switching basses quick during gig

[jeffbassguy]

So i like to bounce between my 4 and 5 strings for many reasons including music style, low b, weight, tone. I am clueless on how to do it right without scrambling to mute, unplug, switch basses, plug in and phew i made the next song in time. My question is, is a simple A/B pedal the way to go and if so what are the best ones out there that wont be noisy, retain the power, and make this process efficient.

 

[PAguy]

Does your amp have 2 inputs? I used to keep 2 four string basses plugged in and switch between them. One bass was active and tuned down, the other passive in standard tuning (guitard players!), so that worked well with the 2 inputs on my amp.
I have since gone to a 5 string and play one bass all night. Switching basses was a PITA for me

 

[jeffbassguy]

nah, im running a single input..ive pondered a wt1200 or something comparable but i really like where i am at with power and tone with my epifani setup right now

 

[Burwabit]

I switch between a 4 and 5 too during gigs. Do you have a foot tuner pedal? I don't find that it takes too long. Use 2 straps if it helps.

 

[Dave44]

I used to use a stomp box made just for that BOSS AB 2. In the old days I was switching between my Jazz and a Rik depending on the song and it sure came in handy took as long as it takes to switch guitars.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Wireless transmitter attached to strap. Straplocks.
Mute via footswitch

 

[tuba_samurai]

Boss Ab-2. Handy pedals here. Can be used as 2 inputs and 1 output, or as 1 input and 2 outputs. Very simple.

 

[Dominick C.]

Little Invalid Link Removed best switcher out there IMHO. Built like a tank, small, hard to miss switch.

 

[hrodbert696]

I used a Radial A/B box, passive, worked great. Or you can get a VT bass deluxe, that has a whole lot more than an A/B function, but one benefit is that you can have a different preset bank for each input, thus picking the tone you want for each bass separately. The thing is that I stopped switching basses quite a while ago. I'm not a rock starwith a guitar tech on tour to keep handing me fresh-tuned basses, and the bar crowd really doesn't notice or care about the subtleties of my tone. I just pick a main bass to play for the night, and bring a backup in case there's a problem.

 

[DWBass]

I do it all the time. Using my wireless. I mute, unplug, set down 1st bass, grab 2nd bass, plug in, unmute! Takes less than 20 seconds.

 

[Jools4001]

I do it all the time. Using my wireless. I mute, unplug, set down 1st bass, grab 2nd bass, plug in, unmute! Takes less than 20 seconds.

I do exactly this but without the wireless. Hit the tuner button on my Zoom pedal (which also mutes the output), flip the cord out and hang it over the mic stand, swap basses (they each have their own straplocked straps), plug in, unmute.

I don't do it for any specific tone changes, since I already have a whole bunch of patches on the Zoom to suit different tonal needs, but we play a chunk of our second set tuned down a semitone. Our singer has got a decent range and could sing in standard, but the songs we play here were originally played by bands who also used this tuning (Thin Lizzy, G&R etc). We've tried these in standard tuning but for some weird reason they just don't have the same vibe...I was sceptical about this when I joined the band and they told me this, I didn't really see what difference a semitone would make...but it does, and I still can't explain why. So, instead of down-tuning and losing string tension, I have my back-up bass set up with slightly heavier strings (105 E instead of 100).

It helps that the guitarists change instruments at the same designated points in the set, so the singer just does a bit of spiel to cover the 30 seconds or so that it takes.

 

[jthisdell]

I was using a cheap Behringer AB switch along with a Korg tuner that acted as a mute. Worked fine but I needed a better preamp for my EUB (correction, a preamp better matched to the EUB's super high impedance output) and recently got a Radial Bassbone OD. Really easy to mute and switch between instruments. Plus it makes both sound better.

 

[viper4000]

Everyone seems to have a little trick that works for them. I tried the dance with using 1 input and using the tuner to mute. It worked, but on crowded stages I would tangled up some nights. Or forget to tweak the levels going from active to passive. I'm actually a little envious of folks that can use 1 input and change quickly and efficiently. I'm not one of those

I started using a Radial Bassbone. Two inputs, where one can be EQ'd and sculpted. The other I use is the aforementioned VT Deluxe. Pretty powerful little box. Might be overkill if you don't need tone shaping. But it allows for custom settings for each input.

I like a box better, as it allows me to merely flip one switch and all levels are appropriate between active and passive, down tuned and standard, 4 or 5, etc, etc.

 

[jthisdell]

I like a box better, as it allows me to merely flip one switch and all levels are appropriate between active and passive, down tuned and standard, 4 or 5, etc, etc.

Agreed, when I just used the AB switch there was a huge difference in levels between my two. The Radial products are not cheap but seem to be well worth it.

 

[Ric5]

I only play 5 string basses ... so I never switch to a 4

 

[rogerbmiller]

Back in college I had a no frills, passive A/B box. Worked great. Still have it but need to repair it- the nut for the jack came off and I need to find another so it doesn't sink into the body. NDB.

I also just bought a Behringer ABY pedal. Did this to have be able to go in the other direction if I wanted, i.e. drive two amps with one bass. Haven't battle tested it yet though.

 

[mpdd]

i wouldn't switch basses unless their was a song with a longer drum intro or some pre arranged banter about rest stops etc.

 

[SnL]

I just picked one of these up from the bay for 68 bucks after my Behringer ab I had crapped out. Used it at rehearsal last Monday to go between EUB, Fender P (with new dedicated strap), and zon 5 stringer. Loved it. No power required (except a 9v to light the indicator lights).

 

[DWBass]

My problem is I like playing my 4 string but sometimes the band will play a tune that they dropped the key (below E) on. They stop after every song anyway so I have plenty of time to switch. Another band, I just use my 5 string as pretty much everything is downtuned.

 

[BassicDesire]

In an ideal scenario you have seceral transmitters for your wireless unit so they can stay on the bass (strap). That way you only switch to the right transmitter. If you have a bass tech, help him by putting the number of the current bass on the back of your strap so he always knows which one is live.