Acoustic Image's new Corus amp
Kevin Van Sant
I got one of the new AI Corus combos last week and have now had a
chance to use it on a few gigs. Prior to getting it I had done a
bunch of side by side comparisons with my Evans, and a Clarus/Redstone
rig. The reason I hoped to like the Corus is because is small, light
(20lbs), has the two channels. I have for several years been bringing
an older AI Coda to solo gigs and my Evans to all other gigs. The
Evans is 40lbs and the old Coda was cumbersome and felt just as heavy,
though I think it was closer to 30. In the A/B-ing I liked the
Clarus/Redstone sound too, but a small lightweight combo that sounds
as good easily wins out.
I have always loved (and raved about) the sound of the Coda for solo
guitar but have complained that it's hi-fi nature was defeated in
ensemble settings and was unable to produce a big focused sound that
could cut through the mix. My Evans totally excels at that but lacks
the natural full range sound which is so nice for solo guitar. I
sometimes used my Evans for solo gigs anyway because though it colors
the sound I really like the way it colors it, so sometimes I'd feel
like hearing that. But for a natural, studio quality type of sound
NOTHING beats an AI.
So the Corus (which is designed/tuned specifically for guitar) very
nearly merges my two amps into one. I've now had a chance to use it
on several solo gigs, a couple of loud gigs with drums, and some
different duos with bass, sax, guitar and piano. The amp sounds
fantastic in every setting. I get the projection and focused sound
in the groups, but it also does the AI thing for solo guitar.
The one thing I find myself doing with this amp which I never did with
the Evans is tweaking the tone controls a little for each different
gig. With the Evans somehow I dialed into a setting early on and
basically never changed it for years. Any adjustments for the room I
could make with the guitar pots and always achieve a consistent
familiar sound. But with the Corus I've found myself tweaking the
tone settings a little in different rooms in order to achieve that
consistent sound.
I also got the extension Corus EX cab (or rather, they loaned me one
until they catch up with production). I've only brought it out twice
so far. The other day for a loud trio gig I set it up next to the
Corus which basically had the effect of a larger cab. Yesterday I
played a six hour solo gig and brought it along just so I could
surround myself in sound. I had one speaker on each side of me and
it was very lush, like listening to playbacks in the studio. Next
time I bring the extra cab to a loud gig I'll try placing one on each
side of the stage. The Corus is plenty loud by itself (400w), I
don't think I would ever *need* to bring the extra cab, but at times
it may just be fun to have (like the solo gig yesterday)
This is an incredible little amp. I just love having the one amp that
does it all now. And it feels like nothing to carry it around
compared to the Evans. I haven't heard the Jazzkat that you guys
have all been talking about, but it would have to be something really
special to beat out the Corus. If you try one you will probably want
one.
_________________________________________
Kevin Van Sant
http://www.kevinvansant.com
CDs, videos, mp3s, gigs, pics, lessons, info.
cl...@claymoore.com
On Nov 24, 11:58 am, Kevin Van Sant <kvans...@pobox.com> wrote:
> I got one of the new AI Corus combos last week and have now had a
> chance to use it on a few gigs.
Hi Kevin,
Thanks very much for the thoughtful, articulate review.
Clay Moore
http://www.claymoore.com
ES175_Player
Ditto!!
Michael L Kankiewicz
Thanks for posting your impressions Kevin. Does dropping the treble
control way down yield a truly dark sound? That's always been my
complaint about the "transparent" amps. Not enough treble cut if you want
to do so. Conversely, on a Roland for example, bringing the treble way
down gives you a very dark sound and cuts the brilliance.
MK
geekg...@aol.com
Kevin Van Sant wrote:
I haven't heard the Jazzkat that you guys
> have all been talking about, but it would have to be something really
> special to beat out the Corus. If you try one you will probably want
> one.
>
Hey Kevin,
Thanks for your thoughtful review. I have one on order (since
they're back ordered, I don't know when it will arrive). I'm looking
forward to it though. This will be my main jazz and acoustic
instrument amp. I'll be running everything from acoustic and classical
guitars to arctop, banjo, mandolin and upright bass through it.
--Eric Elias
www.ericelias.net
Dallas Selman
diver and the crossover. My question is - is the extension speaker the same
as the Corus or is it like the one for the Coda. If its like the Corus, I
could use it with my Coda which would then sound like the Corus.
<geekg...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1164469569.5...@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com...
charles robinson
get a JazzKat was the huge number of sponsored and non company sponsored
endorsements that have been coming in since their introduction. The Sheryl
Bailey video with organ trio was particularly impressive. There have been
plenty of other sound samples of the JazzKat online. Other factors in
deciding to get that one include the fact that the Corus utilizes new,
unproven technology and availability is limited.Also, I've noticed that
almost no one ever uses Acoustic Image products that have the speakers
included opting instead for heads used in conjunction with other
manufacturers speakers. This is not to say that you didn't get a great amp
just that I didn't want to gamble on one. If Acoustic Image would like to
send me one for comparison I'd happily accept it.
