DTAR to Discontinue Products

[ukejon]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi ukejon...
My considerations for both my Raven PMB-I & PMB-II and my DTAR Solstice had to do with:

• Function
• Quality
• Layout
• Readability on a dark stage
• Connectivity/Interface options for amps and PA systems

As with guitars, my live sound is about tone and little-to-nothing to do with the cosmetics. I would not have cared if it were painted lime green with pink accents (I know how to dismantle cases and repaint them).

The DTAR Solstice hits home runs in every area with my areas of focus. The audience never sees anything but the back of mine...which is fully outfitted, and sound techs love it! And both of my Ravens, and my DTAR Solstice cost less than most people pay for a Baggs Venue or Radial PZ Tonebone.

The one-channel-above-the-other tone/volume adjustments from the front (and mute) are well laid out, easy to identify, and the preamp section is amazing.
(DTAR Solstice on bottom, Raven middle, K&K Trinity top)




I'm still also using Raven PMB units which are over 10 years old without issues, and there is something to be said for quality products which continue to work well despite a decade of road work. DTAR is in that category.

I do hope some companies step up and develop a modern version with at least the same quality as a Raven or Solstice of a dual-source preamp designed for providing phantom power to internal mics, full interface with amps/pa systems, and separate tone controls, phase, true mute, & ground lift.

The Headway EDB-2 fails for me in that it doesn't give one separate channel tone adjustment. Deal killer for me… also the "Mute" is a hard slider switch (not detent) and on my EDB-1 it popped when I engaged it.

The K&K Quantum falls short for lack of key features and it's form factor (long and narrow with all labels on the top surface so if it's rack mounted the labels disappear). No ground lift, nor mute.

I'm hopeful someone who actually plays dual source units will step up to the plate and work with a designer to develop a blender/preamp with as good functions as both the Solstice, and Raven blenders which can be battery, phantom, or power supply powered.

Larry, of course your live tone has nothing to do with the look of the unit. You seem to have missed the part of my sentence that says it is a "great device" and I never at all inferred that the cosmetics were a deal breaker. In fact, just used a Solstice at a gig last month. I was merely making an observation about the decidedly retro styling of this device, which the company apparently is redesigning. Cosmetically, I love 70s design and just set up a full blown and fully usable 1970 museum period room. Will be interesting to see if the folks at DTAR/Seymour Duncan keep the retro aesthetic intact.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by ukejon

…Cosmetically, I love 70s design and just set up a full blown and fully usable 1970 museum period room. Will be interesting to see if the folks at DTAR/Seymour Duncan keep the retro aesthetic intact.

HI uj...

As long as we don't have to wear Bell-bottoms with Paisley shirts when we gig…

It will be interesting to see what happens to any redesign/repackaging of their products.

[jcmccorm]

I guess it certainly wasn't made for this but I wouldn't go without my Solstice





Cary

[phastrone]

Originally Posted by sdelsolray

I saw that DTAR products will be discontinued. Those that want a new Solstice or Equinox should grab them while they are still available. Like Raven Labs, I suspect used prices will probably go up a bit and 10 years from now they will be sought after and fondly remembered. Hopefully, DTAR will make arrangements with a third party for long term servicing, like Ravens Labs did. To many manufacturers have not done something like this when they discontinued a product.

A little off topic, but...Does anyone know of a reliable service facility to repair a Raven PMBII? I have a Solstice that I bought to replace my Raven, but I've always liked the Raven better; especially since the Raven is battery operated.

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by phastrone

A little off topic, but...Does anyone know of a reliable service facility to repair a Raven PMBII? I have a Solstice that I bought to replace my Raven, but I've always liked the Raven better; especially since the Raven is battery operated.

There was (still is?) a guy named Kevin who took over servicing for all of the Raven Labs 1/2 rack space products when Steve closed shop about 10 years ago. I sent him a PMB-1 for servicing and modding. He did a great job at a fair price. Unfortunately, I can't find his contact info. Steve Rabe would know, if you can contact him.

There's nothing surprising in the PMBII design. It's pretty much off the shelf parts. Just about any competent amp tech could service the unit.

[seratone]

This is interesting news (Dtar being discontinued)....Two weeks ago I was so impressed with the used Mama bear I got on CL for $120 that I immediately snapped up a second one and an Equinox. I'm building an acoustic pedalboard and it's apparent the Dtar products are sort of awkward - are you supposed to keep the EQuinox on a flattened music stand? pedal format would be cool - but I can't really get on my knees as well.

[Christopherp]

I am sad to hear that. I have just bought a sadducee for my lxk2 martin. It really boosts the mic'd sound nicely, and is tolerable without mic too. Good output for a passive pickup.

[dberkowitz]

My understanding is that Rick Turner sold his share to Seymour Duncan and is no longer involved with D-Tar.

I should be getting my Felix by the end of the week, or perhaps the following and plan to take it to Wolf Trap to put it through the PA (L'Acoustic VDOSC Line Array, Lake Processors, Lab Gruppen amps, Digico SD7 console) and listen to it with both something simple as the Radial J48 as well as the Felix, set flat for an instrument with a K&K. I don't have any of the other preamp-di's mentioned to A/B them. I'll post my results as soon as I get a chance and I'll include the impressions of my colleagues there.

The D-Tar stuff is great in the <$600 price point.

[Dan Lampton]

Originally Posted by dberkowitz

I should be getting my Felix by the end of the week, or perhaps the following and plan to take it to Wolf Trap to put it through the PA

Looking forward to hearing about your experience.

[Spook]

Originally Posted by dberkowitz

I should be getting my Felix by the end of the week..
The D-Tar stuff is great in the <$600 price point.

Ditto.. looking forward to hearing your report.

I've used a DTAR Solstice with a Schertler Jam150 extension (powered speaker) for awhile and I'm pretty happy with it. I may not be able to hear the difference with my Sunrise and K&K equipped guitars or maybe I will, but I still want a Felix if it makes any sense at all.

[moga]

So what's the status on DTAR? any new products under Seymore Duncan?

[dberkowitz]

Still in development.

[guitaniac]

Last night I stumbled across the DTAR Wavelenth system which I pulled out of one of my guitars. I just haven't had the heart to put it on ebay. It served me awfully well for $120.

I wish Rick Turner all the best, whatever he's up to now.

[Shoreline Music]

Originally Posted by moga

So what's the status on DTAR? any new products under Seymore Duncan?

Nothing new yet—last I heard the new+improved Solstice is top priority. The pickups are still around (well, at least the Wavelength and Multi-Source), and they're sticking with "DTAR" for now.

John

[Side Man]

Originally Posted by moga

So what's the status on DTAR? any new products under Seymore Duncan?

I heard they're gonna change the brand name to RA-DAR (Rebranding Advice - Duncan Acoustic Research).