I use the Euphonic Audio Doubler all the time - works great and your universal "do it all" amp. I use it with different EA cabs - mostly with a NL-210. I typically run Bass guitar through channel 1 and URB through channel 2.
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Double Bass DB & BG with one amp on stage
- Thread starter RedLeg
- Start date
Yes. A few options from Radial, the Basswitch and some others I'm less familiar with, perhaps the Headway. There are some other good threads on Pre-amp/DIs if you hit the search function.
Several Radial options: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], BassBone, PZ-Pre and a few more. For more versatility, better feature set for DB, and price-point, I'll suggest the Radial PZ-Pre as the best option. If you've got deep pockets, the Firefly or (non-Radial) Basswitch. I don't recommend the BassBone (for DB), which is geared towards bass guitars. Check Radial's website for full feature sets of the aforementioned products, plus some others that might fit your needs.
Again, for DB look at the PZ-Pre (not BassBone), or Firefly or Basswitch.
And I'd recommend the Radial PZ-Pre over the Radial Tonebone BassBone. [edit: or BassBone + FDeck's HPF-Pre and mute with its vol knob]
I just don't get using a BassBone for DB & BG, not when the PZ-Pre has a more robust feature set that lends itself better to DB (& BG).
NO need to "finagle the boost/effect loop switch", the PZed-Pre has a separate dedicated mute switch – leaving the boost/effects loop free to do its intended job. Three footswitches vs the BB's two. Better EQ control over mids, an HPF, a Notch filter and switchable buffers for Piezo's in each channel. Even with two bass guitars, I'd still choose the PZed-Pre over the older BB for the mute switch alone.
Apart from dual-channel amp options, for a doubler on DB & BG wanting a Pre/DI, I think the Radial PZ-Pre or the Basswitch are the two best options for live performance. As sweet as the Firefly sounded in online clips, its feature set is geared more towards the studio (you'd likely need/want a separate footswitch for it).
Full disclosure:
I've not had the opportunity to try the Basswitch, I own a PZed-Pre. I've tried, but didn't buy, the BassBone, and used friends' DIs including Countryman, LR Baggs, and MXR Bass DI + as well as various soundpeople's Radial DIs. I have a two-channel amp as well (EA Micro/Wizzy 10), but as someone pointed out already, you don't always get to use your amp. I don't double (not yet), but my PZed-Pre's second channel has hosted at different times fiddle, guitar and cello on gigs. My PZ-Pre is a core part of my setup, live and recently recording. I'm an amateur, but I gig regularly and did my homework and for me, IMHO, the best tool for the doubling job is either...
PZ-Pre or Basswitch.
I gig with a Carvin MB12. I have an fdeck on my Full Circle. A/B box, match the passive electric bass signal with the fdeck volume control, and the amp is neutral enough it serves both very, very well indeed.
Or, spend beaucoup bucks on an EA Doubler....
Or, spend beaucoup bucks on an EA Doubler....
I also have used the Epifani UL-502 for doubling. The foot switch and mute functions are real handy. The two EQ sections allow you to set different sounds for each instrument. I have also used it with success for doubling between fretted and fretless electric basses.
Great info Feral. I'll really look into those more. 
How do those two compare when running a Piezo PU thru them?
How do those two compare when running a Piezo PU thru them?
Bassist4Eris
Frat-Pack Sympathizer
I think I read somewhere that Patitucci uses the Radial Bassbone. I don't double on the DB, but I use the Bassbone to switch between two electrics, and it's a decent piece of gear.
EDIT: I just found one in the classifieds. I'm not affiliated with the seller. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f213/radial-tonebone-bassbone-997173/
EDIT: I just found one in the classifieds. I'm not affiliated with the seller. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f213/radial-tonebone-bassbone-997173/
Alembic F2B (ancient, but works fine) with a muting DI box on the upright. Then into the amp of the day..
I use a Morley ABY pedal to switch between the two and a Barber Linden EQ on the upright to balance tones and volumes, and before that, I used a Tech 21 VT Deluxe. Always used only one amp, always will. No point in bringing two with this setup.
I think the input of the Bassbone is a bit low for piezo - if you already have a preamp you're OK, directly with the peizo into the bassbone does not work that well (at least not with my K&K).
Cool. Simple and easy PZee.
I've got the Radial PZed-Pre, the Basswitch wasn't around when I was shopping for a pre/DI and I've not been able to find a Basswitch to try yet to compare.Great info Feral. I'll really look into those more.
How do those two compare when running a Piezo PU thru them?
