Double Bass Acoustic Guitar/Instrument amp for DB

[Jazist]

Hi there!

I'm still looking for some compact, light and powerful amp for affordable price. Finding something like that is of cause extremely difficult. I started to check out some acoustic guitar and keyboard amps on various online music stores and there is a big variety of them. As I noticed, these amps are a bit chipper than the bass ones, they weight less and often offer you an XLR input (for a mic). So I have couple of questions now:
1. Can such amps be used with a DB?
2. If it's written that the amp has 100+ Watt power does it mean that its loud enough to be used on a small/medium gigs and not only for home practicing?
3. Does the speaker size important/affects for providing "fat" & "bassy" sound? Or with modern technology the size is no more important?

Will appreciate your replies.

Paul

 

[Ric Vice]

Hi there!

I'm still looking for some compact, light and powerful amp for affordable price. So I have couple of questions now:

1. Can such amps be used with a DB?

Paul, You could probably use one, but since it's not designed for bass it will most likely not have the low end response you need and the pre amp voicing will be set for guitar or keyboard.

2. If it's written that the amp has 100+ Watt power does it mean that its loud enough to be used on a small/medium gigs and not only for home practicing?

There was a time that 100 watts was a incredible amount of power, since a Ampeg B15 was only a 25 watt amplifier and sounded very good. In today's word 100 watts is the at the low end of things.

3. Does the speaker size important/affects for providing "fat" & "bassy" sound? Or with modern technology the size is no more important?

Modern technology has developed 10" and 12" speakers that have very good bass response and are used regularly in bass amplifiers. Gallien Krueger has a new MB series of combos and the MB12 is $299.00 and has a 200 watt output. It has a 1 megohm input impedance, good for DB pickups and the amp is also avaliable in a 500 watt version with a 115, 210, or 212. They do not have mic inputs but that's why there less expensive. They also have the new MB2 200 watt head for $299.00 it's gotten good reviews here on Talkbass.

Ric

 

[Jazist]

Ric, thanks for your fast reply! Yeah, nice amps, but probably too big for being transported by bus together with DB...
About 100W amps. Actually the one I found yesterday is 350W Acoustic guitar/instrument amp with 10' speaker from Ashdown (Radiator 3 or AAR3). Unfortunately they don't sell this amps in my local shops, can only risk and order online... Really confused...

 

[Ric Vice]

Ric, thanks for your fast reply! Yeah, nice amps, but probably too big for being transported by bus together with DB...
About 100W amps. Actually the one I found yesterday is 350W Acoustic guitar/instrument amp with 10' speaker from Ashdown (Radiator 3 or AAR3). Unfortunately they don't sell this amps in my local shops, can only risk and order online... Really confused...

The smallest, lightest amp that we have here in the states is the GK MBS, but they are more expensive than the new GK Microbass line. If you're going to go light then I'd go with either a used GK MBS or a new GK MB 200 (really tiny) and borrow, build or buy a small cabinet to go with it.

 

[Nagrom]

AER makes some beautiful little amps. I demo'd a 'Compact 60' when I shopped for my PJB superflightcase, and was very tempted by it. Or course its' not really a DB amp, but sounded really good with an Eminence EUB-maybe better, or nearly as good, as the 300w PJB. The AER DB amps, which I've never tried, were a lot more $$ and they only had the acoustic amp. I believe they are German as well, worth checking out in a sea of choices.

 

[Jazist]

The smallest, lightest amp that we have here in the states is the GK MBS, but they are more expensive than the new GK Microbass line. If you're going to go light then I'd go with either a used GK MBS or a new GK MB 200 (really tiny) and borrow, build or buy a small cabinet to go with it.

Ric, I generally don't want to buy separated top and cabinet, at least not yet. Carrying DB, top AND cabinet by bus at the same time is not very comfortable. I definitely want some combo. Today I was in some local music shop and saw the new Ibanez Promethean P5110 and really loved it! I think I’ll try this one. It is 250W, compact, light and comes with a carrying bag. I could always return it (during 30 days) if I don’t like it, isn’t it? 

 

[Jazist]

AER makes some beautiful little amps. I demo'd a 'Compact 60' when I shopped for my PJB superflightcase, and was very tempted by it. Or course its' not really a DB amp, but sounded really good with an Eminence EUB-maybe better, or nearly as good, as the 300w PJB. The AER DB amps, which I've never tried, were a lot more $$ and they only had the acoustic amp. I believe they are German as well, worth checking out in a sea of choices.

Hi Nagrom! Yeah, my guitarist has the AER amp, it’s great for guitar, provides natural and clean sound. Unfortunately their bass amps are very expensive…

 

[Rvl]

I have the AER Compact/Bingo for mandolin and it sounds good on bass
But I wouldnt play it live , not enough volume , the bass is ok
But with other guitar amps I have tried the speakers tend to distort when I play a Low E

I have and use an EuphonicAudio Micro with a GK MB 112 and so far this is my compact rig

Light ,compact and loud usually equals $$$$$$$

Here are some of my amps
http://www.pbase.com/rvl/amps
My most often used is so easy to carry with the suitcase

 

[pickerpete]

Not a guitar amp but...due to being in somewhat straightened circumstances I've been using a Fender Rumble 60 with my upright and Fishman Full Circle. It is a combo amp.
To my utter astonishment, the dogone thing sounds pretty decent. Nice warm tone-perfect for older style big band. Probaby not a great choice for modern jazz in a small group setting but I'd even go with it there for the next couple of months if I had to. Weighs about 13 kilos and loud enough to cut through the big band without distorting. You can get one used for about $150 USD. They made millions of those things back in the day and there are plenty around.

 

[Jazist]

Hey guys! Thanks for your support! Yesterday i've ordered the new Ibanez Promethean P5110. Probably the best solution for my needs!

 

[pickerpete]

Good luck. Let us know how it works out.