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Double Bass Small Combo, Volume & Punch

#21
Hello Guys.

I have played my Max Hoyer Contra and two fretless basses (a 33 years old Fender Precision, and a new Sandberg Thinline Hollowbody 5-string) on my "little" 500W Arco DB510 for almost a a year now. It only weighs 9,7 kilograms, but it sounds like a heavywight. It has a very high gain, god for my contra and my old Fender, but I have to be careful not to turn the volume nod on my active-pickupped Sanberg to more than one third.

I'm pretty much satisfied with its clean sound, and I have never had to use more than half its power when playing in places with 400-800 people.

Just today I bought an extra cabinet for the Arco, and it really enhaces the performance, with much more power in the low range. Normally my band isn't playing the big stages, but I'm sure it now can make it in a gym filled with people - if you're not playing in a heavy metal band ;-).

I don't own a car, but I kan have all my gear (exept for the contra) in my bicycle trailer. The combo and the extra cabinet each only measure 35 x 38 x 30 cm.

Here is a link to the manufacturers homepage, with my B510 + cabinet in the bottom of the page.

http://www.cadaudio.dk/bassamps.htm

It's a very small firm, and the guy i've talked to and filed the order is actually the same person who made my rig. But big isn't always best ;)

______________________
BasHelge
 
#22
I've got a bunch of miles both on the MarkBass Mini CMD 121P as well as their MiniMark (2x6"). The Mini CMD 121P kicks some serious booty, both on upright and electric. The tone is very neutral. Same goes for the MiniMark, but without the tone section and about half the peak volume.

I've used Mini CMD in a large ensemble setting, and when paired with an extension cab, will invoke the requisite "brown notes" when required.

I've used the MiniMark in a worship band setting and haven't had to dip much into the house system (in a theatre that sits 300 capacity). At the same time, it's a wonderful amp for smaller group work. It has a speaker out which I haven't (ab)used yet, but am curious to see what happens when it gets mated to a 2x10" or somesuch.

Just my $0.02 :)

Cheers,

B.
 
#23
I've used the AI several times at jazz gigs with both upright and electric. I agree with what many people have said: that it is horrible for electric. That being said, I thought it did okay for upright. To me it sounded very unfocused and muddled. Now, , I used the amp at medium high volumes if that makes a difference. I really wasn't that impressed with it.

I was, however, quite impressed with the mini mark for upright bass. It is very articulate and punchy. It's pretty transparent and delivers exactly the sound I want to hear out of an amp. I high;y recommend it!
 
#24
Helge, (that is your first name?)

I'm glad to hear from someone with experience with the Arco (now called Ebass) DB510. Karsten put me in touch with the fine Swedish double bassist Hans Backenroth, who uses one and has nothing but good things to say about it.

9.5Kilos (21 lbs) for a fairly loud little combo -- wow, that's very attractive. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting one, even though I won't be able to test one in Canada beforehand. 2 hearty recommendations are enough for me to take a chance on it.

My only hesitation is that it doesn't have two channels for blending a pickup and a mic. Ideally, I'd prefer avoiding carrying a blending box, which is another thing to set up. But no amp has everything.

By the way, what is a Max Hoyer Contra? Google doesn't have anything on it.

- Peter Wilson
 
#25
pbasswil said:
Helge, (that is your first name?)

I'm glad to hear from someone with experience with the Arco (now called Ebass) DB510. Karsten put me in touch with the fine Swedish double bassist Hans Backenroth, who uses one and has nothing but good things to say about it.

9.5Kilos (21 lbs) for a fairly loud little combo -- wow, that's very attractive. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting one, even though I won't be able to test one in Canada beforehand. 2 hearty recommendations are enough for me to take a chance on it.

My only hesitation is that it doesn't have two channels for blending a pickup and a mic. Ideally, I'd prefer avoiding carrying a blending box, which is another thing to set up. But no amp has everything.

By the way, what is a Max Hoyer Contra? Google doesn't have anything on it.

- Peter Wilson
Click to expand...

Hello Peter - yes, Helge is my first name:)

The DB510 actually have two channels - one high gain for piezo (Input1) and one low gain input (input 2) - that should fit an electric bass. I don't have a bass microphone, only a piezo pickup (Underwood). But I have an ordinary dynamic microphone, and it sounds great when I use it on the high impedance channel (Input 2).

