Using multiple basses live?

[esoxhntr]

Looks like I'll be needing to use two or three different basses on gigs for the next little while. Anybody out there already doing this who can comment on how to set this up to deliver a signal to a PA?

If I use one of my older amps with multiple inputs I guess that I can just mic the cab, but how to go about this if I wind up using my Aguilar AG500 with only a single input? I don't particularly want to be plugging and unplugging in the middle of a set...

 

[McDreads]

I use an A/B switch on my pedalboard and I use a grafic eq (before) the switch so I can change levels and eq. I use an active and a passive (also fretted and fretless) bass. sometimes I use a totally programmable pre-amp (ADA MB1) so I can give each bass it's own eq (and a 100 more).

 

[Coelho]

I particularly don't see a problem disconnecting/connecting. I hit my tuner pedal, muting the signal, and quickly switch basses.

If it is too much of an issue, here is one option: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[esoxhntr]

If it is too much of an issue, here is one option: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

WIN!!!

Seriously, what a handy little gadget that turned out to be - worked great on the gig last night. Many thanks Coelho!

 

[Coelho]

Glad to help!

 

[mrpackerguy]

I use a custom A/B/Y looper box with a mute button, all LED's to show which bass is active that the guy from Zoo Boo made me for $80

 

[Christian Waiau]

i use a cheap a/b box. i run one with a line to bass and one to my wireless... if my wireless should fail i switch basses and stomp the switch

 

[allexcosta]

This:

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[rob2966]

I use the Radial Bassbone as the "heart" of my pedalboard. It has the DI built in, two inputs with individual levels, tuner out, and an FX loop.

I love the thing.

Later
Rob

 

[Shindig]

I run 3 basses into my AG500 using a Raven Labs MDB-1. Small yet high quality. They're discontinued but you can find them if you look around. They come up on the TB classifieds fairly often.
Good luck
Shindig

 

[MNAirHead]

Volume pedal if both are active OR both are passive...

Just kill the signal and swap basses... then adjust for different output levels.

 

[Monkey]

I use a small mixer (Behringer Xenyx 802). I can equalize the outputs, then send one signal to my amp, one to the board, and one to my tuner. I've never been a Behringer fan, but this mixer sounds good to me. It's great to have both basses ready to go, and not to have to worry about unplugging during a gig.

 

[GOX42]

I change basses about 6 times thoughout the night depending on what I feel like and I just hit the tuner pedal and unhook the rehook . good as gold

 

[AndyLES]

I use a 3 channel Programmable Sansamp/Bass driver. Works like a charm.

 

[JTE]

I've done three different things. First was a simple and cheap DOD A/B box. Plugged a bass into each of the A and B jacks, then out of the C (the common) to the amp. Quick and easy. Second was a volume pedal. Just kill the signal goint to the amp (and/or FOH DI box) with the pedal, unplug one bass, grab the other, and hit the volume pedal after I plug in. Third was the easiest for me. A Boss TU-2 tuner. Hit the pedal to mute the signal, swap instruments, hit the pedal again, and go.

Having both basses plugged into the A/B box didn't really save any time, but it did add to the potential tangle of cables on stage. Having only one cord for either bass makes more sense to me. Less chance of a cable getting stepped on, or tangled up in the singer's feet and pulling the bass out of the stand.

The real key is being able to swap basses fast. I use the same strap no matter which bass I'm playing, and the basses all have the Dunlop Dual-Design strap locks. Have a GOOD stand which for me means the Ultimate stand that suspends the bass by the headstock. Solid, reliable, and gives me lots of options on stage for where to put the two basses. I don't like multi-instrument stands because they're so big that you have limited options for tucking the basses in between amps so they don't get knocked over.

And, I don't alter my amp settings for different basses. My amp's job is to give me what my bass sounds like so I switch from the P bass to the Lakland fretted 4-94 to the fretless 4-94 and expect the amp to give me what THAT particular bass sounds like.

jte

 

[secombs]

I just use my Boss tuner pedal to mute the signal and change basses. Never had a problem and doesn't require any additional cables.

The Radial bassbone is awesome. Wish I had one of those..

 

[davecanady]

I use a 3 channel Programmable Sansamp/Bass driver. Works like a charm.

Hey Andy,

I just picked up the SansAmp Programmable this past weekend. Not having played with it too much yet, I have temp set up the chain with my Boss TU2 tunner, a Boss ODB-3and then the SansAmp. Do you have any thoughts about set up or settings to speed up the learning curve? My though is I have 8 tones available without touching a knob: Bypass (just my amp), Bypass with the ODB, all three SansAmp buttons with/without distortion.

I use 2 basses and we play everything from Beatles to Rage Against the Machine.

 

[RAM]

I run wireless and turn off the wireless unit, unplug, then plug in the other bass. I can be ready to go with the next bass in under a minute.

The downside to switching basses is obviously if there's momentum onstage, it can kill that momentum by having to break for a bass swap. We choose fairly carefully where there's an appropriate time to switch, and I've occasionally used the wrong bass for a given song - and I practice to do so, just in case the audience reaction seems to want us to continue without a break. A side benefit of this is it forces me to expand my musical vocabulary!

 

[davecanady]

If you have a rack tuner, you may also have a second input on the front for a second instrument. With that, you could leave a second bass plugged in and only have to push one button to switch guitars.

 

[Kenner]

I usually bring 2-3 basses to a gig. I just turn off my wireless (X2), switch and run. I use identical basses so I never have to worry about tonal changes.