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Double Bass when NOT to use an amp

#81
Ric Vice said:
I wasn't aware that John used an amp with his Big Band, but it makes perfect sense. When I've seen him with smaller groups here in St. Louis he's used a microphone.
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Someone besides John was playing at David Gage, John was conducting. He did play one tune where he had an arco feature without an amp.
 
#86
Phil Smith said:
No, not manly enough!
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Phil,
Yep, and I think you have to be able to do 10 reps over you head, with a full size instrument. Using a bass wheel may disqualify you in some instances as well. :D ;)

All kidding aside, as I said before. I respect those who play un amplified, as well as those who don't. "And In The End, The Tone You Take, Is Equal To The Sounds You Make".

Ric
 
#92
Got to do one of those gigs last night. Lugged my amp all the way to the gig only to realize I didn't need it. I tried to get my buddy across the dance floor to run the camera but he seemed more interested in conversing with the hot brunette at his table. Good times all around.

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#93
Nice playing, great sound. My bass sucks so I need to have amplification even on the smallest of gigs. I'm envious, but don't have the money - or gig enough - to buy a good bass.
 
#94
I've told this story here at TBseveral times, but what the hell; its the season for sharing.

Playing a trio gig (with drummer) at the local pub, I got through the set thinking how GREAT my amp sounded, so happy with my purchase, thinking I must've dailed just the right sound in, only to find out I never turned the damn thing back on after coming back from break.

I had to grin at that, but it was as much a tribute, I think, to the sensitivity of the other players as to my ability to pull a sound. Frankly, I wasn't even working that hard.
 
#95
BTDT!

This is something that I've been thinking about lately. Does using an amp just exacerbate the problem? It's been my experience that the more I turn up the amp, the louder everyone else plays, even sensitive musicians.

Ed Fuqua made the point in a related thread that you can never play loud enough to cover an unruly crowd but you could play well enough to get their attention. (Paraphrase).

Also, I've found that when a drummer isn't listening to my time it's far more effective to play super quietly than dig in harder. I think, in general it's easier for people to ignore loud noises. Counterintuitive but give it a shot sometime.
 
#96
Don Sibley said:
BTDT!
This is something that I've been thinking about lately. Does using an amp just exacerbate the problem? It's been my experience that the more I turn up the amp, the louder everyone else plays, even sensitive musicians.
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How true you are, it seems as if everyone thinks that the bass should be less present than the instruments in the ensemble:help:

Don Sibley said:
Ed Fuqua made the point in a related thread that you can never play loud enough to cover an unruly crowd but you could play well enough to get their attention. (Paraphrase).
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That would certainly apply to a concert or club, because the expectation is that people are listening. Charles Mingus solved the problem of unruly crowds, buy quietly surrounding the patrons with the band, and then blowing their brains out at the offending table.:hyper::bassist:

Don Sibley said:
Also, I've found that when a drummer isn't listening to my time it's far more effective to play super quietly than dig in harder. I think, in general it's easier for people to ignore loud noises. Counterintuitive but give it a shot sometime.
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Sometimes this works, if the drummer is a listener, but there are always those individuals who are hearing impaired from the get go.:D
 
#97
I use an amp if there is a drummer. Otherwise, if it's just acoustic guitar and me, I D.I. into the sound system so my signal is blended with the guitar and voice on the mains.
For the past few years I've been using a Line 6 Bass Pod as my D.I. so I get somewhat of an amp'd sound and prefer that to just a D.I. box.
 
#98
Biggbass said:
I use an amp if there is a drummer. Otherwise, if it's just acoustic guitar and me, I D.I. into the sound system so my signal is blended with the guitar and voice on the mains.
For the past few years I've been using a Line 6 Bass Pod as my D.I. so I get somewhat of an amp'd sound and prefer that to just a D.I. box.
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Do you know that we're talking about double bass, not bass guitar?
 
#100
I've decided to go amp-less on gigs in smaller rooms with no drums. This is with a professional jazz guitarist who understands levels and doesn't blow me away. Sometimes there's a second guitarist and that gets a little dicey. But I like it, and so does the guitarist. I'm thinking of getting a fully carved 7/8 (I'm using a 2009 Upton Standard ply), but I need to try one before taking that plunge.
 

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