Gypsy Jazz Amplification/Pickup System Overview

MichaelHorowitz · November 2007

BluesBop Harry wrote:

What about using the Basik pickup with an AER?

It works...but not as well as a Schertler. The Schertler amps have the Reson control which allows you to get a lot louder before feedback. If you like the Basik...the Schertler is a much better choice.

Which one's louder the AER Compact 60 or the David?

On paper the David is louder with 80 watts. The AER is 60 watts. But in practice, the AER seems to be louder. Not sure why...but it really cranks. More efficient I guess.

But if you're using the Basik then you wouldn't be able to take advantage of the extra volume any way because you'd start to get too much feedback. With the Basik, the David would allow more volume before feedback

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BluesBop Harry · November 2007

I haven't ruled out the Schertler amps but I'm thinking of maybe getting an AER and using the Basik in conjuction with a Bigtone but...drilling holes in the guitar for the BT seems a little scary...
We'll see...
Thank you.

MichaelHorowitz · November 2007

It's hard to beat the AER w/the bigtone. That amp just seems like it was made for bigtones.

a · November 2007

anyone try going direct with a stimer?

Johan · December 2007

Hi
Just bought myself a Dell Arte Angelo Debarre. There are noe big tone pickup installed and i just wondered if installing one myself would be possible? There are no luthiers of gypsy guitars here in Oslo that can help me with installing this system. Therefor i am thinking that bying the stimer or shertler would be best..
With a ordinary acoustic guitar amp the stimer is the best?

Thanks

MichaelHorowitz · December 2007

The Stimer works pretty well through an AER or Schertler acoustic amp. But it's even better through the GypsyKat or boutique jazz amp like an Evans.

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MichaelHorowitz · January 2008

I just added this review of the GypsyKat:

GypsyKat

I've tried this amp out for a few weeks on my regular gigs. I'm really
liking it and here's why:

The GypsyKat blends some of the best qualities of the AER and the
Schertler amps into one. It has the deeper bass response and clarity of
the Schertler amps, but handles magnetic and especially piezo pickups
really well. You can plug a bigtone into the GypsyKat with the EQ
totally flat and it sounds great with no tweaking. If I plug the same
bigtone in the AER I have to boost the bass and cut the treble all the
way to get it to sound good. And even then, it doesn't sound as good as
the GypsyKat. The GypsyKat sounds particularly good with magnetic
pickups....both Stimer and an archtop with a humbucker sounded fat and
clean. Much better then an AER with the same pickups. Of all the light
weight amps, the GypsyKat definitely sounds the best with magnetic or
piezo pickups. The Schertler is still better with Schertler pickups or
mics.

What I don't like about this amp is that it isn't that loud. It's rated
at 120 watts, but the AER is WAY LOUDER. The Schertler UNICO is just a
bit louder. If you've got a lower gain source going into this amp
you may have serious problems getting it loud enough. But with a
high gain bigtone or magnetic pickup I was able to get loud enough for
some of my most volume challenged gigs (i.e. really noisy restaurants
and bars.) It can do the job, but not much left to spare.

Also, I've found that the second channel on this amp has very, very low
gain. It's OK for a mic signal. But instrument level signals like a
bigtone or stimer could barley be heard when cranked to 10. So if you
need multiple channels to run dual pickups then this is not the amp
for you.

The GypsyKat is a bit heavier then the AER. It's 25 pounds, so it's
easy to carry. Unfortunately it doesn't have the super cool, pocket
laden type gig bags that the AER and Schertler amps have.

This amp is best described as FAT. It just makes everything sound fat,
warm, and smooth. All the guys I play with noticed it and commented on
how good it sounds. That's the best endorsement I can think of....

I'd highly recommend it for anyone using a bigtone or a stimer
pickup. If you need more channels, flexibility, or portability, the AER
or Schertler maybe a better choice.

Campusfive · January 2008

FYI: You can always get a cover made for your amp. www.studioslips.com makes fantastic custom covers. They are well padded, not made of cheap foam, and they can add pockets. Also, they make every one to order, so you can get exactly what you might want. And they are not that expensive. I had one made for my 1939 EH-185, and it fits, protects, and looks great.

MichaelHorowitz · January 2008

Thanks for the tip Jonathan!

I may order one of those just so I can have more pockets...seems like I always need more.

However, I wish they made bags with shoulder straps like the AER and Schertler bags. Those are so handy!

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