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Double Bass Acoustic Bass Amps Now?
- Thread starter lefty
- Start date
Not only Acoustic Image, but also Euphonic Audio is no more. Those were the two solid contenders over the last 15 years or so.
It feels like it is Gensler and GR Bass now, but I could be wrong.
It feels like it is Gensler and GR Bass now, but I could be wrong.
There are lot's of amps that will work fine with upright bass as long as you only need one preamp channel and you are not doubling. I have an old GK 700RB/112 combo. It sounds better with upright than bass guitar. I used a 700RB/112 to rehearse with concert band and big band...sounded good with pizz or the bow.
For touring I needed three channels because I switched between bass guitar, electric upright, and acoustic upright with a pickup. So my touring rig was a rack mixer pushing a power amp. This worked well, but of course it was big and heavy, which was fine because we loaded everything into a cargo truck with a lift gate.
If I were not doubling and wanted relatively a light option, I would consider the Genzler MG350 combo. This rig can be expanded to push three cabs if you need more volume.
If you need a two channel solution with a mic input, take a look at the Genzler Bass Acoustic Array, exclusively from Gollihur.
There are also some nice preamps you could run in front of whatever amp you like. For two channels, the Headway EDB-2 H.E. is a good option. If you have deep pockets, take a look at the Grace Felix2.
For touring I needed three channels because I switched between bass guitar, electric upright, and acoustic upright with a pickup. So my touring rig was a rack mixer pushing a power amp. This worked well, but of course it was big and heavy, which was fine because we loaded everything into a cargo truck with a lift gate.
If I were not doubling and wanted relatively a light option, I would consider the Genzler MG350 combo. This rig can be expanded to push three cabs if you need more volume.
If you need a two channel solution with a mic input, take a look at the Genzler Bass Acoustic Array, exclusively from Gollihur.
There are also some nice preamps you could run in front of whatever amp you like. For two channels, the Headway EDB-2 H.E. is a good option. If you have deep pockets, take a look at the Grace Felix2.
For many DB players, the move has been to a single channel amplifier, with a DB friendly preamp. That's not to say that players don't just buy single channel amps (they certainly do). If you're
only using a pickup, there are lots of amps that work for DB. Adding a preamp like the Headway EDB-2 H.E just gives you more flexibility to control feedback, use a microphone, tailor your EQ
more selectively. Your Claris can be easily repaired should issues arise. Just my take of course. The European amp builders have more offerings like AER, Zadow, et. al. While they are great amps
getting them repaired stateside can sometimes be problematic.
only using a pickup, there are lots of amps that work for DB. Adding a preamp like the Headway EDB-2 H.E just gives you more flexibility to control feedback, use a microphone, tailor your EQ
more selectively. Your Claris can be easily repaired should issues arise. Just my take of course. The European amp builders have more offerings like AER, Zadow, et. al. While they are great amps
getting them repaired stateside can sometimes be problematic.
There’s also the Fuchs FBS-1, Andy Fuchs’ reimagining of the Walter Woods amps, also available at Gollihur.
For people on a very tight budget, I have recommended the MXR M81 plugged into any bass amp’s Effects Return jack, bypassing the preamp controls on the amp. The MXR, while not quite as transparent as Acoustic Image, Walter Woods, or Euphonic Audio, is a great, under-$200 preamp for upright bass.
Of course, there are better preamps out there, but they are much more expensive.
For people on a very tight budget, I have recommended the MXR M81 plugged into any bass amp’s Effects Return jack, bypassing the preamp controls on the amp. The MXR, while not quite as transparent as Acoustic Image, Walter Woods, or Euphonic Audio, is a great, under-$200 preamp for upright bass.
Of course, there are better preamps out there, but they are much more expensive.
I'm using this new school/old school thumper for upright...
That Zadow amp is definitely inspired by the AI combos, eh?
Inspiration noted that's for sure, but from the past. It looks like the original contra.
I played a bunch of gigs last year with a Raezer's Edge Luna 700 that worked great. Simple & US made.
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
- 2,445
- 4,403
- Disclosures
- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
I own three Fender Rumbles and an Aguilar TH350, but the amp that comes with me now is a little Markbass 801 combo. The thing has no EQ -- only a filter for mids -- but it has all the guts and tone I need for the gigs I play, and it weighs only 14 pounds. I often use a preamp with it (and go from the preamp to FOH), but even when I don't, it sounds just fine. I'm actually surprised to see myself typing these words, but it's my new reality and I'm loving it.
I was using a Time Traveler for some time and it's a really fine amp....but at one point I've missed the possibility to use micros due to the lack of phantom power..
but if you're happy with one channel without phantom power, I would also go for a Time Traveler..
I was using a Time Traveler for some time and it's a really fine amp....but at one point I've missed the possibility to use micros due to the lack of phantom power..
So far, I’m very impressed with it. Just need to lift some weights. It’s a tad heavier than what I’m used to. Us millennials have been spoiled by lightweight class D amps.
I have a TC Electronic Bam200 and a Warwick Gnome I Pro. Both are inexpensive, very small (tiny!) have good power, and sound great with upright. Both have 10M ohm inputs. The Bam is a bit volume limited but the Gnome with a decently efficient cab is easily loud enough to cover 'loud jazz' gigs.
I took a different route and adapted an electric bass oriented head, (now discontinued) GK MB200. The main difference for my playing is that the head has a non-flat preamp voicing, which sounds great for electric but is too bottom heavy for upright. In my case, I figured out the flattest settings of the EQ knobs, and use them as the starting point. But I think one could make a good educated guess and set the knobs by ear too. Just dial down the bass EQ until you get a well behaved tone.
