• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Baby Bass megathread

#501
D Bopp said:
I'm planning to buy a 60s Baby Bass next week. The owner says I need a preamp and compressor to show the bass's full potential. He uses a K&K pure preamp.

My question is, could I use any preamp, like a Sadowsky outboard pre? Also, what suggestions could you give me for compressor?

Thanks
Click to expand...

What kind of amp are you planning to run it with? I've used mine with a V4BH, B-100R, SVT-3 Pro, and a B-15 and have never had a need for a sperate preamp and compressor. It sounded just fine as it was.

The only issue I had with level was when I would play shows where I wanted to alternate with my P-bass. The P-bass has a '62 original pup in it and is hotter than the old diaphram pickup in the Baby Bass, so the difference in output between the two was very noticeable. I ended up installing a Schaller magnetic upright bass pickup on the Baby Bass and couldn't be happier. It was fairly low cost, has a great old school thumpy tone, and you get much better string to string response compared to the diaphram pickup. Bowed it isn't quite as responsive- but I don't use a bow when I play with my oldies project.

babybass2011006.jpg
 
#502
I don't use a preamp with mine either. I did try it with the Radial BassBone and liked it, but didn't feel it was necessary to deliver a strong signal. Compressors are good for some of the copies that are less punchy, but the originals have a ton of punch.

I guess it depends on what you are going to be using it for. For salsa/latin jazz, I would say play it as is.

For pop/rock, Stiles' setup is pretty sweet looking.

For fusion/jazz stuff, a wooden bridge with a piezo pickup would be cool.
 
#504
Nice tracks!
I´ve been playing my M.O.G. Baby Bass on stage for the first time last weekend and it sounded great. I played it through my Fishman Model B preamp into a GK MB500 with 2x12 cab. It was an all wooden stage and floor, I didn´t even have to run it through the house system, the whole club was filled with bass and I got lots of compliments for the sound. The signal of the bass would be strong enough without the preamp. i´m just using it because it adds a little warmth to the sound of the GK.
 
#507
tumbao01 said:
Nice tracks!
I´ve been playing my M.O.G. Baby Bass on stage for the first time last weekend and it sounded great. I played it through my Fishman Model B preamp into a GK MB500 with 2x12 cab. It was an all wooden stage and floor, I didn´t even have to run it through the house system, the whole club was filled with bass and I got lots of compliments for the sound. The signal of the bass would be strong enough without the preamp. i´m just using it because it adds a little warmth to the sound of the GK.
Click to expand...

Nice gig review! Thanks for the info.
 
#508
I just read the whole thread before joining in. It only took me a week or so to get through it. Thought I should catch up before joining in... anyways, funny how these threads that span a few years are so cyclical.

Nicky - listening to your tunes on myspace as I write. Great sound, man! Really... fantastically balanced and great pocket. Killing band, too.

I've owned a BB for ~10 yrs now, but have only really started playing it on the regs over the last year or so.

I've been playing Spiro orch. guage and keep the action fairly low. After reading this thread I'll probably give the solo gauge a try before too long. I use a wooden bridge which helped me get a warmer tone when I first started playing it. Might be time to do some bridge and string swapping experiments again, though.

I also have been packing an Aphex Punch Factory comp to use through the house bass rig at one regular gig I do. Through my own gear I don't need it, but when I'm not loving the sound a clean signal boost with a little compression helps out.
 
#510
Hi, you could use actually any decent preamp. I personally use Tech 21 Sans amp for bass, some times a Sadowsky preamp or even both together at the same time. Some times I take my korg Pandora in Jazz bass sound and it will do the job. I also used an Aphex Bass xiiter with good results. I have an old korg compressor from the 80' which gives the sound a more powerful punch. This is in live situation. It depends on the rig and room your are playing. At home, I go directly into a small mixer and some Altec Lansin speakers with subs for PC´s and the best result is no preamp at all. Most salsa player I saw, the go direct into the amp, but always with the tone rolled off and nearly no treble on the amp. I play Salsa and rock in the same gig and change from one bass to an other, that's why I use preamps , for different settings. Good luck with your new Ampeg BB, I love these baby's, i have two of them.
 
