Double Bass Successful DB/BG amp set-ups for doublers?

[66 Fender Jazz]

Hoping not to violate site protocols by asking a Q. involving bass guitar. Mine is simply an ask for recommended bass amplification rigs that can project both instruments in a non-arena setting. Recognizing fully that there will be a lot of 'that depends on' replies, if it is for medium size venue, without FOH support- any thoughts? An all-purpose set-up that will project both instruments. Interested to read who is using what in 2024. Thanks.

 

[MIMike]

I think the biggest challenge is getting the volume you need on the upright w/o getting feedback.
My solution was to use a magnetic pickup as well as a piezo, blended via a pre-amp to get sound I was happy with.
Back when I was doubling on every gig, my rig was a GK 1001RB through two Eden cabs.
So, overcome the feedback problems and you can use most any rig you want. Taylor you tone with individual pre-amps. That’s what worked for me.

 

[brianrost]

My experience is that the speakers need to be considered first. Typically the flatter the frequency response the better. While not all amps sound the same, there are plenty of amps that work well. Any amp that worked well for DB has always worked fine for me with BG as well. The opposite is not true.

The main things I consider when choosing amps:

1. Two full preamp channels each with their own input jack and EQ sections so settings do not need to be changed every time the player switches instruments. Independent mute buttons are useful since DB pickups don't usually have a volume control.

2. High input impedance…1Mohm minimum...so piezo pickups can be connected directly instead of requiring a preamp.

3. High pass and/or notch filters and polarity reversal switches are helpful in fighting feedback.

4. If the amp voicing is not flat, having enough EQ control to approach a flat response is critical.

What I use today for doubling gigs:

Walter Woods Electrocoustic amp head
Bergantino HT112 cabinets (one or two depending on required stage levels)
fdeck high pass filter used between the DB and the WW head (provides a volume control as well)

The Acoustic Image Coda s3 (with or without a Ten2 extension cabinet) I use for DB only gigs has been used in a pinch but it’s not suitable for high stage volumes like your typical rock band.

Backline amps I have used that surprised me by working well with DB:

Ampeg SVT stack (tube or solid state, old ones have two channel preamps)
Most Gallien Krueger amps
Most Eden and SWR amps

 

[AGCurry]

My relatively-simple-and-inexpensive rig:

Traynor SB112 combo amp
Headway EDB-2 (H.E.?) two-channel preamp

I can use either a microphone or the Realist Copperhead pickup with the double-bass channel, and if I'm not doubling on bass guitar, I can blend them using both channels.

 

[Earl]

My relatively-simple-and-inexpensive rig:

Traynor SB112 combo amp
Headway EDB-2 (H.E.?) two-channel preamp

I can use either a microphone or the Realist Copperhead pickup with the double-bass channel, and if I'm not doubling on bass guitar, I can blend them using both channels.

Yeah that is a great amp!

 

[Scott Lynch]

Genzler Magellan amp for BG. Grace Alix into Aux In of Magellan for DB. I like this set up because it's modular, I get the voicing I want for each instrument with the separate preamps, and each instrument also has a dedicated XLR to send to FOH.

 

[Ross Kratter]

I use the Phil Jones BP-800 head and C-8 (and sometimes additional C-4) cab, with a Lehle 3@1 switcher in front. The Lehle switcher has gain knobs on two of the three channels, so I put my electric and synth into the two channels with gain knobs, and match those volumes to the DB.

 

[turf3]

I use an Acoustic Image Contra. Bass guitar electromagnetic pickups into the Low Z input, Double bass piezo pickup into the High Z input.

 

[Pings Bass]

I've got a relatively cheap GK head (MB200) and a GK 1x12 neo cab. I put it on a kick-back stand. I have a boss line switcher that allows me to match signals and silently switch without unplugging/plugging. I don't play with loud drummers, and it's plenty for piano trio stuff.

 

[BassinCT]

For doubling gigs that require some ability to project in larger venues, I use a Headway preamp into the line input on my Mesa D-800+ and send it to Bergantino HT112ER’s. Both the Mesa and Headway preamps have mute switches.

 

[Wasnex]

Ideally you need separate gain, tone, and mute features for each instrument.

Upright really benefits from notch filters and possibly a variable high pass filter (HPF).

Piezos tend to work better when the input impedance they are driving is 1Meg or more

I think most upright players prefer a rig that is closer to full-range, flat-response for "My Bass Only Louder". A lot of bass guitar players prefer a rig with a baked in voice--the amp and cab is treated as a intrinsic part of the instrument. So a compromise may be necessary.

The Gollihur Exclusive, Genzler Bass Acoustic Array Pro checks a lot of the boxes. A matching extension cab is available.

