My upright is a Christopher Hybrid 3/4 scale and, when plugged in, I play it through my 1969 Ampeg SB-12 fliptop amp, and I love the warm sound for small jazz venues. I have also played it through my SWR Workingman's 15, but reserve that rig mostly for my electric bass gigs. Now I'm playing a real cross-section of music genre's with my upright, and I'm looking for a small (light) amp that can really compliment the unplugged sound of an acoustic bass and provide more power than my Ampeg (25 watt) can deliver in larger venues. Does anyone have suggestions for / experiences with the smaller size amps? Thank you and I appreciate your feedback.
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Double Bass Portable Amp Delimma
- Thread starter Michael Nickerson
- Start date
Well the EA stuff is popular, as is the Tecamp Puma. Both brands have lightweight heavy-hitters.
What cabinet would you be pairing the amp with? Or, do you prefer combos?
What cabinet would you be pairing the amp with? Or, do you prefer combos?
Fair number of users here on TB for Acoustic Image products. I use a series IV Coda two channel. 19 lbs, 600 or so watts.
I'm leaning toward a combo for portability, but I'd certainly consider an amp / cabinet setup. Thanks!
That's a great looking amp. I'll check with some local shops to see if I can audition one. Thanks!
I love my Genz Benz Shuttle 3 8T. 15 lbs or so. Fabulous sound and will drive an extension speaker which you can leave in the car 'just in case'. I connect a Neo 12 for louder gigs.
I use an AI Coda with my big bass in non-big band jazz situations. If I need more volume, and/or need to double on electric, I use my Mesa Walkabout Scout 12.
Before I had the Mesa, my choices on doubling gigs were the Coda or an SWR Basic Black 15. Neither amp proved satisfactory with both basses. The upright through the SWR was "flabby" and the electric through the Coda wasn't full-bodied enough.
The Mesa has plenty of volume and low end with upright, but with a tight response. Only drawback is that weighs twice as much as the Coda...about 50lbs.
One advantage to an amp+cab setup that I find valuable is to be able to place the amp where the controls are easy to access, so I don't have to put my bass down to turn up the volume, for instance.
Having the controls close at hand IS an advantage. I do that with my little Genz Benz Shuttle combo by raising it up on something like a chair, or stool, or music stand (with the book shelf laid flat - I can do that because it's so light). The other, even greater, advantage for me is that I get the speaker up at ear level which gives me much better monitoring (rather than 'playing to my ankles').
If you really want portability th GB shuttle 8 or 10 or the PJ cub are going to be your best bet for what you are looking for. Both give you one hand carrying options or sling over your should in a bag.
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Matt, you already know I agree with you about the Shuttles. I have the 8t. I previously owned a PJ Cub and though it's a great little amp I found it wasn't enough for most gigs where the Shuttle is. There is a big difference in the volume those two amps are capable of with the Shuttle having 175 watts vs 100 for the Cub. (and that's without even adding an extension speaker to the Shuttle and getting 300 watts - that's for the Shuttle 3.0, the 6.0 is 375/600. If I didn't already have a GB Contour I'd probably be looking for a 6.0 or 6.2)
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