Greetings,

I need some help from all of you experts. |I

I am a solo performer and play mainly fingerstyle at small venues.

I am currently running my Martin 00016rgteaura through (first) a Yamaha emp 100, then through a D-TAR Solstice and finally into my Bose PAS with one B1. I use the Shure SM58 for vocals. The guitar sound is to live for. Rich tones and deep bass when I ask for it.

However, I keep reading about the D-TAR Mamma Bear and how good that unit is for tone, versatility, etc...

So, what do you all think. Should I switch out the Solstice for the Mamma Bear?

dhcrow

Mamma Bear is a TOTALLY different device.

Solstice offers tone shaping and input mixing. It is a mixer.

Mamma Bear is an Emulation device. Mamma Bear is similar to what the Line 6 Variax does: 16 different guitars to choose from.

Thanks Mark. New question! Can the Mamma Bear and the Solstice be used together? Can I hook up the Mamma Bear and then into the Solstice (or vice-versa)?

Just learning,

dhcrow

At first glance (I have not used either unit for more than a quick demo) I would say yes, put the Mamma Bear before the Solstice. Use the Solstice to shape the MB tone, and possibly mix in some of the original guitar tone.

My recommendation would be to start with your guitar directly into the PS1, bypassing all other devices, then add one piece at a time as you hear the need. In short, experiment.

I've heard and played around with the Mamma Bear and it is really a great tool. It does a nice job of adding and subtracting sounds so that you can take out the "quack" that is often associated with piezo pickups.

It is definately worth a buy and try (and return if you don't like it) if you ask me.

That's my two cents,
Steve

Hey dhcrow,

Your guitar already has similar technology to the Momma Bear onboard. The Aura electronics in your Martin do pretty much the same thing as the Momma Bear, without the hassle of an outboard box. If you want to try the Momma Bear,
make sure the blend on your guitar is set for all piezo, and zero image. If you try to process an already-processed signal, things are gonna get weird.
I have both the Momma Bear and the Aura. The Momma Bear is much quieter and a bit more dynamic, while the Aura has unlimited downloadable images, onboard eq, and compression. Overall, the Aura images work better for me, but I wish it was as quiet as the Momma Bear. If you get a chance to compare, let us know your opinions.......

Hello dhcrow.

With the built-in Aura in your Martin you definitely don't want or need to add the Mama Bear. Essentially they are competitors and strive to do the same thing... make acoustic electric guitars sound more natural(accoustic).
I just bought the Mama Bear but strongly considered the Aura. The MB is a very nice unit
but my guess is using both at the same time would produce would produce weird results. Call Fishman & Duncan - Turner for their advice.

Sherwood

Thanks for all the relpies. I now own both the Solstice and the Mamma Bear. I use the MB with a Guild Hog and an old D'Aderio (spelling) pickup I've owned for years. Interesting sound. I use the Solstice to get the most sound shape out of the Martin Aura. Of course, both are used with my BOSE. The sounds are to live for.

By the way - still A/B'ing the SM58 and the AKG C1000 as a vocal mic. I'll let you know the "winner" as soon as we have one.

dhcrow