Double Bass What's different about a DB cab?

[DukeLeJeune]

Pardon my ignorance, but aside from the typically lower SPL requirements (as compared to bass guitar), which translates into a smaller and lighter box, what's different about a cabinet that works really well for double bass? Better extension at the top end? Better clarity? What about at the bottom end - do you want a bit less weight and power but maybe a bit more definition?

What do you look for in an ideal cab for DB?

Thanks,

Duke

 

[bolo]

Definition, clarity, accuracy.

Enough depth and warmth to sound real, and sound velvety when I want it to.

All the envelope changes in each pizz pluck and each note, from the initial hit through the bloom and blossom and decay.

The magic is in the mids. Scooped is bad.

That's as concise as I can be for now. I'm sure you'll get a host of varied responses.

 

[bolo]

Just visited your web site. Triggered more ideas.

Uncolored.

Excellent projection and off-axis dispersion.

 

[bolo]

Durn Duke, I can't leave it alone.

Better extension at the top end?

Not so much.

Better clarity?

Yes, throughout the range.

What about at the bottom end - do you want a bit less weight and power but maybe a bit more definition?

Yeah that's a good way to state it. I think of the mids as critical. Low-mids, high-mids, mids-mids, calling all mids.

The extensions at the extremes that you mentioned (and later edited?) is not critical, to me. Bottom and low-mids need to be true, not overemphasized and flabby. Top needs to be true, not glassy or crispy.

Adjectives and adverbs, not exactly tech specs. Sorry.

 

[DukeLeJeune]

Thank you very much, bolo! I appreciate your coming back twice to add more information.

So it sounds like getting the midrange right is the heart and soul of the matter. I edited what I'd originally written about the frequency extremes as further reading on the forum shed additional light on the subject.

In the course of my reading on this forum, I've seen "feedback" mentioned as an issue, and from the context it sounded like it was low-frequency feedback. Is that correct? How do you normally deal with it - move the cabinet and/or equalization?

Duke

 

[bolo]

Re: feedback, yes, low end rumble when the instrument starts vibrating out of control. In my case, I usually just move the bass and/or speaker.

Some people also mute the afterlengths of the strings. Or even dampen the top of the instrument in various ways.

Some people use EQ, including high pass filters, notch filters, and phase reversal.

Re: the freq extremes, yes I think that is one thing that is different about amplified DB. Not the same as a 5-string EB playing slap, where those things would be a lot more important.

 

[fdeck]

Another difference is in what the DB cab does not have to do: Produce 180 dB SPL at the back of the auditorium. What I mean is that there's a limit to the usable volume for amplified DB due to feedback and prevailing musical tastes. This opens up a market for small but gig-worthy cabs, while raising all of the design challenges associated with actually achieving good tone in a compact box.