My Max Hoyer double bass - yes, I really don't know by whom, where and when it was made. I was once told by another bass player, that it was made in Germany, probably 60-70 years ago, But I have not been able to verify that. Here's a link to a picture I have taken of the logo on the back of the bass:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Actually, I'm not shure if the "M" is for Max - I think that was what I was told, and I've called it so for many years. But I wouldn't be surprised if it's Martin, or whatever:p But it sounds great, whith a rich, mellow tone:smug:
 
#26
Helge wrote: > The DB510 actually have two channels - one high gain for piezo (Input1) and one low gain input (input 2) [...] I have an ordinary dynamic microphone, and it sounds great when I use it on the high impedance channel (Input 2). <

Right, the two inputs have different impedances, and both can be used at once. I guess I meant to say it doesn't have two strips of controls (EQ, level, etc.) so that pickup and mic could be processed and balanced without an outboard box.
Another option for me would be the MarkAcoustic AC100, which does have the full set of controls for each channel. But I don't think it's as powerful as the DB510.

> My Max Hoyer double bass [...] it sounds great, with a rich, mellow tone <

Ah, for some reason I wondered if it was some new type of electric upright bass. :^}
It looks like nice wood.

I've earned my living playing electric bass for a long time, although I used to play jazz many years ago, and played upright bass for a couple of years around 1988-90. I've only just gotten back into upright, and am now relearning, starting on an Eminence (very, very small acoustic body, but normal neck and string length).
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I'm having so much fun with it! I will buy a normal double bass in the next year or two, once I've regained my finger strength and skills.

Cheers,

Peter
 
#27
By the way, Helge, have you tried one of Cad/Arco/Ebass's bigger combo amps? At some point I need one for electric bass. Their 2 x 10" with tweeter (DB500-210T) is very interesting; Karsten says it only weighs 15Kgs. Amazing; there is nothing like that in North America.

- Peter
 
#28
pbasswil said:
I've earned my living playing electric bass for a long time, although I used to play jazz many years ago, and played upright bass for a couple of years around 1988-90. I've only just gotten back into upright, and am now relearning, starting on an Eminence (very, very small acoustic body, but normal neck and string length).
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I'm having so much fun with it! I will buy a normal double bass in the next year or two, once I've regained my finger strength and skills.
Click to expand...

The Eminence sure looks lean:) and has a great sound. I've just to some of the youtube stuff. Is it very easy to play?
I myself has played double bass (the same Max Hoyer) for almost fourty years now. But unfortunately my left hand was injured half a year ago, so I haven't the strength in it to play properly on the double bass. I have tried a Yamaha Silent Bass, but my hand couldn't manage that either:crying:
So I have bought a Sandberg Thinline Hollowbody, 5-string fretless, which is very easy to play, and have a very acoustic piezo-lige sound, almost as an Rob Allen bass. But you can't use a bow on it, and before I dit a lot of arco playing. But I'll never sell my double bass:rollno: and I hope I someday can play it again. My hand is getting better, but way too slow:hmm:

I have taken a full-bodied picture of my Hoyer, with the new Sandberg ind the background, and one where you can se the little powerfull Arco:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If/when you purchase the Arco, I hope you will make a comment on it in this forum.:)
 
#29
pbasswil said:
By the way, Helge, have you tried one of Cad/Arco/Ebass's bigger combo amps? At some point I need one for electric bass. Their 2 x 10" with tweeter (DB500-210T) is very interesting; Karsten says it only weighs 15Kgs. Amazing; there is nothing like that in North America.

- Peter
Click to expand...

Well, returning to the forum I saw your latest post.

No, I haven't tried the bigger ones. But I've bought an extra cabinet for the DB510 (BC110-250) when I went from double bass to the bass guitar. The Arco is great for a double bass, but lack a little "punch" when you're playing the bass guitar - especially when you're playing with a low fifth string (B) like I do with the Sandberg.
The extra cabinet is giving me this punch - the difference is really amazing.
I guess my "stack" is doing the same job as the DB500-210, but of course the DB500-210T has the additional tweeter:)
And if you want 1000 devastating watts, i've noticed that you can have an extra cabinet for the DB500-210T too...

