SVT VR/810 & upright bass

rodl2005 · #1 10-04-2011, 09:31 PM

Hi all.
I've got a festival gig this weekend where I use both my elec bass & upright bass & there's no way I can take my usual amp that I use for my Acoustic upright, & the backline I just found out-is an SVT-VR/81B rig. Which is great for my electric.
Does anyone have any tips for me for using my upright in this scenario?
Usually, with even my small Mesa WA combo I've gotta be careful with feedback using the upright, so, I'm a li'l nervous about having an 810 behind me.
Also, I usually use an A/B switcher to plug both the basses in (with a Fishman Plat + EQ/DI pedal on the upright), should I use the separate channels on the VR?
Would you recommend I simply DI the upright & have it just amplified to me via the monitors?
I'd LIKE to use the VR for both really, so am wondering also if there's much difference in sound between the 2 channels?
Any info would be a help.
Thanks,
Rod

will33 · #2 10-04-2011, 09:36 PM

SVT810 & upright bass?.......JimmyM does it....must work.

rodl2005 · #3 10-04-2011, 09:37 PM

Ya, I know this

Am wondering if I might need to dampen the upright somehow????

**Freddels** · #4 10-04-2011, 09:53 PM

Don't stand in front of the cab with the upright as you want to avoid feedback.

will33 · #5 10-04-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

Don't stand in front of the cab with the upright as you want to avoid feedback.

+1

I don't know a whole lot about upright pickups but the same applies to killing feedback, input gain lower, shielding, not having the cab/sound output shake the bass body, etc.

I didn't know this until reading through the JGR preamp thread but apparently the svt's pre is pretty clean, it's the power section that adds a lot of the flavor so maybe what I just said is bassackwards.

rodl2005 · #6 10-04-2011, 10:13 PM

Yep, I already know to have the cab pointing away from the upright's body,
I have to do this with the Walkabout, so I suppose it's x10 in this situation

Dr. Love · #7 10-04-2011, 10:14 PM

I had an SVT/8x10 backline provided for an upright gig this summer and I had no issues with an un-dampened bass. If you don't stand "in the line of fire" and you should be fine. Also, remember to just use enough stage volume to hear pitch correctly and let the PA do the heavy lifting.

Gearhead17 · #8 10-04-2011, 10:14 PM

Keep the Fishman EQ around - set it relatively neutral and use it to notch out feedback before doing tone adjustments. It's likely the 810 will be a better rig than the wedge monitors.

Jim Carr · #9 10-04-2011, 10:23 PM

I think the 810 rig will be fine for both, as long as the upright has a separate channel in the FOH/monitors. That means two DI's with a sound check for each. That is absolutely essential, IME.

Don't count on a high stage level from the upright, unless you are using a magnetic pickup on it. If you can do a little experimentation in advance of sound check, you'll find workable stage settings.

rodl2005 · #10 10-04-2011, 10:33 PM

DR LOVE- GOOD point- I HATE using monitors for my sound- unless a major catastrophe - I'll ALWAYS use my rig- or a decent supplied backline. WILL do!

Gearhead17 & Jim Carr - Will do thanx. Will go from the Fishman to the PA - using it as the DI

I wonder if there's much difference in the 2 channels of the VR????? I've not spent sufficient time with one to know this.

Alex1984 · #11 10-05-2011, 01:10 AM

I found channel 2 to be brighter and smoother.

benmoore88 · #12 10-05-2011, 01:49 AM

the 2nd channel doesn't have as much eq control i'm pretty sure. just treble and bass. I always use channel 1 on my VR.

be interested to hear how you go with this tho.
have never plugged my upright through my VR/810 rig.
i have a magnetic pickup for mine however.

rodl2005 · #13 10-05-2011, 03:45 AM

Thanx again for the replies.
I've got a Realist pup, under the bass side bridge foot.
Just wondering if I should shove a piece of foam under the tailpiece, or something similar?

So, at the moment, I'm thinking- D.I. The upright separately & plug that (after the Fishman pre) into channel 2 & have the level on that fairly low.
Plug the P-bass into channel 1 & have as usual.
Sound about right?
Oh, it's an outdoor event too.

oerk · #14 10-05-2011, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Just wondering if I should shove a piece of foam under the tailpiece, or something similar?

This works for me usually. If things get worse, I stuff the f-holes with foam.

rodl2005 · #15 10-05-2011, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oerk

This works for me usually. If things get worse, I stuff the f-holes with foam.

You mean a 'long' sort of piece to 'fill' or block the f-holes? Not-stuff em full type thing?
This'd end up going in the body & end up using about 3 cubic metres of foam

brianrost · #16 10-05-2011, 05:16 AM

I've done a number of festival gigs on upright using a supplied SVT. Not my favorite amp but it works OK.

My bass has foam stuffed under the tailpiece as well as wrapped around the strings below the bridge.

On the SVT I engage the ultra-lo switch and EQ the mids and treble to taste (usually a large cut).

JimmyM · #17 10-05-2011, 07:35 AM

With a Realist, I don't think feedback will be much of an issue provided you're not screaming loud. However, you will almost definitely need a separate EQ, so I'd either bring the Fishman or plug the upright into the second channel of the VR. I've found the Realist to be quite low-endy, so channel 2, which is a brighter and less low-endy channel, would be perfect for it.

rodl2005 · #18 10-05-2011, 01:22 PM

Thanx again! Appreciate all the replies.
I'm looking fwd to it & the last few times we've played at this event, they've had the old Behr. 300w head & 410, so I was gonna take my Walkabout head in a gig bag.
So I'm pleased they've got a decent rig there.
I thought ch. 2 on the VR was a little thinner sounding than ch.1. I might just plug the Fishman into there (ch.2), I can always bypass it if I want & just use the D.I function.
I'll let ya know......

JimmyM · #19 10-06-2011, 12:13 AM

Ya, ch 2 IS a little thinner sounding with knobs straight up nooned. It can easily be EQ'd to whatever you need, though.

rodl2005 · #20 10-06-2011, 04:02 AM

Sounds good!
Now, hopefully, the weather will clear up for Sat.
Do you 'dampen' your upright for this scenario at all Jimmy?
I've got 2 'upright' gigs & one funk/soul gig all this Sat. & once I'm there, I'm there, so, I'm going to have to take a kit bag with a few bits of foam etc with me I think