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Two-channel preamp box, or two channel amp?


razze06
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These days i'm using both electric bass and double bass/EUB in the same gig, switching between songs. I'm finding hard to reset and readjust volume and tone when i switch, so I am considering buying a new amp with two separate channels (like the phil jones D600), or perhaps start using a two-channel preamp, setting the eq so that i works with the amp eq.

Any suggestions, pieces of kit to consider, past experiences etc?

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If you want EQ, then two units to consider are the [url="http://www.tonebone.com/bassbonev2.php"]Radial Bassbone[/url] and the [url="http://www.providence-ltd.com/products/effector/dbs1.html"]Providence Bass Station[/url]. I have used both over the years with great success, but prefer the Providence overall.

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[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1448028996' post='2912483']
I use one of these:

[url="http://www.radialeng.com/bigshotio.php"]http://www.radialeng.com/bigshotio.php[/url]
[/quote]

Also excellent. Bombpoof and passive so no need for power. You can trim the gain on one input to balance the two instruments.

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I picked up 2 mini mixers similar to these - they come up on eBay for less than a tenner sometimes - I have a spare if you're interested...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERIDIAN-MICRO-MINI-MIXER-WAM-290-4-CHANNEL-Battery-Or-Power-Supply-Operated-/201459498567?hash=item2ee7ebfe47:g:TMsAAOSwT5tWNh0U

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[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1448028996' post='2912483']
I use one of these:

[url="http://www.radialeng.com/bigshotio.php"]http://www.radialeng.com/bigshotio.php[/url]
[/quote]

Ooh I like this - passive, no worries about power sockets or batteries dying. Is the dim control flexible enough to compensate between weak passive to hot active outputs?

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Could you get away with using a preamp pedal EQ'd for the DB? You would have it off with electric and turn it on when switching to DB. It would be the cheapest solution IMO.

EDIT: To make things easier also get an A-B pedal so that you don't need to mess around with jacks when changing basses.

Edited by Ghost_Bass
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Depends on other factors of course, but the reality is that I'm running the DB through a Fishman preamp before the signal reaches the Bigshot so I can do a fair bit of level matching up front.

If memory serves, the amount of DIM can also be tweaked. It's been a while since I last tinkered with it.

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[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1448031345' post='2912511']
Could you get away with using a preamp pedal EQ'd for the DB? You would have it off with electric and turn it on when switching to DB. It would be the cheapest solution IMO.

EDIT: To make things easier also get an A-B pedal so that you don't need to mess around with jacks when changing basses.
[/quote]

Yes, that is another option, and a cheap one at that. I rarely use pedals, so I am a little concerned about using two for this purpose. You know, more things can can break, be forgotten, need batteries etc.I might try this option at next practice session, and see how that works.

My favourite solution would be a two-channel amp, so I won't have to stomp on anything, but that's a little dear :)

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[quote name='razze06' timestamp='1448031691' post='2912518']
Yes, that is another option, and a cheap one at that. I rarely use pedals, so I am a little concerned about using two for this purpose. You know, more things can can break, be forgotten, need batteries etc.I might try this option at next practice session, and see how that works.

My favourite solution would be a two-channel amp, so I won't have to stomp on anything, but that's a little dear :)
[/quote]

I understand. The minute you get the preamp and the AB then you'll realize that you also need a tuner to tune the bass and mute between songs, then you'll also need a compressor to make things sound nicer, them maybe an octaver jsut for that part mid song that needs an extra something, then... By this time you're hooked and beyond salvation, you're a pedal junkie! ;)

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Then you realise that people like Zoom make all-in-one devices that do everything you want, all in one neat little box. With an LCD panel and everything. So you buy that too.

But then you find that the Zoom's tuner is a bit wibbly-wobbly so you keep the Zoom but add your dedicated pedal tuner.

Actually, the Zoom's Octaver ain't that great, so then you add your dedicated Octaver too.

Then ... then .. then ..

And finally, you start looking for a larger pedal board.

:D

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Ok, making things easier again with no little magic stomp boxes of pure joy. Can you can just get a preamp (either rack or pedal, whatever), place it on top of your rig and link it to the return socket of the amp? I think that the fx return jack doesn't defeat the amp's preamp but it sits right after it. you could have both basses plugged in at the same time and i guess it wouldn't harm the amp (of course i don't know wich amp you own or how it works so take this with a tea spoon of salt).

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[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1448032452' post='2912526']
Then you realise that people like Zoom make all-in-one devices that do everything you want, all in one neat little box. With an LCD panel and everything. So you buy that too.

But then you find that the Zoom's tuner is a bit wibbly-wobbly so you keep the Zoom but add your dedicated pedal tuner.

Actually, the Zoom's Octaver ain't that great, so then you add your dedicated Octaver too.

Then ... then .. then ..

And finally, you start looking for a larger pedal board.

:D
[/quote]

Are you making fun of me because of my signature???

:P

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[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1448032610' post='2912532']
Ok, making things easier again with no little magic stomp boxes of pure joy. Can you can just get a preamp (either rack or pedal, whatever), place it on top of your rig and link it to the return socket of the amp? I think that the fx return jack doesn't defeat the amp's preamp but it sits right after it. you could have both basses plugged in at the same time and i guess it wouldn't harm the amp (of course i don't know wich amp you own or how it works so take this with a tea spoon of salt).
[/quote]

Interesting, one more thing to try! I happen to have a single channel preamp pedal somewhere, i'll try with that first

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[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1448032667' post='2912535']
Are you making fun of me because of my signature???

:P
[/quote]

Do you know, I hadn't even read your signature until you pointed that out! :lol:

So ... how's the treatment coming along? Off the medication yet? ;)

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I've never used one of these so this is a heads up rather than a recommendation of any kind, but Maruszczyk make an amp called the Bass Tank that is specifically designed to handle both bass guitar and EUB/Double-Bass. Adrian is great to deal with so might be worth shooting him a few questions if they look like they might be what you are after.

Here is a link to their shop page: http://www.public-peace.de/index.php/amplification/maruszczyk-instruments/971-basstank-black

And this is a demo video (its the combo version called a Barabass but it is the same amp from what I understand):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWS0Y3sPg2U

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[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1448033621' post='2912554']
Do you know, I hadn't even read your signature until you pointed that out! :lol:

So ... how's the treatment coming along? Off the medication yet? ;)
[/quote]

Unfortunately i'm a cronic case, no cure for me as i first bought the the pedals and the Zoom afterwards... :D

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