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Double Bass Just a little more level..??

S

Steve Carr

Jun 25, 2003
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#1
I've been playing a jazz gig in a small room for three years using an Acoustic Image Contra-R. There is one drummer in particular that I love playing with, however he is a little aggressive. The little Contra just won't give me enough level but it's the perfect size.. Any solutions?

Steve
 
#5
Consider hanging a compact forward-firing front-ported cab off the Contra, Steve, like a ten or twelve. I'd go for an 8 ohm model, too, as the Contra cabs are infinite baffle (sealed, no ports) and not as efficient as ported speakers. That way they will be better balanced.

IME that can add the clarity you need to punch through a drummer who can't find his volume control.

Obviously, if you just prefer more of the same Contra character, you could add another cab-- the additional speaker area and increase is power can also be effective.
 
#8
Consider hanging a compact forward-firing front-ported cab off the Contra, Steve, like a ten or twelve. I'd go for an 8 ohm model, too, as the Contra cabs are infinite baffle (sealed, no ports) and not as efficient as ported speakers. That way they will be better balanced.
Click to expand...

Not sure how this works... I have a Series 1 Contra, and have been under the assumption that my extension cabs options were limited to 4 ohm cabs.

Will an 8 ohm cab work? And does that mean less power to the cab?
 
#9
Gornick said:
Not sure how this works... I have a Series 1 Contra, and have been under the assumption that my extension cabs options were limited to 4 ohm cabs.

Will an 8 ohm cab work? And does that mean less power to the cab?
Click to expand...
You can use an extension speaker rated at 4 ohms or higher. Actually a speaker's impedance rating only gives you part of the picture of its performance. Sensitivity rating (dB SPL @ 1 watt / 1 meter) is also very important. For example, if you connect two speaker cabinets to the same amp, one 8 ohms with a sensitivity rating of 100 dB SPL @ 1 watt / 1 meter and the other 4 ohms with a sensitivity rating of 90 dB SPL @ 1 watt / 1 meter, the 8 ohm cab will sound considerably louder, since it uses power more efficiently.
 
#11
Thanks for the responses. This isn't my thread but it seems like we are looking at the same situation. I would like to eventually replace the Contra since I am tired of it's limited capabilites in most rooms I play in. I wouldn't mind just overpowering the contra cabinet at all, and have even thought about opening up the guts and seperating it with a new housing... but just getting an extension is the first step.

I have thought about the GK so that is one option. but with 8 ohm cabs now in the mix, I have many more too.
 
#14
Fix the volume control on the drummer. Sometimes the knobs on drummers get stuck on 11. Do they want to play music and play it with you?
Failing that, I agree with (AH)Bob, it won't take much more to get the volume you need. Sometimes just running the amp with less impedence will gain the headroom you need.
-J
 
#15
Well, the volume knob on the drummer doesn't solve my dissatisfaction with the sound of the Acoustic image amp/cab at all, so this is a legitimate question beyond group volume. My current problem is that the downward firing thing doesn't allow the player to HEAR the note you are playing, and lifting the cab doesn't allow for proper tone reproduction, so a new cab is my best solution, and probably Mr. Carr's as well...

dealing with loud drummers is another story.
 
#17
G-
My reply was for Steve mostly, but I've been where you're at also. Unhappy with your sound thru an amp is a whole 'nother huge can of worms. A front firing ext. cab. might be the place to start.
I am having good luck with a series III Clarus thru a Bergantino 112. The reason I got a Clarus was for the flexibility of trying, and using different cabs. The Bergantino is a great sounding cab.
Lucky for you, you've taken the first step upon that slippery, maddening slope of finding a new amp...a new pick up...maybe a mic...and a pick up...different strings...etc...;)
 
#20
Steve,
The Bergantinos are not light (40lbs.) but they sure do sound good. Chris has a good point though, if you like the sound you have, it may not take much to get you there. As an ext. for a contra, the bergie might be overkill.
-J
 

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