I strap my wireless transmitter to my front jeans pocket so it stays. Turn off, unplug, switch, plug, turn on. 10-15 seconds
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switching basses quick during gig
- Thread starter jeffbassguy
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Rapco Ab-100
Totally passive, one button for each input. 9V battery powers the LEDs only. You plug into the outs and connect from input to the amp. Because it's passive, it can also be used to split one input to two outputs which is how it's labeled.
I used to use a DOD (also passive) but I never knew which input was selected (single switch), the Rapco is way better.
Totally passive, one button for each input. 9V battery powers the LEDs only. You plug into the outs and connect from input to the amp. Because it's passive, it can also be used to split one input to two outputs which is how it's labeled.
I used to use a DOD (also passive) but I never knew which input was selected (single switch), the Rapco is way better.
Another Boss AB2 user here. Plus a footswitch to mute the amp. Successfully used it a few times to switch between 5 string Jazz and 4 string humbucker shortscale for different types of music.
It's not strictly necessary, but I like to use a couple of different basses during rehearsals and gigs. The AB2 is great but I have been looking at two input amps as an alternative.
It's not strictly necessary, but I like to use a couple of different basses during rehearsals and gigs. The AB2 is great but I have been looking at two input amps as an alternative.
Turn the volume down on the bass you don't want to play, or play the one you want. Whichever switch selection makes noise is the correct position. Takes one second to figure out. Not really an issue.
Probably not the best idea but I use one of these goofy mixers:
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I'm certain it screws with the tone, but it's nice to have something to control the volume for each bass I use. Left Main Out to the Amp. Right Main Out to a Talk Box (yep, I use one). I'll use Channel One for my Passive 4-string to control the EQ because the Volume and Tone Knobs decided to stop turning.
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I'm certain it screws with the tone, but it's nice to have something to control the volume for each bass I use. Left Main Out to the Amp. Right Main Out to a Talk Box (yep, I use one). I'll use Channel One for my Passive 4-string to control the EQ because the Volume and Tone Knobs decided to stop turning.
Every cord I use on stage has a Neutrik Silent Plug. It makes it simple and noiseless to change instruments.
silentPLUG - Neutrik
silentPLUG - Neutrik
I rigged a mini toggle switch into my rack and just pick up the other guitar and flip the switch. this works the same as an a/b box and was the quickest way especially if your band goes from song to song. Takes about 5 seconds to change. I finally got tired of changing and now play my 5 string exclusively.
Years ago I had two wireless transmitters--one attached to the strap of each bass--so it was a matter of taking one bass off, turning off the transmitter, turning on the other transmitter and putting the other bass on. Really fast. Now, with a digital wireless, a) I only have one transmitter and b) it takes a couple seconds to turn on and off (long button press) so I don't think that would work anyway. I haven't tried leaving both on because of a) in the previous sentence, but maybe that would work--dunno.
I'm all about simplicity these days; the quickest thing I've found is: play one bass all night. I have four-bangers (with Hipshot Xtenders) and five-strings that I absolutely love and am perfectly happy to play all night long. It really makes things a lot simpler.
Tom
I'm all about simplicity these days; the quickest thing I've found is: play one bass all night. I have four-bangers (with Hipshot Xtenders) and five-strings that I absolutely love and am perfectly happy to play all night long. It really makes things a lot simpler.
Tom
This is what I've always done, only have a strap and transmitter on each instrument so there's no need to unplug, just kill the transmitter and throw the other bass on and hit the switch.
Do as much as possible ahead of time. Have a strap on each bass. 1 stand per bass. Cable for each bass. Hook it all up ahead of time.
Switch by taking one bass off, putting the other on and clicking the A/b switch. Mute via vol control, tuner or mute switch on amp.
If the bases are diff volumes you may have to throttle back the vol on the louder bass.
Switch by taking one bass off, putting the other on and clicking the A/b switch. Mute via vol control, tuner or mute switch on amp.
If the bases are diff volumes you may have to throttle back the vol on the louder bass.
i also use the silent plugs. But recently i tried to not switch instruments if possible and that worked well, too. I just stick to my 5er and keep the fretless for rehearsal and recording.
- Oct 18, 2012
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I use a Livewire A/B box that I bought at GC for around $40. I can change basses very quickly and haven't noticed any noise or signal loss.
I use a 70's vintage EH Switchblade. It pops a little sometimes but it's nothing but a switch in a box.
AB pedal, under $50. don't over-think it.
The Sansamp Deluxe pedals have 2 inputs with 3 presets for each,pretty cool, pretty expensive pedals too.
If one bass is louder than the other, use something like a Mooer Pure Boost pedal to boost the quieter one to the same level as the louder one. I use it to boost my Jazz to my P's level.
The Sansamp Deluxe pedals have 2 inputs with 3 presets for each,pretty cool, pretty expensive pedals too.
If one bass is louder than the other, use something like a Mooer Pure Boost pedal to boost the quieter one to the same level as the louder one. I use it to boost my Jazz to my P's level.
This works great, guitar player in the country band I do sound for uses them and switches between 4 guitars on the fly. Very simple and effective
An A/B box, tuner and such are great ways to mute the signal while switching basses.
Alternatively if your amp has an effect loop and you have a footswitch for that you could put a dummy plug into the return and that would mute the signal.
There are the cables that victor wooten uses when he switches instrument. the jack part which would be in each of bass's outputs is held together by magnets and can be 'snapped' apart, which mutes the signal and you connect it your second instrument jack part and presto done. There's actually a clip on youtube of victor demonstrating it, it in one of the gear rundown clips I think.
I personally though would switch basses unless I was going from electric to double or vice versa, but each to their own.
Alternatively if your amp has an effect loop and you have a footswitch for that you could put a dummy plug into the return and that would mute the signal.
There are the cables that victor wooten uses when he switches instrument. the jack part which would be in each of bass's outputs is held together by magnets and can be 'snapped' apart, which mutes the signal and you connect it your second instrument jack part and presto done. There's actually a clip on youtube of victor demonstrating it, it in one of the gear rundown clips I think.
I personally though would switch basses unless I was going from electric to double or vice versa, but each to their own.
I did the same sort of thing once. Recordings were a mix of fretless and fretted. Live, just the fretless. Swapping between guitar and keyboards doesn't allow that and it's hard work playing keys with a guitar strapped on, but one track required guitar about 0.5 seconds after the keyboard part finished so there wasn't much choice. All credit to Geddy for doing it on a regular basis.
Not a big problem for me, if we want to link songs together in a set we make sure that it can be done without instrument changes (more often the guitarist wants to change though) otherwise I just mute using the floor tuner, switch basses and unmute. It takes seconds, and usually I'm done before the singer has said whatever he needs to say between songs. Otherwise just say loudly "hold on, wait, I'm not ready" and make it part of the show.
Oh, yeah. I have seen guys try to do the switch with only one stand on stage. What were they thinking? For one thing, they usually make the switch the same way every time, so every switch they make crosses the cable from the instrument they are putting down over (or under) the one from the axe they are picking up. After a few switches their cables are in a tangled mess.
