4 string acoustic bass-guitar players: What are you using for amplification?

Budget?

Usual suspects that I've actually tried, alphabetically: Acme, Acoustic Image, AccuGroove, Audiokinesis, Euphonic Audio, and Greenboy Audio, for starters. Not all of those will be smaller than what you have now though, and not all are combo format.

 

Isn't there a Fender with 2x8s?

 

Think full range and clean. A preamp and powered PA Speaker would be one thought.
Passinwind had other good choices.

 

I can think of lots more, but it depends a lot on what the band lineup is and what size venues will be in play.

 

I use the same gear I use for my other basses. Sounds fine to me.

Disclosure: my ABG is a Rick Turner RB4FL which, BTW, would look perfect for your Gypsy jazz band! Too bad you already got the Martin, not that it is a bad bass, just doesn't have that Selmer kind of look, not to mention the Rick Turner is easy as cake (2010: The Year We Make Contact reference -great film!!!) to amplify.

 

All I want to add is that Ernie Ball Earthwood Phosphor Bronze strings doubled my volume acoustically.

 

Too clean of a rig and your ABG can sound sterile in the mix. You want an upright type sound you need the possibility of some coloration.

DR phosphor bronze are the least brash tuneful strings I've found.

You may find that Tape Wound strings give you the most authentic tone.

Often the built in pre exacerbates all the wrong frequencies. I'd bypass the pre install a pair they come as a pair, K & K pickups just substitute the end pin jack leave everything else wired up, plug in and you have the wood sound of your bass. The Fishman piezo thing can sound like the bridge alone. Then adding and subtracting eq on a meh sound isn't great. Notice that in many Ü tube videos their are one if not two studio mics.

You are asking an ABG to sound like an upright. For many that's a stretch. My experience with ABGs showed me that ones with solid woods not laminations sound the best. Some makers have accomplished a beautiful thing, but it sounds like a great ABG.

You are going to have feedback issues if their is any volume above coffee house level. My recommendation is blunt. Get an upright or the Turner is a very good idea. It's tone comes from it's body without any feedback issues. You need a strong nearly solid instrument, or chambered, to use the strings that can deliver the tone you want at volume.

The reissue Washburns with the volume, treble and bass knobs and the slanted sound hole could be a good choice. Since the originals are hard to find this might be a good choice. The AB-40. The originals were designed to be played in amplified situations.

In all this I'm assuming you're gigging with horns, PA etc. One look at that floor monitor and that round sound holed ABG will start a howling. The frequencies you need to play bass will bring on the feedback. This is why Leo and others invented the EB. If it wasn't about image I'd tell you to get a Fender '51 reissue P, slap some flats on it or even with rounds, play with the side of your index finger and you will be shocked. Leo knew what he was doing! It sounds like an upright. There are several bassists on this forum who know and do this.

Basses like the Turner, Washburn etc. sound great through regular bass rigs.

 

I have the Martin and I love it you notice the quality as soon as you open the case. It actually sounds good with anything I use the BBE Acoustimax it really helps with feedback it also has a great DI and effects loop.

 

So many unknowns. If it's new school Gypsy he may want that tic-tac slappy thing rather than a trad thumpy AUB tone, which an ABG might be really cool for.

 

I have also had great luck with these and as much as I love the Turners it didn't have the sound I was looking for.

 

I found that my Ebay-acquired Aphex bass Exciter really helped me to bottom out the tone and negate the piezo clickiness of my Thunderchief. Also, I'd look at what strings to put on and if it is Djangostyle gypsy music, I'd probably pit on my old tapewounds.

 

DPA 4099 (with appropriate mount), and Acoustic Image Ten2

 

I like the sound I get from Laney with acoustic bass. It's clean and gives a tight, boomy tone.

Now, having said that, one thing I would also suggest is stringing the bass itself with either flats or nylons (think Pyramid Gold, or RS Tru Bass 88, respectively), rather than traditional phosphor bronze. They both give an amazing tone when strung on an acoustic.

 

The RMI Basswitch IQ DI is new on the scene and probably worth investigating - http://lehle.com/EN/RMI-Basswitch-IQ-DI

 

If you want it to sound like an upright consider a U-Bass

 

I use a MarkBass MiniMark 2x8 with my Citron AE Swallow.

 

I am surprised no one has offered the Gallien-Krueger MB150S-112III 150W MicroBass Combo Amp. A lot of upright players use it, it is extremely small and light, and has a good powerful punch.

 

I have an older Washburn AB20 with the slanted sound hole. They are feedback prone also.