A.E.R. Basic Performer Combo

I acquired a 2006 AER Basic Performer solid-state "acoustic combo" for upright bass, for jazz duo through big band performance. It has two channels. Channel 1 input is a combo socket for XLR and 1/4" jack. The unported bass reflex cabinet houses four 8" twin-cone 4 ohm speakers each powered by a separate 60w power amp. Weight: 52 lbs. It has every conceivable feature including phantom power, compression, notch filter, effects loop, tape/CD-in-and-out, headphone jack, DI-out, foot switch effect on/off and voltage select (see on-line manual for the total package). I will never use most of these. I bought it for its utterly transparent, cleaner-than-clean sound and unsurpassed "presence." This unit is acoustic bass amp nirvana. Comes w/thick padded cover.

I am amplifying a fine acoustic bass using a Shadow transducer pick-up. The amp has no running noise - at any volume. Instrument amplification sounds as if I have headphones plugged into the bass. To use a crass analogy, the sound is pure sonic smack (no, I'm not, nor have I ever been a user, but ecstasy-analogy is the most extreme I could come up with).

No break-downs in three months of use. No knowledge of others having had problems. If anybody out there has encountered problems with the unit, please submit a review at this site documenting them. I'd like to now about them

I have had no contact as yet with AER's service representatives.

Warranty: one year on electronics, three months on speakers. That short-term speaker warranty concerns me (why so limited?). But the sound is so good, I'll take my chances and hope for the best.

I've been playing the NY metro area for 35 years. I also use and have been extremely satisfied with Acoustic Image products (Clarus and SL) with Raezer's Edge bass cab's (10" and 12"). These rigs are more portable than the 52 pound Basic Performer and sound absolutely great - just not as great as the AER Basic Performer, which I consider the height of acoustic bass amplification.

Would I change anything? Yes. I'd relocate the on/off switch from the bottom of the back wall to a more accessible location.

A rating here of "10" - "Great Value" - don't now if I can rate the Basic Performer a great value - it's a very expensive amp (MSRP $2,400 with most outlets selling at $1,799). If "10" equalled "greatest acoustic bass amp in my experience," then yes, it's a "10." So, I'll give it a "9" meaning "very expensive, but greatest acoustic bass amp in my experience."

Excellent idea from "the accoustic people" 2 channels especially efficient if you use 2 instruments or a line and a mic on a 2ble bass for example.
It is originally designed for wide-range instruments: harp, cello, double bass etc... but I have never heard an instrument that does not sound great once it is plugged in.
It features an easy to use compressor, a notch filter (useful as feedback killer) aux volume and effect return volume control and two switchable master controls, one "ensemble" and one for solos.
the power amp delivers a sufficient 200w power (though I have read it is supposed to be 4 times 60) and an original 4X8" speaker configuration.
The switchable pre/post built-in DI is perfect, only thing that lacks is the attack, release, and sustain control on the compressor (it only features threshold and ratio but that makes it far easier to use doesn't it?)
You cannot have bad sounds with it: I most often plug a 2ble bass in and leave the controls flat, sometimes with a bit more bass and colour.

I use a crappy Shadow transducer on my bass and a Carl Martin compressor. The amp delivers a very natural sound which is what you expect from a double bass amplifier. the controls seem to be designed for correction only, to shape my sound I use the colour switch and the contour control which both add a nice fashionnable brilliance to your double bass sound, and a modern warwick kind of sound to your jazz bass.
I play rock and Eastern Europe traditionnals that tend towards electro and feel satisfied very much sarisfied with my basic performer.

I use it without a backup, very dependable though it seems to be designed for quiet jazz musicians. the foam on the front does not last long as does the spatter finish. It looks a bit tired after a 150 gigs and 100,000 miles in the truck.
One of my speakers broke down (due to a violent shock, says the dodo who sold it to me, don't believe him... too bad the warranty is only 3 months for speakers)
Still it is solid state and the electronic parts seem to be tough.

repair seem to be a bit slow (as it always is I suppose) warranty is, as I have said, 3 months for speakers, and 1 year for the rest.

I have been using it for a year now. and would buy it again though I would probably go for the BassCube (the big brother) If I were richer.
I have long used a svp pro Ampeg preamp and now appreciate the simplicity and natural sound of the basic performer.
Only problem is that the sound "whistles" through the grill at the back when you play low sounds, that might be annoying in studio. That bug seems to have been fixed on more recent models.
Too bad also is that I cannot plug my Ampeg preamp on it without getting a big buzz.