I'm not that experienced, I just read & research a lot
and then purchase based on my extensive research. I lucked out on the PZed-Pre, the store I found it in was having a sale 
, it has a 10 meg Ohm buffer for Piezos. From what I've read the Lehle switching on the Basswitch is excellent and the sound may be more hi-fi than the Radial, but then the Basswitch is plus beaucoup d'argent.I wound up with an Underwood (one of my choices, but not first), 'cause that's all I could find at the time and paid full price
. EA had just come out with the Doubler, but I found a Boxing-day deal on its predecessor the Micro, so I got that and Wizzy 10 über cheap 
. I didn't want to get on the string carousel, so after a LOT of reading: Evah Pirazzi Solo tuned orchestral worked for me, but alas full pop $. Hello Music had a killer deal on the Basswitch recently, but when I tried to get it... they won't ship outside the US and then they sold out before I could have them ship it to a buddy in San Diego.
There's some good TB threads on the Basswitch...I think Patitucci was using the BassBone long before the PZed-Pre became available and it hasn't broke...
Looking forward to Aug 4th!
Yeah, I still want to get FDeck's HPF-Pre as a compact lightweight backup to my Radial. I could see it as a good combination with the BassBone, that would work for me, and then you have volume control at your fingertips to boot so you could just mute the upright that way.
BTW, I'm listening to Sam Jones right now, check him out:
*sigh*
- Mar 9, 2001
- 963
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Accugroove Cabinets & MJC Ironworks Strings
I use the GB ShuttleMax 9.2 as well and use an A/B switch to go back and forth. The change only requires hitting two switches. This setup does require that one has three instrument cables.
Wally
Well folks,
I gotta say that the tonebone is where it is at for simplicity. We had a loud outdoor gig today and I used it onstage for the first time and it was simple and thourough. three bands of eq on the EUB and flat on the EB. I could have use the DB today, but being outside in Japan in August is dicey with rain. Plus, chasing down "howl" on a DB without a notch filter would be a nightmare at today's volume. I can honestly say that the tonebone will suit my needs nicely. In the future I may check out the EBS because of the parametric and the FX blend.
Now the latest requirement.....an EUB/DB/EB stand. My azola fell over onstage and it hurt my soul!
I gotta say that the tonebone is where it is at for simplicity. We had a loud outdoor gig today and I used it onstage for the first time and it was simple and thourough. three bands of eq on the EUB and flat on the EB. I could have use the DB today, but being outside in Japan in August is dicey with rain. Plus, chasing down "howl" on a DB without a notch filter would be a nightmare at today's volume. I can honestly say that the tonebone will suit my needs nicely. In the future I may check out the EBS because of the parametric and the FX blend.
Now the latest requirement.....an EUB/DB/EB stand. My azola fell over onstage and it hurt my soul!
Really enjoying my 2 channel Acoustic Image Coda (series IV) paired with my 4 ohm Schroeder mini 12L. All the power I ever need on my gigs and plenty of tonal control (but not too much. for me, more simpler is more better)
I use an Acoustic Image Clarus 2R head with 1 or 2 EA VL208s (cabs).
This has 2 channels and I was at Jazz Summerschool recently where I did swap between DB and BG easily - I had one into each channel and left them plugged in. The Clarus has mute switches that allow you to choose either or both channels and you can set different EQ, Volume or even effects for the 2 channels.
http://www.acousticimg.com/#/clarus_s4/lp
Bruce,
I think the reason that the Euphonic Audio VL 208 works so well for doubling is that they're very accurate at reproducing Double Bass, while well suited for Electric. There aren't to many cabinets that are capable of that. IMHO they aren't suited for pop and slap, but I'm not often doing that anyway. Since they are linear arrays in a D'Appolito configuration, with a transmission line waveguide, the different ranges of the instruments speak clearly and evenly. At this point, they are on the heavy end of high end bass speakers, but not by much. Getting your hands on one can be a challenge, but they come up on TB every now and then.
Ric
I had one stolen from my car and then bought another - a few years later I bought the original back on eBay very cheaply, from somebody who had genuinely bought it, used from a shop (which is no longer trading). I am now glad that I have two and don't let them out of my sight! 
I had one stolen from my car and then bought another - a few years later I bought the original back on eBay very cheaply, from somebody who had genuinely bought it, used from a shop (which is no longer trading). I am now glad that I have two and don't let them out of my sight!
Bruce,
Sorry to hear about that, as it's so upsetting to have your property stolen. You're wise to have a pair, last I heard there aren't any more replacements for those Eminence 8" Drivers, John Dong had custom designed, specifically for that cabinet.
Ric
