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Double Bass Amp recommendations?

Harry D'Agostino

Harry D'Agostino

Guest
Jan 24, 2015
16
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#1
Hi all,

I'm looking into purchasing a new amp and I'd love some input. I'm mostly a jazz player for restaurants and swing dances etc... around the Hudson Valley and the Acoustic Image Contra I have has always done the trick (in a small enough room I always elect to play acoustic.)

But my band Upstate Rubdown is preparing a tour playing a lot of loud bars and generally bigger venues where the contra just doesn't cut it. Occasionally it works out 'cause it has a direct our to the PA but I'm looking for something that can carry itself in a bigger place. It's also tricky because I play in a large acoustic band and I'm really looking for the "my sound but louder" thing as much as possible.

Here's a couple examples of our music:



Thanks in advance for any suggestions
 
#3
First, I dig the group. Second, I have been a realist user for years and at real loud volumes, as you may know, it starts to sound pretty horrible. I would suggest maybe getting a friendlier p/u for loud volume situations. I have had great luck with the GB shuttle series. Too bad the 8 and 10s are discontinued.

Are you planning on running a mic to the house and amp on stage?
 
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#4
Yea I was thinking about trying the full circle as a pickup, I just dig having the realist on there for my less loud jazz gigs. I have a kay bass that currently has no pickup on it so I thought I'd test run another pickup with that and possibly switch it over to my other bass if I really like it. So far the best luck I've had is at venues where my amp can go direct out through the house so I wouldn't mind having an amp that retains that ability. But it varies venue to venue. I ultimately need an amp thats loud and full when left to its own devices.

Glad to hear you dig the band, very appreciated.
 
#8
Harry D'Agostino said:
Anyone have experience with the Phil Jones Amps?
Click to expand...

I enjoyed the videos very much - the vibe of the group is great! I've been using the Phil Jones amps with a full circle for years now. The main one I use is a Super Flightcase, which is a great match for the full circle and which covers 90% of the gigs I play. It gets plenty loud on its own, has a great DI for connecting to the FOH when there is one, and at very least in large venues it will give you great stage coverage. I couldn't be happier with it. For that other 10% of gigs that require more sound, I use the PB-300 powered speaker with a smaller combo sitting on top. I couldn't be happier with these amps.
 
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#9
Harry D'Agostino said:
Hi all,

I'm looking into purchasing a new amp and I'd love some input. I'm mostly a jazz player for restaurants and swing dances etc... around the Hudson Valley and the Acoustic Image Contra I have has always done the trick (in a small enough room I always elect to play acoustic.)

But my band Upstate Rubdown is preparing a tour playing a lot of loud bars and generally bigger venues where the contra just doesn't cut it. Occasionally it works out 'cause it has a direct our to the PA but I'm looking for something that can carry itself in a bigger place. It's also tricky because I play in a large acoustic band and I'm really looking for the "my sound but louder" thing as much as possible.
Click to expand...

All the amps mentioned above are great choices, when I'm playing different venues, I just take my Headway EDB-2, and a powered speaker, sending the bass FOH. My pickup is an Ehrlund EAP. Listening to this wonderful music, I'd say that your issue
may be with the Cajon. Since I play in a band with a percussionist who uses one, I've found that they can agitate the Double Bass, and cause feedback, that you aren't even aware of. Probably the first thing I'd do, is look at a different pickup. Essentially,
you'll want try, is using the P.A.'s to do the heavy lifting, and your amp as a monitor.
 
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#13
If you play pizz only the Underwood will do if installed correctly and with the right pressure. If you have adjusters or plan to get them the Full Circle might be better for some arco passages.
If you like the sound of the Realist, but cannot use it when it gets loud, you might want to try the Shadow SH-985NFX. A bit softer than the Full Circle pizz but nicer arco. Works if it gets louder until feedback starts (sooner than Underwood or Full Circle, but a towel under the tailpiece or stuffing the f-holes might help).
 
#15
Harry D'Agostino said:
Yea I was thinking about trying the full circle as a pickup, I just dig having the realist on there for my less loud jazz gigs. I have a kay bass that currently has no pickup on it so I thought I'd test run another pickup with that and possibly switch it over to my other bass if I really like it. So far the best luck I've had is at venues where my amp can go direct out through the house so I wouldn't mind having an amp that retains that ability. But it varies venue to venue. I ultimately need an amp thats loud and full when left to its own devices.

Glad to hear you dig the band, very appreciated.
Click to expand...
I recently got my Full Circle installed, before that i had The Realist, and I can say the Full Circle is just what I wanted: the warmth of the realist but more string detail and definition, and it sounds good at high volumes too.

I have a MarkBass LM Tube800 head and a 2x12 New York MarkBass cab, love it. For MarkBass amps in general you shouldn't have any trouble making it sound good. Hope that helps :)
 

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