Double Bass Wireless

Nathan Bersée;4283668 said:

Anybody ever try using a wireless setup on your DB? I don't even know if it would work...just curious. I thought about this after my gig tonight while I was getting "cable rage" trying to wrap up an unruly cable.

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Thats a big expensive and unruly can of worms all it's own that makes a tangled cable seem simple. If you don't need a wireless for any other reason than the one you mentioned don't go there. Buy a brand new Planet Waves 20' cable and be happy.

Nathan Bersée;4284936 said:

Thanks for the reply, Phil...but what is it that makes it a big, unruly can of worms?

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Many things. First of all you have to spend a bunch to get one that has enough signal rejection to not get messed up by wireless internet, wireless landline phones, other wireless stuff etc. Most pro's are using high end Sure stuff that you'll have $1000 in.

When you do that you still have piezo matching issues. You'll need some kind of preamp before the wireless so it loads the pickup properly prior to the wireless. If you choose some lesser wireless model you have to find a wireless that sounds good enough on your bass, carries the low end well without changing the sound to much etc.

It's doable for sure but you'll spend lots of time and money on stuff that doesn't work quite right before you find the magic combination for your bass.

My rule of thumb for wireless is that if you are closer than 25' from whatever you are plugged into you are better off with a cable. If you are a large touring act or doing some quick change stuff that requires everyone in the act to be wireless that's different.

If you are playing in 1500 seat or less clubs like me a cable is the way to go.

I have done this. Used my Samson airline about 2 months ago.
Went through a Fishman Pro-platinum eq through my amp and xlr to the house. There were no issues, got nothing but compliments about the sound. Just lucky maybe.

grayhawk1853 said:

I have done this. Used my Samson airline about 2 months ago.
Went through a Fishman Pro-platinum eq through my amp and xlr to the house. There were no issues, got nothing but compliments about the sound. Just lucky maybe.

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There's always an exception. YMMV etc.

i was thinking about trying out the samson airline myself. i assume you have the one made specifically for bass? have you tried that with a double bass? i double on upright and fretless electric, and i was wondering how that would sound? i have heard horror stories but it's good to hear some positive response.

I have used this for almost two years with both my upright and my fretless electrics. We have a great sound system and a great soundman. I am using the one made for bass. I bought it because of space issues on stage so that I wouldn't have to step on cables and I highly recommend it.

thanks for the info man. i'm definitely going to try it out.

I have used one in the past. It was a Carvin unit intended for guitar. I'm sure the input impedance did not match my Full Circle, but it didn't sound bad. The problem I had with it was that every time the compresser fired up at the gas station next door, I got all kinds of noise thru it. I also picked up noise from various other unknown sources. I lost it last year when some a$$hole stole my gigbag with it in it and about $600 worth of cables mics, tuners, etc. I hope the jerk has more trouble with it than I did.