Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Any info on the history of amplifying double bass?


Beedster
 Share

Recommended Posts

I'm kinda interested in the history of amplifying DB; when it first started, what sort of amps, mics, PUPs etc were used, how players dealt with feedback, bleed etc? Given the problems folks on here (me included) seem to constantly face getting heard, I always find it amazing when listening to some very old recordings just how well the DB comes through, even in big bands.

C

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1335213535' post='1627495']
Have you seen this page Chris?

[url="http://www.scottymoore.net/ampeg.html"]http://www.scottymoore.net/ampeg.html[/url]
[/quote]

That's great, big fan of Elvis ('54 to '55), I have a very rare 10" acetate from July '54, never knew thIs though. I knew about the 'Amplified-Peg', but didnt know Bill used it. Great stuff, cheers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1335213535' post='1627495']
Have you seen this page Chris?

[url="http://www.scottymoore.net/ampeg.html"]http://www.scottymoore.net/ampeg.html[/url]
[/quote]
Interesting read. Thanks for posting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Must dig out my Danny Thompson video - Bassically Speaking - I feel sure he said something about njust having to play that much harder way back when.

I suppose it accounts in part for the apparently shorter envelope, if you're flat out all the time there's little room left for sustain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

good question, I was watching some live gig jazz clips on youtube and it seemed that pre 70s recordings with the bass mic'd up sounded great and the later ones with a pick up sounded terrible. Did drummers play quieter? Did bass players play louder?

I remember Jeff Clyne telling me that back in the day sometimes the bass would stand on a little box/stage and sometimes he'd have a mic into the PA

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1335213535' post='1627495']
Have you seen this page Chris?

[url="http://www.scottymoore.net/ampeg.html"]http://www.scottymoore.net/ampeg.html[/url]
[/quote]

Really interesting, thanks. :)

What's the origin of the brand 'Ampeg' is definitely top candidate for a bass players pub quiz question. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1335250374' post='1627808']
Big band era bass players had to be first to a gig so they could claim a spot on stage where they could drive the spike into the floorboards, this would be done over a cross beam and the sound would get transmitted along the beam ,thus using the stage as a big sound box.
Not sure how effective it would be though
[/quote]

And they used to stand in the corner too, so sound was bounced out from the walls. I believe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...