Combo amps suitable for both double and electric bass

cmargent · #1 10-17-2010, 10:53 PM

Currently searching the market for a combo amp suitable for both my double and electric bass, something not too big but with decent wattage.
Any suggestion or if anyone has found a great solution to this dilemma please let me know.
Cheers

RedLeg · #2 10-17-2010, 10:59 PM

PJB suitcase.
SWReng baby blue
Polytone minibrute
SWReng bassic black
in that order is my preference

Shakin-Slim · #3 10-17-2010, 11:05 PM

I can't be sure but I've heard those baby blue's are pretty useless.
Genz Benz shuttle?

elgecko · #4 10-17-2010, 11:09 PM

Markbass CMD121P works wells for my EUB and electric. It's compact, light, powerful, and has 1/4" and XLR inputs.

tombowlus · #5 10-18-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shakin-Slim

I can't be sure but I've heard those baby blue's are pretty useless.

Not IME. In fact, I like my old BBII very much with both electric and upright bass. The new Spellbinder Blue is also worth checking out, IMHO.

Quote:

Genz Benz shuttle?

I have had good luck using my Shuttle 6.0/12 combo (with and without the extension 1x12) on both electric and upright gigs. IME/IMHO, that is the sweetheart of the Shuttle combo lineup.

RedLeg mentioned the Phil Jones Bass Suitcase, which is indeed a fine option. I am quite fond of the Flightcase and Super Flightcase combos, as well. Phil now makes a powered Neo-Power 6B, called the PB-300, which is made to pair up with one of Phil's combos to provide more power when you need it. I would think that a PB-300 combined with a BG-150 would be a pretty flexible setup.

Tom.

RedLeg · #6 10-18-2010, 08:36 AM

that PJB PB300 is zuper zexy. Darn you tombowlus, I was savin up for a used suitcase, and you tempt me with that new hotness!

and I loved my Bassic Black back in the day. It was the bassic or the baby at the time, I went 1x15. I can kick myself for lettin her go.

tombowlus · #7 10-18-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedLeg

that PJB PB300 is zuper zexy. Darn you tombowlus, I was savin up for a used suitcase, and you tempt me with that new hotness!

Sorry!

dkziemann · #8 10-18-2010, 08:51 AM

I'm sure some people will disagree with me, but if you're looking for an amp that works for both instruments, you should probably go for an amp that's more suited for the upright bass. Upright bass through a lot of amps designed for electric bass sound pretty bad IMO. You can always adjust the eq on a bass guitar, but there's no knobs on an upright bass.

I've tried two different amps which produced both well. An Ampeg B15 is obviously great for electric and also sounds great for upright bass. Acoustic Image amps don't sound bad either for electric-- I know some guys from my town that use them regularly with great success. I don't personally like GK amps for upright. I think they sound way too colored.

Ric Vice · #9 10-18-2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmargent

Currently searching the market for a combo amp suitable for both my double and electric bass, something not too big but with decent wattage.
Any suggestion or if anyone has found a great solution to this dilemma please let me know.
Cheers

Cmargent,
It's a little tricky because most amps work better with either Double Bass or Electric Bass. First and formost though, is that it's really ideal to have a two channel amplifier so you can EQ the instruments differently, unless you want to buy a separate pre amp and stick it in the effects loop. Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio and Mark Acoustic all make two channel amps. When it comes to single channel units ,I think that the Phil Jones Superflight Case is great but you would have to purchase an additional preamp to use both instruments.

Ric

dkziemann · #10 10-18-2010, 01:00 PM

Just noticed you said combo amp. I think Acoustic Image is the way to go for that-- it's light, works for both instruments, and puts out a lot of sound (with the option of an extension cabinet too). I've tried Euphonic Audio and haven't been too much of a fan. Just my two cents.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #11 10-18-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkziemann

I'm sure some people will disagree with me, but if you're looking for an amp that works for both instruments, you should probably go for an amp that's more suited for the upright bass. Upright bass through a lot of amps designed for electric bass sound pretty bad IMO. You can always adjust the eq on a bass guitar, but there's no knobs on an upright bass.

I agree with you to a point but it has been my experience that a good sounding bass is the most important factor in getting a good amplified tone. A modest plywood or hybrid bass through an Acoustic Image amp may not sound as good as a great sounding old bass through an 'electric' bass amp.
Garbage in, garbage out.

Provided the input impedence is high enough and the EQ flexible, a GK, Markbass or Eden amp (others too) can work very well. FWIW, I have owned two late generation AI heads and found them to be transparent and very natural but lacking in effective EQ and ba**s.

To the OP: Please tell us a bit more about your current setup so we can best advise you.

