• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Doubling in a Musical - HELP, PLEASE!

#21
The OP mentioned that she couldn't afford a Tonebone right now. Been there...

Down the road a Doubler amp or DOD VAC240 mixer are great options. But cost is probably what prompted her to consider an ABY switchers.

Options under $100?

Morley: a good inexpensive basic ABY switcher but some people get tone suck and it may cause other problems depending on the house wiring (i.e. outlet not grounded properly, neutral/hot receptacle wires reversed)

Radial HotShot I/O Selector: a little bit more $ than the Morley switcher. Bypass seems better than Morley. No elec problems yet but I've only used it for rehearsals at 3 locations so far. Easier to balance volume output but I haven't need that feature yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crissy Martinez
#24
Alright, ch'yall! Setup is complete! Had a great opening last night and switching between both basses couldn't have gone smoother! Thanks to all of you for your help/input.

I ordered a Morley ABY Mixer/Combiner and it works great. I didn't notice any changes in tone from either basses, no hum/noise etc. If anything, it sounds better because I can unify the signals. It's also really nice to not have to unplug anything during a show & cool that I can adjust the volume/boost from the Morley and not have to touch my amp! Yay!

So here are some pics:
Link Removed Link Removed Link Removed
 
  • Like
Reactions: moles, Groove Doctor, Max Bogosity and 1 other person
#26
ls2_gal.jpg

Use either A-B, A-bypass or B-bypass
Plug basses into appropriate inputs/returns
The cool thing is that you can use it for other stuff too!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crissy Martinez
#27
It sounds like you have this solved already, so I'll just add that for me, there was an evolution in my gear as I did more and more doubling. I'm a "serious doubler". . . I went from just pulling the cable out and switching by hand, to a Radial switcher, then the bass bone, and I have now settled on the RMI basswitch. It rocks. Correct impedance, full EQ, great DI, and the switches don't make noise that distracts from the stage. I don't think I'll be buying another switcher after this one. :)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Groove Doctor, Mark Gollihur and Crissy Martinez
#28
Need Gigs beat me to it. This is what all the serious doublers I know use. They keep two totally separate signal chains for the two instruments, and then go into an LS-2 to switch between them. The switching is really silent, unlike a lot of other (passive) units, and there is a volume control for each input, so balancing the volume to your amp is easy. If you need separate DIs you just have them in front of the LS-2. If you need a single DI, just put it after. This thing has been around a long time, too, so it's not too expensive and you can often find used ones.

Edit: Crissy, your post about getting the Morley somehow wasn't showing when I posted. I'm glad to hear it worked out, looks like that box will do the trick.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Crissy Martinez
#29
Brent Nussey said:
Need Gigs beat me to it. This is what all the serious doublers I know use. They keep two totally separate signal chains for the two instruments, and then go into an LS-2 to switch between them. The switching is really silent, unlike a lot of other (passive) units, and there is a volume control for each input, so balancing the volume to your amp is easy. If you need separate DIs you just have them in front of the LS-2. If you need a single DI, just put it after. This thing has been around a long time, too, so it's not too expensive and you can often find used ones.

Edit: Crissy, your post about getting the Morley somehow wasn't showing when I posted. I'm glad to hear it worked out, looks like that box will do the trick.
Click to expand...
There's no doubt that I will upgrade to better gear in the future, but these units aren't bad at all and my basses sound great. I'm only using the "A" side of the Morley, so I never have to touch it during a show anyway, only if I want to adjust the volume. To mute the upright I use the BOSS TU-2 and to mute the electric bass, I use the volume knobs on the instrument itself. :)
 
Last edited:
#32
I know this thread has been quiet for awhile but I'd like to thank the posters above who mentioned the Radial Tonebone products. I just got a Bassbone OD and gigged with it last night for the first time. My NS NXT EUB has a piezo pickup and the OD has a PZ switch that matches the super high impedence. When you combine that with the HPF filter and the super clean circuitry of the radial products the result was a great thumpy sound from the NXT. I also doubled with my Fender P and the OD made it super easy to switch really quicly between them. The mute switch was really handly to keep everything quiet and professional when switching, etc. Great product. A little pricy though. The new Tonebone v2 will have many of the same features at a lower price but is not available yet. While my previous solution of a simple AB switch worked fine I really needed a new pre for the NXT and am glad I found this product.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back