Opinion - Versatile Combo amp?

[Cuzzintom]

Good day...

I play double bass in a jazz/swing group. Currently use a Gage Realist pickup with direct box. Recently purchased my first elec bass. Am searching for a versatile amp (combo preferably) which will allow 1) ease of use - especially when switching instruments during sets and 2) a close "trueness" of tone for the double bass.

I realize I will have to make some concession in sound, but I seek the grail

Recommended by bassist friends: Carvin R600, Traynor Dynabass 300T, Genz-Benz Shuttles, and a couple of Peavey options. Not looking for distortion, grit, etc. I play clean, smooth bass lines.

Price range? This is difficult - but I would like to remain below the $650 mark.

All opinions are welcome..thanks for your insight.

Cuzzintom

[henryjurstin13]

Markbass combos come to mind because of their dual inputs, 1/4 & XLR - both with their own gain settings.

[kosmicwizard]

Genz-Benz and Gallien-Krueger are the 2 I have friends that play.

Also might want to look into some gear that is "transparent" (this is a good search word) but once you go there your budget is likely to interfere. All the best in your quest for the grail noble Sir! Cheers.

[RayG]

I have a Roland D-bass 210 combo. IMO this amp does gives me that straight clean acoustic tone even from my electric. I have not played a double through it yet, but imagine it would be sweet. Playing my acoustic guitar makes it shine.

There is a seperate input for piezo pickups and a super flat setting.

From the manual--describing the supper flat setting--

<<This amp type reflects the true tone of the connected
bass, presenting the instrument’s own sound to the fullest.
This amp reproduces the full range of nuances produced by various performance techniques, and faithfully recreates every detail of the expressive elements of a performance.
This is the perfect model for acoustic basses>>


Check it out if you can. Paid about 700 on ebay new in box.

Regards----------------

[zachoff]

Peavey BAM. Loved that combo. My other suggestion would be a Roland DB700 or DB900

[Cuzzintom]

Recommended highly by a pro friend of mine is the Carvin RC210. He plays through this amp and uses both DB and elec during his shows. I have a line on one for $325 (includes $75 hipping) Anyone out there have experience with the RC210? I feel this is a nice price for the features, would anyone second the motion?

Best,

Cuzzintom

[JimmyM]

too many knobs on that carvin for me

as a doubler myself, the tough part about bass amps is that most of them have one channel and one set of eq knobs. chances are that the eq you get on your upright will be nothing like what you want on your electric. and in your price range, you won't be able to get a 2-channel amp. so no matter what you get, i would highly recommend getting an ab box with eq on it similar to stuff like the radial bassbone, the ebs microbass ii, etc. it drastically cuts down on the pita factor of switching between the two. nobody wants to watch a bass player unplug, replug, re-eq, etc., every time they switch off.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 to the BassBone or MicroBass suggestion. You will NEED some sort of switcher with seperate eq's.

[John Phillips]

You may want to give this amp consideration. I bought one just over two months ago on the basis of sound. I was looking for a smaller combo that was loud enough for smaller gigs and easy to transport.

This one fit my requirements perfectly. It's native sound is neutral, but with the EQ, you can really change it up.

I play a Modulus Quantum 5 fretless and much to my surprise, this amp does it justice.

I have had no issues whatsoever, and at $399, I'm grinning! This is a deal. Can you get better? Sure, but this is in your budget and it sounds great.

[elgecko]

Markbass combo and an outboard preamp for the big bass. You can't beat the dual inputs!