Double Bass Amp. & Cab upgrade?

[gypsydjango]

I use a GK MB150S combo--have done for many years--great amp. Am I correct in thinking that if I used two separates (Amp. head and a 15" speaker/cab.) I would get a more 'fatter' sound? The style I play is jazz.
Is there a difference between Bass Guitar amplification & amplification for D/B?---difference circuits used?
What amplification do you use?--and have you used anything that you did not like?
Your expertise appreciated.

 

[Ric Vice]

I use a GK MB150S combo--have done for many years--great amp. Am I correct in thinking that if I used two separates (Amp. head and a 15" speaker/cab.) I would get a more 'fatter' sound? The style I play is jazz.
Is there a difference between Bass Guitar amplification & amplification for D/B?---difference circuits used?
What amplification do you use?--and have you used anything that you did not like?
Your expertise appreciated.

Mike,
There are certainly amplifiers that have Double Bass specific controls. Like Lo Cut Filters, Phase Reverse, and Phantom Power. Neither of my amps has any of those. FDecks HPF/Pre Amp has all of those things, except Phantom Power and only costs $70.00. Even with that, your GK has a 1 meg ohm input anyway. If you have the cash and want better coverage than the GK provides take a look at the Aguillar Tone Hammer, Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio Doubler, or Gentz Benz Shuttle. the MBS is a perfectly good amp and it's very portable. A good 10, 12, or even 8 inch speaker can be just as "fat"as. 15" in the correct enclosure.

Ric

 

[StraightSix]

Have you considered adding a 115 extension cab to use with your existing combo...?

 

[SAlcott]

Gk makes an extension cab for that amp. That's your best bet.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

FDecks HPF-Pre does not have phantom power and for what it was build doesn't need it.

It might be nice to have a second channel with phantom power for a microphone if it could be mixed with the first high impedance input a la HPF-Pre.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

The MB150S is a nice amp for either electric or DB but it is a midrange focused amp that doesn't have as much of a full range tone as some other amps. However, the EQ is pretty effective. I've been using an older Clarus with an Acme B1 cabinet and feel I get a meatier tone from that. String choice, pickup and technique probably have more to do with it than amp choice.

 

[gypsydjango]

Many thanks everybody for your replies.
Mike

 

[wneff]

I like my Euphonic Audio doubler, sometimes you can pick one up used - I used to have the GK200MB and the doubler and 12" Wizzy are a big upgrade, with the NL210 its really awesome

 

[TroyK]

I played with extension cabs for the MB150 for a few year with very little success. The metal 1x12 MBE that they make specifically for that pupose works very well. Suprisingly, I once had access to an SWR 2x10 Goliath jr. or something than worked great with it.

Some really good extension cabs (Aguliar, Eden, others) just didn't phase with it well.

Don't assume that a bigger speaker or cabinet would make it sound better. It's way more complicated than that.

As for different rigs altogether, sure there are lots of choices these days. Depends on your budget, your eye for a deal and your needs.