Amp options for doubling on DB and BG

LowEndMan2112 · #1 09-17-2011, 06:49 PM

Not sure if this should be on this side or the DB side, but hey, I'll give it a shot anyways.

I'm getting more into playing double bass lately and looking into starting to move myself in a gigging direction with it, and since I'm in the market for a new head/cab anyways, I figure I should make it something that won't colour the DB sound too much. So far I've been really looking at the GB Shuttle 3.0 and the Euphonic Audio iAmp 350, and while I know that the iAmp will be great for doubling, I was wondering if any of you guys have any experience gigging upright through a Shuttle? Also open to any other options you think I should look into. Thanks TB!

sunbeast · #2 09-17-2011, 06:54 PM

Many have said good things about the Mesa Boogie Walkabout- I use one for electric and LOVE it, but not personally tried it with upright. PM Talkbasser Chef for his opinion if you're interested though1

GrowlerBox · #3 09-17-2011, 06:57 PM

Definitely do a search on the DB side -- lots of love for the Shuttles over there.

For what it's worth, I'm coming to the conclusion that almost anything can be made to work with enough EQ. There are so many other variables involved, that for me having an amp with a powerful on board EQ, or running a preamp with same, is paramount. Sometimes people are lucky and find a bass, pickup, preamp and amp that just plug and play together, but I'm not one of them!

vin*tone · #4 09-17-2011, 07:01 PM

Bothe the Shuttle and iamp would be great but you will need an A/B pedal and pre pedal to EQ your instrumends differently (Tonebone or EBS microbass as all in one).

I use a TC RH450 with a footswitch which allows presets for EQ, compression, level... build a preset for your EB and one for your DB. The Walkabout is great - EQ is second to none but it is a very 'tubey' amp (... which is great if that's what you want) most people prefer a transparent, clean amp for DB.

Federighi · #5 09-17-2011, 07:02 PM

I'm currently very satisfied running the Fishman Plat Pro-Eq into an Acoustic Image Clarus head with Epifani UUL speakers. Before I got this set-up I was using Phil Jones Super Flightcase, but in certain situations it didn't have enough volume for the electric.

steveksux · #6 09-17-2011, 07:06 PM

I believe the DB pickups (piezo) require a much higher input impedance than normal BG pickups. Possibly more gain as well.

If you have a preamp on the DB you'd have more options.

The hard part is an amp for the DB, I'd think they'd be more helpful on that side.

Randy

LowEndMan2112 · #7 09-17-2011, 07:10 PM

Not a huge fan of tubey tone on electric, so I don't think that's what I'll be going for for upright either! Don't doubt that the Walkabout is a great amp, just not what I'm looking for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

Definitely do a search on the DB side -- lots of love for the Shuttles over there.

For what it's worth, I'm coming to the conclusion that almost anything can be made to work with enough EQ. There are so many other variables involved, that for me having an amp with a powerful on board EQ, or running a preamp with same, is paramount. Sometimes people are lucky and find a bass, pickup, preamp and amp that just plug and play together, but I'm not one of them!

I had been thinking that the Shuttle would be good for a transparent tone for DB, as they're usually describe as pretty clear and crisp sounding amps. I'll definitely get to doing some more extensive searching over on the DB side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vin*tone

Bothe the Shuttle and iamp would be great but you will need an A/B pedal and pre pedal to EQ your instrumends differently (Tonebone or EBS microbass as all in one).

I use a TC RH450 with a footswitch which allows presets for EQ, compression, level... build a preset for your EB and one for your DB.

Good to know about the A/B pedals, I'll look into those! I like the TC stuff, but they're out of my price range a bit at the moment, their price always takes me by surprise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Federighi

I'm currently very satisfied using Acoustic Image with Epifani. Before I got this set-up I had a Phil Jones Super Flightcase, but in certain situations it didn't have enough volume for the electric.

Acoustic Image was the first thought I had when I started thinking about amps for upright, but I don't know if it'll suit my needs for electric.

Thanks guys, helping already!

GrowlerBox · #8 09-17-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowEndMan2112

I like the TC stuff, but they're out of my price range a bit at the moment, their price always takes me by surprise.

