What do i need to start playing with an amp?

[fivaras]

I got a cheap double bass from thomann a few months ago and i feel i just need to try playing with an amp. People have told me that a cheap DB would sound pretty cool with the right pickup and amp. Is that right? And what do i need to to buy? Do i need a preamp or a pickup and an amplifier would get the job done and what models do you suggest? Moreover, i play jazz DB too, would the pickup affect my jazz tone? (too many questions, i know!!) Thank you all for your attention.

[tomshepp]

You have lots of choices regarding pickups. In general, DB will require a smaller amp/speaker than most BG situations. Check the stickies in the other forums.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

As tomshepp said, there's a lot of choices out there.

The general dislike for CCB's here at TB does unfortunately mean that a specific "that worked for me" answer is a rare possibility.

If I was on the market for a factory made pickup, I'd start from the cheapo 30mm "buttons" You stick onto the top or onto the bridge. Those worked surprisingly well for the bass player in the acoustic band I played back in the day. The next choice would be the "pads under the feet" models.

I'm a firm believer of You can't polish a turd philosophy, so in the beginning of Your quest for an amplified DB, I'd stay away from the more expensive mic systems there's out there.

Regards
Sam

[fivaras]

Thank you for the advice guys..

[Feral Feline]

Read.

Read a lot.

Read as much as you can.


Read from this site, Double Bass Chat, The Art of Slap Bass and other bass sites.
Read the manufacturers' sites. Read what the jazzers use and read what the psychobillies use.
Read what the bluegrassers use, read what people in other genres are using, even read what bass guitarists use.

While reading, answer questions such as:
What kind of music will I be playing with this gear?
What do I need? What do I want? What can I afford, new or used?

Take your time with it;
Wait for the right deals to come along;
This way you will get what you want, need and can afford for the type of music you're playing.

At least that's what I did. I decided on and bought a pickup (alas, not on sale).
Then I bought the preamp/DI I thought was right for me (on sale). I gigged with venues' amps &/or PA support.
It took a long time to find the amp I was after, but well worth the wait as I got it at nearly half price! For now, it matches all my needs.