Amp for both electric and upright bass

[Dennis Bender]

Is there a particular amp head you could recommend for both electric and upright bass use.
I have a Engelhardt double bass with fFshman pickup and preamp, and a Lakland 5 string, Fender american deluxe jazz bass and an Fender '62 reissue jazz bass with fretless neck.

Thanks

 

[Jigmay]

I've been very happy with my Walter Woods M400 since the late 80's. Two channels allows you to play upright and electric, small, light, never had to repair it, very flexible tone shaping. Cons: expensive. A $1200 after 30 years = $40 a year. Ha! Point is ... buy quality.

 

[Tim de Martino]

The Acoustic Image Focus 2 (two channel) head has been fantastic with upright, electric, Stick, guitar etc etc.

The current model has a different name but does the same thing.

 

[oren]

The past few years I've been playing throug a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2 head, which is very clear and articulate and has very flexible EQ. In an effort to simplify my rig I picked up a Mark Bass CMD 121P combo amp a couple of weeks ago. I haven't had it out of the house yet, but I really like the sound on both my upright and my electric when I play it in my practice room. I believe it has the same amp as their Little Mark III head.

 

[rickwolff]

Is there a particular amp head you could recommend for both electric and upright bass use.
Thanks

Do you play both on the same gig(s), ie doubling??? If so 2 separate channels would be a plus. I accomplish that with my 2 channel pre-amp, but would love to have an EA Doubler (haven't been able to talk myself into spending the money yet.

 

[sidonbass]

I double in 2 bands. I use the Acoustic Image Clarus One channel and the 2 channel Bassbone. It works well but I also would like to just have one amp. The new EA doubler would be a good move but at 895.00, Im moving slowly in that direction.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I love my Markacoustic AC-101 which is now sold as the DV AC101. This is a two-channel combo, so it's great for doubling and I find that it sounds good with electric bass even though it's designed for acoustic instruments.

My Markbass CDM 121P also sounds good with either upright or electric. By plugging my Fishman preamp into the balanced input, I can effectively create a second channel for the upright bass. This amp can produce more volume than the AC 101 and might be a better choice if you play louder gig on electric bass.

- Steve

 

[ColdEye]

Still liking my Ibanez promethean 1x10 combo. I use it with a zoom a3 for my DB. Lots of fun and really easy to carry around. You can add another cab if you need more volume.

 

[Berniez40]

I have an old Gallien-Krueger 7001 RB Combo with 2x10's. It reproduces the sound of my upright flawlessly, and even sounds true to tone when I am bowing. That is rare for most amps. I also play a rather unsung hero for smaller gigs..an old Roland Cube100. I set it on the "Super Flat" setting for Upright, and for electric I have my pick of sounding Super Flat (Modern Hi-Fi ssound), or like an old Ampeg Flip Top (sounds a bit more like the newer SS Portaflexes rather than the older Tube Models), A Fender Bassman--(Sounds more silver face than black face), An Acoustic 360---(Close but not quite the rumble of the old back loaded 18" folded horns), or an Ampeg SVT---(kinda grindy but not as ballsy).....If I am at a medium sized gig, and my back is hurting, I'll take the Cube and run it through the house..otherwise my GK does everything larger than coffee shop and restaurant gigs. Both sound great through house systems as they have very good Direct Outs. --Rolands don't get a lot of love around here, and the older GK's are definitely better sounding to my ear than the new lighter models. I'm not sure if it's the speakers or the circuit boards...but the old GK's have a lot to offer. The Roland Cube does as well, but they're a little pricey if you can't find a good deal on a used one.

 

[Jones64]

I love this topic. I was thinking of a new Genzler as an amp that could do both, but also interested in the new Acoustic Image Clarus SL. I love my streamliner for electric, but it is just too big sound without definition for upright. I changed upright cabs lately from a DNA 1x12 to and eden 1x10 and will see how it goes.

 

[triplebass92]

I have an EA iAmp 500 and a Wizzy 12 cab which works great for both, but I've used the EA doubler and that sounds great as well!

 

[Dennis Bender]

Thanks !

 

[JW_Manhattan]

This:

WJBPII Twin Channel Bass Pre-Amp - Wayne Jones AUDIO Shop

And this:

WJ 1×10 single Powered Cabinet - Wayne Jones AUDIO Shop

 

[scouse2000]

Old GK 800RB fantastic for both DB and electric cant beat it.

 

[neddyrow]

AI Ten2 - 2-channel

 

[peterpalmieri]

Just picked up a Radial JDV Mk5. I haven't used it yet but seems to be the perfect solution to make any bass amp a killer doubling rig as well as occupying only one channel on the board.

Or doing a gig without an amp and feeding a monitor mix or blending a mic and piezo.

My immediate use is to lend it out to my church for an acoustic/electric guitar doubler but I plan on using it too.

 

[Erik Turkman]

I recently got a Genzler MG-350 head. I haven't had it in a gig situation as yet, but initial results are quite promising for upright and electric basses. I wrote a review of it in the Genzler amp thread on the BG side.

 

[Lynn Seaton]

Sorry for the delayed reply. The technical issues where I have been unable to post have been resolved.
I also have long been a fan of the Acoustic Image amps. Many have two channels. The input impedance is high enough to sound good with an upright pickup. EB pickups generally have a stronger signal so many other amps need a preamp for the upright.

 

[Groove Doctor]

have an old Gallien-Krueger 7001 RB Combo with 2x10's. It reproduces the sound of my upright flawlessly, and even sounds true to tone when I am bowing. That is rare for most amps. I

Tried looking up that model and found nothing. Can you post some links to info pls? TIA.

 

[Berniez40]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/gallien-krueger-700rb--210-combo. Sorry I mistyped the amp model. You have to find them used...if you can get people to.part with them.