Rig for double and u-bass

I play my upright through an SWR WorkingPro 12 (200 watt), with a fishman proplat (bass) preamp in front. I haven't run the Ubass through that yet, but I have used it with some of my other amps. It's pretty easy to dial in, and the SWR has a ton of options on it. Good luck.

ducati08 said:

Or should I just consider sansamp for gigs and use an existing guitar amp for practice w/o pa?

Click to expand...

i wouldn't use a guitar amp unless you have a bass cab to use with it. you'll blow most guitar cabs in short order once you put usable volume through them.

I have used my double bass live for Jazz, bluegrass, roots/folk, and blues. Here is what I have done.

For reference, my pickup arrangement is much more minimal that yours, but I find it works well. I use a Gage realist into a Sansamp ParaDI or even at times go direct to a Countryman Type 85, if I am working with one of those engineers who are afraid of pre-amps and insist I only monitor through house monitors.

I'd forget combos. Been there an awful lot. Heavier, bigger package, inflexible configuration, not upgradable except with an extension speaker, etc., etc. I just don't like 'em any more, since I have gone modular.

I generally prefer a good used 210, like an Epifani t-210 or UL1-210 (~$450+), but have been happy with a modest used goliath III, Jr. ($250), and also liked the Aguilar GS112NT ($used??--don't know) I borrowed for a while. Heck, I even was OK with an SWR 1x15 Son of Bertha.

Just don't skimp on quality in the speaker cabinet. BTW, a tweeter is a good thing for upright, especially if you slap (the real kind) as long as you can dial it in or out as you need.

I think a good used 2x10 or 1x12 paired with a used ~350+ watt (into 4 ohms) head with an effects receive are what you want. You can by-pass the built-in preamp.

If you could swing a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 used ($400+), which is what I am currently using paired with a light 210, you would have a killer rig, but a modest SWR 350 (chrome face) should go for about $300, weights ~17 lbs in 2 rack spaces, and has the right features for upright. In the past, I've used mine a lot for upright and electric, often on the same gig.

In sum, I think you can get away with as low as $550 and might be happier with what you get for $800--all with good quality used stuff mind you--not toys. You would also certainly have a rig that is modular, flexible, and expandable.

As I am sure you know, the EQ section on most bass guitar heads is probably not going to work well set "flat" for you with the K&K pre, and that you are likely better off just skipping right to using your pre as an input to the power section of a bass amp via the effects receive.

For your Ubass, a bass guitar amp's EQ will be more friendly, so that should be straight forward, IMHO.

you should be able to find plenty of used gear in the classifieds some items to keep an eye out for:

Any Acoustic image, Euphonic Audio gear - both companies favor acoustic/double bass
Acme cabs - depending on your volume requirements either the 1x10 or 2x10
smaller epi cabs - 1x12, 1x10, 2x10
GK 400RBs and if you get lucky maybe a cheap GK MB150s
old polytone combos - might be and on the low volume side

+1 on the tweeter comments.