DB & BG with one amp on stage

Red Leg,
I've used a dual channel Walter Woods amplifier for just this reason. Now you have less expensive alternatives in the Euphonic Audio Doubler and the Acoustic Image dual channel amps. If you can wait a few weeks AI has a new amp coming out with a separate Pre Amp that mounts on a microphone stand.


Ric

 

You don't need a two channel amp. If you have an amp you can get a Preamp/DI box like the EBS Microbass II. I've used the EBS Microbass II recently for the theater show "9 To 5" and it was as simple as switching basses and stepping on the pedal.

 

I adopt a graphic eq with level control (a very, very old 21-bands Boss, but still works) and a switch pedal: first i make my sound on DB, then work on the eq to get a good sound and an adequate volume for BG. Switching from one to another is quite easy.
About going from one to another, I think it all depends on the room you have onstage...

 

Just as a point of comparison, let's say you owned a Genz Benz shuttle 6.2, which runs about $599.00 and added a EBS Microbass to the rig at $400.00. By my calculations that would put you at about $999.00. This would be a great combination incidentally, so that's certainly a good way go.
Another option would be to just buy the EA Doubler, and pay $779.00. Both solutions provide you with a foot switchable way to go between two different instruments. The Doubler allows you to switch between it's two channels without reaching back to the amp.
Since you already own an amplifier I would say that something like the EBS Microbass is the less expensive solution. However if you were starting from scratch, IMHO it would be better to go with a two channel unit. Just My Take.

Ric

 

IMO, if you're doubling, you need a quality 2 channel preamp/DI box even if you have a 2 channel amp mainly because you may not always be able to use your amp even in today's world or micro amps.

On the gig I mentioned above I was using a Series III Contra with two channels. I had my DB on my left on the floor when playing my EB and my EB on a stand on my right when I was playing my DB. It was far more easier to step on a switch than to reach over to my amp to select which channel to use.

 

My problem is that I need a third switch to switch between arco and pizz. If I try to bow at the volume required for my pizz, it's blazing loud! So I have a mute switch for the piezio pickup, run mic only for the bow. All running into a mixing board for all three (db bow and pizz and eb). Aka, WAY TOO MUCH stuff to bring. Thus why I'm looking into a different pickup system that can handle arco/pizz levels better, and a floor switch similar to the EBS or maybe a Radial pedal.

 

While it's slightly less convenient, I've had great luck doubling with a Genz Benz ShuttleMax9.2, setting the FET channel for DB and the tube channel for electric. I do have to unplug one bass and plug in the other as there is only one instrument input, but in my situations that hasn't been a problem. The SM9.2 has a footswitch that can mute and select channels, so it's pretty simple - minus the cable swap.

 

Epifani UL 502 if you wanna buy a new amp. Or a Radial Tonebone if you wanna buy a pedal. Both products are incredible.

 

Try a volume pedal. I think depending on your bass guitar it should work for both.

 

I wish I could agree. I LOVED my UL502 for electric, and HATED it with upright. No amount of EQing on the upright could fix it. Absolutely best electric tone I've ever had, but it was horrible with the upright, IMO. In the end, I had to do something different and found the ShuttleMax. It's a great amp, but I'm decidedly more happy with my upright sound through the SM9.2 than my electric.

I won't comment on the Bassbone, but I tried it and don't have one...

 

I always wished I had the funds, to purchase one of the original AER Bass Cube's as they had three input channels. I'm fortunate to have the Ehrlund Pickup and Pre Amp. It solves the Arco to Pizzicato switching, with it's timbre and little belt mounted pre amp. If the Ehrlund is compatible with your bass, then you can effectively Double with a two channel amp. as my Lakland 55-94 has it's own pre amp, I have no need for any additional equipment.

Ric

 

I have a setup with an EBS microbass, It's really great, but I haven't tried many other options so I can't guarantee it's the 'best'. The EBS is great as it allows seperate gains for the 2 channels which is brilliant. The tone shaping options are okay - the A channel has bass and treble, B channel has only mids. luckily my electric active, so I run my Ken smith into channel B for Bass" and my upright into channel A for acoustic.
Hope this helps. Here's a picture I drew of my rig:

EB \ (Ken Smith 5er)

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EBS Microbass II > TecAmp Puma > fEARful 12/6/1​

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DB / (Ply, Spirocore Wiech, Upton revolution II)

 

I'd recommend the Radial Tonebone Bassbone over the EBS MB II (and I've used both quite regularly). Both have okay EQ options; for the BB, channel one has some presets and channel two has a three band. I found that for electric and upright, the BB worked SO much better; put the upright on channel two and use the 3 band. It's also much easier to get unity volume with both basses on the Bassbone, whereas the EBS can be tricky (and if you check the EB side of the forum, that's the biggest complaint).

The benefits the EBS had over the Bassbone was that it has a dedicated mute switch, whereas you have to finagle the boost/effect loop switch on the BB in order to function as a mute. The EBS also functions on 9v or phantom power, whereas the Bassbone has a dedicated power supply (not a big deal, unless you lose it).

Ended up selling both and use either a Phil Jones Bass Cub or a PJB D600 2 channel amp. Both are super simple to use, get great sounds, and switch back and forth. And the Cub is small enough that fitting it under my seat in a musical theatre pit is a no-brainer.

 

Run EB thru bass amps preamp, then plug DB (thru its own pre: Fishman, LR Baggs, Headway) into effects return to disengage the EB. Or vice versa.

Not elegant, but a simple, cheap, lightweight and functional starting point until you work out your optimal rig.

 

Two-channel Walter Woods feeding one (or two, depending on your stage volume) Bag End S15Ds and a Countryman DI to the house. Elegant, indestructible, easy to move and loud as hell.