Jaromir · #12 10-18-2010, 02:31 PM

In my opinion GK or Markbass are safe choices for both instruments.
Acoustic Image is matter of personal taste, more than the other amps, I think.
I'm personally not very excited about the AI sound for DB, many people love it though.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #13 10-18-2010, 02:40 PM

I got much better results with the modest LMII than either of the AI heads. Now, the little GK 150 combo is working very well. Sure, it's just a tad 'electric' but the EQ allows me to dial in nice tone in a variety of situations. Fdeck's HPF pre is essential in warming it up. I just picked up a 400RB that sounds nice at home and will be gigged this weekend.
TEHO, YMMV, etc, etc..

Tampabass · #14 10-18-2010, 02:42 PM

I've had good experiences using double bass AND electric with the Baby Blue and, recently, GK MB-210, although I've now gone back to separate amp (LM II) and cab (Epi UL-112). That set-up is working great for both my century-old carved upright and my Lakland 5502 & 4402.

I loved my old Minibrute for upright, but I never thought it made a good match with my electrics.

fleabee · #15 10-18-2010, 02:45 PM

PJB Suitcase w/extension -highly recommended

dkziemann · #16 10-18-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

I agree with you to a point but it has been my experience that a good sounding bass is the most important factor in getting a good amplified tone. A modest plywood or hybrid bass through an Acoustic Image amp may not sound as good as a great sounding old bass through an 'electric' bass amp.
Garbage in, garbage out.

Provided the input impedence is high enough and the EQ flexible, a GK, Markbass or Eden amp (others too) can work very well. FWIW, I have owned two late generation AI heads and found them to be transparent and very natural but lacking in effective EQ and ba**s.

To the OP: Please tell us a bit more about your current setup so we can best advise you.

Totally understand your point. However, I believe that if the poster is looking for a two-in-one solution, they don't have an incredibly expensive bass. Otherwise, they'd probably have a dedicated setup for both.

With that said, Eden amps are great, but incredibly expensive. Only reason I said AI is because it offers an affordable solution in combo form. It is transparent, which can be a good thing. For me personally, I would rather have a transparent amp to run both instruments through. Especially because the two instruments are so different tonally, a neutral amp wouldn't favor one instrument over the other. (Okay, that sounds like a very convoluted way of getting my point across, but my brain is fried right now and I'm not sure how else to put it).

I still haven't had good luck with GK-- I feel like the tone is very empty in the combo amps and does not support an upright well. Electric bass is a different story, but we're looking for a solution for both instruments.

To the original poster-- Both view points are completely valid. Just because Clink doesn't like AI and I don't like GK doesn't make them bad amps. I'd be happy to talk to you further with my amp experiences in a PM if you'd like.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #17 10-18-2010, 04:56 PM

[quote=dkziemann;9863044]Totally understand your point. However, I believe that if the poster is looking for a two-in-one solution, they don't have an incredibly expensive bass. Otherwise, they'd probably have a dedicated setup for both.

QUOTE]

Not to belabor the point, but that is your assumption. The OP may be doing jazz trio, big band, country, bluegrass, whatever or any combination thereof. He may want a small combo for convenience and portability or a 210 or 410 for both convenience and more volume. He may have a Palatino

or old Italian bass. We simply don't know.

OP, please fill out your profile and/or give us more information.

FWIW again, there are some world class players using 'acoustic' amps and 'electric' amps successfully. The first step is hearing 'your sound' and the second, third, fourth, etc are choosing the tools to get there.

There are threads here almost daily:

-What's the best amp?
-What strings should I get?
-What's the best________?

This usually turns into a popularity contest or 'my stuff's better than yer stuff' event. That doesn't adequately serve the person who came here looking for information, in my opinion.

OP, people truly want to help you here so please give us more to go on. Also, read this to see the pros and cons of different approaches to amplification:AMPS & PICKUPS Links and FAQ: Please read before posting ("Newbie Links")

Sorry for not thinking to send you there earlier. Knowledge is power.

Done. Peace, brotherhood, yada, yada, yada

Greg Clinkingbeard · #18 10-18-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkziemann

Just noticed you said combo amp. I think Acoustic Image is the way to go for that-- it's light, works for both instruments, and puts out a lot of sound (with the option of an extension cabinet too). I've tried Euphonic Audio and haven't been too much of a fan. Just my two cents.

*OFF MARKET* FS: Acoustic Image Series III Contra *NEW PRICE*

jrlynch · #19 10-18-2010, 07:15 PM

i gotta say the genz shuttle 3.0 10t works very well as a double bass amp, and sound amazing on slab when adding the extension cabinet. all lightweight, clean and loud.

not the cheapest date, but ... it works.

jeff.

dkziemann · #20 10-18-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

*OFF MARKET* FS: Acoustic Image Series III Contra *NEW PRICE*

Knew someone was going to bring it up. I still think the AI is a much better amp for doubling than the other amps anyways, regardless of whether I'm selling mine or not. I'm selling it because I don't need the portability, not that I need to defend myself anyways here.