The bottom line is that you need to use equipment that fulfills your
personal needs. I suppose 400w would be nice but realistically I doubt if
Hendrix had that much power at Woodstock, I'm certainly not going to need it
on any of my gigs. The point is to be happy with the sound and performance
of your equipment which I am. The praise coming from someone as respected as
you assures me that the Corus is probably a great little amp also.
Charlie
"Kevin Van Sant" <kvan...@pobox.com> wrote in message
news:vo9em215aqct6sbvt...@4ax.com...
Kevin Van Sant
wrote in message <cA%9h.13519$1U5.12145@edtnps90> :
>I understand the Corus is identical to the Coda except they changed the 10"
>diver and the crossover. My question is - is the extension speaker the same
>as the Corus or is it like the one for the Coda. If its like the Corus, I
>could use it with my Coda which would then sound like the Corus.
The Corus EX is the same config as the Corus, but I think there is
something a little different about the EQ in the Corus amp. I may be
wrong about that though. Best to ask AI about that.
Kevin Van Sant
<mich...@buffalo.edu> wrote in message
<Pine.GSO.4.05.106112...@hercules.acsu.buffalo.edu> :
Dark is not a problem
Kevin Van Sant
<robins...@comcast.net> wrote in message
<1oSdnSDHl8egGvXY...@comcast.com> :
>Other factors in
>deciding to get that one include the fact that the Corus utilizes new,
>unproven technology and availability is limited.
I don't really consider it new and unproven technology because their
amps and combos have been around for years. The Corus design is new,
yes, but not the technology. When I picked mine up last week they
had stacks of empty cabs and boxes of circuit boards waiting to be
assembled. The workbenches were filled in assembly line fashion. It
looks like they are going to be catching up with demand soon.
>Also, I've noticed that
>almost no one ever uses Acoustic Image products that have the speakers
>included opting instead for heads used in conjunction with other
>manufacturers speakers.
Except for bass players, you see Contra combos all over NYC and
anywhere else. But yeah, their combos have never been suited to the
traditional needs of a guitar amp. Of course, that's the whole point
of the Corus, it is. I expect you'll start seeing it on bandstands
quite a bit more once they get them out the door.
> This is not to say that you didn't get a great amp
>just that I didn't want to gamble on one. If Acoustic Image would like to
>send me one for comparison I'd happily accept it.
I hear you on that, I wouldn't have bought it if I hadn't been able to
try one out first. Hearing was definitely believing though. I'd be
interested in hearing a Jazzkat but I don't know anyone around here
who has one. Or has anyone done a side by side comparison of the
Corus and Jazzkat?
charles robinson
amps and combos have been around for years. The Corus design is new,
yes, but not the technology
It was the 400w into a 1 inch speaker that made me nervous.I definetly would
have wanted to try it out first. I'll take your word for it though, you have
had a chance to use it under a variety of conditions.
Charlie
<kvan...@pobox.com> wrote in message
news:si3hm25aje9kms9ff...@4ax.com...
Tim McNamara
"charles robinson" <robins...@comcast.net> wrote:
> It was the 400w into a 1 inch speaker that made me nervous
It would make me nervous to be standing in front of such as setup too-
like standing in front of a 25 mm gun. :-)
Dave Stephens
great at its price point, but it just doesn't compete with the Corus for
clarity and projection. In comparison, the Kat sounds boxy, like you'd
expect from an 8" driver with no tweeter. The Corus is open and clear. (My
testing of the Corus is with a Series II prototype. I hope to review a
Series III when they catch up their production).
The crossover keeps the load on the tweeter reasonable, so there's no need
to fear that.
Dave
"charles robinson" <robins...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:1oSdnSDHl8egGvXY...@comcast.com...
charles robinson
sound and performance of the JazzKat.
Charlie
"Dave Stephens" <dcs...@swbell.net> wrote in message
news:3YDah.31258$yl4....@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
jazzgeetar
sounds good using anything. I know she used a Tech 21 TM60 for a
handful of years, even though most people here think it doesn't have
enough clean headroom for their tastes.
paul
comparable to the clarus-RE combo?
Dave Stephens
the C2R-III. I also love the slightly different tones of the NY8-ER and the
Redstone 10-ER (not on their site yet). HOWEVER, many people will kill not
to have to carry two pieces.
The Corus has made that much less of a compromise. In fact, in my listening
test with others, I find that about half prefer the Corus (my Series II) and
half perfer the Clarus/RE or Redstone combination. So, there's no pat
answer, but the differences have been minimized.
In my music room I play thru some ER cab (RE and Redstone lately), driven by
either a Clarus or a Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight. Most gigs, I take the
Corus.
Dave
"paul" <pcsa...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1164644535.7...@j44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
charles robinson
fact that it sounds great were a factors in my deciding on that one. If I
were a voice alone in the woods crying out the merits of this amp one might
take what I'm saying with a grain of salt. What has been impressive is the
large number of non-official endorsements from jazz players.
If we all liked the same things we would all be using the same equipment,
this one does it for me.
