• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Simplifying the rig

#21
Huy Nguyen said:
the Focus is on its way to getting repaired right now, but more and more I'm wanting a simpler set up.

Why not just a Clarus instead of the Focus and EDB2? So what if there's only 4 bands if EQ? I run everything virtually flat anyway and only season to taste. A Clarus provides the phantom power I need for the Ischell. Am I really going to notice a difference?
Click to expand...


Played a few gigs with just the Ischell and the (2 Channel)Focus III (no fancy pants preamp and its pile of cords and connections) I have the Focus velcrod to the back of my cab (still fits in the case and I keep it plugged into the speaker and power cord plugged. It's pretty close to a combo amp, very simple quick.
I like it. The Ischell DOES seem to be fine flat (unlike a whole lot of pickups) and I find myself increasingly unable to justify the fancy preamp if the Ischell sounds so good thru the focus front end as is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Huy Nguyen, Chris Fitzgerald and Ric Vice
#22
B String said:
My friend had three of the SA amps that he had to sell. Took him a day or so. Still a very sought after piece of gear.
I'm using the Clarus S4+ for doubling and even some R&B electric gigs, in spite of having at least three other great amps that are mainly (only) for electric bass. No issues whatsoever with volume. Lots o headroom.
Click to expand...

I think remember that add in the TB classifieds. I almost bought one of them, but I was already pretty set, as far as gear goes. Last year at the ISB convention, I spent some quality time talking to Rick Jones. Apparently their amps are "built to order" for the most part. So, it's not as common to see one sitting in a shop for sale. I really like the addition of separate low and high midrange controls on the Clarius 4+, if I purchased one, that would be my choice. Personally, that's an essential feature that I require. Just my preference though.

Ric
 
Last edited:
#23
A friend, who is a real jazz veteran, who has played with an amazing number of jazz greats, primarily uses an old Polytone Mini Brute. I wish I could get the sound he gets live. While amps are a necessary tool at times, let's not forget what it's really all about. The player makes the sound, not the amp.

These days I prefer playing without an amp as much possible. If absolutely necessary, I use a GK MB150S, which I've heard many other players get a great sound out of. To me, simple is best.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: pnchad and Chris Fitzgerald
#24
Ric Vice said:
I really like the addition of separate low and high midrange controls on the Clarius 4+, if I purchased one, that would be my choice. Personally, that's an essential feature that I require. Just my preference though.

Ric
Click to expand...
I get that. Although I have a few friends that say the three bands of eq on the Focus 2r sIII are in the right spot, (for them) so the mid eq works fine for them.
I'm embarrassingly unable to pick between the two. I have both. I find them two flavors of good. Also, I use some of the features on the Clarus s 4+ that the r2 sIII hasn't got, and vice versa. That's my excuse for not selling one of them.
 
Last edited:
#25
If you are using a pickup, I have used an LR Baggs Paracoustic pre/DI or a two-channel UltraMax pre/DI and no amp with great success for years. But all you really need is an $80.00 Radial Stagebug SB-4 DI into a PA. The Stagebug is very small, uses phantom power and smoothly turns a high meg pickup into a line level signal. It also has polarity reverse and an HPF. It also has a buffered line out if you need to use an amp.
The Stagebug and a couple of cords (1/4" input and XLR out) fit easily into a small pocket on my bass bag. I am happy using the stage monitors or the mains instead of lugging an amp around.
 
Last edited:
#26
martinc said:
I am happy using the stage monitors or the mains instead of lugging an amp around.
Click to expand...

My problem with this approach is that you don't have control of what comes out of the monitors. Too many times I've been unhappy with tone, weird resonances, etc. I like having my own bass amp/monitor and tell the sound guys to remove the bass from my stage monitor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Michael Glynn, Michael Karn, Chris Fitzgerald and 2 others
#27
Eric Hochberg said:
My problem with this approach is that you don't have control of what comes out of the monitors. Too many times I've been unhappy with tone, weird resonances, etc. I like having my own bass amp/monitor and tell the sound guys to remove the bass from my stage monitor.
Click to expand...


Eric: I am sure there are times when an amp may be of help. I always let the sound tech know what I want out front and and in the monitors.
I alternate between outdoor festivals which have sound techs....and small clubs where the band operates the PA on stage. In both cases the PA's have a heck of a lot more power than any amp I would have to carry.......so I just make it work. I'm so used to working without an amp that I never even consider it any more.
But.....whatever works best for you is all that matters.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Ric Vice
#28
martinc said:
Eric: I am sure there are times when an amp may be of help. I always let the sound tech know what I want out front and and in the monitors.
Click to expand...

Many of the gigs with pro sound that I do, particularly outdoor festivals, don't allow enough time to tweak the details before we play. I can't rely on a soundman to give me what I want to hear from my bass.

This may be less difficult with quiet, acoustic music. When drums, percussion, amplified keys and guitars are involved, it's difficult enough just getting a decent band mix, and that doesn't always happen, either. I'd love to show up without an amp, but the downside just isn't worth it to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ric Vice, Treyzer and martinc
#34
Huy Nguyen said:
Got it, gigged it and love it. So much simpler and the LPF is easy to work with. I would say that the sound is a little warmer. With the Ischell and the 48v there's a ton of headroom. There's no noise from the mic at all.

Gonna put the SA and prob the EDB2 up for sale. Anybody here want dibs?
Click to expand...

Interested, but we should probably discuss this in a P.M.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Huy Nguyen
#36
I picked up a GK MB 150S off of a local Craigslist add last week for $250. It's the first gen with the 112 decal on the front and the Gallien Krueger on the grill is a decal. The last one I had had a short in the preamp which couldn't be found which changed the tone by engaging a 'kazoo' circuit at the worst time.
This one is solid.
However, somebody replaced the speaker with a Peavey guitar speaker so that will be fixed when I find an extra $100. Yes, direct from GK.

Why go back to a metal lunchbox when I have more neutral options? Because they are convenient and useful in getting a usable tone where 'better' amps fail. Last night I used the Coda in a dead room for a private party which got loud. The GK on that big windowsill behind me would have been better. I remembered doing that very thing years ago and being happy with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HateyMcAmp, Ric Vice, robgrow and 1 other person
#39
IMG_1844.JPG
kerrycares said:
I took my Ten2 combo head and put it into Contra cab then I turned the cab on its side so the 10" is front firing.
I'm taking it on the gig tonight to see if I've found my ultimate rig by trial and error.
Click to expand...

I think I may be on to something,lol!
I 'd like to hear from AI Contra owners.
 
Last edited:
#40
B String said:
My friend had three of the SA amps that he had to sell. Took him a day or so. Still a very sought after piece of gear.
I'm using the Clarus S4+ for doubling and even some R&B electric gigs, in spite of having at least three other great amps that are mainly (only) for electric bass.
No issues whatsoever with volume. Lots o headroom.
Click to expand...

Actually, my issue with my AI amps is too much good. I have a Focus r2 III and a Clarus S4+. Both amps are very similar with roughly the same actual volume output, size and weight. There are just a few features that were changed from the Focus to the Clarus, but depending on the gig, I really use the features that each head has that the other hasn't got. I'd really like to sell one to help fund a new bass but I just can't make the choice. These are relatively simple amps but pack a ton of usability. And more and more, I like simple.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tombowlus

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back