#512
guys, i notice some of you are converting to the wooden bridge. i have the opposite problem. i have a metal bridge but i lost the rubber dampener that goes over the top that gives me the salsa sound that i want. would anybody who converst to the wooden bridge be willing to sell me theirs ? i can't find one anywhere and have tried making my own with little luck. just not the right material. if no sellers, can anybody tell me where to find one ?
thanks,
leo traversa
 
#513
hi ...
this is an tip for be carefull ....

12 years ago ,my ex-partner and i ,we built a strings machine ...(see the pic. )

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


in the past ,this chords are the best option in our local market (in colombia is impossible obtain fine doublebass strings ...)


the materials available in my country is low quality ( i used chord for the motobike clutch,or an steel wire,and copper wire or nylon, course......)
The time of durability for this strings is too short ... 8- 12 months maximum....because this ,we quit the "mass production " :D

Actually ,when anyone buy our basses,we add in the box, the strings bill from Gollihurmusic (my thanks to Mark and Bob...),or others in USA...


2 years later (2001) my ex partner , make and selled 2 replicas to the blady instruments and Sendel...(see the pic.)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



the point is ...is impossible buy a baby bass in colombia and obtain original strings :eyebrow:... be careful when you buy bass in colombia ...

when you don`t know originals strings quality ,like all Thomastik bass catalogue, pirastro ,or La bella ,etc ; insist in a original certificate for all strings ... or insist in a money refound ....
 
#514
tumba94 said:
guys, i notice some of you are converting to the wooden bridge. i have the opposite problem. i have a metal bridge but i lost the rubber dampener that goes over the top that gives me the salsa sound that i want. would anybody who converst to the wooden bridge be willing to sell me theirs ? i can't find one anywhere and have tried making my own with little luck. just not the right material. if no sellers, can anybody tell me where to find one ?
thanks,
leo traversa
Click to expand...

Hi, the best way to replace the damper is to cut a transparent plastic aquarium hose in half and slide it over your metal bridge. It worked for me. It can be a thin gauge 1/4 inch tube, flexible enough so the strings can rest in their bridge grit.
 
#517
Hi, I am one of the bass players still waiting for my MOG to be finnished and I congrat you, Tumbao01 for having received yours. I know Mauricio is on his own, but hey...its probably like waiting for once first child... you just can't stop longing. Thank you for letting me know that the custom service did no harm. In a couple of weeks I will gladely post some pics and comments on my new MOG Baby. Cheers from Sweden! /Max
 
#518
MaxD said:
Hi, I am one of the bass players still waiting for my MOG to be finnished and I congrat you, Tumbao01 for having received yours. I know Mauricio is on his own, but hey...its probably like waiting for once first child... you just can't stop longing. Thank you for letting me know that the custom service did no harm. In a couple of weeks I will gladely post some pics and comments on my new MOG Baby. Cheers from Sweden! /Max
Click to expand...

Yeah, hang in there.. i know the feeling.. Good things come to those who wait. :)
 
#519
I have the possibility of getting hold of an original '60s Ampeg Baby Bass, funds permitting! They look cool as a cool thing but when I google for videos and read up on the web, its virtually only ever in the context of Latin music. Clearly they do not sound woody like a DB, especially given they are using mag pickups, and most seem to describe them as having 'punch'. So I wondered if these have any utility in blues music or if they are just too tonally limited.
 
#520
I love my Baby Bass, but it sounds bad for most any other style. You could use a piezo pickup and wooden bridge to get you a nice sound for blues. The BB's won't lose value, so you're pretty safe from an investment standpoint, but if it were me, I would look into the Azola basses for blues.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back