Double Bass SWR WM 2X10C, pickup query

[McGryff]

Folks,

I have an SWR 2X10C combo that I use with my EBs, and I have a loverly Shen carved bass with a K&K Bass Max pickup. I have to say that the DB does not sound fab with this setup to me. I've twiddled with the EQ & aural enhancer a bit, but it's very, very boomy in the low frequencies & a little thin up high.

What I'm wondering is this: is the WM 2X10C a bad combo for DB, or is the Bass Max not the right pickup (at least for this amp)? I used to have an Ampeg B 100-R, and the Bass Max sounded decent through that. So, I'm considering either upgrading the pickup (perhaps to a Revolution Solo II) or getting a little combo for my DB (such as a used GK MB 150). I'm not swimming in cash, so an iAMP or Clarus is pretty much out of the picture.

Any comments/feedback/ideas? Thanks!

 

[bad5x8]

Don't use the aural enhancer. Start with the EQ flat. Probably have to cut some low mids. Leave the treble flat.

I use SWR workingman 1x10 cabs for my upright, and the SWR 350 burgandy face head. I like the speakers alot. Turn the tweeters off.

What side of the bridge do you have the bassmax on?
What room or stage are you playing on?

Blake "who loves his bassmax and SWR WM gear"

 

[McGryff]

Blake,

Thanks for the reply. I've tried some of this stuff, and I'll give some details here. I don't play my DB on stage yet, but I'd like to move in that direction. I may be joining an old-time/folk/bluegrass group, and eventually I've love to be able to do some jazz too.

I think the last time I messed with it I cut the tweeter & the aural enhancer. I think I had to drop alot of low & low mids, otherwise it got way, way too boomy. I have the bassmax on the E string wing of the bridge. I hadn't thought about pickup placement... perhaps the pickup/amp combination would sound better if I switched it over to the G side wing. (though I am still tempted to get the Solo II anyway... I'll chalk that up to GAS...)

 

[McGryff]

I suppose another idea in the amp department may be to find a used WM 12, too. I checked on ebay and there's a couple for fairly reasonably prices. I don't want to dump much of $500 for an amp, and less if possible. The pickup solution would obviously be cheaper. I searched and read the WM 12 thread, and it was good food for thought, since they seem to be cheaper used than GK MB150's.

Anyone have any experience with bassmax + WM 12?

 

[bad5x8]

Well...I don't have a WM12, but I do have a WM10 combo amp. It won't work for everybody, but I like it. It puts out lots of sound for it's size. My bass/pick up is very dark/bassy, so the combo sounds alot bigger that one would think.

On the other hand...
Some have had much better success with the BassMax on the G side of the bridge. It's cheap to try out... I still like mine on the E string side.

ALSO>>>
Basses/amps etc sound different with a group, so try it out with a group before diving in and buying new gear.

humble thoughts...
Blake

 

[dvmweb]

Griff'

I use a bass max. You need to add a preamp. It matches the impedance of you pup and "evens out" the signal. I bought a Fishman PRO-EQ Platinum Bass Preamplifier/DI from Bob Gollihur. This should really help. I would think that with the 10 inch drivers in your SWR should work pretty well.

I use mine, preamp, with an out to my amp, Hartke 12 inch, and a DI to the PA system. There is also an output for a tuner. Pretty handy.

About using either the E of G side of the bridge. I would try both of course to see how it works with your new preamp.

Good Luck
Walt MI/USA

 

[bolo]

dvmweb beat me to the punch. +1 what he said.

The Fishman preamp also has a depth control (i.e. high pass filter) which can be used to tighten up the low end and dial out some of that boominess.

If you go this route, try running the preamp into the effects return on your amp too, which bypasses the preamp built in to the combo.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Since you prob'ly don't need to be ear-splitting loud to play folk and bluegrass lemme throw out the idea of a mic. I've spent a lot of years and a lot of money and time and aggravation on lots of pickups and preamps and fairly recently started using my own mic and for the first time I'm actually happy with my amplified sound. There's been lots of discussion on TB about mics so you won't have any trouble finding ideas and info. Pictures of what guys are using on gigs is useful too (just saw a pic of John Clayton using an EV RE20 next to him Christian McBride using a Shure SM7B for example). I went with the classic EV RE20 and an FMR Audio mic preamp which works very well. I have used that mic straight into an amp with a $20 passive in line transformer and no preamp and it still sounds waaaaaay better than the pickup. There's a TB thread on the new Heil PR40 mic which is getting rave reviews. Cheapest I've seen one is an ebay store for $279 with shipping and regular street price is $325. It may still seem like more than you want to spend but everyone who wants true bass sound ends up miking and it may be (will very probably be) cheaper in the long run just to start there.

Another plus is that it's more acceptable to small venues and leaders who own PA systems for you to plug in a mic than to plug in a pickup so it can save carrying an amp without seeming like you're taking advantage. Some things to think about......