Double Bass Good Doubling Rig

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I also have a Focus which has some really nice features like the HPF, effects and combo jack to use with a mic and of course it's light weight and compactness. It functions as a compact PA when neccesary if you do a gig with a vocalist and acoustic piano or something, you can also mix a mic and pick up or use the two channels for EB or DB.

My Focus has served me well on slab, DB and doubling gigs. I've mixed in a mic on the extra channel and more than once made it available to a piano or guitar with compliments. A first call piano player last week thought it was slightly lightweight into the Wizzy 10, but considering we were both using it behind an 18 pc band, he didn't really complain. It sounds (or doesn't sound at all) great everytime out. Pound for pound, it's also the most convenient tool imaginable.

 

[thombo]

i am a fan of using two cabs for doubling- it was two aggie gs 112's, now it's a schroesder 1212L and a 1515L. when using electric, i use both cabs; for upright i just use the top (1212L) cab.
i control the cabs with a two channel power amp (one side for each speaker).

can't talk from personal experience regarding a two channel head, though it is a good idea.
i use an alembic pre for both, though i want a fishman pre to put between the upright and alembic when using the doghouse.

two channel head suggestions... ampeg portabass 800 of an acoustic image.

 

[kevtexbass]

I just bought a Bass Tonebone by Radial engineering to solve my doubling problems. It has 2 inputs, one with a 3 band EQ, the other input has 3 preset contours. It's got a tuner output, effects loop adjustable boost control,xlr out with a ground lift switch. They come up on ebay for about $260 or so. I haven't had much time to experiment yet, but using it just as a preamp/eq on an upright with steel strings it sounded great. Didn't sound as good on a gut string bass. It's an inexpensive solution.

 

[tornadobass]

I just bought a Bass Tonebone by Radial engineering to solve my doubling problems. It has 2 inputs, one with a 3 band EQ, the other input has 3 preset contours. It's got a tuner output, effects loop adjustable boost control,xlr out with a ground lift switch. They come up on ebay for about $260 or so. I haven't had much time to experiment yet, but using it just as a preamp/eq on an upright with steel strings it sounded great. Didn't sound as good on a gut string bass. It's an inexpensive solution.

Note that the manual suggests you can put an unwired 1/4" plug into the effects loop. When you step on the boost/loop button, it acts as a mute instead. That's what I've done with mine, so I can tune silently, swap basses, or mute the rig during set breaks.

 

[soulpumpkin]

Just adding two cents, but I also have a Radial Bassbone I use live. Not doing the doubling yet, but I use it for two different basses and EQ's and it works great. Not that expensive used, and still only a few hundred new. A lot cheaper than a new rig, if you like what you got.

 

[brianh]

I have an Epifani 1x12 which I use with an Eden Traveller, and honestly it's totally enough power for just about any gig. I use on REALLY loud gigs and it's never been a problem. Low B is is great with it. It really cranks, and sounds crystal clear all the way.

It works great for upright bass too and when I had a car I used to use it all the time. However, it's a bit much for the subway in NYC with a double bass so it doesn't make it much.

I actually don't use an amp that much on DB, but if I do have to bring one I use a Mark Bass MiniMark (2x8 I think). It's really small and easy to get around, and sounds fine. It actually also sounds great with EB...but sometimes isn't enough for the high volume gigs. Jazz or background stuff would be fine though....

 

[Ike Harris]

I've been doubling on the road for a few years until now. The backline co.s have been providing amps, SWRs for me, mostly, and I've carried a Dtar Solstice to route both signals to the single channel and d.i. When I needed to bring an amp I used my pre-Fender SWR 400 and Big Foot (2-12) with the blender. Here at home I've mostly used my old trusty 200mb for upright gigs and smaller elec. work for years. I've recently picked up a Clarus 2 channel head used with the GK ext. cab with some success. The M-line 112 is coming this week, so looking forward to that. So, there are several options if you use a blender(Solstice, Tonebone or AB box w/no eq), otherwise gotta spring for the dual channel thingy.

Hope this helps,

Ike

 

[Barcza]

I use the Morley ABY pedal, it's a simple router, don't need battery and don't colorise the sound. Sometime the less is more!

 

[Ric Vice]

I'm in the market for a good rig for playing upright and electric on the same gig. Music is modern jazz/groove stuff. I want something light, portable, easy to use, and sounds good. Maybe a 2 channel head so I can eq one for electric and one for upright.
I'm thinking a 1x12 cab but maybe it would be too weak for the electric stuff. 1x15 maybe?
Until now I've used a GK1x12 combo.

Bassnut,
Unless you have unlimited funds most heads are better for either upright or electric. Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio, and Markbass will all work but they work better with one or the other instruments. The tough decision is what you are willing to compromise a little on. Acoustic Image builds great flexibility into their amps for managing feedback on the upright. Markbass heads have a 500k input impedance so you have to have a Piezo buffer preamp. GK 150MBS heads sound really very good with both instruments, but are low power single channel amplifiers. The EA micro has two channels, adequate power, and the correct input impedance for pizeo's but dosen't have a notch and low cut filter for the acoustic. I realize that all this sounds a little daunting, but it's more about what features you need the most and which instrument you use the most.

Ric

 

[guyl]

Bassnut,
Unless you have unlimited funds most heads are better for either upright or electric. Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio, and Markbass will all work but they work better with one or the other instruments.

Ric

Totally agree with this.

