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Double Bass Looking for a portable combo amp for smaller gigs

Chris Paget

Chris Paget

Sep 1, 2008
116
2
#1
#2
My experience amping DB is very limited but maybe I can help you get noticed. :D
For a number of reasons, a piezo-equipped DB usually needs an outboard preamp to sound decent through a typical(read *intended for BG*)bass combo.
Also- how loud do you need to be? You mention *smaller gigs* but the amps you linked are fairly large/loud compared w/what most DB guys seem to go with.
The best sound I ever got from my DB(amped)was through an Eden CXC-110, a 220 watt 1x10 combo.
Also, read this: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43100
:)
 
#3
While many amps can be used for DB, the ones listed above wouldn't be my choices. In this general price range, I'd recommend considering the Markbass CMD 121 P. Good sound for double bass, lots of clean power, compact and relatively light.
 
#4
robgrow said:
While many amps can be used for DB, the ones listed above wouldn't be my choices. In this general price range, I'd recommend considering the Markbass CMD 121 P. Good sound for double bass, lots of clean power, compact and relatively light.
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That's one good choice. Along the same lines, check out the new GK MB series amps. I recently picked up an MB210 and it's working well for me doubling with DB and ABG. It's 350W without extension and 500W with. If you double with BG you can add an extension cabinet for more volume and I've heard it's pretty good for small to medium BG gigs as just the combo. I play DB sometimes with a drummer that's not too loud and two electric guitars and have never needed gain and master past halfway. The new MB212 has all 500W through the combo speakers. There's a long thread on them over on the BG side.
 
#6
Chris Paget said:
I've done some research and I'm trying to stay at a reasonable price point. Here are a couple I've found:
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Trace Elliot, Ashdown, or even Eden wouldn't be among my first, second, or even Third choices for an acoustic/upright.

Chris Paget said:
Any opinions/comparisons for these? Also, I've seen these advertised for bass guitar w/ no mention of acoustic/upright. Is there reason for concern there?
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Yes, there is. Many bass amps are set up with a pre amp voicing for the EB. They also don't usually have the proper impedance loading on the input for a piezo pickup either. Bob's suggestion is a very good one since it's not as expensive as the Acoustic Image, Phil Jones, or Euphonic Audio amps. I haven't been able to get my hands on the new GK amps but their products usually work fine with Double Bass.

Ric
 
#7
shadygrove said:
That's one good choice. Along the same lines, check out the new GK MB series amps. I recently picked up an MB210 and it's working well for me doubling with DB and ABG. It's 350W without extension and 500W with. If you double with BG you can add an extension cabinet for more volume and I've heard it's pretty good for small to medium BG gigs as just the combo. I play DB sometimes with a drummer that's not too loud and two electric guitars and have never needed gain and master past halfway. The new MB212 has all 500W through the combo speakers. There's a long thread on them over on the BG side.
Click to expand...

I just pre-ordered the new GK MB112 combo. It's 200 watts through one 12 inch speaker, and only weighs 28lbs. It retails for $299, which is why I could afford it.

I play in a traditional Honky Tonk, Country and Western Swing band and we play at nice low volumes usually, so I am thinking this little combo should do the trick. The venues usually have good PA support, so I don't need a big rig anymore for DB.

Nice to not be in a loud band anymore, and I can carry the little GK in one hand!

I always use an HPF-Pre, but in my experience, Gallien Krueger amps sound very nice for DB even without a preamp.
 
#9
From what I could gather looking up details online, the new MB112 appears to be about twice the size of the MB150. This will give it the chance of having higher speaker sensitivity. If it also puts all of its 200 W into the internal speaker, then it will be noticeably louder than the MB150.

All in all, I'd guess based on reputation that GK has once again developed a nice amp that gives ample value for the money, but that the little MB150 combo still has a place in the pantheon of upright bass amps.

Notice how I am being so evasive about actual numbers, because I am guessing about a lot of details.
 
#10
I will report back when I get to test-drive my new MB112. It may be a while though, as the release dates tend to get pushed back.

This new amp was the one that fit my limited budget, had ample power for stage monitoring, light weight, small size, familiar GK preamp, etc - so we shall see.
 
#11
Gearhead43 said:
I just pre-ordered the new GK MB112 combo. It's 200 watts through one 12 inch speaker, and only weighs 28lbs. It retails for $299, which is why I could afford it.

I play in a traditional Honky Tonk, Country and Western Swing band and we play at nice low volumes usually, so I am thinking this little combo should do the trick. The venues usually have good PA support, so I don't need a big rig anymore for DB.

Nice to not be in a loud band anymore, and I can carry the little GK in one hand!

I always use an HPF-Pre, but in my experience, Gallien Krueger amps sound very nice for DB even without a preamp.
Click to expand...

Congrat's Gearhead. I know you've been waiting some time for those MB112s to hit the streets and bet that will be a great amp for "fiddle bands". I'd love to hook up with a western swing band one of these days... steel guitar players seem to be far and few between in these parts. Maybe I'm just running with the wrong crowd :smug:

The MB210 does sound good with my RS II pickup plugged straight in. I also use the HPF-Pre (thanks Francis!) but more for the high-pass filter and phase switch capabilities than a need for impedance matching. I only play with one loud band these days, but when I need it, I need it. :p
 
#12
I'm very curious to know if anyone has tried a DB with an Acoustic AB50 combo. It's only 50 watts, but as a practice combo or small room combo . . . ?

I'm using an AB50 with my upright guitarrón. It's a different animal, of course--more akin structurally to an acoustic bass guitar, I think, even though it's fretless and I play it upright with Simandl/Shmucklovsky fingering positions.
 
#13
To the OP:

I'd aim for something as neutral as possible. Most electric bass amps are not neutral at all, and that's why we love 'em with our electrics- they become part of our instrument, in a way.

With double bass, the philosophy for most of us is different in that we consider our instrument's outer limits generally are right before the pickup. In other words- pickups and amps are supposed to be without their own color and serve mainly or solely as a tool for making the bass louder.

There are variations to this philosophy dependent on style.

However, shooting for neutrality, Phil Jones's Briefcase, FlightCase and Super Flightcase (sorted ascending in terms of weight and power) are excellent options I have experiences with, the AI Contra works like a charm for very many people (some consider it neutral, I don't, but that's just me, maybe) and did for me a very long time.

Not quite neutral either, but GK combos are better choices (also still extremely popular) for double bass than Ashdown (I totally love them for electric), Trace, or Eden.

Hope it helps. Sorry for possible redundancies, some things might have been written by others.

Sidecar
 
#14
MrSidecar said:
To the OP:

However, shooting for neutrality, Phil Jones's Briefcase, FlightCase and Super Flightcase (sorted ascending in terms of weight and power) are excellent options I have experiences with

Sidecar
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+1 for the Phil Jones stuff.

I play both EB and DB in many live situations (small rooms to large halls) and have a PJ Suitcase. It is perfect for me as it has two channels with their own EQs etc so I can dial in totally separate settings for both instruments. It is neutral enough to enhance the DB without colouring the sound excessively and yet sounds amazing with the EB as well.

It perhaps lacks a bit of raw power (something that annoys EBers) and is a touch on the heavy side for its size, but for what I need from an amp it is perfect and what you lose in power you more than gain in versatility and clarity. It will even sound great with an acoustic guitar through it or a keyboard; I've tried both and it was more than good.

I'd thoroughly recommend finding a dealer and having a go on some of their stuff. Check out the range for bass here: http://www.philjonespuresound.com/products/?c=6
 

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