pretty straightforward, high quality components that are replaceable. I would not hesitate to bring my amp to a qualified amp-tech at all.
Mine is paired with a Redstone 12 ER cabinet which sounds amazing, but probably difficult to find.
The Raezers are a classic combination and will provide great results.
Good luck
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Thanks, all for the replies. Would the AI amp be too much for something like the ZT extension cabinet? I love how small it is and I like my ZT Lunchbox Reverb, but I'm not sure how trustworthy the rating (50 W) is, or if it's a huge concern at small room volume.
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In 2002 I changed my amplification from Mesa Boogie (MK4 stack & Studio 22+) and Polytone (Baby Brute & MBIV) to Acoustic Image (1A) and Raezor’s Edge (Twin-8-Tower). I soon added an AI 2R and RE Stealth 12 ER, followed by a Clarus SL-R, and RE NY8. Since then I’ve had several Codas. a couple of Coruses, a Ten2, Ten2 EX, SL-R series 4 and Doubleshot, as well as a couple of other Razor’s Edge cabs. From 2010 to 2022 I did all of my gigs and rehearsals with either my Corus+ or Ten2, occasionally coupled with the Ten2 EX. For the last two years I’ve been using my SL-R S4 with the Doubleshot cab instead, although this month I’ve been rehearsing with the Corus+. At home I use my original SL-R with the Ten2 EX in my den and a pair of Rich-built Raezer’s Edge cabs with a modeling system in our great room, because those two cabs are too good to sell and too heavy for me to schlep to gigs anymore.
Over all that time I’ve had a few things that needed attention. My Clarus2R had a bit more hiss than I liked when I started using it at home (it was not noticeable on stage). Rick sent a prepaid mailer and fixed it no charge within a week. The Ten2 noise floor when I received it was a bit higher than that of the Corus+, which got the same treatment. Both were suitably quiet when returned. A sticking reverb button on a CCC (Carpet Covered Coda) that I bought used was fixed free, I paid for shipping one way. Most serious problem was that a janky mixing board blew the DI on the Series III+ head in the Corus. Again fixed and returned free after I shipped it. The only thing that couldn’t be fixed was the blown tweeter in my Corus+, my fault for using it to play quite a bit of loud rock (using a modeler) without turning the tweeter off first. Rick said the supplier for that was out of business, sent me a replacement midrange with an extended high end. I’m not sure which speaker sounds better—either way sounds fine to me. I’ve never had a failure that stopped me from making music, that made noises audible on stage or that damaged external speakers.
The sad demise of Rick Jones and Acoustic Image has not made me rush into selling my amps, rather I’ve been considering whether to buy more. Haven’t done so yet, but after looking over the competition for all these years haven’t found anything with the combination of features, performance, size & weight that would entice me to switch while my existing gear is still working.
As for Razor’s Edge cabs, my one experience with one of their cabs shortly after Rich died was not encouraging but that was eighteen years ago.
Danny W.Last edited by Danny W.; 02-16-2024 at 04:39 PM.
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I live in N.Carolina not far from where the AI's were produced. I am good friends with Paul Ingbretson who was the owners right hand man for 25 years. He knows everything about the amps that there is to know and he told me that they ran a test amp for what amounted to 10 years of steady use and found that it performed perfectly. I tend to believe this since my experience with the people connected with them are very particular and exacting and take extreme pride in the product and it's quality standards. I own three of the units myself, two of which are new but opened box demonstrational models and one that is the last serial number from the manufacturer post closing. I am selling at least two, and maybe all three so let me know if you have any questions. I will guarantee these as well for at least 120 days from date of purchase.
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I need to try the Raezers with my Clarus 2 R for use with an Acoustic Flat Top. I'm currently using it with a cabinet with 2 10 Vintage JB L speakers which I have always loved but am not crazy about the marriage of it with the JBL's which are really more for Jazz sounds, crisp and clean. I'd be curious the results I get with the ER since I have never tried one and I'm a real aficionado when it comes to speakers and such. I appreciated your input which is why I'm responding.
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See my ad for AI's for sale. I might it interesting or might know someone else in the loop that would be in the market for such. I own three that are New* and am selling at least two and possible all three but need to hold onto the 2 channel for the time being until I decide what I'm doing.
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Recently acquired an AI to compare against my Quilter. It really comes down to taste and preference but like you, I"ve left an Evans, Polytone and Fenders all behind for the sound of the Quilters. I like the coloration and character of it's sound. Again it all depends on what you're looking for. I find the AI great but too flat, neutral in sound for my taste. Just thought you might appreciate someone else's take on this. Ed
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Can you tell me more about this . Since I own an SL-R 2 I'd like to know more about them. Am not familiar with this speaker or cabinet configuration. Ed
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