best combo for stereo bass?

[ronaldpdbrandt]

I recently acquired a Univox Stereo Bass (Rick copy), and it sounds great running through my Hartke B900 (90w, 1x15) combo. I've got the stereo accessories, but I haven't had a chance to try splitting the signal, as I only have the one amp. I do know the stereo jack works, as my set-up guy tried it and said that it is working perfectly.

My question is this: Does anyone have a recommendation for a single combo that has the capability of splitting the signal for high and low (from the bridge and neck pickup, respectively) to two different speakers? I was looking at the Ampeg B3158, which seems to do this, unless I am dumber than I think. I very well could be.

BTW, the reason I want a single combo, rather than two separate rigs, is because I don't have a lot of space--nor will I in the foreseeable future. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[jeff7bass]

I not an electronics guru but if you’re going for the Chris Squire sound you’ll need two combos, one bassy combo for the neck PU and one with smaller speakers (or speaker area) for the bridge PU. Since the bridge PU is less demanding on an amp, a good 12” combo on a stand would work great while keeping a 15” combo on the floor. Run a distortion unit (like a Sansamp) into the smaller (bridge) combo while keeping the neck combo clean and thick.
Geddy Lee uses a similar approach to recording, although he does it mostly with Direct boxes now, one Sansamp (for mid + high distortion) and two others for clarity, depth, etc…
I know you said you wanted to do it with one combo but I don’t think it’s feasible. You’ll want to control each PU from your bass individually to get the right sound and that requires two separate amps. By re-wiring a single amp, if it’s possible, I think you risk blowing the tweeter and/or mid driver when you start fussing with knobs.

[PSPookie]

You're unlikely to find what you are looking for in a single combo.

[countrybass007]

You should give Phil Jones a call or E-mail, just go to Phil Jones Pure Sound. My PJB works great with two basses, but I'm not sure if a stereo bass would work equally well.

[bongomania]

There is a freaking ocean of difference between swapping from one bass to another, and running in stereo. It's totally unrelated.


To the OP, I don't think what you want is going to be easy or inexpensive to find. You would be much, much, much better off just getting a second combo amp and using it at the same time as your existing amp. One bass output to one amp.

[ronaldpdbrandt]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. After playing around with my amp and a borrowed amp, I decided that the stereo thing is kinda neat, but not essential at all to what I play. Instead, I'm building a fEARful 12/6 to go with the LMII I just got, because I think it will be a fun project. My Hartke combo will do fine in the meantime.

[PJSim]

You could get a blend-pedal like the boss ls-2.
that way you can put effects on the bridge-signal and blend it with the clean neck-signal.