Double Bass Combo for DB on a budget

[Jeremy Allen]

I can't help be skeptical about the WM12 in a big band setting, being only 100/120 watts.

It's cool for big band. The amplifier matches the speaker well, which is more important than the raw wattage number (or so I seem to have found).

I was touring with a European big band called the New Art Orchestra, and I commented to the drummer (John Hollenbeck, an excellent composer in his own right) that maybe I should get a bigger amp and a volume pedal so I could really crank it during those inevitable sections in which the whole group is roaring and the bass kind of gets lost. He said "No way!" and mentioned that the sound of a big band kind of assumes that the bass won't be in your face all the time, during shout choruses and such. To crank it in the attempt to maintain some kind of studio-quality mix at all times, he insisted, would be bizarre. Just one opinion, but there is wisdom in it.

(For the other side of the argument, hear John Lockwood playing with the trio The Fringe every Monday night in Boston--he uses a volume pedal and ranges from no amplification to full-throttle amp depending on where this free-jazz trio, which uses a very wide dynamic range, happens to be at any given moment, and it works very effectively).

 

[Tom Baldwin]

It's cool for big band. The amplifier matches the speaker well, which is more important than the raw wattage number (or so I seem to have found).

I figured it would be OK for big band, but couldn't help but wonder if more watts and another speaker would be better. I also figure that in a combo, it's a forgone conclusion that the amp and speaker would be well matched. Perhaps I am mistaken.

At any rate, I am going to try the Ashdown tomorrow, as well as the SWR and Maybe the newish Fender bassman 250/210.

 

[Tom Baldwin]

Well, I'm broadening the search. They just "found" some more money in the budget, so we're up to about $1,000. now. In addition, I'm told I don't have to limit it to a combo. This pretty much negates everthing up to this point, so I'm sorry for having wasted everyone's time (mostly my own )

Now thinking in terms of the D-tar Solstice plus a Mackie SRM450 which comes in at $909 at the local store.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Now thinking in terms of the D-tar Solstice plus a Mackie SRM450 which comes in at $909 at the local store.

something about small, easily transportable packages and the educational institution somehow does not bode well....talk to the A/V department about the rate of replacement for missing slide projectors.

 

[Tom Baldwin]

something about small, easily transportable packages and the educational institution somehow does not bode well....talk to the A/V department about the rate of replacement for missing slide projectors.

Well, the director's plan is to keep it under lock and key, and bring it out only for concerts and 1 or 2 rehearsals prior. Your point is still valid, tho I hope you're wrong.

 

[Tom Baldwin]

Well, I know you were all waiting with bated breath . I wound up getting an SWR 2x10 combo, along with a Fishman Pro Platinum Bass EQ. I got a good deal, as the SWR was a floor model. It's 260W and 400W with an extra cab. I think the 2 10s are going to be tighter for DB. With a Realist, it sounded PDG straight into the amp. For doubling, you can just run the Fishman into the effects return, and adjust the effects level CW, or CCW for BG into the main input. It's big and heavy, but on casters.