Double Bass Amp compromise

[josiah goldfish]

Hi everyone,
I've been looking to buy an electric double bass as it looks like it'll be cheaper and more portable than an acoustic.
So my question is, can you plug an electric double bass into an electric bass guitar amp, and if so, what are the disadvantages?

 

[Lo-E]

Yes, and there are no disadvantages. It all depends upon what sort of sound you're looking for.

There are bass amps that are made specifically for amplifying double basses, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that most people who are playing electric upright basses are using traditional bass amps.

Perhaps some other EUB players will chime in as well.

 

[Ric Vice]

Yes, and there are no disadvantages. It all depends upon what sort of sound you're looking for.

There are bass amps that are made specifically for amplifying double basses, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that most people who are playing electric upright basses are using traditional bass amps.

Perhaps some other EUB players will chime in as well.

Lo-E,
Many EUB's use the same kind of piezo pickups that we use for Double Bass. I for example have a Clevenger EUB that sounds better into an amp with a 1 meg ohm load so when I try to match it to an amplifier, I look for that, rating. Most modern amps already do this so it isn't much of an issue anymore, but it's something to consider.

Ric

 

[shwashwa]

also, many EUB's have built in preamps, if that is the case then input impedance shouldnt be an issue, you can also use an external preamp and then basically plug into any amp you want.

 

[Lo-E]

Ric and shwashwa,

That makes perfect sense. My NS is the only EUB I've ever owned and it has a built-in preamp so I never really thought twice about it. I do use a fairly 'hi-fi' sounding cab with it, but I just use my regular BG head.

Had I put more thought into it, I would have considered my DB for a minute: with the Underwood p'up on it I always use a preamp before the amp for a better impedance match.

You guys are absolutely right: if the OP's bass has a piezo or contact p'up and no onboard pre he would definitely be better off with an amp geared for acoustic instruments or a separate pre.

 

[josiah goldfish]

Ric and shwashwa,

That makes perfect sense. My NS is the only EUB I've ever owned and it has a built-in preamp so I never really thought twice about it. I do use a fairly 'hi-fi' sounding cab with it, but I just use my regular BG head.

Had I put more thought into it, I would have considered my DB for a minute: with the Underwood p'up on it I always use a preamp before the amp for a better impedance match.

You guys are absolutely right: if the OP's bass has a piezo or contact p'up and no onboard pre he would definitely be better off with an amp geared for acoustic instruments or a separate pre.

thanks guys,
I'm looking into buying a stagg rocket EUB, i'm still new to double bass, will this work through my vox pathfinder 10 bass amp?

 

[Matthijs]

The input impedance of the Vox should not be a problem as the Stagg has a headphone output, so I assume it has a built in pre. Don't expect to much volume and low end, it is just a practice amp. If you want to practice with a drummer you'll need more.