Basic Question about Switching Basses

[Dr. Love]

Some gigs I double on electric and upright which are quite different both tonally and in output. I started with a boss line switcher, but now use a Bassbone: active electric in channel 1, and upright on channel 2 with the EQ.

 

[Toddcaster64]

One more vote for the Sansamp. Amazing value and tailor made for this situation.

 

[Jughead6]

I use a Boss AB-2 switch and a Boss FV-50H volume pedal. It's a super cheap way to have two basses plugged in for the duration of a gig, with an extra level of control over volume. The FV-50H has a variable lower limit pot, so if one bass has significantly higher output pickups then I set the lower limit to suit the lowest volume I expect from the high output bass and the upper limit to suit the highest volume I expect from the low output bass. To change between basses, I just need to step on the AB-2 and dial in the right amount of volume with the FV-50H. Basically two foot movements.

The tone knobs / EQ on my basses and the EQ on my amp provide ample tone shaping for me. Besides, I am not a huge believer in tone shaping for a loud rock gig. If the audience can hear the bass and they're happy, then I am happy.

I am cheap.

 

[eeyorebass]

I just didn't know if there was a different method (like some sort of programmable EQ pedal) that I could just hit when I switch.

I think you want a Source Audio Programmable EQ: Source Audio Programmable EQ

Check the Effects forum for reviews. It sounds brilliant and does exactly what you want.

 

[BigDanT]

I think you want a Source Audio Programmable EQ: Source Audio Programmable EQ

Check the Effects forum for reviews. It sounds brilliant and does exactly what you want.

I will definitely check that out. There seem to be several options out there to get the job done. As always TBers have the answer!
Thanks again for all the feedback.

 

[bssplr]

I like the BassBone for the purpose of having two distinctly different basses on stsge.

I could not agree with this more. I agonized over this for years, switching between a fretless and fretted Jazz. The BassBone was the only one where I could get both to sound exactly like they did plugged straight into the amp. I don't know if this was because it was simpler for me to dial in a uncolored tone or it's just more neutral than the others, I just know it works. The power supply is its only fault. IMHO

 

[4Mal]

HMMM! More to think about.

Not really. Pretty much BassBone and game over... It is the core of my live rig rig for exactly the reasons you mention. Industrially strong, pro level solution. They show up used in the GFS here often.

I used to cable three basses on stage. 2 with active EQ's went to an SFX micro mix, into a channel of the bass bone where I cut the gain a bit, left the eq flat. The other was passive. I ran that straight to the bass bone leaving the gain up... Then I got tired of lugging 3 basses as well as PA and rig and... No, 2 basses is more than enough.

 

[sawzalot]

So to even out the levels, check out a simple Ernie Ball volume pedal. They're built like a tank--I've seen Dave LaRue literally standing on them at gigs--and it might provide a cheap/simple solution to the level disparity. I solved this problem with a TC Electronics bass head--the RH-series heads lets you store 3 presets in them, plus you get an onboard tuner that is replicated on the pedalboard. They pop up used here every so often.

Tom

 

[Nephilymbass]

boss ls2 will get the job done I used to use one. But I would reccomend figuring out how to play the entire set with one bass. It's just so much easier to step on a pedal for a different tone or tweak the controls on the bass, than it is switch basses. I personally only my use different basses for acoustic gigs or in the studio. and I use my pedalboard and onboard preamp in my stingray for some variety. There are several advantages to minimizing instrument changes as well. For one it cuts down dead time during the show: People don't pay to watch people switch basses, they pay to hear music. You also don't have as much gear to carry. And you won't drive the soundman nuts. And you can have variety of tone within a song instead of from one song to the next. For example you could use a pog for an octave up instead of an 8 string. Does it sound exactly like an 8 string? No but if your local scene is like it is here and the majority of the venues you play have pa that's Either older or DJ quality, it's kind of pointless to be super picky live.

 

[devnulljp]

I could not agree with this more. I agonized over this for years, switching between a fretless and fretted Jazz. The BassBone was the only one where I could get both to sound exactly like they did plugged straight into the amp. I don't know if this was because it was simpler for me to dial in a uncolored tone or it's just more neutral than the others, I just know it works. The power supply is its only fault. IMHO

The Power supply is weird -- 15V -- but the Cioks DC10 has a 15V output (instead of the 9/12/18V you can get with a PP2+). Works great. The new BB also has a high impedance input switch on one channel for piezo pickups. I put a compressor in the loop too.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

I use a BassBone by Radial!