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Jazz Gear

Interceptor

Interceptor

Mar 29, 2005
2,121
1,051
Madison, WI
#1
OK, I'm in a happy place. After almost 30 years, I'm about to be playing "fake book" jazz again.

Right now my rig is an old Bassman into one or two EV cabs. I like the rig, but, well, let's see - it has been 30 years since I've played straight up jazz. I'm no kid. It is time for something lighter.

What are you other guys using in an acoustic level environment? we are not planning on using support for the horns, piano or drums.

I appreciate any insight.
 
#3
Interceptor said:
OK, I'm in a happy place. After almost 30 years, I'm about to be playing "fake book" jazz again.

Right now my rig is an old Bassman into one or two EV cabs. I like the rig, but, well, let's see - it has been 30 years since I've played straight up jazz. I'm no kid. It is time for something lighter.

What are you other guys using in an acoustic level environment? we are not planning on using support for the horns, piano or drums.

I appreciate any insight.
Click to expand...

Hi Interceptor.

Amps made by Acoustic Image are popular with jazz players.

You may wish to inquire in the double bass forums re good jazz amps.
 
#9
Another shout for my GB Shuttle 6.0-12T. I've used it on a coupla' dozen jazz gigs since I bought it a few months ago. I'm just as amazed by the sound as I am the portability. And it sounds terrific at much higher volume levels then I ever would've expected. 32lbs of gain with no pain. :D

Congrats on the gig. I love my R&B, rock, yada yada gigs, but there is nothing like digging into some jazz with great players in an intimate setting.
 
#10
I'm digging the EA Micro 300 - fit's in the pocket of my gig. Not a powerhouse but plenty enough for the acoustic jazz/swing/newgrass stuff I'm doing. I drive a warmish 1x15 or a Bag End S15X-D or an Avatar 1x12 depending on the room.

I'm typically holding down the bottom of a trio where I have a combination of 2 guitars, or mando, or banjo or tenor guitar and voices above me. Once in a while it's a quartet where we add a mando/tenor guitar/violin/guitarist.

back to the amp ... the Micro 300 has a 2 channel mixer built in. It there are two instruments plugged in you get your choice of ewither channel for two basses or both channels, 1 for bass the other for ??? a mixer with a couple of pickup equipped acoustics and a mic. Thats where the Bag End comes in - the co-ax speaker is really full range and it works great in a more like sound reinforcement role... super efficient too.

I'm also really, really digging a mid 90's Godin Acoustibass - it is amazingly woody with the LR Baggs system and TIJF's. I also have an A4 that I'm warming to. the Acoustibass is warmer though and it's as close to a fretted upright db as I'm likely to find.

Your bassman will suffice if you have a cab efficient enough but after living with a Micro Amp I can't really see carrying a tube amp out of the house.
 
#11
Upright. For straight ahead jazz, there really is no substitute! If you're thinking about going that way in the future you might as well get an amp that can work with it now -- your bassman won't be a good upright rig.

I play with a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10t, which weighs 18lbs and sounds great. I can add a 1x12 underneath it for electric gigs and get 300W; enough for anything IMHO. You can find the combos for $500-$550 used, which is an amazing deal.
 
#12
junglebike said:
Upright. For straight ahead jazz, there really is no substitute! If you're thinking about going that way in the future you might as well get an amp that can work with it now -- your bassman won't be a good upright rig.

I play with a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10t, which weighs 18lbs and sounds great. I can add a 1x12 underneath it for electric gigs and get 300W; enough for anything IMHO. You can find the combos for $500-$550 used, which is an amazing deal.
Click to expand...
I do like the Shuttle, no doubt, but why wouldn't a Bassman make a good head for upright? Don't tell me you buy into that SS is better for upright silliness!
 
#15
For me (not necessarily for everyone else):

Electric bass amp = part of the instrument
Upright bass amp = necessary evil

For EB amp, I want "tone"
for UB amp, I want "accuracy"

Tubes = tone
SS = accuracy

Also, UB is such a royal PITA in every other way (setup, maintenance, hauling around, worrying about damage, humidity, micing, feedback, etc) it's really nice to use an amp with it that weighs 18lbs, is totally plug-and-play, has a great DI, etc. etc...
 
#16
junglebike said:
For me (not necessarily for everyone else):

Electric bass amp = part of the instrument
Upright bass amp = necessary evil

For EB amp, I want "tone"
for UB amp, I want "accuracy"

Tubes = tone
SS = accuracy

Also, UB is such a royal PITA in every other way (setup, maintenance, hauling around, worrying about damage, humidity, micing, feedback, etc) it's really nice to use an amp with it that weighs 18lbs, is totally plug-and-play, has a great DI, etc. etc...
Click to expand...
Ya, that's what I thought last year before I remembered I was a man ;)

:hiding:

But all seriousness aside, unlike a lot of bass players on here I support the right of people to play what they think is right for their styles. But playing upright through an old Ampeg tube amp is the shizzy, and this business about tube amps being "dirty" just ain't so if you don't push them into the red. Believe it or not, we all aren't looking for distorted tones out of our tube amps. And I see no reason why a Bassman wouldn't be the shizzy for a small gig, too.
 
#18
It'll be a while before I add an upright. The summer gigging season is about to hit me, and there isn't going to be the time to dedicate to learning another instrument until fall settles in.

I think Jimmy is on to something. The best sounding player I heard all year was in a bar on the main drag in Nashville. She was playing a beat to snot Kay through an Ampeg V4BH into a Ampeg 410 HLF. It sounded very fat and had slam to kill for. Big fun, but by no means a pairing one would have usually thought of.

Oh well, another downsizing scheme shot to pieces. That's alright.
 

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