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Best amp for acoustic bass?

COLDGLU

COLDGLU

Guest
Aug 29, 2016
65
134
#1
I've recently purchased an electro-acoustic bass guitar and I understand that they don't sound as good as they could while plugged into a regular bass amp. So, I should probably buy a more suited one to get the best "acoustic" sound I can.

Just wondering if anybody could advise me on the best amp head/cab/or combo for electro-acoustic bass?

Not necessarily an acoustic bass-specific amp (because I know how niche this market is etc), but rather a decent amp which would do the job?

Alternatively, if you know any decent pedals for acoustic bass, feel free to suggest.

BUDGET: £500 (aka, $650) and under.

Cheers!
 
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#4
You might want to consider getting something like an HPF-Pre Series 3 (probably around $100 US, less used) to address three frequent acoustic bass issues - ability to change signal phase, having 10MOhm input impedance as a buffer to run to any amp you like, and getting an adjustable high pass filter. With something like this, any bass amp can work quite nicely for you. I'm not sure if this specific product can be bought new from outside Canada and the US, however, I'm guessing you could buy it used from someone without any restrictions.
 
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#6
Most upright bass pick-up systems perform well at 1M input impedance, that's past the point of diminishing returns. Higher input impedances are only required for a very small number of pickup systems, the really small crystals or those wired in series. Often, they have their own buffer on-board, as that eliminates all the tribo-electric effects that a typical instrument cable would cause, including cable microphonics. It also reduces the noise floor and RF intrusion issues common with these kinds of pickups. If you have active electronics with your pickup, then the whole discussion of input impedance no longer matters.

If you go to our website and download the owner's manual for the Rosette acoustic amp, you will find that a lot of your general questions will be answered in an informative and educational style. Obviously the amp is outside your budget, but the information contained in the manual is valuable regardless.

Back in a (much) earlier day, I designed and manufactured piezo pickup systems and associated electronics. There are a lot of old wive's tales that might have been partially true 20-30 years ago, but the market's offerings, especially built in pickup systems, are light years beyond the "good 'ol days" (which weren't very good, I was there).
 
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#7
Apologies, I was referring to an electro-acoustic bass guitar, rather than an upright.
I have now changed my post to amend the statement.

However, would an upright amp, or preamp system work well for the acoustic bass guitar?
I'd be curious to try it out.
 
#8
COLDGLU said:
Apologies, I was referring to an electro-acoustic bass guitar, rather than an upright.
I have now changed my post to amend the statement.

However, would an upright amp, or preamp system work well for the acoustic bass guitar?
I'd be curious to try it out.
Click to expand...

No real difference as far as the amp is concerned, I was referencing an upright because there have been several threads and comments about them recently.

What kind of pickup system does your bass have?
 
#10
I've played my Takamine acoustic electric bass through a TC Electronic BG250-115 combo. I added just a touch of chorus with the built in tone print function and thought it sounded great. Only 39lbs.
 
#12
Here is one manufacturer that offers amps for upright and acoustic instruments: http://acousticimg.com/.

They offer microphone (some pickups are mic based) as well as different impedance inputs to cover requirements.

Acoustic bass guitars often have built in preamps. They not only interface to the piezo pickup but also offer an EQ that can help deal with issues. There is an example: BCPA4 Acoustic Bass Guitar | C.F. Martin & Co.. This one uses the Fishman F1 system and is only available to Martin. Fishman makes other products: Invalid Link Removed. I used their piezos with a TC Electronics pre for years.
 
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#13
I haven't gigged with mine but i've successfully used a 100w Phil Jones bass briefcase at rehearsals and it's been fine alongside other acoustic guitarists, vocals and percussion. If I was gigging I'd try using my PJB MB300 head and mesa cab.
Have you tried it with your existing bass rig yet? if so what did you think of the sound you were getting?
 
#14
Phil Jones Double Four, Bass Cub or Suitcase...can be pricey and not for loud gigs....small, transparent sound. The Double Four and Suitcase can run on battery power. I bought the Double Four for acoustic jams and upright gigs and can be powered on a laptop battery. Just ordered a Bass Cub for a little more oomph and the two channel mic/pickup feature. Phil Jones makes remarkable small amps that can handle acoustic and electric bass...deals can be had online if you are patient or buy used. And remember for live gigs with PA support you can always DI into the sound system.

Acoustic Image too. I have two Focus I, Series III amps (goes to 2 ohms at 1000 watts, notch and cut filter) I bought used that I plug into what ever speaker cab (10" speakers are a good way to go acoustic bass) and they double as a backup amp for electric bass gigs or a PA power amp...go used for a better price...check out the double bass side for more recommendations. If you've got a piezo pickup the double bass side will have lot of advice.

Even more pricey are MAS speakers...I haven't tried these but they are suppose the be the bees knees for acoustic bass amplification...
 
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#16
For my ABG (an Epiphone El Capitan) I use a small keyboard combo amp. Those are better at handling a fuller tonal range than a bass specific amp, and I think they just sound better with ABGs. You don't need a lot of bass with an ABG. You need to reign it in more than anything else. So you definitely want boost/cut capabilities and a midrange somewhere in your tonestack.

IMG_2564.JPG


The particular amp I have is a mid '80s Yorkville Sound Bloc 40K which I bought primarily for use with a Korg M1 and is no longer made. This amp is magic with an ABG. Worth looking for a used one IMO.

(Note: pic isn't mine, but that's what they look like.)
 
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#17
IMO something with a clear tone and good high frequency extension is best for an ABG...in a small combo I like Phil Jones...otherwise something with a tweeter that isn't harsh. I just sold a tweeterless cab specifically to switch to a small Genzler 10-2 array cab because the former was lacking when playing my recently acquired ABG.
 
#18
I'd start with an external preamp. If you can get your hands on the fdeck hpf (high pass filter (Francis Deck) that would be really useful. Lots of threads here and on the double bass side of the forum regarding the fdeck.
Or even the Boss GEB 7 Graphic EQ. It has a 1megaohm input, mates well with anything. Both super reliable and affordable options.
 
#19
Coolhandjjl said:
If it has a piezo pickup that needs a high impedance input on the amp, just get a pedal that has a input buffer/impedance that matches.
Click to expand...

^^This. Invest in a *good* preamp, DI, or other pre-device, with an input impedance no less than 1Mohm, 10Mohm is optimal, and use any decent bass amp rig. At live gigs, I've used my LR Baggs Para DI, a Behringer ADI21, my Tonebone, my son's Behringer Bass V-amp with regular bass guitar amp rigs - all these have high input impedances that make a piezo pickup sound decent.
 
#20
it's rare to find an acoustic bass guitar anymore that doesn't have a full preamp EQ system onboard. as such they don't need any kind of special preamping downstream.

regular bass amps do just fine, preferably ones that tend towards hi-fi clean rather than grindy and scooped; something with a controllable horn or tweeter will be a little more full-range which could be nice.
 
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