Double Bass Best Amp for Jazz (Upright)

[oren]

I agree. I like my Markbass 12 combo for small electric gigs, but really don't love it for upright. But my old single rack space Markbass F500 on an older Epifani 10UL is better sounding and louder then the MB12. I still use a 10mg ohm buffer with most amps.

That’s interesting! I like my Markbass combo pretty well on my upright, but I have a Epifani 110UL that I haven’t used in a while. I’ll give it a try next week and report back!

 

[tito mangialajo]

After 30 years with a GK 200MB, since ten months I have a GR Bass AT Cube Acoustic. Great, wonderful amplifier! Two channel, each with line input (1 or 5 M Ohm, with a switch); XLR input with 48v phantom; two separate XLR output (pre/post eq; channel one, channel two or the two mixed)...I play with Gage Realist Lifeline and DPA 4099: alone or together, it depends from venue, music, band, drummer...). Possibility of pole mounting. Less than 9kg...(wow! It's true!). Very very accurate sound. I'm very happy. Super!!...and made in Italy
AT Cube Acoustic – GRBass

 

[B String]

Markbass built the F500 and the dual channel LMK which were decent amps for Double Bass they apparently didn’t sell well enough for them to keep those amps in the line. Their most popular amp the Little Mark isn’t a great DB amp but it sells well for them. They shifted to the Big Bang and the Micromark (Red Version) DB players liked the Nanomark so for a while there was an alternative to the F500. The word is still out on the new model.

The reason Markbass stopped making the popular F500, was because it used a very different power source than any of their other amps due to the small size of the amp. Standardizing major parts saves the company a lot of money. Plus, they couldn't get replacements for those power boards anymore. I believe I may have gotten the last spare part in the U.S. when mine failed. The UL110/ F500 combo also works well with my hollow body bass guitar.

 

[Ric Vice]

The other interesting thing about Markbass is they have discontinued more amplifiers over the years than any other bass amp company I know of. If you look on their sight the discontinued amps section is huge, while the current production is much smaller. Just my take

 

[B String]

The other interesting thing about Markbass is they have discontinued more amplifiers over the years than any other bass amp company I know of. If you look on their sight the discontinued amps section is huge, while the current production is much smaller. Just my take

Interesting. Any idea why? It takes a good amount of time to get a product to market. Aside from lack of sales or parts not easily available, (F500) I would think they'd want to keep a product out for as long as possible.

 

[Ric Vice]

Interesting. Any idea why? It takes a good amount of time to get a product to market. Aside from lack of sales or parts not easily available, (F500) I would think they'd want to keep a product out for as long as possible.

‘Hard to say? My guess is that they can change over really quickly if something doesn’t sell. Since Guitar Center is in charge of their U.S. distribution, I rarely
see any locally at either of the St. Louis Locations. It’s as if they didn’t even exist here. In the beginning they took up a good portion of the amp room.

 

[B String]

I hadn't been in a Guitar Center for a while. Was in one a week or two ago. No "really good" instruments, and the ones they had badly needed adjustments just to play them. None of the professionals I know go in there. Now I understand why. Very sad. Buying an instrument for anyone beyond "beginner" is a hands on experience. (in my opinion)

 

[Ric Vice]

After 30 years with a GK 200MB, since ten months I have a GR Bass AT Cube Acoustic. Great, wonderful amplifier! Two channel, each with line input (1 or 5 M Ohm, with a switch); XLR input with 48v phantom; two separate XLR output (pre/post eq; channel one, channel two or the two mixed)...I play with Gage Realist Lifeline and DPA 4099: alone or together, it depends from venue, music, band, drummer...). Possibility of pole mounting. Less than 9kg...(wow! It's true!). Very very accurate sound. I'm very happy. Super!!...and made in Italy
AT Cube Acoustic – GRBass

I’m looking forward to auditioning one if they get their U.S. Distribution network sorted out. As of this moment, there are a few dealers, but it’s basically a special order to purchase one stateside. This has been true for other Double Bass amplifiers like Euphonic Audio and Acoustic Image here in St. Louis as well.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I’m looking forward to auditioning one if they get their U.S. Distribution network sorted out. As of this moment, there are a few dealers, but it’s basically a special order to purchase one stateside. This has been true for other Double Bass amplifiers like Euphonic Audio and Acoustic Image here in St. Louis as well.

Anyone have them in the US? I’m in NYC, but I’m going to be touring soon. Love to try one.

 

[matt holt]

I haven't read through all five pages of responses, so my apologies if this is already been stated. The two biggest pieces for me of getting what feels to me like the most natural sound are:

#1) A good preamp designed for acoustic instruments. The reality is that most amps sold are designed for electric bases with magnetic pickups. Piezo elements such as the realist are an entirely different animal, and the EQ sections and input impedance of most amplifier pre-amp sections are not optimized for them.

#2) being aware that your base, especially using a pickup like the realist, becomes a giant microphone, and will tend to feed back on itself when plugged in to an amp. I don't just mean this in the sense of out of control feedback loops, but also that any frequencies your bass is naturally more resonant at will become even more exaggerated as the vibrations from the amp vibrate your base which then feeds those vibrations back into the amp. Even if it doesn't get to the point of an out of control loop, it's still distorts the overall sound of your Bass. I have found that placing my amplifier further from my bass then I would when playing Electric greatly helps with feedback issues. If I have the stage space I try to give myself at least 5 to 10 ft of distance from my amp. This makes the preamp extra handy, as I can make tonal adjustments without having to lean way over or walk to my amp to make adjustments.

