Double Bass Mic OR Amp + Upright = ??

[Biddy]

Hi, I have looked at many threads here before posting this question, but haven't found exactly what I'm hoping for...

Is it better (in general) to put a mic in front of the bass, or use an amplifier?

I'm playing a small set (1 song with guitar and hand drum, 3 songs with full band), and I'd like to use the upright for the 1st time live.

I have a GK 1001rb, GK 2x12, Upton SOLO pickup. I've messed around with this setup in practice and had volume/feedback issues. I've eliminated some of this with amp/bass location, and dampened the strings below the bridge.

This'll be a laid back deal. Almost like open-mic. That means, I won't have much time to dial in my sound.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[wilsonn]

By now you may have resolved your issue, but you may find less issues with that pickup/amp combination if you put a preamp between the pickup and the bass amp. A preamp will help you with impedance matching and presenting the right level of signal to the amp. Mics work well for what you're describing but present their own challenges, and there's lots written about that if you do a little searching of the forum.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

It is better to use whatever methodology best gets your sound out into the house. Sometimes that's just the bass, sometimes that's putting the mic through the PA, sometimes that's using a pickup and amplifier.