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Double Bass Baby Bass megathread

#962
Received my KK baby Kb1 yesterday so far I'm really impressed with this bass... the workmanship is far superior to any of the other basses I have played. The finish, the fit of the neck no need for( shims or pins) The output is very close to my Ampeg nice an fat... one thing that I like is that the tone control although passive almost has a active response to the treble side which is very usable in my opinion. The Ampeg ,Sendel an MOG tone control is useless in my opinion. Great instrument!!!!!
 
#963
I started a thread on this, but I'm posting here, too. I am soon to have a 5-string Baby Bass. Am a little concerned about the viability of just plugging it into my bass guitar amps. I have two rigs: Ampeg SVT-CL/410HLF and an Ampeg V4B/2x15. Will I dig the way the BB5 sounds through these amps for old-time country music? If not, what can I do to get more sustain and DB-like tone as an alternative to the BB "thud"? Pre-amp and/or compressor? Your thoughts please guys and gals.
 
#964
I would suggest playing it for a little while with what you have. You do have some options, though, depending on how much you want to alter the tone.

If you feel that the tone is "workable", but not quite there, you could try different strings. Maybe guts?? UB string are expensive, but you can find used sets in the classifieds. You can also try a preamp or compressor.

If you decide that you are completely unhappy with the tone, you could always try a wooden bridge with a piezo pickup. That would give you a more traditional EUB tone.

You have some nice amps, so I don't think they will be a problem.

Salsa guys borrow a lot of the right hand technique from EB. This works great for the style. Using a more traditional UB technique will help achieve your specific tonal goals.
 
#965
I have a Shadow SH950 (Underwood-alike) piezo pickup in a wooden bridge on my BB and it gives a more authentic "DB-like" tone. Of course this still gives me the option to plug into the standard BB pickup if I want that latin/thuddier tone. With the piezo I need a preamp (I use a Headway EDB2 or you could use a Fishman PlatPro) to dial out some of the nasal high-mids. Sounds great though once EQ'd

I have kept the metal bridge safe and sound should I wish to revert back to the original set-up
 
#967
Love the finish ,quality ,an the tone of the bass. The only negative point I find with the bass is the size of the neck. I haven't played many double basses personally,so I don't know if that is the norm for them. Most my experience is with regular bass guitars, then the Ampeg , Sendel and M.O.G Baby basses which I don't have trouble getting used to at all. Has any one else had this experience that has played one? Possibly in time i'll get used to the feel, but right now im struggling with it.:hmm:
 
#968
Hey guys, a bit of a thread railing, but a question for Baby Bass cats:

I'm currently building an electric cello, and the thread is here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f101/inexperienced-luthier-building-electric-cello-1059122/

I've called local luthiers, and a question has been stumping them: My electric cello is using an actual cello neck mounted on a solid wood body. It's 6"x36"x2.25", and a combination of maple and mahogany.

I'm planning on making it 3" at the top and flaring it down to about 5" at the bottom, and cutting a neck joint in it like a traditional string instrument. But the Ampeg idea just popped into my head. How did Ampeg (or any of the copies down the road) mount the neck on the body? It's a separate piece, but not sitting in a pocket. Also, how did the current makers fix the neck issues of the instrument?
 
#969
At the end of the neck it has a male extension that fits into a female aluminum channel in the body. Then it has a tilt adjustment on the body for your desired string height. They also use a pin though the body an neck to hold the neck stable an sometimes shims to correct alignment problems. But if you get it right (the tolerances) you really don't need that as with the KK baby kb1 bass it perfectly setup. Good luck with your project!!!
 
#970
If you arent satisfied with how the BB sounds using the stock diaphram pup through your Ampegs, I would try the Schaller magnetic DB pickup on the end of the fingerboard. I added one to mine, and for oldies/roots rocks it sounds awesome, esp through my Ampeg B15 and B100R. I also use it with my "rock" rig, an Ampeg V4BH with a 2x15 and it really shakes the room. Much more versatility, and note definition- while still retaining that clean low end thump.
 
#973
I found the neck on my KK KB2 a little "weird" at first. It is 38" scale instead of the usual 41" so I don't have to stretch as much to find the notes. Also on the Ampeg I had, it had a D neck. The KB2 has an Eb neck. These small changes have taken me a while to get used. As far as the thickness of the neck, I find it a little thinner than the Ampeg. That could be due to the smaller scale.
 
#974
Its lots thicker than the Ampeg BB but I am slowly getting used to it . I understand that the travel bass they have is a 1/2 size scale from what I have read. I find though with the chunkier neck it adds to the tone when you get up the neck an hit the octave especially the G str.
 
#975
The circumference of the KK baby kb1 at the e string at g position is5.75 " at A its 6.25 the MOG is 4.875 an 5.25 the Ampeg I have is 5.125 an 5.75 so you can see there is a noticeable difference in the size of the neck. Im getting used to the feel of the neck each day an I can't complain about the sound of the bass at all
 
#979
Hi Karl, the normal procedure ti set up a baby bass pick up is to move the magnets with the two screws towards the two membrane o metal disc turning clockwise until you won't hear any sound. At this point the disc has made contact with the magnets inside the pick up plate. Turn the both screws back, counter clock about a 1/4 turn or at the loudest point and your done. If you leave the magnets to low, away from the disc the volume will go lower and vice verse. Karl what kind of music are you playing with this bass? It is obvious that these bases a made to play salsa and latin jazz but I'm just curios, because I have a friend he is playing very crazy stuff like free jazz with pedals and harmony wahs.
Chers
Pat
 
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#980
Anyone know the origins of the change in tail pieces on the Ampeg Baby Bass? from all the way down to the bottom of the body to the style that most baby bass makers use today the the "Y" looking tail piece?

Thanks in advance..

Rich
 

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