Double Bass Poll: Do you use a high-pass filter?

[BobDeRosa]

Sorry, I messed up your metrics. I didn't notice this was for Double Bass. Answered "it depends" as I didn't see a way to undo my vote.

No problem. Thanks for contributing.

 

[Kenan]

I don't leave home without it. Unless I'm playing acoustic. That's the ultimate HPF... LOL.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Depends on the room.

Having great luck with my fdeck mini3 as a piezo-upright-friendly pre and adjustable hpf.

Also occasionally using the empress para eq 2 with my 5 string jazz to tailor the mids and roll off the low lows with the hpf.

My cabs are small, using 8" drivers in composite boxes. I use a variable high-pass filters to protect my drivers from overexcursion at the lowest frequencies, while making best use of the amp's available headroom.

With electric five string basses, I often adjust the variable hpf to trim the lowest frequencies while simultaneously boosting the bass or low-mids to improve percussiveness with fingerstyle sixteenth-note funk.

After positioning my amp & cab in a venue, the first adjustment I make to tune the rig to the room uses the variable hpf. The most important venue is often in my home when a grandchild is sleeping.

I admit I'm spoiled. After using a variable hpf for a few decades, I cannot imagine buying any amp that doesn’t include this feature.

 

[Dr. Love]

I always use an Fdeck, frequency adjusted to taste. My experience is that piezo pickups have a hotter output on the lows than the highs, and the HPF helps to even things out. I don't know if it actually attenuates the signal level or just affects the perception of volume, but it works.

 

[neddyrow]

It's the most used knob on my pedalboard. Also has been very helpful in dialing in a better tone in the mixing of the fiddle album we just finished recording.

 

[Ric Vice]

Since I upgraded to the RedEye Twin /GR Bass AT Cube Acoustic setup with a Ehrlund EAP , I haven't had the need a for a HPF because as @Chris Fitzgerald mentioned, the Bass Control will suffice as a lo frequency EQ. Just my take however.I am considering taking a my Auralex Baby Gramma out to some gigs where I know the hall is boomy.

 

[ELG60]

My Mesa Subway heads have them on board and I may not fiddle with it on every job, since most are recurring, but it's always engaged.

 

[jmlee]

Always have my Fdeck with an upright. It's actually mounted on the tailpiece and, in addition to the variable HPF, it also gives me a convenient volume control and phase switch when I'm some distance from my amp onstage. Such a useful widget.

 

[skyline_01]

I used to run a Broughton HPF/LPF pedal (great piece!), but then I sold off all my pedals and went with an HX Stomp.

I now use the high pass/low pass controls in the Stomp's global settings to achieve a similar result, and it works great.

 

[james condino]

If I remember to bring it, always. If I forget, never.

 

[Vince Waldon]

Home-made Fdeck permanently clipped to my bow quiver, phase switch is almost worn out.

 

[BobDeRosa]

I used to run a Broughton HPF/LPF pedal (great piece!), but then I sold off all my pedals and went with an HX Stomp.

I now use the high pass/low pass controls in the Stomp's global settings to achieve a similar result, and it works great.

HX Stomp works well with upright?

 

[Jay Corwin]

I use a Broughton in my chain. If you play in louder situations it seems like a necessity. There was a time when I thought I didn't need one.....until I needed one. Now it's always on.

 

[Ric Vice]

I do still have my Grace Designs Felix. It has the best HPF I’ve experienced. It’s very sensitive, just moving the dial slightly will tame the boom. Having it first in the EQ signal chain is very effective. On a big stage with lots of monitors and instruments interacting, it’s a very ideal preamp.

 

[skyline_01]

HX Stomp works well with upright?

I haven't actually used it with upright, but I've heard from others that it works quite well.

I do PLAN to acquire an upright (or an EUB) at some point in the future. I can see how the HPF settings, preamp/amp/cab sims, and the many tone-shaping effects blocks (including EQ) would be great tools for it. Plus, you could configure the effects return jack as a second input if you were doing a doubling gig on electric bass.

 

[BobDeRosa]

I haven't actually used it with upright, but I've heard from others that it works quite well.

I do PLAN to acquire an upright (or an EUB) at some point in the future. I can see how the HPF settings, preamp/amp/cab sims, and the many tone-shaping effects blocks (including EQ) would be great tools for it. Plus, you could configure the effects return jack as a second input if you were doing a doubling gig on electric bass.

Thank you.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I haven't actually used it with upright, but I've heard from others that it works quite well.

I do PLAN to acquire an upright (or an EUB) at some point in the future. I can see how the HPF settings, preamp/amp/cab sims, and the many tone-shaping effects blocks (including EQ) would be great tools for it. Plus, you could configure the effects return jack as a second input if you were doing a doubling gig on electric bass.

I've not tried my HX Stomp with upright, but I'm tempted to see what happens. The max input Z is only 1Meg, though, so many piezo pickups could suffer and not even really need much low pass filtering. It's an interesting idea.

I don't know how useful the amp/cab emulations would be unless you were looking for something very specific. Maybe if you're in a blues or rockabilly band and want a goosed amp sound. I know one DB player who swore by his Ampeg B-12, but very few if any amps or cabs in the Stomp are geared toward clean, pristine, acoustic upright sounds. The parametric EQ might be really handy as a problem solver, and it includes variable LPF/HPF. I could see adding a touch of reverb at times, or having a dedicated arco EQ setup (if you're not using a mic), or a boost for the inevitable solo. If you can live with the input Z, then it has some nice features.

 

[skyline_01]

I've not tried my HX Stomp with upright, but I'm tempted to see what happens. The max input Z is only 1Meg, though, so many piezo pickups could suffer and not even really need much low pass filtering. It's an interesting idea.

I don't know how useful the amp/cab emulations would be unless you were looking for something very specific. Maybe if you're in a blues or rockabilly band and want a goosed amp sound. I know one DB player who swore by his Ampeg B-12, but very few if any amps or cabs in the Stomp are geared toward clean, pristine, acoustic upright sounds. The parametric EQ might be really handy as a problem solver, and it includes variable LPF/HPF. I could see adding a touch of reverb at times, or having a dedicated arco EQ setup (if you're not using a mic), or a boost for the inevitable solo. If you can live with the input Z, then it has some nice features.

You make some very interesting and valid points. I don't know all that much about the intricacies of DB amplification, I just kinda stab in the dark at generalizations based on the Stomp's features.

 

[tinyd]

I bought an FDeck clone a few months ago and decided that I didn't really need it as cutting bass on the amp seemed to do the same thing. But at the last gig I played, even though it was in the same place, with same amp, settings, bass, pickup, fingers (you get it....) as previous gig, I couldn't get rid of a crappy boominess. So I'm going to bring the FDeck to the next one and roll off the bottom end.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

You make some very interesting and valid points. I don't know all that much about the intricacies of DB amplification, I just kinda stab in the dark at generalizations based on the Stomp's features.

If you do get an upright - especially a real acoustic one - you'll soon learn that very little knowledge of amplifying EB translates to amplifying DB. EUB is definitely easier. But very little of anything EB relates to DB aside from making music.

Not to derail this thread further, but I messed around with the HX Stomp and my DB. I'll spare the details for another thread, but I'd say it's mediocre, but usable. I wouldn't seek it out as a solution for DB, but I might use it in a pinch. There are other much better purpose-built options, depending on your goals.