Double Bass Volume pedal or boost

[Macch5]

I've been thinking about getting a volume pedal or a boost pedal to use with my upright. There is a very big volume jump when I switch from pizz to arco. I also think it would be nice to have a little extra something if I need it for solos. Some of the music I've been playing has gotten a little more aggressive and a little extra punch could go a long way. The MXR boost overdrive looks interesting. Does anyone have any experience with that pedal or with any volume pedals?

 

[Jeff Bonny]

I'd be inclined to try a boost first. You don't need to limit yourself to dedicated boost pedals though. Anything thing that adds gain will work. Mostly because I already had it I've been messing around with a Barber Linden preamp pedal going pizz to arco. Still not sure if it's what I want but I think I like having an EQ stage in there too not just +/- gain.

Volume pedals are often a serious pain in the ass to adjust quickly and accurately. The only one I've used that's not totally useless for making fine adjustments is the Boomerang Wholly Roller.

 

[B String]

You don't need much more gain in your situation. I use an older 7 band stomp box eq. It has a volume boost on it, so if I need a little more volume I have it. Plus if I need it I can add some eq as well.

 

[neddyrow]

+1 for boost

Standing up and switching from pizz to arco and trying to move your foot just right to increase the volume a little all at the same time sounds like a nightmare. All my band mates use the LR Baggs Venue DI for their solos when we play in small bars. The mute button helps and it has a second boost button that is adjustable. Much easier route. I saw Sam Grisman using one for his bass. There are other cheaper options with less bells and whistles as mentioned above.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

I don't know if it's more money than you want to throw at this but I've been considering an [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] as a notch filter to solve feedback issues. Looking at the boost switch I remembered this thread and thought I'd throw it out as an idea as a tool for switching pizz/arco. Not only would it give you boost but you could tweak the tone very precisely. You don't hear too much negative being said about this thing from all sorts of different kinds of users. Seems like the kind of thing that'd be useful to have around long term for a number of potential applications.