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Double Bass Best Small Amp that will work great with BSX Allegro

Z

zimbodel

Oct 2, 2020
37
13
#1
I would appreciate answers from users who actually own a BSX and use it with small Bass amplifiers.
Otherwise just mention you dont own it when making a recommendation.

BSX owners

What is the best small amp that works great with BSX Allegro you will recommend?
Something similar to a Roland Bass cube (which I havent tried) or such.

What I am after is the best authentic sound from the smallest portable size amp.

Thanks
 
#2
I run my Azola into a Markbass 1-12 combo or a 1-10 Elf combo.

I also ran a Ned Steinberger EUB into the Markbass (sold the NS).

I’m sure your bass will work fine with either combo above.
 
#4
2 questions.

1: Authentic sound? Upright sound or the BSX sound only louder?

2: Smallest? What is the need for amplification? Bedroom, small club, coffee house, county fair, bar?

All these things matter. I have a very small very giggable rig but don't own a BSX, so count me out of the rest of the conversation.
 
#5
I owned and performed on an Allegro for a while and never really got a good sound out of it. Here are my reflections:

- at the time my upright technique was not near as developed so that’s a huge factor.
- at the time I was playing through glassy Hifi rigs like SWR and Eden so I was likely adding too much piezo & scoop
- when I visited Dino in Aliquippa I saw his shop amp was an old Carvin 15 combo and it sounded fantastic.

Therefore, I’d say make sure you have a piezo-friendly amp or preamp and keep your amp relatively flat.

As for small compact amps, I’m in Markbass cmd 121 camp - it’s light and loud and has been reliable. I also use a GK 12 which is louder and better for more high volume situations.

Good luck and keep us posted!
 
#6
zimbodel said:
...
Something similar to a Roland Bass cube (which I havent tried) or such.
...
Click to expand...
I do not own a BSX.

Fwiw, Roland has replaced the older 4x4" speaker Micro Cube Bass RX with a new 2x5" speaker Dual Cube Bass LX under the BOSS brand name. I routinely use the older Micro Cube Bass RX on stage (mounted on a speaker stand) with my Alcoa DB and it works nicely, but I have never seen or heard the new Dual Cube Bass LX in the wild. The older Micro Cube Bass RX is still available in the used market, but probably cannot be found new.
 
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#7
I have one and play it when space is very tight. I’ll use an EA Doubler amp with a Thunderchild 112, or GK Mb12-ii, or a Fender Rumble 40, or a TC Bam with a Crazy 8. I can make any of these sound good - the TC112 being the best cabinet but also the largest. I’ve never shopped for the best amp/cab solely for the Allegro. I use 3/4 or 4/4 Spiro or Perpetual solo strings (tuned to Orchestra) instead of the 1/2 strings that come with it. The fingerboard will need dressing to play better. The tailpiece is a bad design IMO - you may need to double loop the E string in the tailpiece.
 
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#9
I don't own a BSX. I play an Azola BugBass II through a Genzler Bass Acoustic Array Pro and couldn't be happier with the results. The two weak spots are my playing and the lack of true acoustic hollow-body resonance of the Azola.
 
#11
I own a Clevinger EUB, I have used a GK MB 150 for the last I don’t how many years. It is the best amp I have used for upright or EUB.

The last 2 times I gigged with it it cut out so I bought a Phil Jones Cub, it is nice but I like the GK better.
 
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#12
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#13
I have played a BSX in a friend’s band (he supplied it) and it had a great sound through a regular bass guitar amp (Warwick head, Glockenclang cab).
My go-to portable amp for busking on upright and electric is a Bose S1 pro v1. I was VERY pleasantly surprised with how good my realist pickup sounded plugged directly in, with no buffer or preamp. I know it’s not a direct answer, since I haven’t had the opportunity to play a BSX through it, but I like to bring it up when talking about portable amps. The Roland cube amps I have tried sounded horrible, but if they’ve revised the line I suppose I should give them another shot…
 
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#14
klyph said:
My go-to portable amp for busking on upright and electric is a Bose S1 pro v1.
Click to expand...

For Bass I guess you only used the bottom part without the line array columns ?
Bose should be as realistic as can be. Did not think about this at all.
What I like about the idea is that I have to get an L1 array system anyway, so it just accelerates that decision.

Thank you very much.
This was a very interesting "disruptive" suggestion, complimenting the excellent recommendations already given in other posts.
 
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#15
zimbodel said:
For Bass I guess you only used the bottom part without the line array columns
Click to expand...

You’re thinking of a different product. The S1 pro is a portable full range PA speaker that weighs 11 pounds, has two inputs,Bluetooth, and can get pretty loud. It has an internal battery that lasts 6+ hours on a charge playing at volume. It can do small drum less gigs- I’ve used it as a bass amp for piano bars, acoustic duo gigs and busking, where I’ve also sang through it. The irony is that I hate the way program music sounds through it- the bass is hyped and the mids are scooped, like all Bose home audio products. But my basses and my voice (bass/baritone) sound good through it, and the portability and convenience can’t be beat.
I bought it mostly based on the battery powered aspect, and a used one showed up at my local music store. But there are lots of battery powered PA systems on the market.
If you’re not interested in that level of portability, a high quality powered PA speaker like a QSC 12.2 can make a great small bass amp, as long as you don’t need much tone shaping from it. I’ve used one with my (active, 3band eq) five string, and it kills.
 
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#18

MuseChaser said:
I don't own a BSX. I play an Azola BugBass II through a Genzler Bass Acoustic Array Pro and couldn't be happier with the results. The two weak spots are my playing and the lack of true acoustic hollow-body resonance of the Azola.
Click to expand...
The Genzler is probably my favorite dedicated medium sized solution.
I think it is a bit heavy for routine up and down stairs for practice etc.
Or, what is your experience ?
 
#19
zimbodel said:
The Genzler is probably my favorite dedicated medium sized solution.
I think it is a bit heavy for routine up and down stairs for practice etc.
Or, what is your experience ?
Click to expand...
My previous combo amps were an SWR Workingman 12 and an Acoustic Image Coda (first version). Compared to those two and the GK MP combos some of my friends use, the Genzler is infinitely more versatile and light as a feather. I routinely carry the Genzler in one hand and a bunch of stuff (bass or piano gear) in the other up several flights of stairs easily.

The first time I picked up the Genzler after trying it out prior to buying it, I almost threw it through the ceiling, expecting it to be a lot heavier than it was.
 
#20
MuseChaser said:
My previous combo amps were an SWR Workingman 12 and an Acoustic Image Coda (first version). Compared to those two and the GK MP combos some of my friends use, the Genzler is infinitely more versatile and light as a feather. I routinely carry the Genzler in one hand and a bunch of stuff (bass or piano gear) in the other up several flights of stairs easily.

The first time I picked up the Genzler after trying it out prior to buying it, I almost threw it through the ceiling, expecting it to be a lot heavier than it was.
Click to expand...
That sounds really nice. Did not know they are that light. They look heavy.
Now I just have to find out how good it sounds.
I am definitely going to look into that.
I am not shy to carry equipment when needed. I primarily use Ampeg SVT with Isovents if it is a big event, which works just fantastic.
 

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