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Double Bass Small rigs for small groups

#21
I've got an SWR California Blonde that I really like for smaller gigs.

I've found it to be a very natural sounding amp at lower volumes and has got a good eq section that gives you lots of flexibility for both tone-shaping and feedback control.

It's also got a push/pull phase inversion and a second channel with accompanying eqs and a mic input.

I love the tone at low volumes, but it seems to fart out a little when I have to turn it up to compete with a drummer doing anything other than brush work.

-b
 
#22
I use a GK 112 Backline. Bought it from Musician's Friend or Lemur (can't remember) for less that 3 bills and I've been very happy with it. Most of my gigs/sessions are in small rooms/restaurants and it has plenty of power. I found that it accurately amplifies the sound of my DBs. I looked at the Natural Blonde on-line though -- looks tempting if I need an upgrade.
 
#23
I have been making out ok with a line 6 lowdown110.
for low volume gigs.......
A little confusing with the presets at first.........
but it is very portable ,works with electric ,
lite and inexpensive $ 250 new.
Using a rev solo 2 pick up ..just plug in adjust eq and play...
makes for a good rehearsal amp also. I also use it as a guitar amp.
I am not trying to compare it to high end stuff.....which I do not think you are looking for............ anyhow.
good luck
 
#25
bopeuph said:
I'm looking at the Backline 110 or the Hartke Kickback 10 right now. I just realized something. I'm probably going to get hired for a lot of big band gigs, too. Will this cut it if there's no PA?

Nick
Click to expand...

No. I have the Backline 110. It's fine for practicing at home with EB (never tried it with my URB) but it won't get loud enough for more than a trio with a very soft drummer. I have no experience with the Hartke.
 
#28
The Yorkville 50 is an honourable little amp - pretty much indestructible and cheap. I have one that's maybe ten years old and I'll pick it over my Markbass for small restaurant gigs and whatnot. I looked at the Yorkville site recently and the new version of the 50W combo is a single 10", tiltback, and under 20lbs. I might have to buy one ...
 
#29
I have a Fender Frontman amp that I bought years ago as a practice amp for BG. It is 38 watts with an eight inch (I think) speaker. I haven't tried it with my URB yet, but I know that my Ampeg BA115 is a bit muddy for the job, and I don't want to have to invest much more in equipment at this point.
 
#30
I recommend that you also keep your mind open to powered PA speakers. There are some really good deals to be found. They are just about everywhere. They sound really good and usually include some tone controls, and loudness compensation. They usually have a mic input so you may not even need a pre-amp. Some have outstanding warranties (one I saw has 6 years), but some with a year warranty exchange are also good. You'll always find a use for a good PA speaker.

Check with stores that let you try them out for a month or so.
 
#31
I hear a lot from the local guys about the Polytone amps. It just so happens that a local music store is selling a Mini Brute with a 15 inch speaker. Would that be an ideal rig for this type of setting? It's loud, so I bet it would do fine with a big band. And the best part is that it's so light.

Nick
 
#32
I haven't heard a Polytone for quite some time, so I could be all wet. But I think they were a popular choice for jazzers for quite a while back in the day. Jazz guitarists and bassists.

When I think of Polytone, I think of a more blunt, dark, old school tone than some of the more hi-fi gear available today. Don't know. Maybe their sound has evolved. The last time I heard one in person was like from 1986 to about 1992 when a guitarist friend of mine had one. He was a Wes Montgomery freak. And a Monk freak, but Monk didn't play no geetar. And a Charlie Parker freak ...

Geez. That was a long time ago. Those local guys you mentioned. Bet they're old like me. :(
 
#33
This amp is at LEAST 15 years old. It looks like the Mini Brute I, but I thought that those amps were 12" speakers, but this one seems to be a 15. Other than that, it does seem to have that real old school dark tone, and I'm gonna bring my upright in there tomorrow to check out how it sounds on it.

Is this something I should have a pre for? Or is it fine without one?

Nick
 
#34
Don't know. I tried to look up the input impedance on their web site, but something keeps forcing my IE window to close when I go there.

Might be a good combo if your bass and/or your pickup is really bright sounding. Like most stuff, it would be best if you could try it on a gig somehow.

I did notice they now have rigs with "bass" in the name, whereas the Brutes are aimed maybe more at guitarists. There are at least two or three Brute models, some w/ 12's and some w/ 15's.
 
#35
A few cats on this site said to stay away from 15s with an upright, but a lot of locals say 15s are good for that dark sound. I'm a little confused with that. Either way, I'm not horribly picky with the sound, as long as it doesn't completely SUCK. With jazz, I was always more concerned with the notes being played. As long as it works, I'm good. I just don't want overly bright or buzzing, etc.

Nick
 
#37
Back in the day, 15's were pretty much what most of us had. Also, Polytone is not known for their customer service but I knew some guys that played Polytone's many years ago and they sounded pretty darn good with them.
 
#39
pudgychef said:
The XM50 yorkie is a great little amp (with line out if needed)
Click to expand...

Someone else said this, too. I should try it out. The store has one of those too. It's about $400, while I can get the Poly for 250. I really dug how it sounded with one of the store's acoustic bass guitars. I'm not too worried about the line out, as I have a direct box, and the Poly has an old school unbalanced out to mix jack in the back. I think I will try out that York tomorrow as well.

Nick
 
#40
I have both a Polytone Minibrute III 12 and 15 inch. You definitely want the 15. The 12 is set up for guitar and kind of craps out on the bottom end. The poly minibrute III 15 inch is a bass amp and will hold up just fine to dropping a bomb on the E. It was the amp I used prior to going to AI.

I liked it. I think the AI stuff is better but for what it was it wasn't bad. It has a somewhat dark sound but the speaker speaks fast enough for anything you'd want to do. You definitely need a preamp; it has a 1 Mohm input. I still keep it around as a backup. The last time I played slab, I used it. It blows the GK combo amps out of the water. I have both the 200mb and the 250MBE or whatever it is. Much less boxy sounding than the GKs; much more open and natural sounding. I used the GKs when I first started playing upright.

mark
 

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