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Double Bass What amp do I need?

Jason Sypher

Jason Sypher

Jan 3, 2001
3,836
5,203
Brooklyn, NY
jasonsypher.com
#1
To take my mind off finding a bass I'm thinking about my amp needs. I'm attracted to the Phil Jones stuff. I need an p that will be used almost exclusively as a personal monitor. I haven't even owned an amp for ten years so I've gone a long time just playing through the house but I'd like to hear myself on stage again...briefcase? Flightcase? Superflight? I like the lightweight, one free hand aspect of these combos but also want enoughpower and sound to not wish later that I had bought the wrong amp. Full acoustic sound is of utmost importance. What do y'all think?
 
#3
If it's to be only as a personal monitor, I'd say Flightcase or Super Flightcase. The latter has enough oomph to carry the bass without FOH in small/medium settings, the former occasionally came up short in that department if the room was boomy or hollow sounding. These are full, slightly dark sounding amps with a ton of low end, so I'd go with a pickup that tends not to be dark already (I have great luck with the FC).

Last, I didn't have much luck blending a mic with the pickup sound through the amp for the very reason that it makes a great personal monitor: those two upward firing speakers on the top make the sound more ambient and therefore more difficult to isolate the amplified sound from the mic. Still, I've never been happier with my amplification situation or more GAS-free than I am now with the PJB combo.
 
#4
Jason Sypher said:
To take my mind off finding a bass I'm thinking about my amp needs. I'm attracted to the Phil Jones stuff. I need an p that will be used almost exclusively as a personal monitor. I haven't even owned an amp for ten years so I've gone a long time just playing through the house but I'd like to hear myself on stage again...briefcase? Flightcase? Superflight? I like the lightweight, one free hand aspect of these combos but also want enoughpower and sound to not wish later that I had bought the wrong amp. Full acoustic sound is of utmost importance. What do y'all think?
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I don't know what pickup you're intending on using with that Prescott Bass (wow) but take a look at this thread. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=621077

I've used a AMT and the new DPA 4099 (both of them are very good mics). Once I got the Ehrlund I've just been using that pickup. Combined with those upfiring speakers on the PJB's I think that it would be a great sound. Keep in mind that I don't own a PJB though. Just my opinion.

Ric
 
#7
Jason Sypher said:
My impulse is to go Super, just for future versatility. I probably won't use it that often but should have one for those times. It's sort of going Cadillac but I like to have things I don't have to feel dissatisfied with later....
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Jason,
I think that would be my choice since for a lot of players SFC has turned out to be a good amp for Double Bass. The Flight Case is much lighter but I think that once you get a percussionist in the mix it might be to small. Agian it's just my opinion. I think those top firing speakers are a great idea.

Ric
 
#8
well, another esteemed member of the forums brought up the versatility of a head/speaker instead of the combo. I could go that route with a used WW, or AI or even EA with a 10" cab for starters.... I really know nothing about the newer amps, like I said I've been 100% acoustic for over ten years....
 
#10
Jason Sypher said:
well, another esteemed member of the forums brought up the versatility of a head/speaker instead of the combo. I could go that route with a used WW, or AI or even EA with a 10" cab for starters.... I really know nothing about the newer amps, like I said I've been 100% acoustic for over ten years....
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Jason,
It all depends on you're budget. Walter Woods builds a great amp. I have a Ultra and MI-400-8, both are nice amplifiers, but so are Acoustic Image amps and there customer service gets lots of praise from Talkbass members. Euphonic Audio's Doubler is the newest kid on the block but it's mid priced and has lots of nice features. I have not played through one though. If you're going to carry around a head I'd the lightest and smallest one possible so you can put it in a pocket on your bass case.

Ric
 
#11
I would certainly consider the EA doubler, while we all have slightly different tastes and amps vary from player, bass and pickup. My experience is that the doubler works better then AI, WW, PJB and anything I've tried with my set up. If you plan on using a mic as you suggested the doubler is perfect if you decide not to use a mic the micro will work just as fine. I find my bass sounds surprisingly good with just the pickup through the doubler and if I had to do it over again I would get the smaller form factor micro.
 
#12
Jason Sypher said:
To take my mind off finding a bass I'm thinking about my amp needs. . . .
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My friend, you sound like the need to shop is hard upon you. Please allow me to express concern.

I need an [am]p that will be used almost exclusively as a personal monitor. I haven't even owned an amp for ten years so I've gone a long time just playing through the house but I'd like to hear myself on stage again...
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I've missed tons of brands and models by being out of this chase for a long time. I dig my Woods. It sounds fine with a GK 112 lunchbox. It sounds outstanding with an EA Wizzy 10 lunchbox. It sounds just ducky with an EA VL112.

You have real ears, J. My two cents is, "Buy for the long term."
 
#13
I still think you should at least lay hands/ears on the PJB stuff. I was a head/cab guy for forever, but at this point it's not just my students who are all now telling me that the amplified sound is not only better with the Super Flightcase, but also bandleaders who deal with subs when I can't make it. Before anyone protests, it's not just about the playing either (much as I would like to believe that), but specifically about the natural solid sonic foundation that that amp puts under the band and the way it blends.

I recently played a "jam-ception" at the wedding of an enormously talented and accomplished former student and got to hear my bass and rig from out front played by another former student from the U, and it was far and away the best sound I've ever heard from this person... and the best playing. She was smiling the whole time, too. :)
 

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