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Double Bass Price Range

F

footprints89

Dec 16, 2009
114
0
terre haute, Indiana
#1
I read through the newbie links and struggled to find anything discussing prices. I have around $500 to spend on an amp. I am new to amplification for bass so I'm not sure what kind wattage I should go for. I assume a fifty watt would get the job done. I just need a reasonable amp that doesn't take away from my tone tremendously (obviously haha).

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
Heres a couple questions for you.
What styles of music.
What basses.
Do you play shows?
Do you need just a practice amp?
Do you want a combo?
Do you want a sep. cab/head?
What do you have now?
How many players in your band?
 
#4
Id say that a good 2x10 and a decent head should get you started. Then you can add a 4x10 later if you think you need it.
For 2x10 cabs you can find alot of good ones for great prices. A store near my house has a David Eden 210 used for $299. If you can stretch your buget by $50 you can add in a brand new Hartke HA2500 head which is plenty loud.
If you want a combo Id suggest Eden, SWR, GK. Always try to buy used for these.
 
#5
LaklandBass said:
Id say that a good 2x10 and a decent head should get you started. Then you can add a 4x10 later if you think you need it.
For 2x10 cabs you can find alot of good ones for great prices. A store near my house has a David Eden 210 used for $299. If you can stretch your buget by $50 you can add in a brand new Hartke HA2500 head which is plenty loud.
If you want a combo Id suggest Eden, SWR, GK. Always try to buy used for these.
Click to expand...

Do you play upright?

Most DB players use smaller rigs. There's a practical limit to how much amplification you can use anyway due to feedback. A used GK MicroBass combo would get you into the game.
 
#6
I've heard of all these brands, but only for electric. Can an SWR be used for acoustic and electric? I just don't understand if they are strictly for acoustic, if they can work for both? Every time I look for bass amps it only comes back with electric bass amps. Know of any sites I could check?
 
#11
footprints89 said:
fdeck,

Do you know a site where I could find one? I just just enough amp to be heard clearly for now. without taking a considerable amount of my tone away obviously.
Click to expand...

RMC Audio has been noted for having good prices on GK. Otherwise, Musicians Friend also has them and they show up from time to time in the classifieds.
 
#13
footprints89,

For upright bass, you also might could visit http://www.gollihurmusic.com if you haven't already.

And I have not used one, but I trust Bob :), so for (less than) $500, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Also you can check the TB DB classifieds which change day to day (or so) at http://www.talkbass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=145

P.S. Extra credit. Search on fdeck's HPF-Pre preamp.

P.S.S. Did you know the Miles Davis version of Footprints w/ Ron Carter was not the original version (hint - Wayne Shorter, Reggie Workman on bass - :D
 
#16
footprints89 said:
I checked out the TB100 and it sounds great, but have you actual played one? It scares me that it has an EFX, I'm scared it will sound like a solid state guitar amp or something. Any opinions on preamps? maybe around $200-$250?
Click to expand...
If Bob Gollihur sells it and vouches for it, I am confident that is a good sounding unit for that price range. He will gladly accept questions by email and phone too.

My favorite preamp for double bass is the HPF-Pre. Contact fdeck here on TB. Quite a few posts / threads on it to. And you'll have $ left over.

The Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum is more of what you might expect in a "full feature" preamp for DB, but I have never used one. Lots of posts on it here too.

P.S. I never meant to suggest these are your only options, or the best ones. Just trying to share what I know.

P.S.S. As far as I can tell Wayne Shorter is credited as the composer of 'Footprints', 'Orbits' and 'Delores' (and he plays tenor of course) on Miles Smiles, but Workman is not.
 
#17
Thanks a lot for all your help, man. I have only heard good things about bob as well, so I'm definitely taking it into consideration. I'm just nervous about not playing it before hand, but I read that it has a two year warranty, so that's reassuring as well. I had never listened to the version on adams apple.
 

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