Charlie
"Dave Stephens" <dcs...@swbell.net> wrote in message
news:4xEah.16245$9v5....@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
Dave Stephens
Just Jazz Guitar for most of the reasons you cite. I'm just saying that it's
not the ultimate. At it's price point it's hard to beat, particularly if you
restrict the choice to a combo.
My opinion is my own, but based upon direct comparison of many good units. I
get to hear lots of good amps and cabs, so I feel compelled to share my
views. Please don't feel like I'm "attacking" your choice.
Dave
"charles robinson" <robins...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:cfOdnXd9-dzghfbY...@comcast.com...
charles robinson
my particular decision. Someone will probably appear soon to tell us that we
are both wrong as they are entitled to:)
Charlie
"Dave Stephens" <dcs...@swbell.net> wrote in message
news:SLFah.738$Py2...@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
Derek
To chime in, I would have preferred to buy a Clarus/RE combo, but for
less than half the price, I don't know that I would say the Clarus/RE
is twice the amp/cab. Finding one on closeout for $200 less than the
regular street price of $750 was what pushed it over the top for me. I
still would like to have a Clarus/RE or Redstone at some point. At
this point in my development as a player, my ability is more of a
limitation than the JazzKat.
danny...@cox.net
I spent a few weeks comparing a Corus to my Coda R II, which I've been
using for most of my gigs and rehearsals. I decided I much prefer the
sound of the Coda. I've never found that the Coda has any problem
letting me be heard in any of the groups with which I perform, and
while the Corus has more punch in the midrange, it's lacking in the
nice, solid bass that the Coda produces so well.
I did try hooking up the Coda speaker as an extension for the Corus and
thought the result was excellent. The combination of the two provided
the Coda's extended bass with the punch of the Corus. If I wanted
always to use two cabinets, this would be my top choice.
I've returned the Corus for a Coda R III. The only real advantage of
this over my Coda R II is some extra power (always welcome) and six
fewer pounds (extremely welcome). I might hang onto the II anyway,
since it's been just a great little amp (as was the original Coda R I
had before it, and as have been all my AI heads, too.)
It's tempting to get a Corus EX to add to the Coda instead of using my
RE Twin-8 Tower-ER for big gigs. The two cabinets together would still
weigh less than the RE, but would be a bit more difficult to transport.
In the last five years or so, the choices in amplification for jazz
guitarists have expanded tremendously. How great is that?
Danny W.
Jonathan
It's a pretty small amp. Do you use it on the floor or up on a chair?
If you put it up, does it lose a lot of bass? Do you get the sense that
it projects well out into the room, or does the down-firing speaker
mean most of the sound stays in the vicinity of the amp? I imagine that
it's not nearly as directional as a conventional closed back cab like
an Raezer's Edge and that you can hear it pretty well onstage with a
rhythm section. True? Also, how are the effects?
I'm really intrigued by this amp; wish I could try one. I might have to
make a trip to the east coast to check them out.
danny...@cox.net
Jonathan wrote:
> Thanks for a smart and thoughtful review. A couple questions:
>
> It's a pretty small amp. Do you use it on the floor or up on a chair?
> If you put it up, does it lose a lot of bass? Do you get the sense that
> it projects well out into the room, or does the down-firing speaker
> mean most of the sound stays in the vicinity of the amp? I imagine that
> it's not nearly as directional as a conventional closed back cab like
> an Raezer's Edge and that you can hear it pretty well onstage with a
> rhythm section. True? Also, how are the effects?
>
> I'm really intrigued by this amp; wish I could try one. I might have to
> make a trip to the east coast to check them out.
>
>
down, but the midrange and tweeter both face front.
It's less directional than an RE cabinet, and I can always hear mine on
stage.
The only effect I ever use is a bit of reverb.
Danny W.
Danny W.
Kevin Van Sant
in message <1164771711....@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com> :
>Thanks for a smart and thoughtful review. A couple questions:
>
>It's a pretty small amp. Do you use it on the floor or up on a chair?
>If you put it up, does it lose a lot of bass? Do you get the sense that
>it projects well out into the room, or does the down-firing speaker
>mean most of the sound stays in the vicinity of the amp? I imagine that
>it's not nearly as directional as a conventional closed back cab like
>an Raezer's Edge and that you can hear it pretty well onstage with a
>rhythm section. True? Also, how are the effects?
You've got to put it on the floor, but it has spring loaded legs which
angle it up. That's fine with me because I never have liked elevating
my amp off the floor anyway. Hearing it on stage is no problem at
all. My feeling is it does project, and that is what people who have
heard me use it at gigs are saying. The digital reverb sounds very
good, there is a hall, room, and plate setting. There's also a delay,
chorus, and flange. They sound fine to me but I never use that sort
of thing. The details are well thought out, you can have the
effects turnned on or off for each channel indepentantly, both intputs
take either xlr or 1/4" and have phantom power. I find the mut button
a useful thing too. I haven't used the effects loops yet but they are
there if you need them.