Also remember that a lot of vibrations are transferred through the floor into the endpin of your bass. I have found that decoupling one's amp from the floor by putting it on a chair or (speaker pole, if that's an option) makes a big difference.

I found using a good preamp, plus an awareness of acoustic feedback has vastly improved amps the upright compatibility of even the most upright unfriendly amps.

P.S. Edit: for those times when I don't have the ability to put as much distance between the amp and the bass as I would like, I find a preamp with a notch filter to be invaluable tool for taming problematic frequencies.

 

[brianrost]

I’m looking forward to auditioning one if they get their U.S. Distribution network sorted out. As of this moment, there are a few dealers, but it’s basically a special order to purchase one stateside.

I've located a dealer in NH, just over the border with Mass. He has a bunch of GR gear on order and will be contacting me when they are in. I'm very interested in that Bass Cube model, I hope I won't fall over when I see the price sticker I'll post here after I get a chance to try it.

 

[Ric Vice]

I've located a dealer in NH, just over the border with Mass. He has a bunch of GR gear on order and will be contacting me when they are in. I'm very interested in that Bass Cube model, I hope I won't fall over when I see the price sticker I'll post here after I get a chance to try it.

Brian,
I’ve contacted them was well, supposedly most of Italy goes on a summer holiday in August, so come September we should begin seeing something. The GR cabinets and amps do,have a higher price tag, but the weight differential may be worth it provided the wait isn’t that long. Let us know,what you hear.

 

[marcox]

From the John Fox Bass site (presumably the NH dealer that @brianrost is referring to):

"It is expected to be ready to ship to you by mid-August, 2023. ... The final total selling price including this deposit is expected to be $1,399 plus shipping from John Fox Bass to the end customer. (Shipping cost will range from $35 for East coast to $65 to the West coast.)"

 

[Mike Marshall]

I hadn't been in a Guitar Center for a while. Was in one a week or two ago. No "really good" instruments, and the ones they had badly needed adjustments just to play them. None of the professionals I know go in there. Now I understand why. Very sad. Buying an instrument for anyone beyond "beginner" is a hands on experience. (in my opinion)

Guitar Center is a place I rarely go into, but there was one close to where I worked. When they were having their once a year sale I would stop in to see if they had anything marked way down. That's where I found my GK150 MB-111 for 50% off.

 

[rickwolff]

From the John Fox Bass site (presumably the NH dealer that @brianrost is referring to):

"It is expected to be ready to ship to you by mid-August, 2023. ... The final total selling price including this deposit is expected to be $1,399 plus shipping from John Fox Bass to the end customer. (Shipping cost will range from $35 for East coast to $65 to the West coast.)"

These really do look sweet. @Mark Gollihur what do you think? Might be the perfect replacement for Acoustic Image AND Euphonic Audio.

 

[Ric Vice]

One thing over the years that I have noted is the Amps that use FET’s in their preamp circuits sounded better for Double Bass. The prime examples I know of are,
Walter Woods, Gentz Benz Shuttle Series, Genzler, Red Eye Preamps and Headway EDB series preamps. I’m sure their are others that I haven’t mentioned.

 

[james condino]

I recently picked up a Raezer's Edge Luna 700 in the classifieds for a steal ($250!!!) and have been using it for the last two months. I originally purchased it as a backup, but it has moved into my primary amp with several different cabinet combinations. So far, I'm quite pleased at the performance and the simplicity such that my trusted old Acoustic Image has been sitting at home.

Luna 700R - Raezer's Edge

 

[damonsmith]

I recently picked up a Raezer's Edge Luna 700 in the classifieds for a steal ($250!!!) and have been using it for the last two months. I originally purchased it as a backup, but it has moved into my primary amp with several different cabinet combinations. So far, I'm quite pleased at the performance and the simplicity such that my trusted old Acoustic Image has been sitting at home.

Luna 700R - Raezer's Edge

New it costs more than the basic AI head. It doesn't make sense to spend a $1000 out of the gate, but I do think finding a cheaper head & cab is probably better than a cheap combo. Then you can upgrade either as you can.

 

[Ric Vice]

These really do look sweet. @Mark Gollihur what do you think? Might be the perfect replacement for Acoustic Image AND Euphonic Audio.

Although I’m seriously considering one, I sure would like to demo it first. I’ve been in contact with bassist Tito Mangialajo who owns one and he has nothing but positive
things to say about it after using it for 6 months.

 

[brianrost]

I've located a dealer in NH, just over the border with Mass. He has a bunch of GR gear on order and will be contacting me when they are in. I'm very interested in that Bass Cube model, I hope I won't fall over when I see the price sticker I'll post here after I get a chance to try it.

The dealer’s GR shipment finally arrived and hopefully I will be trying it on Monday.

Price is $1639 for the carbon fiber Acoustic Cube, which is reasonable for this class of amplifier. Claims to be only 22 pounds which would be ridiculous, my AI Coda is 20.