Buying a new amp for electric AND upright -- Help!

StevieDaBassist · #1 09-19-2011, 07:28 PM

Hi there,

I'm a senior in highschool who is going on to college next year to study jazz bass performance. I'm starting to look at getting an amp because the one I have now is just a cheap beginner peavy combo I got before I knew if I would stick with the bass. I don't know much about amps and amp companies, but I'm starting to learn as I shop around for one. In college, it will be an upright-intensive program, so I need an amp that will really present the natural sound of an upright bass. However, I also enjoy electric playing, especially styles like Vic and Marcus (I understand they are a lot different). Is there an amp setup that will cover all of these bases? The unaffected upright tone is the most important, but I hope to be able to use the setup for a range of electric styles. Can y'all point me to some different amp/head combinations that might work well for my needs? Thanks for any help!

Turnaround · #2 09-19-2011, 08:04 PM

I've tried the 10 inch Promethean combo with my electric and was seriously impressed. Wednesday I will be trying it with my upright - I suspect it will be a real winner with it as well. Suggest you try one. I will post my impressions with the upright on Thursday - stay tuned.

JimmyM · #3 09-19-2011, 10:32 PM

I love Ampeg stuff for upright, especially the new Portaflex stuff. But picking out an amp for you is like picking out a girlfriend for you. You should be able to get a good sound out of any amp of decent to high quality, so the best thing to do is hit music stores or friends with amps and try out some stuff. I would suggest, though, if you plan on doubling, I'd budget in some sort of 2 channel switcher with a separate EQ for your second bass.

zombywoof5050 · #4 09-21-2011, 07:31 AM

Acoustic Image.

Acoustic Image

tombowlus · #5 09-21-2011, 07:39 AM

What kind of volume will you need? Presuming that it's not too loud, I'd definitely check out the Phil Jones BG-150 Flightcase. If you need more volume, you could step up to the Super Flightcase. These are really excellent combos for upright, and quite good for electric, as well.

Acoustic Image is another great choice, too, as is EA.

lpdeluxe · #6 09-21-2011, 08:12 AM

A friend uses a Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0-12T with his upright and EUB. He gets a warm, present sound from it. The local jazz upright players seem to use GK combos.

I have the smaller Shuttle 3.0-10T amp and I like it, especially at 18 lb.

groooooove · #7 09-21-2011, 08:14 AM

acoustic image is better for DB than electric. i use markbass for both.. no complaints.

Russell L · #8 09-21-2011, 08:28 AM

Markbass amps typically have an XLR input on the front panel for upright basses. Their 121H cabinet won an award a few years ago for being liked by upright players. The CMD 121H combo includes the new Little Mark III head along with basically a 121H cab. Not cheap, though.

Turnaround · #9 09-21-2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

What kind of volume will you need? Presuming that it's not too loud, I'd definitely check out the Phil Jones BG-150 Flightcase. If you need more volume, you could step up to the Super Flightcase. These are really excellent combos for upright, and quite good for electric, as well.

Acoustic Image is another great choice, too, as is EA.

Not a fan of either Phil Jones or Acoustic Image for electric. Either is great for a DB, just not so much for electric.

Nimu · #10 09-21-2011, 08:45 AM

don´t know if that helps: i love the ampeg micro vr and 210 cab with my steinberg nxt electric upright.

tombowlus · #11 09-21-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turnaround

Not a fan of either Phil Jones or Acoustic Image for electric. Either is great for a DB, just not so much for electric.

Yeah, a lot of this is very subjective. I do like PJB for electric very much, and AI heads with the "right" cabs are great on electric, but I agree that with some cabs, they seem a bit lacking for electric bass.