Rabbie

Just to go against the grain here, I have owned and played a number of cabs with small speakers and found that although yes, the allow for good articulation on DB, they also just don't move enough air and do not produce a satisfying bass sound. A modern 12inch speaker is much better in my opinion. In a band, I have had great result stacking 2 x 12 inch cabs, no boom with good eq and no feedback with good pickups and preamps. I am currently waiting on a fearless 115, which will be an experiment in upgrading to a 15 inch on double bass. People I trust tell me that it absolutely rocks for DB, so I wait with excitement and will report back after a few gigs.

[quote name='lobematt' timestamp='1440500087' post='2851239'] EDIT: Is this the one? http://www.thomann.de/gb/david_gage_the_realist_kontrabass.htm [/quote] Yes that's one option, good sound but open to feedback at high stage volume (I.e. Rock n roll volume). Sorry to be a pest but it's worth noting that although most manufacturers state that their pickups can be happily used straight into an amp, you will almost invariably need a preamp to match impedance and produce a realistic sound. There are oodles of preamps available, I suggest starting with a second hand one like an old fishman platinum pro bass from this forum or eBay. That gives you a reliable gigging tool while you enter the never ending quest that is finding an amplified tone that really makes you happy.

I can normally hear myself totally acoustic in a trio with drums (brushes) and jazz guitar, in fact I often prefer it to having an amp in these small settings as the amp messes with my dynamics. Still, all changes if the guitarist has a loud amp and vocals in the monitors, in which case a small amp may well be the best thing for you, something like the Genz Benz 3-10 would be great for that, with something like a realist pickup or just a bassmax for ease and cheapness. PS - well done on your first DB gig. May it be the first of many many more!

Spot on Paul. As usual great posts from Paul King leave very little else to say. Only advice: practice loads and ignore the frustration you will get loads of before becoming proficient. Muscle memory takes a while to build. You will get blisters until the callouses build up. RELAX: slapping when tense does not work. Technical advice is never an absolute as Paul quite correctly says, BUT as long as you can get your finger under the string and pull it in time with the music, the action is right. String tension needs to be loose enough for you to be able to slap them against the fingerboard without walloping it with all your might. Pickups: I would say get an underwood, forget about the G side element and only fit the E side. Or go expensive and go Blast Cult but it's an investment in sanity (no feedback, no pream, full control of clicky). Contact mics (Ehrlund, Schertler) are a possibility at bluegrass stage volumes and sound great (but carry a pickup in your bag just in case) Tuition: YouTube has everything you need, you will find the approach that suits your body and personality best. Most of all: it's great fun! You'll have a ball!

Bought an Aguilar amp from Geoff. Excellent experience all round top guy.

Just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons, there is one string maker that is much overlooked now but used to be popular in the past amongst slap players using mags pickups and just people wanting low tension steels with good volume and very dark tone. Jargar "Dolce" is a good set of strings. All steel, long lasting, cheap by Pirastro and Thomastik standards and especially very low tension. When I have open air gigs on the book (like just now), I chuck on a Jargar Dolce E and A with my guts and I enjoy it. Must say I have never tried the D and G.

Sorted! You are a total gent! Gotta love Basschat!

Hi guys, I'm in dire need of a double bass preamp to use with piezo as a one off emergency kinda high volume gig. Something like Fdeck, Fdeck clone, old Fishman, K&K, you name it... Has anyone got one to sell or lend me for a couple of weeks, after which I will post it back with thanks. I am happy to buy it too. I do need it by the end of next week eek.... Thanks guys and gals.