Double Bass Mesa D-350

[Chuck M]

I have been using Genz Benz Shuttle amps for many years. They served me well for upright and electric bass but I decided to start trying some of the newer amps on the market. I tried the Genzler Magellan 800 and 350. I liked the 350 quite a lot for upright bass but not so much for electric bass. The Magellan 800 has overdrive and that is something I would never use but it was a nice sounding amp.

Then I bought a used Mesa D-800 off the ads here at Talkbass. That head is a great sounding powerhouse and I eventually tried all of the Subway heads. I didn't think I really needed a D-350 but decided to try one and am so happy I did. It sounds great with electric bass but absolutely kills with upright bass.

I have two basses, a Thompson hybrid that has a Realist Copperhead pickup and a Wilfer 7/8 that has an Underwood pickup. I use an old Fishman Model B preamp clipped to the bow quiver so I have some control close at hand on the bass. My signal path is: bass PU>Fishman Model B>Mesa D-350>Phil Jones C4. I have never been happier with my upright amplification. It honestly sounds like the bass. Last night's gig was in a fairly noisy room and the only tone adjustment I made was a slight treble boost on the Fishman. I was playing the Thompson hybrid.

This little rig will get quite loud and I have no feedback problems. I also tried using my Mesa Subway 115 cabinet and it works very well on outside gigs but is more prone to feedback on inside gigs. I've not used the 115 after trying the C4 since it works so well for me.

I also tried a Fender Rumble 100. That amp appealed to me because of its light weight and small size. It sounds decent at very low volume but tends to get boomy as gain is increased. That amp does not sound very good to me with either electric or upright bass.

Of course, in matters of tone YMMV and it almost certainly will.

 

[dfp]

Does the D350 do something the D800 or other Mesa heads don’t (for your upright bass sound)? I am considering the WD-800 for my e.bass rig and it would be really nice if it ends up being good for upright bass gigs with the right cab(s).

 

[Chuck M]

Does the D350 do something the D800 or other Mesa heads don’t (for your upright bass sound)? I am considering the WD-800 for my e.bass rig and it would be really nice if it ends up being good for upright bass gigs with the right cab(s).

I have used both the D-800 and the D-350 with upright bass and both worked fine. I have every reason to believe my WD-800 would work just fine for upright but it is a bit larger so I have used the smaller Subway heads for upright. Usually>Realist Copperhead>Fishman model B preamp>D-800/350>Phil Jones C4. I have also used one SW115 and it worked fine but you have to be more careful to not let it sound woolly in the lows.

Lately I have been using a little Fender Rumble 100 with the bass/preamp as mentioned above and it sounds great at low volume but only if the amp is tilted back. I bought a little amp stand for that purpose.

I will try the WD-800 with upright the next time I have the chance and report back here. I am confident that the generous and very effective EQ system will deliver a lovely and natural sounding sound for upright.

 

[dfp]

Thanks! In your first post I wasn’t sure if you meant the D-350 was especially killer with upright vs the D-800…

I need a small combo for church gigs, and the Rumble 100 would probably be fine for that, and with a different speaker might sound ok for upright bass, per the many Rumble 100 mod threads. Plus I have a few different 12” drivers on hand to experiment with…

but if I do eventually get the WD800, a small cabinet for church AND for small upright bass jazz gigs would be ideal and could make the Rumble 100 not necessary… though it seems like you are still making use of your Rumble 100 in spite of the various other (arguably nicer) amps you have available?

 

[Chuck M]

The Rumble 100 is 22 pounds and small enough to be easy to use. It sounds wonderful for upright with the original speaker if….IF you tilt it back. It sounds muddy when sitting flat.

 

[dfp]

I have the Rumble 40 combo and appreciate the flexibility of the EQ (presets and knobs), and the input impedance seems to cooperate well enough with the Realist Lifeline to not demand a separate pre amp, as far as i can tell. The Lifeline starts sounding pretty good with the Hi Boost on and a big roll off of the Bass knob… Brighter pickups sound pretty good with the Vintage switch on and some treble roll off, pick your poison I guess when amplifying upright bass! The downfall of the 40, however, it just can’t keep up with band volume for my uses in anything but maybe a quiet duo, or maybe drummerless trio.

 

[Chuck M]

I have used the Rumble 100 with upright in a 6 piece swing band. It was easily loud enough. The preamp gives me controls on the bass since it clips to the bow caddy.