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Double Bass amp & cabinet suggestions

Saxomafone

Saxomafone

Jun 20, 2008
31
5
Las Vegas
#1
I work a few shows a year on the road with an Elvis Tribute artist. I expressed my displeasure with a Behringer amp that I had to use last year at one show.

So my Elvis guy says, "Well get me a list of a few specific models that you think are good, and I'll put them in the contract."

So I need a decent amp and cabinet that can give me enough bottom without being boomy on stage and it also needs to amplify an upright. The upright I usually get is a pretty cheap import so it needs some amplification on stage and through the house. I play most of the show on electric bass; when I use the upright, it's for a sit down, acoustic type set in the middle of the show. So I play lots of slap and simple root-5th bass lines, with my limited ability on upright.

So what do you guys recommend I have him put in the contract for backline rental? Any pickups for the upright that you recommend are appreciated as well. And if you have any suggestions for eq and such, that would be great too! Thanks.
 
#2
One problem is that most of the amps favored by DB players tend to be relatively specialized, hence it will be hard for someone to find one in a smaller town. Instead, it might be worth thinking about some "survival tools" that one could easily throw into your suitcase, to help you contend with the amps that you end up playing. I am thinking of something like the EA Micro300 head, which has a piezo-friendly input, and flat response. Then you could give a longer list of acceptable compact speakers, e.g., 2x10 or 1x12, and probably be in pretty good shape.
 
#3
As for a pickup, you'd better get something that can be very easily installed and removed.

I was thinking of the Underwood, K&K Bass Max and Upton RS, but that may not fit well depending on the bass bridge wing shape and distance to the bridge leg.

The Fishman BP100 is less dependant of the bridge characteristics.
It may also sound less good.

The Barcus-Berry #3150 pickup is very easy to put on and off and would provide a fatter tone with less string noise.

I'm attaching a small picture which shows the cello (3125) and bass (3150) models and how they fit on a bridge. (they have two nylon screws)

You can use another preamp than the Barcus-Berry.
The Fishman or, even better, Fdeck's HPFpre are nice alternatives.

You may be able to find one for cheap on some Classifieds.
(I may be willing to sell mine too, as I have maybe five pickups)
 

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#4
Saxomafone said:
So what do you guys recommend I have him put in the contract for backline rental? Any pickups for the upright that you recommend are appreciated as well. And if you have any suggestions for eq and such, that would be great too! Thanks.
Click to expand...


Saxomaphone
I think that regardless of the bass, pickup, and amp you should have one of FDecks HPF Buffer/Pre amps to match the amp to the pickup. I think that most rental folks can usually get their hands on GK Amps so that might be the kind of amp to put in the contract. Most of the GK's work just fine for what you are going for.
The Barcus Berry that Francois reccommended is easy to get on and off the bass, so I'd go with that as well, because a Realist isn't as ideal for easy removal ( You have to losen the all the strings) and the Full Circle would be tricky as well. Even the Fishman BP-100 requires a bridge that's been well carved. Those clips don't take kindly to a thick brigde.

Ric
 
#5
+1

Ric Vice said:
Saxomaphone
I think that regardless of the bass, pickup, and amp you should have one of FDecks HPF Buffer/Pre amps to match the amp to the pickup. I think that most rental folks can usually get their hands on GK Amps so that might be the kind of amp to put in the contract. Most of the GK's work just fine for what you are going for.
The Barcus Berry that Francois reccommended is easy to get on and off the bass, so I'd go with that as well, because a Realist isn't as ideal for easy removal ( You have to losen the all the strings) and the Full Circle would be tricky as well. Even the Fishman BP-100 requires a bridge that's been well carved. Those clips don't take kindly to a thick brigde.

Ric
Click to expand...
 
#6
For pickups, I tend to favor Underwood for stage shows, but they're not practical for using on different basses due to a specific spacing needed in the bridge wing. I've heard guys like the K&K Rockabilly for stuff that you do, but I don't know how it mounts. The Realist, Fishman Bp100, and Barcus would be likely choices for quickie on/off for any given bass. But different basses like different pickups, so you might need to get a collection to take along with you.

I like to use the Dtar Solstice for a mixer/blender for doubling into whatever amp you want for the show. The old GK800/Hartke410 combo is a good dry-sounding stage rig that works well for both. Also, SWR rigs are good if you like more stage presence in your sound. Most backline co.s will have either. good luck.

Ike
 
#9
Ike Harris said:
For pickups, I tend to favor Underwood for stage shows, but they're not practical for using on different basses due to a specific spacing needed in the bridge wing. I've heard guys like the K&K Rockabilly for stuff that you do, but I don't know how it mounts. The Realist, Fishman Bp100, and Barcus would be likely choices for quickie on/off for any given bass. But different basses like different pickups, so you might need to get a collection to take along with you.

I like to use the Dtar Solstice for a mixer/blender for doubling into whatever amp you want for the show. The old GK800/Hartke410 combo is a good dry-sounding stage rig that works well for both. Also, SWR rigs are good if you like more stage presence in your sound. Most backline co.s will have either. good luck.

Ike
Click to expand...

When I'm on the road w/ a rented bass I always take along a K&K Bass Maxx as well as a Fishman BP-100. With the Bass Maxx some alto sax reeds will work well to shim it into the bridge wing slot when the slot is too big. Make the fit lightly snug, but not too tight. If the slot is too small I'll resort to using a BP-100 and usually I'll clip it to the underside of the bridge which works better 'cause it's flatter. I'll also take along a 2-channel blender/preamp for BG/DB doubling like the Dtar Solstice Ike mentioned. I use an old Raven Labs (outta business now) 2 ch pre or sometimes it's just as easy to bring along my Acoustic Image Focus 2R III amp head which gives me everything in terms of 2 ch, pre-amp w/ correct impedance, tons of power and useful low pass filter for pesky low end rumble and feedback issues. All in one 4.5 lb. box! Then I just plug that into any quality bass cab that they have as backline and I always have my 'sound' w/ me in a light weight shoulder bag. Not cheap though, about $1400.
As for cabs I find the ubiquitous GK and/or Hartke or SWR 4x10 set ups that sound companies all seem to favor, really not that great fo DB. I've had better luck w/ Mesa Boogie 15's a better choice if they have one. Or something w/ a 1x12 or 2x12. Once I got a Eden David series 15" that I really liked.

Good luck, BG
 

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