• 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

#1,201
Well, it’s been a while since I checked this thread... in the interim, I switched over to a set of LaBella tapewounds that we’re a special set they made for a gathering of B.B. players they had a few years ago. These are clear nylon with black silk wound underneath that creates a “rattlesnake” pattern. They look super cool, but they also play and sound great. They are more defined, less boomy than the steel strings, and they feel nice on the chops.

I’ve experimented with various blends of the diaphragm and piezo pickup, typically favoring mostly diaphragm with just a touch of piezo, tone all the way off. But last night, I turned off the onboard preamp on the Azola and just used the diaphragm pickup in passive mode. I cranked the gain on my Creation Audio Grizzly Bass pedal, and dialed in a touch of OD and Distortion - not enough to make it dirty, just filling in some of the mids... it sounded killer! The passive setting needs a LOT of gain, but dang! The tone made my boss happy!
 

Attachments

  • 3F0F1DAC-4318-436B-958F-8C1E6CC04E1C.jpeg
    3F0F1DAC-4318-436B-958F-8C1E6CC04E1C.jpeg
    79.4 KB · Views: 92
  • 38D912C3-9F79-4E69-9499-BF97698A38CD.jpeg
    38D912C3-9F79-4E69-9499-BF97698A38CD.jpeg
    484.7 KB · Views: 89
  • Like
Reactions: AndyCotton, billhw13 and Bass 45
#1,203
edfriedland said:
I’ve experimented with various blends of the diaphragm and piezo pickup, typically favoring mostly diaphragm with just a touch of piezo, tone all the way off. But last night, I turned off the onboard preamp on the Azola and just used the diaphragm pickup in passive mode. I cranked the gain on my Creation Audio Grizzly Bass pedal, and dialed in a touch of OD and Distortion - not enough to make it dirty, just filling in some of the mids... it sounded killer! The passive setting needs a LOT of gain, but dang! The tone made my boss happy!
Click to expand...

This sounds like something I should try. I'm running the diaphragm and a K&K Piezo from the bass into a Radial 2 channel (bassbone OD) and mix the 2 signals together ...but I've never really tried the OD section. Thanks Ed.
 
#1,208
I got fed up with steels strings but couldn't get any nylon strings down in argentina or columbia so I ended going to the hardware store and getting weedwacker strings. They sound deep and percussive on my blady and happen to be the same gauge as the labella strings I was using.. I play salsa so im looking for that sound. Tension on the E & A is a bit floppy but dang these are the cheapest strings ever and sound pretty good! They look pretty funky too; check the pic.
 

Attachments

  • 51656834_320334562160003_2906828978260017152_n.jpg
    51656834_320334562160003_2906828978260017152_n.jpg
    992.7 KB · Views: 87
  • Like
Reactions: billhw13
#1,211
Quick question, it seems the neck of the instrument is separating from the body. I'm not sure if its because I rasied the action quite a bit for the nylon strings or if it's starting to break.. Anyone have any similar problems? Pic attached.
 

Attachments

  • 51861067_289325945019895_3562579920678813696_n.jpg
    51861067_289325945019895_3562579920678813696_n.jpg
    63.9 KB · Views: 75
#1,212
Elias_Mohr said:
I got fed up with steels strings but couldn't get any nylon strings down in argentina or columbia so I ended going to the hardware store and getting weedwacker strings. They sound deep and percussive on my blady and happen to be the same gauge as the labella strings I was using.. I play salsa so im looking for that sound. Tension on the E & A is a bit floppy but dang these are the cheapest strings ever and sound pretty good! They look pretty funky too; check the pic.
Click to expand...

I was alerted to this company in another thread. I don't know if they ship internationally, but the prices for faux gut seem reasonable (though admittedly I know very little of the cost of similar strings).

Superior Bassworks
 
#1,213
farace said:
I was alerted to this company in another thread. I don't know if they ship internationally, but the prices for faux gut seem reasonable (though admittedly I know very little of the cost of similar strings).

THICK. I actually just ordered a set for my upright. Got family on vacation in the USA. I really dig the nylon feel on my baby and I’m hoping to get an old school feel/sound for the acoustic as well but I might just leave my spiro weich’s a bit longer and try en on the baby. Good idea!
Superior Bassworks
Click to expand...
 
#1,215
Wow! I just bumped into this thread and it appears to have all things Ampeg BB related. As a new member of the forum and also a new owner of a '65 BB, I'd like to post a few questions:

1) Does anyone know where to source the plastic black piece that sits on the metal bridge where the strings rest? This is a piece that has grooves for the strings, and prevents them from coming in direct contact with the bridge. Given my instrument's age, the one on my bass is cracking/disintegrating.

2) What is recommended for cleaning the body and the fingerboard of the BB? I don't want to use anything that may be too abrasive and damage the finish.

3) I just purchased a Ray Ramirez bag for my bass, since the original one seems to be coming apart in some areas; however, the RR bag does not hold the instrument tight and it has a bit of movement when in the bag. Does anyone have any recommendations other than the $600 Mooradian option?

