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Double Bass Eden WT1205 for electric/string bass doubling

J

Jeremy Morgan

Oct 23, 2004
70
3
Trowbridge, UK
www.jeremymorgan.me.uk
#1
Posted in Bass Guitar forum too:

The new-ish Eden WT1205 looks on paper that it may be ideal as a fairly straightforward self-contained rig for players who double on electric and string bass (like myself).

The dual preamp design appears suitable - it has high impedance inputs which the manufacturer states are suitable for piezo pickups. i would envisage using channel one for electric bass, and channel 2, with its parametric EQ, for string bass.

I wondered if anyone had used this head in this manner? I have never owned Eden gear but have been impressed by the electric bass sound from them, my concern would be that the amp may be too coloured for string bass.

Anyone got any opinions?
 
#2
Jeremy,
The Eden World Tour is without question a very well made amplifier. I can't find the input impedance on the website or the users manual.
I'd call them and check that out, to make sure that it's 1 Meg Ohm. Otherwise, you will probably need a buffer pre amp. You do realize that this baby weighs 32 pounds? Most DB rigs are lighter weight than that. Little Mark, Walter Woods, and even other Eden heads weigh a lot less. Considering you already have 2 EA Cabinets, this is gonna be a pretty substantial cart in on the gigs you play.
Thats not saying you shouldn't go that route. Just a observation on my part, that by the time you add a cabinet to the mix, you're probably gonna be in the +60 pound range and that doesn't include schlepping your Double Bass, Electric Bass and accessories. Your EA iAmp 800 is a pretty nice amplifier, they sound great with DB IMHO. I guess you are looking for a two channel amp aren't you?

Ric
 
#3
Ric,
Maybe there's a typo on the Eden site as they list it as 26lbs. Where did you see the 32lbs?

As for the impedance, they indicate in the manual that it is OK for piezo pickups, but don't back that up with an impedance figure. I'll email them to confirm, but I would imagine that it would be at least 1Meg for them to make the piezo claim.

I'm running my iAMP at the moment with a Presonus Acousti-Q as a pre-amp for the double bass. This goes into the CD input, which bypasses the iAMP EQ (I have had to use a step-up audio transformer to match the levels). I am effectively using the iAMP as a power amp as far as DB goes. The electric bass goes into the main input of the iAMP, and goes through the EQ/preamp.

The WT1205 has an appeal as it will simplify this setup and reduce size (although maybe not weight?). The current rig is 3U, the 1205 would be 2U.

Most of the time I only take 1 speaker (CXL112) with me, unless it is a louder gig or maybe an outdoors event.

The other reason for the investigation is that I heard an Eden amp yesterday (a Time Traveller 1x10" combo) & it made me question whether my iAMP is possibly a bit too hi-fi for electric bass (for my tastes anyway).
 
#4
Jeremy Morgan said:
Ric,
Maybe there's a typo on the Eden site as they list it as 26lbs. Where did you see the 32 lbs?
Click to expand...

Whew, You are absolutely right Jeremy the 1205 is 26 lbs. That's a relief isn't it. I got that spec from the PDF manual that covers the 1250 and the 1550?


Jeremy Morgan said:
As for the impedance, they indicate in the manual that it is OK for piezo pickups, but don't back that up with an impedance figure. I'll email them to confirm, but I would imagine that it would be at least 1Meg for them to make the piezo claim.
Click to expand...

Makes sense, but I'd email them to make sure

Jeremy Morgan said:
I'm running my iAMP at the moment with a Presonus Acousti-Q as a pre-amp for the double bass. This goes into the CD input, which bypasses the iAMP EQ (I have had to use a step-up audio transformer to match the levels). I am effectively using the iAMP as a power amp as far as DB goes. The electric bass goes into the main input of the iAMP, and goes through the EQ/preamp.
Click to expand...

Wow, I get it now, that's a very complicated rig, you would actually be better with a two channel amplifier.

Jeremy Morgan said:
The WT1205 has an appeal as it will simplify this setup and reduce size (although maybe not weight?). The current rig is 3U, the 1205 would be 2U.
Click to expand...

Yes, now that I have the weight specifications right it certainly would.


