Any info on the history of amplifying double bass?

[Beedster]

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

[EssentialTension]

Have you seen this page Chris?

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

[Rick's Fine '52]

[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.

[rOB]

[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.

[hubrad]

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.

[spencer.b]

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

[keeponehandloose]

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

[bassace]

I think you can get most of the history on successive BC postings!

[fatback]

[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.

[PaulKing]

[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.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='PaulKing' timestamp='1335534365' post='1632788']
And they used to stand in the corner too, so sound was bounced out from the walls. I believe.
[/quote]
I do that when I'm practising - facing the corner.

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1335534531' post='1632790']
I do that when I'm practising - facing the corner.
[/quote]

Is that because you're made to?

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1335536088' post='1632820']
Is that because you're made to?
[/quote]
Yes, very naughty boy.