4) I'd also like to get my hands on an original Ampeg BB stand - I like the design as they are practical and compact. Suggestions?

Thanks! :)
 
#1,216
1) Don't exactly know the answer, but knowing Ampeg's propensity back in the day to use off-the-shelf parts (the rubber bumpers on a B-15N dolly, for instance, were one-hole rubber stoppers like you'd find in a chem lab) it wouldn't surprise me if the part has another completely unrelated use. The first thing that comes to mind is safety edging for sheet metal perhaps, or a type of trim for sheet metal car parts. My '71 Alfa Spider has trim around the opening for the headlight buckets, though that's stainless. I can easily imagine there's something similar in plastic.

4) I have an original stand. It's kind of a PITA, really. You have to carefully aim the peg into the collar and slide it down, keeping it aligned and hoping it doesn't slide out the slot in back. There's not really much to it; I would imagine a metal worker could work one up in short order.
 
#1,217
farace said:
1) Don't exactly know the answer, but knowing Ampeg's propensity back in the day to use off-the-shelf parts (the rubber bumpers on a B-15N dolly, for instance, were one-hole rubber stoppers like you'd find in a chem lab) it wouldn't surprise me if the part has another completely unrelated use. The first thing that comes to mind is safety edging for sheet metal perhaps, or a type of trim for sheet metal car parts. My '71 Alfa Spider has trim around the opening for the headlight buckets, though that's stainless. I can easily imagine there's something similar in plastic.

4) I have an original stand. It's kind of a PITA, really. You have to carefully aim the peg into the collar and slide it down, keeping it aligned and hoping it doesn't slide out the slot in back. There's not really much to it; I would imagine a metal worker could work one up in short order.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I have come to learn that the piece sitting on the bridge is called a "bridge damper" and it's actually made out of rubber. Mine is so old it looks/feels like plastic.

I noticed the design of the original stand, and though I agree in that it seems like a PITA when trying to sit the bass on it, I like how compact it is. Let me know if you're willing to part with yours. :) Question: are you able to sit the bass on the stand with the endpin still on the instrument (retracted all the way in)? Or does the endpin need to be removed in order to place the bass on the stand?
 
#1,218
65AmpegBB4 said:
Thank you. I have come to learn that the piece sitting on the bridge is called a "bridge damper" and it's actually made out of rubber. Mine is so old it looks/feels like plastic.

I noticed the design of the original stand, and though I agree in that it seems like a PITA when trying to sit the bass on it, I like how compact it is. Let me know if you're willing to part with yours. :) Question: are you able to sit the bass on the stand with the endpin still on the instrument (retracted all the way in)? Or does the endpin need to be removed in order to place the bass on the stand?
Click to expand...

Not looking to get rid of mine--the bass would fall down! :D

I think--I'd have to try it to be sure--that the stand requires having the endpin in place in order to support the instrument. I'm not even sure I'd want to try it with the endpin retracted all the way. The center part of the stand is basically steel rolled into a tube shape, more or less. The top is a more complete tube, and further down is more of a half tube. The top of the tube fits around the knurled locking collar that grabs the endpin, and the rest of the endpin extends down along the half-tube portion. So basically, the bass is fully supported by the collar and pin, the top of the stand holding the collar, and the endpin bearing against the inside of the half-tube. I don't know if that makes any sense the way I described it. I can take photos if that would be useful.
 
#1,219
farace said:
Not looking to get rid of mine--the bass would fall down! :D

I think--I'd have to try it to be sure--that the stand requires having the endpin in place in order to support the instrument. I'm not even sure I'd want to try it with the endpin retracted all the way. The center part of the stand is basically steel rolled into a tube shape, more or less. The top is a more complete tube, and further down is more of a half tube. The top of the tube fits around the knurled locking collar that grabs the endpin, and the rest of the endpin extends down along the half-tube portion. So basically, the bass is fully supported by the collar and pin, the top of the stand holding the collar, and the endpin bearing against the inside of the half-tube. I don't know if that makes any sense the way I described it. I can take photos if that would be useful.
Click to expand...

Thank you, yes, it makes perfect sense. I asked because I’ve seen a few BB’s with circular marks at the bottom of the tailpiece, probably from sitting the bass on the stand without the endpin or retracted all the way (nothing drastic, just a cosmetic mark). So it made me wonder if this was the case for everyone, or if it was possible to keep the endpin in place (separating the tailpiece from the mouth of the stand).

I asked about your stand in case you decide to upgrade to something you like better ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: farace
#1,220
Folks,

Two unrelated questions:

1) Does anyone know if the neck and heel on the Ampeg BB are one single piece of wood? Or are the neck and heel two joint pieces?

2) Does anyone have a direct link to the Thomastik Spirocore Solos recommended for the baby bass? I searched for them and the results came back with a mix of some sets labeled as S42 and others as S43. I believe the S42's are orchestra and S43's are the solos; however, the results were not clear.

Thanks!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back