Double Bass The Radial BassBone for doubling?

[Jaromir]

I'm just curious what you guys who double use for switching between basses? Is the Radial BassBone the most common solution or is there something else? Thanks, Jaromir

 

[Ric Vice]

I'm just curious what you guys who double use for switching between basses? Is the Radial BassBone the most common solution or is there something else? Thanks, Jaromir

Jaromir,
I've always preferred a two channel amplifier. Obviously it's not the only solution, and it may not be the best solution, but it eliminates the need for additional boxes, and most of all power supplies and batteries.

Ric

 

[Kaspar Vadsholt]

I use the Lehle basswitch. Great unit

 

[Feral Feline]

I'm just curious what you guys who double use for switching between basses? Is the Radial BassBone the most common solution or is there something else? Thanks, Jaromir

I think the Radial PZed-Pre is better suited for doubling than the BassBone. MHO

For backup, I've got a two-channel amp. I don't double, btw, at least not yet. The PZed-pre has features (that the Bassbone doesn't) which have saved my double-bass butt a few times.

Also check out the Basswitch, it comes highly recommended to many doublers here as well.

Hope you find what you need.

 

[Jon Moody]

Having used the Bassbone, the EBS MicroBass II and others, I have yet to find an ideal two channel box that isn't missing SOMETHING, so I now use a two channel amp, or a custom A/B box where each channel has its own volume and a mute.

Another option is the Visual Volume pedal from Visual Sound. It's set up to run two inputs in, one out for doubling if you want to go that route (which I've done as well).

 

[Vince Waldon]

Yup, if my Bassbone had a mute switch it would be damn near perfect for my application....and I may well add one as soon as the warranty expires. Yes you can fake it with a dummy plug in the effects loop but that defeats the boost feature, which I like a lot.

 

[chicagodoubler]

The Bassbone solves many, many problems, in a relatively inexpensive little box. URB, EB, fx, single channel amp? No problem. IMO, you should always choose an amp because of how it sounds, not how many channels there are. The EQ isn't my favorite, but that is my lone, singular complaint about the unit. FWIW, look at the list of top tier professionals who swear by it.

 

[Jon Moody]

The Bassbone solves many, many problems, in a relatively inexpensive little box. URB, EB, fx, single channel amp? No problem. IMO, you should always choose an amp because of how it sounds, not how many channels there are. The EQ isn't my favorite, but that is my lone, singular complaint about the unit. FWIW, look at the list of top tier professionals who swear by it.

I don't think any of us said we picked our amp on number of channels alone; it was a feature to consider, but my ultimate decision came down to sound first and foremost.

Secondly, lets see how many pros on their list ACTUALLY USE IT. Not arguing that it's adored by many top players, but I'd be curious to know the circumstances behind some of them, since I'm sure at least a couple aren't just because they used it and liked it.

The Bassbone is a solid unit, to be sure. Their downfalls are no dedicated mute switch and a proprietary power supply that you HAVE to use (meaning that you can't use a Pedal Power II or other power supply for it, or even get phantom power). Other competitors have at least those features.

 

[LM Bass]

If you need muting, the manual from Radial tells of a way to modify a jack and turn the boost/fx into a mute button.

 

[Jaromir]

Thank you guys for your suggestions! I will first try the Boss Line Selector since I own the box, but was using it for other purposes so far.

 

[Jon Moody]

If you need muting, the manual from Radial tells of a way to modify a jack and turn the boost/fx into a mute button.

Right, which effectively negates the boost or effect loop features. It's an "either or" thing which was really poorly planned. There's plenty of room on that pedal for a dedicated mute switch.

 

[Vince Waldon]

When I add one I'll post some pics...should be room in between the boost and channel foot switches.

 

[chicagodoubler]

Monkey,

The power adapter essentially adds 10 seconds to every setup and teardown for me. Not having everything on one plug is a little bothersome, but I don't see this outweighing its benefits. Re: the mute switch issue, this has never been an issue as all my amps have mute switches. Regarding which pros use them, the Bassbone is becoming one of those pedals that I see everywhere, like the OC2.

 

[Jon Moody]

The power adapter essentially adds 10 seconds to every setup and teardown for me. Not having everything on one plug is a little bothersome, but I don't see this outweighing its benefits.

And when you lose the power supply? It's not battery powered, it doesn't take phantom power, and it has an odd voltage that you can't buy an aftermarket supply in a pinch or plug it into a powerboard supply.

For me, it wasn't a big deal. But when your competitors DO have the ability (case in point, the EBS MicroBass II has battery power, a 9v out OR phantom power), it becomes a bigger issue.

Re: the mute switch issue, this has never been an issue as all my amps have mute switches.

Again, when your competitors DO offer that, it becomes an issue. Also for those people who don't have that option (when I used the BassBone, it was my entire rig since I was run direct), it's an issue that the BB kind of addresses as long as you're okay with losing the boost/effect loop.

Just because it's not an issue for you doesn't mean that it's not an issue.

Regarding which pros use them, the Bassbone is becoming one of those pedals that I see everywhere, like the OC2.

I asked about the circumstances, because you mentioned their endorsing artist roster. I know it's a nice unit; I've used it, as stated. But using their artist roster as a reason that it's a good unit is a little weak, given that there's a lot of behind-the-scenes marketing that's involved with endorsements of ANY kind.

 

[chicagodoubler]

Monkey, I just keep my whole thing strapped to the board, power supply included. The only way I would lose my power supply would be wall wart failure.

Regarding the shortcomings you find in the unit, I don't see any of them justifying dropping the extra coin to go to the EBS from my Bassbone. Fwiw, I see a mute on that box but no independent loop/ channel selection. Haven't had a chance to play with that one, so excuse my ignorance if there actually is an independent loop switch.

I'm sure there were people who criticized the ratios and metering on the original 1176... If it just does what it's supposed to do, and sounds good, many of us are willing to accept some minor trade offs. Heck, I like the tone controls on my East pre more than the tone knob on my Pbass, or the total lack of tone controls on the AT mic I clip to my Kay, but that doesn't keep me from using them...

 

[Phil Smith]

I just finished a run of '9 To 5' with a local community theater and used the EBS MicroBass II with a Series III AI Combo and was very pleased with it. I did discover that the best results sound wise was using channel B for the DB and channel A for the BG.