EA iAMP600 with 2 x EA cabs is best for me. Excellent for Upright - adequate for electric.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Bassnut,
Unless you have unlimited funds most heads are better for either upright or electric. Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio, and Markbass will all work but they work better with one or the other instruments. The tough decision is what you are willing to compromise a little on. Acoustic Image builds great flexibility into their amps for managing feedback on the upright. Markbass heads have a 500k input impedance so you have to have a Piezo buffer preamp. GK 150MBS heads sound really very good with both instruments, but are low power single channel amplifiers. The EA micro has two channels, adequate power, and the correct input impedance for pizeo's but dosen't have a notch and low cut filter for the acoustic. I realize that all this sounds a little daunting, but it's more about what features you need the most and which instrument you use the most.

Ric

I couldn't agree more, except to say the Glockenklang Soul, Channel B has a nice impedence for piezo (I don't have the specs in front of me). Additionally the EQ has an on off switch. I tend to run the upright flat and then pop on the EQ for electric. I should mention I own the Heart Rock which is the same head but heavier, with more wattage...

Pete

 

[hensonbass]

Another vote for the AI Focus head and I would also like to mention a new cab I've tried that I think really sounds nice with the Focus amp: a Phil Jones 8B cabinet (8x5" inch neo spkr, 4 ohms)

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I was running Euphonic Audio cabs (NL 210 & CXL 112L) for a 4 ohm load and it did a great job, but that meant carrying 2 cabs to get the power and tone I wanted. Using just one of the EA cabs left me wanting more power and/or the tone wasn't right. I always preferred using my Epifani UL110 cab for the small/quiet gigs where I only wanted one cab.

This Phil Jones 8B is one of the most musical sounding cabs I've ever played through. Those 5" drivers are great. I like the fact that they have no tweeters. I get plenty of definition with no hiss or clank. Tonight on a loud wedding gig I cranked it up with a Lakland 5- string and it was loud and clear all night. The low end was incredible. I felt I had the same amount of volume with one PJB cab as I did when I used the two EA's. At the same time my upright sounds natural through it too, especially with the bow.

It also has built in casters and a luggage cart handle that makes loading in a snap.

BTW: The Flightcase combo I tried at the store where I bought the 8B sounds AMAZING too. Not a lot of volume, but is perfect for a purist player who likes more subtle amplification.

I think it's worth checking out the Phil Jones Bass offerings, as well as the Epifani and Euphonic Audio. For now after having experience with all 3, I think the PJB works best for me, especially if I had to use just one cab for all of my gigs.

 

[jsbarber]

I haven't seen the Bergantino IP-series powered cabinets mentioned in this thread. The IP112 was tried at last year's belchfest:
http://talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=241978&highlight=Bergantino+IP112+Belchfest
and received some very favorable comments. On the BG side of the forum these cabinets receive a lot of accolades, and although not everyone loves them many do. With the right preamp in front of one of these (Millennia TD-1/STT-1 maybe) I think you'd have a great doubling rig. There are some folks on the forum here that are using this for DB, and possibly for doubling (so a search might yield some interesting insights). Other than an IP-based rig, I would give a +1 to Pete Palmieri's Glockenklang comments.

JIm

 

[peterpalmieri]

Another vote for the AI Focus head and I would also like to mention a new cab I've tried that I think really sounds nice with the Focus amp: a Phil Jones 8B cabinet (8x5" inch neo spkr, 4 ohms)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I was running Euphonic Audio cabs (NL 210 & CXL 112L) for a 4 ohm load and it did a great job, but that meant carrying 2 cabs to get the power and tone I wanted. Using just one of the EA cabs left me wanting more power and/or the tone wasn't right. I always preferred using my Epifani UL110 cab for the small/quiet gigs where I only wanted one cab.

This Phil Jones 8B is one of the most musical sounding cabs I've ever played through. Those 5" drivers are great. I like the fact that they have no tweeters. I get plenty of definition with no hiss or clank. Tonight on a loud wedding gig I cranked it up with a Lakland 5- string and it was loud and clear all night. The low end was incredible. I felt I had the same amount of volume with one PJB cab as I did when I used the two EA's. At the same time my upright sounds natural through it too, especially with the bow.

It also has built in casters and a luggage cart handle that makes loading in a snap.

BTW: The Flightcase combo I tried at the store where I bought the 8B sounds AMAZING too. Not a lot of volume, but is perfect for a purist player who likes more subtle amplification.

I think it's worth checking out the Phil Jones Bass offerings, as well as the Epifani and Euphonic Audio. For now after having experience with all 3, I think the PJB works best for me, especially if I had to use just one cab for all of my gigs.

I find this very interesting. Do you think the 8b can compete with a 4x10 cabinet. Do you have any experience with the 6B
you could share?

 

[hensonbass]

The PJB 8B cab is rated for 400 watts @ 4 ohms. I don't think it will generate the sound pressure levels of the high end market 4x10 cabs out there. I think its more in the range between a 210 or a 310 cab.

The difference I find in the PJB cab is it brings out certain frequencies in my basses that I miss hearing with the other cabs. Consequently I find I don't have to have as much brute volume to hear myself or my sound.

I have not tried out a 6B, but I did try a 12B and it would compare to a 4x10 cab for sure. Its also a bit heavier than some of the ultra-light 410 cabs out there as well.

I'm finding I would rather carry a little more weight and have a killer tone. All those upright players who love those heavy EA VL-208 cabs is an example.