The 450 prices have come down considerably since the 750 came out. The "added extras" save a lot of packspace and money -- 1 MOhm input impedance (suitable for most modern pickups), very nice compressor, great EQ, overdrive (Tubetone), chromatic tuner, 3 preset channels, excellent DI, digital out for recording.

LowEndMan2112 · #9 09-17-2011, 07:24 PM

Another thing to look into! Always found the features included on their stuff impressive when played at the local music store.

Something else just came to mind, what cab sizes are you guys using? Always seemed to me like 112s were a popular choice

NecroticImbecil · #10 09-17-2011, 07:31 PM

Everything sounds better through a B15.

JimmyM · #11 09-17-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NecroticImbecil

Everything sounds better through a B15.

Word.

LowEndMan2112 · #12 09-17-2011, 07:53 PM

You know Jimmy, I was thinking lately, TB wouldn't be TB with out you to be god of all things Ampeg round here!

GrowlerBox · #13 09-17-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Word.

I wish I'd had the opportunity to play one.

By the way, Jimmy -- very measured response to a thread involving TCE products. I'm impressed!

LowEndMan2112 · #14 09-17-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

I wish I'd had the opportunity to play one.

Agreed on that! There's a 70s B15N on the classifieds near where I am, been sitting there for a while at $1400.

But I'm derailing my own thread

What cab size do/have you run Growler?

vin*tone · #15 09-17-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NecroticImbecil

Everything sounds better through a B15.

Indeed. The B15/DB combo is classic. .. as long as there is enough volume for your EB gigs.

JimmyM · #16 09-17-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

I wish I'd had the opportunity to play one.

By the way, Jimmy -- very measured response to a thread involving TCE products. I'm impressed!

Ya, well it's because of all the TC fans who shout you down and complain to the mods, not any acceptance of the situation or sudden burst of maturity on my part

Anyway, I always hear upright players talk about needing high headroom and some perfectly flat amp (that 99 times out of 100 isn't) with a tweeter, but the B-15 is THE amp for upright as far as I'm concerned. The SS Portaflex stuff comes doggone close, though.

LowEndMan2112 · #17 09-17-2011, 08:36 PM

Even if I was more enthusiastic about Ampeg tone at this point in my playing, I don't think the B-15 would be loud enough for my EB stuff like vin*tone said!

GrowlerBox · #18 09-17-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowEndMan2112

What cab size do/have you run Growler?

The BFM Jack 12 in my sig. Just remember that speaker diameter is absolutely the least important parameter. It contributes to SPL and relative dispersion. I picked the 12 over the Jack 10 simply because the 3012HO had a bigger Xmax than the 10 being used in the Jack 10, which meant that it handled the relatively bigger contribution of the fundamental to upright than to porkchop tone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Ya, well it's because of all the TC fans who shout you down and complain to the mods, not any acceptance of the situation or sudden burst of maturity on my part

Anyway, I always hear upright players talk about needing high headroom and some perfectly flat amp (that 99 times out of 100 isn't) with a tweeter, but the B-15 is THE amp for upright as far as I'm concerned. The SS Portaflex stuff comes doggone close, though.

Damn tattle-tales. Seriously.

I think more and more that the colour added by the amp can be very useful to double bass -- very few piezo pickups could be described as transparent, and the amp can add back a bit of the balls sucked out by the pup. I just read that again -- risks being quoted out of context!

It is a shame you felt that TCE did you wrong, and then the whole power rating fiasco .... I have a sneaking suspicion you'd actually quite like them from a purely tonal perspective (not suggesting them to you, merely musing).

JimmyM · #19 09-17-2011, 08:44 PM

OK, so the SVT

JimmyM · #20 09-17-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

It is a shame you felt that TCE did you wrong, and then the whole power rating fiasco .... I have a sneaking suspicion you'd actually quite like them from a purely tonal perspective (not suggesting them to you, merely musing).

Maybe...too late now, though

Actually I'm not a big fan of digital emulation unless it's done on a computer or something similar to the AxeFx with some computing guns behind it, and judging from recordings I've heard, I think I'd still prefer analog amps, but still, it's a pretty good idea for an amp...just a shame that it went down like that.