Jeremy Morgan said:
Most of the time I only take 1 speaker (CXL112) with me, unless it is a louder gig or maybe an outdoors event.
Click to expand...


The CXL is a great speaker


Jeremy Morgan said:
The other reason for the investigation is that I heard an Eden amp yesterday (a Time Traveller 1x10" combo) & it made me question whether my iAMP is possibly a bit too hi-fi for electric bass (for my tastes anyway).
Click to expand...

Well, that's for your ears to decide, certainly not mine. However, there is one thing that I want to point out. The Pre Amp circuitry in the Time Traveler is some what different than the World Tour.

"The Time Traveler has an etirely new feature, an optically coupleddynamic smart booster for bass and treble. This allows for the bass and highs to be solid and well defined from a whisper to a roar. It automatically compensates for playing level so that the sound quality is maintained."

Ric
 
#6
What pickup are you using? I'm using a Realist and I'm not satisfied with my Eden Time Traveler. I'm still experimenting with the EQ, and I may end up buying an external preamp.

I've seen Reid Anderson of The Bad Plus using the World Tour Amps and his tone is fantastic. I guess the tube preamp section and parametric EQ helps...
 
#7
Ric, thanks for the pics.

From what I can see on the Time Traveler it has a single mid that is switchable between 550Hz and 2.2kHz. By my reckoning, the same EQ configuration (or more) should be available on the WT1205. On channel 1 there are 2 mid controls at 550Hz and 2.2kHz, and on channel 2 the mid is sweepable between 250Hz and 2.5kHz, so would be able to be dialed in similarly if wished.

Mattfong: I use a Fishman Full Circle on my double bass. Out of all the pickups I have tried, I find the sound is the closest to a mic that I have been able to achieve (but still some way off - although in a mix it is OK). I did try the Realist briefly but found it very muddy & without much definition. What is it abound your sound you are not happy with? I suspect that your pickup may be the root of the problem. Have you tried any others?
 
#8
I've tried the BP-100 and remember getting a good sound out of it the one time I used it... but I don't remember what that sound was like haha.

Ugh I don't want to try returning/selling the Realist and trying out others... I've also been considering an Acoustic Image head to run through my Eden's speakers, my teacher uses a Realist and he loves the AI amps.

I've also gotten good tone out of a Yorkville keyboard amp... So I think the amp is part of the issue. I'm going to go try out some preamps I've got $300 bucks to spend on music gear right now.
 
#9
I use an Eden Navigator pre in my electric bass rig.

On the few gigs I've run my DB thru the Eden, it was absolute bliss. Leave the EQ flat and tweak a little here & there.

However, I someday want to have an iamp500 or 800 for my DB rig -- maybe you ought to revisit the EA amp's EQ (tone shaping) section before you spend big bux on an Eden.

That said, the 1205 looks like a nice piece 'o kit for us doublers.
 
#11
I've used piezos direct into my Eden Time Traveller - it's definitely high enough impedance.
The Eden solid-state preamp sounds a little warmer to me than their tube pre, but has more limited EQ. Fine by me because I usually leave it flat. Edens have a fairly neutral sound so I don't think you'd have any issues with it colouring your tone.
 
#12
That's true -- I find I can run my pups right into the Eden inputs and get a decent tone.

I secretly push the "Turbo Boost" button on the Nav to get a lot more gain up front.

I did not like the Realist thorugh my Eden or SWR. I do like my Full Circle more and more each time I use it.

Jeremy -- any luck with your decision?
 
#13
It's been suggested that a Markbass LMK and Bergantino HT112ER cab might be worth trying (or the LMK head with my existing CXL112). I'm trying to reduce the size of the equipment I take out - the Berg is slightly smaller than the CXL.

The LMK is smaller than the iAMP and is 2 channel so I wouldn't need the Presonus Acousti-Q. It would fit in a fitted padded bag rather than the 3U rack bag I take now.

However, input impedance is only 500K so may be an issue with the Full Circle (a small battery powered buffer amp would get over this, but it's more clutter). It's a shame that the LMK doesn't have a higher input impedance.

The Markbass amps seem to be highly thought of generally, and appear to be popular at the moment, especially in Europe.
 

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