Amplification of a Double Bass

vic

Guys I need some info...... I wish to amplify my D-Bass. It has a two pups...one in the bridge and the other one below the fingerboard. I use a stereo jack and run into an AC30 or Fender bassman. Problem is the bass frequecy response of the said speakers is just not good enough to give a full and realistic DB sound.

Is there any compact bass amp currently on the market (ss or valve) that will be able to handle the bass at intermediate volumes ? The frequency of the open E string is around 40 Hz.

AlanRatcliffe

Try using a preamp/DI into your PA. The Preamp is kind of essential, because bass frequencies are the first to suffer with a high -> Low impedance mismatch ...and those passive piezo pickups are very high Z.

You will probably want to EQ a bit as the high end from the bridge pup can be a bit harsh - especially if you also use a bow.

A bass amp can work very well too. ?

AlanRatcliffe

Oh ...and your neck pickup will do better for the low end thump and girth as well as getting the finger noise if you're doing the rockabilly thing. Bridge pickup is great for the detail of the notes.

vic

Thanks Alan.

Here is the same DB in concert played by the previous owner.....you can see it's amplified, but I could not get much info on that. I guess it went into a desk and then amplified by the hall PA system...?

AlanRatcliffe

Yup. There is a BSS AR-133 DI on the floor to the left of the pic (popular with bassists and pro sound hire companies). There is probably another one for the other pickup obscured by the DB.

vic

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Yup. There is a BSS AR-133 DI on the floor to the left of the pic (popular with bassists and pro sound hire companies). There is probably another one for the other pickup obscured by the DB.

Sharp eye there Alan ! Thanks a lot.

AlanRatcliffe

Vic wrote: Sharp eye there Alan !

Comes from years of peering at stages from a distance, trying to figure out what gear is being used. ?