Acoustic Bass Amps

bass3815 · #1 07-16-2010, 01:47 PM

Any input on an amp/speaker combo for an acoustic bass? Play in big bands and combos

rbonner · #2 07-16-2010, 02:20 PM

Find a used AMPEG B-15...

BOB

majortoby · #3 07-16-2010, 02:29 PM

Well, I've always liked what I've heard from them. Bang-for-the-buck type product. The tone isnt going to change the world, but it's def. a good, clean, sound. HOWEVER, the new "Acoustic" products are produced essentially by Guitar Center. So, the TB hate for them is strong. You may have your very musicianship questioned if you express too much liking for them

And yeah, if you want one of these, methinks you probably don't want to go on a wild-goose-chase hunt for a vintage tube amp.

craig.p · #4 07-16-2010, 03:24 PM

Tell us whether your amp will be all on its own (versus supplemented with a large PA that will be handling your bass, too).

Also tell us how many people in a typical audience.

Noseferatu · #5 07-16-2010, 03:56 PM

I've heard the B600 head is more colored than the B200. Can anyone confirm?

craig.p · #6 07-16-2010, 03:59 PM

I could be wrong but I think he's asking how to amplify his upright bass.

SurferJoe46 · #7 07-16-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noseferatu

I've heard the B600 head is more colored than the B200. Can anyone confirm?

You might be hijacking the thread - but I understand the confusion with the name 'ACOUSTIC". But I'll help you here.

The B-600H is a very powerful head and that head comes in the B-450 combo-cab too.

The B-600H has a switchable Notch Filter that you can turn ON or OFF, whereas the B200 has it ON all the time, but is still adjustable like the B-600H/B-450 as to where it is 'working'.

The comparison you asked: I think it's all about capacity (head-room) of the amp - 'cause if you are running it at 50% and it's not straining to keep up with a loud group, then you are obviously better off with the B-600 than the B-200 running at 13 o'clock.

Back to originally scheduled programming.

Noseferatu · #8 07-16-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

You might be hijacking the thread - but I understand the confusion with the name 'ACOUSTIC". But I'll help you here.

The B-600H is a very powerful head and that head comes in the B-450 combo-cab too.

The B-600H has a switchable Notch Filter that you can turn ON or OFF, whereas the B200 has it ON all the time, but is still adjustable like the B-600H/B-450 as to where it is 'working'.

The comparison you asked: I think it's all about capacity (head-room) of the amp - 'cause if you are running it at 50% and it's not straining to keep up with a loud group, then you are obviously better off with the B-600 than the B-200 running at 13 o'clock.

Back to originally scheduled programming.

Ok, thanks for that.

Didnt mean to derail the thread.

PRUNEFACE · #9 07-16-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass3815

Any input on an amp/speaker combo for an acoustic bass? Play in big bands and combos

I am in the same situation. I need an amp/speaker, however, that can double as both a bass guitar and double bass amp/speaker.

bass3815 · #10 07-16-2010, 09:23 PM

Amp will be on its own No PA assist. Mainly clubs bu sound needs to get on top with a big band

Punchy810s · #11 07-16-2010, 10:33 PM

Consider a Roland TDA-700 Drum Amplifier. It has a 15" Speaker, 300 Watts (Bi-amped at 240 Watts with 60 to the Tweeter). URL:

http://www.rolandus.com/products/pro...?ProductId=470

Roland no longer makes these, but you can find them around. They can handle the tone and depth of a stand-up bass and broadcast true acoustic sound very, very well.

I know this is not what you were expecting, but if you can try one out, you will hear how great they sound. I have one and love it!

craig.p · #12 07-17-2010, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Amp will be on its own No PA assist. Mainly clubs bu sound needs to get on top with a big band

In that light, I'd say you should be looking at a minimum of 300 watts, preferably more, like 500, along with at minimum a 2x15" or 4x10" cab or similar. When you buy your amp, make allowances for doubling your cab count, because there's a significant probability you'll need to in order to cover a large room. For example, if your eye is set on a particular 4-ohm cab, make sure the amp can handle a 2-ohm load, or see if the cab can be had in an 8-ohm variant. Big bands can be deafening when they really get going. The watts and cone area you invest in will mean the difference between actually contributing to the band's sound, and simply showing up for work.

rbonner · #13 07-17-2010, 10:52 PM

Come on guys, you're way off bass here (pun)

He plays big band music and combos. I'm very serious, an AMPEG B-15. JimmyM is the master blaster with the B-15 in both Rock and Stand up bass...

He doesn't need 10,000Watts, just some zoom and an original or the remake with a lot more power should move mountains.

BOB

craig.p · #14 07-18-2010, 06:58 AM

You're right, RB, he's playing big-band music, but the point you're missing is that he's playing in what's known as a "big band." Have you ever gone to see a "big band" live and stood up front? Bring your earplugs when you do. The other point you're missing is that he wants to "get on top" (his own words). That means forward in the mix and with impact -- in a big-band setting. If he hadn't specified "get on top" as a prerequisite, or if he'd like to withdraw that requirement, then I might have a different opinion. But "getting on top" in a big-band setting requires some seriously heavy lifting.

If he's going to try a B-15, or something in that class, then I'd advise he find something used so he can unload it the following week for what he paid for it when he realizes it's ludicrously undersized for the application.

BTW, I didn't say he needs ten kilowatts. Not sure where you got that from.

Note to OP: You'll never regret having bought more air-moving capacity than you need. You'll always regret having bought less.

rbonner · #15 07-18-2010, 12:30 PM

Jeez Craig, yeah I haven't just dropped off the turnip truck. I used to regularly see the Rupert's Orchestra back when Rupert's was the place to be in Minneapolis. They are now called the R Factor since Rupert's got Interstate 394 run between the band and the dance floor about 25 years ago.

10KW is just a nice round number for an exzageration.

You ever played a reissue B-15R Portaflex? They kick some serious ass. Look, I'm the first guy to say major power is the thing... Just look at my profile.

Don't believe me? Just go ahead and look just a few posts down the list from this one right now, basically stating the Portaflex is the finest amplifer of all time... I just didn't pull this out of my tailpipe... There's a lot of others that agree with me. Most of them haven't bother to look because the title of this thread is misleading.

BOB

JimmyM · #16 07-18-2010, 01:10 PM

Whoa, this thread got weird!

I believe he's looking for a bass amp to play acoustic bass, not an Acoustic brand bass amp.

I double on upright and I do use an early B-15 quite often and I love it, and it was originally designed for upright so it sounds great for it imho. However, not knowing the price range, volume levels, and type of tone he wants makes it tough for me to recommend one at this point. For some strange reason, a lot of upright players want tweeters and a buttload of wattage these days.

So without further info, I'm going to hold off recommending anything, except to say that most currently available combos with at least a 210 or 115 will get it done, and more expensive ones generally sound better.

craig.p · #17 07-18-2010, 03:12 PM

I think the root cause of the disagreement is different readings/interpretations of the problem statement. I've owned a B-15 and a B-18 (both back when I had hair) and the way I read this problem there's no way in hell either one could come even close to doing what this guy needs an amp to do. Eh... I'll back out of this one. No sense continuing the Urinary Olympics.