You can see a bit of the extra cabinet next to the Arco on the pictures i've linked to in the former post. It is the same size as the Arco, but weighs of course less.
 
#30
HelgeBas said:
The Eminence sure looks lean:) and has a great sound. I've just to some of the youtube stuff. Is it very easy to play?
Click to expand...

Compared to my memory of playing a cheap plywood, 20 years ago, yes the Eminence is very easy to play. When I received it I had to put the neck on and install the strings and bridge myself (which I'd never done before). When I got it tuned up, everything was just perfect! No buzzes, low action (good for a beginner), and a good feel. The Helicore strings are very easy on the hands.

Sorry to hear about your hand injury; that must be tough. :^{ Best of luck in your healing.

Yes I'll definitely review the [previously Arco] Ebass here, assuming I get one. I'm not in a hurry to get an amp, so it may be a little while. I'm still reviewing the basic lower neck positions; I still have some practicing to do before I play upright gigs.

Cheers,

Peter
 
#32
MIJ-VI wrote: >Acoustic Image's new Ten2 ($1539 USD list) is the mini-rig I'm now eying...<

Yeah, I'm curious to hear how people think they sound.

Personally though, I'm looking for something even lighter than that, so that heading off to a jazz gig or a jam with my Eminence and amp is almost entirely effortless! Even bus and subway-ing it will be comfortable.

From all accounts, the Ebass DB510 from Danish company CAD Audio (which weighs the same 20lbs as the single 10" Acoustic Image amps) has really excellent volume and punch, and a convenient central top handle.
I'm just about to order.

- Peter
 
#33
pbasswil said:
MIJ-VI wrote: >Acoustic Image's new Ten2 ($1539 USD list) is the mini-rig I'm now eying...<

Yeah, I'm curious to hear how people think they sound.

Personally though, I'm looking for something even lighter than that, so that heading off to a jazz gig or a jam with my Eminence and amp is almost entirely effortless! Even bus and subway-ing it will be comfortable.

From all accounts, the Ebass DB510 from Danish company CAD Audio (which weighs the same 20lbs as the single 10" Acoustic Image amps) has really excellent volume and punch, and a convenient central top handle.
I'm just about to order.

- Peter
Click to expand...

Hi Peter.

Yup! Tiny box o' dynamite bass rigs for big city bassists.

DB 510 Bass Combo Amplifier € 990 retail ($1,609 CND) On-line currency converter.
 
#34
MIJ-VI said:
Hi Peter.

Yup! Tiny box o' dynamite bass rigs for big city bassists.
[/URL]
Click to expand...

MIJ-VI,
You sound very familiar with the db510; have you played through one??

MIJ-VI said:
DB 510 Bass Combo Amplifier &#8364; 990 retail ($1,609 CND) On-line currency converter.
Click to expand...

They're not cheap, but to me it's an intelligent investment in my music career. The older I get, the more I see the value of shaving off any obstacles/resistance to getting out and playing music, comfortably and without strain. A few more pounds off my gear schlepp means I'll end up saying yes to more jams and rehearsals and gigs. :^)

-- Peter
 
#35
Hi guys, I have just had made an upgrade on my db510 combo, so now it's more suited for the electric bass on the #2 input. My 5-string Sandberg with active picup was too powerful for the sensitive gain on the combo, but now it's perfect. And the low H-string on the Sandberg is roaring deep now!

Haven't tried it on a gig yet, but I'll tell you when I have. I'm playing Latin American music with three other guys, playing on both my DB (mostly arco) and my Sandberg.

I haven't ever had to use the full power of the db510. Before the upgrading, though, I lend it to a bass player in a rock band at a gig with several bands playing. He took it to it's extreme - and it liked it! This little box was placed on a chair on the scene. I was dancing to the music in the back of the room - and I could feel the floor trembling under my feet, when he kicked his Fender Precision:bassist:

Cad Audio has made this upgrade on all their new db510, now called db510 MkII, and they're making more powerful amplifiers, look at this webside: http://www.cadaudio.dk/bassamps.htm
 

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