AER Amp One

This amp is well thought out. Being designed specifically for electric bass, many controls are designed for that type of instrument, i.e., the center frequencies of the EQ and so on. It has a very musical compressor with threshold AND ratio knobs. A sweep mid EQ with pushbutton Q control comes in handy, as does a very cool variable "shaping" circuit that gets you from boomy P sound to Jeff Berlin top end to Marcus very quickly and easily. Push the Bass Boost button (+10 dB @ 55Hz) and prepare to be amazed. Handy Mute button for unplugging. On the back, there is a wealth of features: stereo headphone out, preamp out, send and return for effects, footswitch for the effect loop, inserts both pre and post EQ, stereo aux in (1/4) for CDs etc, pre-master tuner out, sub out (as if this thing needed more bass), an XLR DI out with ground lift, and level knobs for both the aux in and the DI out. The only thing I wish it had is a speaker level out, but I guess they designed the amp to not support another passive cabinet. Otherwise very nice. Oh, yeah, under 30 lbs! 14" x 12" x 12" ! Snap!!

I'm using it with an MTD fretted maple 535, a Rob Allen maple Mouse 30, and a Steinberger CRM5 electric upright. Jazz, blues, funk top 40, convention band stuff, etc etc. Sound is UNBELIEVABLE. This amp, for what it is, KILLS. It is amazingly loud, but absolutely clear. When the compressor kicks in it retains its smoothness all the way to the very top. Only at the upper limit does it get even a trace harsher. You're not going to replace an 8x10 Ampeg or SWR with this, nor would you want to. But I A/B'd it with my Acoustic Image Focus amp with EA 110 and Aguilar 112 and the Amp One stood its ground. Not as much deep bass but the clarity was unmistakable. even against a 4x10 with the Focus it was hard to find any fault with the Amp One. I use it regularly where I don't want to carry even TWO cabinets up stairs. At under 30 lbs it's a One Trip gig monster.

With the Rob Allen in particular (any fretless, I would think) it just sounds flat out better than anything I've ever heard. A Tech 21 DI just puts the icing on it. I had to hunt for my jaw after the first few notes.

Incredibly, with a little EQ work, it's also a kick*** keyboard amp as well.

It gets pretty hot in a live situation; you'll probably be running it almost full out if you have anything bigger than a three piece, especially with drums. But it really doesn't seem to mind. Nothing has failed yet, it's only a few weeks old, but the unit feels high quality and very sturdy. Knobs, buttons and switches are firm and solid, the handle is very very good, and the case is protective yet easy to handle. Everything, in short, feels like it's going to last a long long time. I will eventually stop having the Focus in the trunk as a backup.

Have not dealt with AER directly, but their dealer here in Hawaii is exceptionally friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Based on that I give them a 10.

I've been playing bass and keyboards for over 30 years. I've owned lots of stuff and gotten rid of not quite so much stuff. I must say that not only do I think very highly of this amp, but everyone I play and work with from drummers to singers to the sound companies at bigger gigs just absolutely flip out when they hear this thing. I've done coffee shop duos, jazz trios, Hawaiian outdoor festivals, conventions, and polo fields with this and the reaction is that same. First, "What is that. Is that ALL you have?" Then, "Hey it looks pretty cool. Wow it has a DI. Nice." After the first few notes, "What the @#$! is that thing? Holy crap! That's amazing/incredible/unbelievable!"

Here's the only thing...if I lost it (not a chance) or if it was stolen(I would hunt them down and kill them) I would really have to dig down deep to get another one. Why? Because they are pretty darn pricey. I hemmed and hawed about this amp for quite a while before I bought it. It is definitely out of reach for a lot of players, especially if music is not their full time career. but the fact that I would TRY to get another one just speaks for the overall value of this thing. It is worth every penny I paid for it. Career musicians and tone junkies will agree - if it sounds like the best damn amp you ever heard, if you can carry it in one hand without sweating, if it can do just about every gig you currently do, if the first thing you think about after the tone is, "What can I sell now that I have this?"...it's a Fantastic Value. So...an EXPENSIVE 10.

Brand new model from AER. One channel, 200 watts, single 10" driver. Effects loops, headphone out, line out, DI out, line in, tuner out. Very small and lightwieght, (29 lbs)

I play many different styles; rock, blues, jazz, bluegrass. Have used the amp with upright bass through a fishman pro platinum and had great results. Also used with a 67 hofner beatle bass, fretless schecter PJ, fretted precision bass, and a homemade trashcan bass. For electric bass this is simply the best amp I have ever played through. Fat and punchy, sound not unlike an old ampeg fliptop with no issues.

I have played bass for 36 years amd have owned Fender and Ampeg tube bass rigs and a variety of rack mount solid state gear. I wouldn't trade my AER for ANYTHING. It is small, light and sounds like god. The only thing I dont like about it is it's so small people dont take it seriously. (Until they HEAR it)