Ref: Gollihur Series Bass Acoustic Array Pro Amplification (Exclusive)

Lot's of other ways to get the required functionality. Some pieces you may find interesting

Two channel acoustic preamps

EDB-2 H.E – Headway Music Audio

www.headwaymusicaudio.com

FELiX2 2ch instrument preamp / EQ / DI Acoustic Instrument and Mic Preamp - Grace Design

FELiX is a studio quality, 2-channel acoustic instrument / mic preamp, designed to provide the highest quality solution for amplifying stringed instruments.

gracedesign.com

Parametric EQ

ParaEq MKII Deluxe

The Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe brings back the most sought after studio-grade parametric EQ pedal. Ultra-low noise, Super transparent. Now it a smaller form factor. With Baxandall shelving filters and high-pass and low-pass 12dB/oct filters.

empresseffects.com

 

[coyote1]

Hoping not to violate site protocols by asking a Q. involving bass guitar. Mine is simply an ask for recommended bass amplification rigs that can project both instruments in a non-arena setting. Recognizing fully that there will be a lot of 'that depends on' replies, if it is for medium size venue, without FOH support- any thoughts? An all-purpose set-up that will project both instruments. Interested to read who is using what in 2024. Thanks.

No FOH? So is the drumset acoustic, without mics?

If so, your problem just got easier. All you need do is bring the upright to a level that works with the drums. That can be done with a small (class D) 200 watt head, feeding perhaps a pair of vertically stacked 2x10 cabinets. Orient them 90 degrees from each other. Have the top one pointed towards you so you can hear it clearly.

Now you can use a condenser mic on the upright, powered by a mini mixer with 48v phantom power. Which means you can run the electric bass into one of the other available mixer channels, and the upright thru the amp will sound like wood and air instead of the 'quack' that comes from even the best piezos.

 

[evanrunyon]

Markbass CMD 102P and an A/B switch.

 

[pgolliher]

I am going through this now. If your band is loud, feedback on the DB is the biggest issue. A preamp that will get your impedance right for your DB pick up, polarity switch, and Very important - high pass filter. I was using a para acoustic pedal and the high pass filter that is on my Mesa Subway D800+. Worked “ok”, without both- not very usable. I recently got the Fishman platinum EQ/ DI. It really changed my game. It has all the other features, a tuner, compression, a boost pedal switch , plus you can switch EQ mode to bass to get much better tone, the high pass filter works great and it has a notch filter, so you can take out an offensive freq. it also works decent with electric bass. I did tweak the eq and added compression- which I don’t use for DB. Honestly- so far, I’m blown away and not regretting the price at all. I can show up to a gig with just this and be set.

 

[BASSDROID]

Radial PZ pre and/or Two Notes LeBass

Walter Woods Electracoustic

EA Wizzy 10 or 12, or A 2x10 for larger venues.

 

[groooooove]

a lot of amps work fine for this. my genz benz shuttlemax 9.2 is my favorite amp ever, and works equally well for both applications.

for cabinets in a smaller-medium size venue, i always liked smaller speakers. 6" or 8" is great. not tons of options, but there is something about it i like.

for doubling, i've always used a 1x12" with great success.

 

[Swizzledoop]

Genz Benz stuff works great for doubling. I use a GB 112t or 212t depending on the need, with a STL900 behind a preamp, HPF, comp, etc. It doesn’t sound like MBOL but it is articulate, thick, and thumpy and works equally as good with the slab.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I use a RedEye Twin and run both instruments into that and through my bass rig. I am happy with the sound of my instruments most of the time, so the simplicity of the RedEye works ok for me. If I was doing a lot of doubling, I would invest in something like a Grace Design ALIX or find a used EA Doubler or Acoustic Image amp and an efficient 2x10 cab.

 

[Jefenator]

I find that whatever works for BG in terms of amp / EQ / etc should also work fine for DB – when the pickup is properly buffered phased & HPF'd.
The louder the room & drummer, the less acoustic nuance you're going to have. On those occasions it's usually good to surrender to the BG amp coloration & let the low mid bump & compression do their thing. (Magnetic pickup also not the worst idea.)
I use a simple switcher. (Radial BigShot I/O. Great, rugged unit that is not very expensive.)
I would love to try the Grace Felix or some other 2-channel marvel, but I've been managing pretty well for quite some time without.

 

[oren]

I'm very happy using a Grace Felix when I have a doubling gig. It is a very high quality two channel preamp that has switchable input impedance on each channel, making it easy to find a setting that a piezo pickup likes for the upright. I can eq each channel separately and switch between channels going to a single output, which in my case feeds into a Markbass combo amp. The Felix also has all sorts of different options for routing outputs to FOH if you need that.