How do acoustic bassists go about amplification?

ndrly · #1 09-09-2007, 06:10 AM

I know how some acoustic guitarists go about amplification. They can record direct, or use amplification.

But what about their low-end counterparts? Do acoustic bass amplifiers exist? If so, what can anybody recommend?

greenboy · #2 09-09-2007, 06:20 AM

I'd suggest checking out the Double Bass Forums down the hall.

sublime0bass · #3 09-09-2007, 10:00 AM

yes, acoustic bass amps exist. SWR makes them iirc, as im sure other companies do

full_bleed · #4 09-09-2007, 02:14 PM

just food for thought here, but in most acoustic bands the bassist still plays with an amplified electric.

Otherwise, as said before, check out the DB forum and try out an SWR acoustic bass amp.

Jazzman · #5 09-09-2007, 02:21 PM

I vote for Acoustic Image amps...amazing.

Lesfunk · #6 09-09-2007, 02:25 PM

They install a pickup, buy a cable, and an amp. They then plug them together.
Hope that clears up your question.
you're welcome.

ndrly · #7 09-09-2007, 04:43 PM

I'm talking about acoustic bass guitars, not double basses.

phat daddy · #8 09-09-2007, 04:47 PM

Any decent bass amplifier would amplify a simlply "acoustic" bass guitar. It's all a matter of what you want to hear. As long as you're not talking about that big thing with no frets....

richnota · #9 09-09-2007, 07:20 PM

I've had good luck with three rigs:

acoustic image + bergantino
acoutstic image + accugroove Tri110
Phil Jones Briefcase (my all time fave)

tremblap · #10 09-10-2007, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richnota

I've had good luck with three rigs:
Phil Jones Briefcase (my all time fave)

Can you comment further? I've got the Focus 2R with the AI speaker, and I think it is a little nasal. I can see that you have a 'preamp pedal' on your AI as well...

I would be more than happy to hear more from you about amplification of ABG

Thanks

pa

pfschim · #11 09-10-2007, 12:05 PM

not sure what your question relates to. Other than potential feedback issues in live playing situations, ABG's are pretty much just like electrics as far as amplification goes.

For example; I have both a Turner Renaissance fretless 4 (a slimline chambered "semi-acoustic") and a cheap Rogue fretless Acoustic Bass Guitar. These basses are both piezo pup loaded. I run them straight into my Mesa Walkabout amp with fairly flat EQ settings and have no problems at all. FWIW both basses are strung with TI Acousticores (which ends up meaning that the strings represent 30% of the total cost of the Rogue

). The Turner is active and pretty hot, and the Rogue is not. Either way the amplification and tone works pretty much like an electric.

I do tend to roll off the high end a bit on both basses as the piezo's are characteristically sort of clacky on the high end. YMMV.

good luck

chadds · #12 09-10-2007, 04:58 PM

The SWR BBII is excellent for this. Almost any EA combination of speakers and heads will give you very accurate reproduction with great tone shaping. You may configure your gear by whether you are wishing to amplify exactly the tone of the instrument or present your voice and tone.

joninjapan · #13 09-10-2007, 08:14 PM

I run my Tacoma into a Paracoustic DI and into the mains... and listen via the floor monitors... no amp.

DonBox · #14 09-10-2007, 09:42 PM

Based on reading the DB forum over on the other side for the past 9 months, I can say with great authority that you will buy, sell, or trade one of each of the following:

Head: { Acoustic Image Focus or Clarus, Walter Woods, EA iAmp (or Micro 300 if you like the "buzz" of being an early adopter), Markbass Little Mark II }

Cab: { EA Wizzy 12, Wizzy 10, Wizzy M-Line 12, Berg HT112, EA VL208, Epi UL110/112 }

Pickup: { David Gage Realist, Fishman Full Circle, whatever K&K products URBBOB.com has for sale }

Combo: { Acoustic Image Coda or Contra, Phil Jones Briefcase or Flightcase, SWR Baby Blue }

Mostly, double bassists pine about how they want a ten pound rig that doubles as a music stand and sounds like mid-1990's Walter Woods ultra through a EA VL 208 and will stand up to some guy named Uncle Toad.

bearfoot · #15 09-10-2007, 10:07 PM

My current understanding is that Amps designed for ABG are out there, though expensive ?
but that you can use any bass amp you like, though probably through a direct box which will modify the piezo's output.

I have a set of the TI Acousticores that really do wonders for the amp'd sound, my only problem with them is I wish they were heavier guage, they are easily overplayed.

Joe_Atlanta · #16 09-11-2007, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonBox

....Mostly, double bassists pine about how they want a ten pound rig that doubles as a music stand and sounds like mid-1990's Walter Woods ultra through a EA VL 208 and will stand up to some guy named Uncle Toad.

After cleaning spewed coffee from my monitor:
Nice summation.

Joe

ndrly · #17 10-06-2007, 09:46 PM

Well, I was thinking of using a combo for studio use. Maybe it would also work for "unplugged" gigs.

The Ampeg Flip Top, IMO, is the standard by which others are judged. Perhaps I shall try out that, along with equivalents by other companies.

ndrly · #18 10-06-2007, 10:32 PM

Didn't you read my post? Acoustic bass GUITARS not upright double basses.

bass-shy · #19 10-06-2007, 10:37 PM

I amplify my Martin ABG with the same Carvin combo I use for my solid-bodied electrics. It sounds good to me. YMMV, of course.

richnota · #20 10-06-2007, 10:50 PM

The AI combined with a Bergantino or Acugroove puts a bit more output than the AI speaker offerings. Never thought of the AI speakers as nasal.

I often combine the AI with a preamp like a Demeter, Tech 21 or a Phil Jones Bass Buddy (but im a tone-monkey and like tweaking).

The EA gear is really nice for ABG. Very nice stuff.

I tend to look for very high-fidelity, balanced systems for ABG--something that will accurately reproduce the sound of the bass without a lot of color.