Double Bass Regular, premium or high test

[goodgig]

I can't find any posts on this concept so here goes.

I'm just getting back into to playing jazz after a few years deep into classical technique. Strung up a set of spiros and plan to gig after the pain goes away!

The only amp I have is a 60-watt Roland KC100 designed for keyboards and has four channels. There are no effects, just a dry amplified sound. I have two mics to chose from a Shure SM 58 and a Rode 3/4" condenser. To my ears, the sound of the SM58, when properly placed, SLMBOL. The condenser is prone to feedback but gets way more volume and more hi-fidelity sound. I've not tried both together at the same time. My wife uses this same set up in her studio teaching microphone technique to vocal students.

When I pull up to the pump I can choose regular, premium or high test. In my car, that depends on how much I want to spend because it is my perception that my engine runs the same no matter which grade I choose. If a good listener in the audience listenened to your bass played through 1) a keyboard amp, 2) a PA or 3) an AI combo amp would they be able to tell the difference in sound, or is this just a matter of paying more at the pump? I can't justify paying $$$ for a boutique amp marketed to doublebass bass players (AI, GK, MarkBass) if the sound quality (which I suspect is measuable) is similar to my keyboard amp or a PA system. Am I right that all three scenerios produce esentially the same, uncolored, transparent sound?

Any one else ever used a keyboard amp with good results for DB?

Thanks,

Gary

 

[charlespf]

I had to use that same Roland in a pinch once.
My experience is purely with a pickup, so you may find different results.

With the pickup, I found the Roland to sound overly 'bassy,' and it didn't have a whole lot of depth or complexity to it. It also isn't a very loud amp, so with your mic setup, I'd worry about being able to get loud enough to be functional. I do believe you could get a usable sound with a pickup and preamp.

On the other hand, I've never had much luck with a mic only setup through my AI Coda either (Shure Beta 56). Can't ever get enough volume without feedback, and the signal from the mic always seems to lack focus.

Best of luck!

 

[Marc Piane]

I've made lots of different amps work in a pinch. The main thing is though that I feel like I play my best when I have the live tone I hear in my head. As far as a mic... I've had the best success when I can run a pickup into my amp and a mic to the house.

 

[mattfong]

I've used a Yorkville keyboard amp before with good results. I only have experience with pickups though, not mics.

I prefer the sound from my AI combo a lot more though. The bass frequencies are a lot tighter and punchier. No mud until I get really loud (louder than I'll need), which is I believe because of my Realist pickup, not the amp. The Yorkville sounded good, but it sounded a bit more like a fretless slab rather than a DB.

I played through a PA once as well, for a few minutes. I remember it being pretty good sounding, but it was too brief to really tell, let alone remember.

 

[mstclairmiller]

I find each amp has its particular sound. You need to find an amp with a sound you can at least live with. It doesn't sound like you have played through many. Take your axe down to a music shop and play through as many as you can. You will soon hear the difference in the octane ratings. Go to gigs and see if you can have a quick play though other players' amps when they are on a break or packing up.

You could also try accurately monitoring the mileage you get from using each type of gas, too.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Love my Roland KC-300. I use it with upright, electric, keys, vocals, acoustic guitar. Whatever. I do NOT use it for electric guitar. Sounds like $#@& for that instrument. I love it- I get the sound of the instrument. I really dislike the small combos that try to sound like a 300 watt bass amp when they're only 15 watts, but this Roland is really uncolored, so it's perfect for me for lower volume situations.

 

[goodgig]

Thank you all for your input. Interesting that some of you have tried keyboard amps.

Charles, with the mic only, I do get a decent sound. Interesting that you tried it too. I agree that the 60 watts is probably too little. All I anticipate playing in are piano duos or piano/bass/vocal trios.

Thunderthumbs thanks for confirming the other uses of a keyboard amp. That one you have I'm sure has more acceptable power.

To the rest, I appreciate your input. The thing that I don't like is when my arco sound using a pickup does not sound like it does acoustically. A pickup sort of weirds me out with arco. Ten+ years ago, I had a Fishman BP100 with preamp and played through an older model GK combo -the one that predated the MB150. I'm sure you know that sound - Pizz. OK fretless BGish. Arco sounded scratchy (could also have been my technique at the time .

I recently sold a Full Circle and installed a new non-adjustable bridge that I don't want to modify. I really do like the mike only sound through this amp. I do have limited experience with trying different amps so your suggestion to try different ones out is good if my setup doesn't work.

I think I'll keep peace at home :scowl: and stick with what I've got until I'm pulling in some decent gig money.