Amp for Double bass or pre+amp

[funkyjazz]

Hi all,
I don`t play double bass but I play a Marcustico that has a very similar sound (link to audio file below) and I should mention I also play electric bass.
I use a mix of piezo and mic through a Headway EDB2-HE. I play mostly with headphones but sometimes I have to use an amp. For that I have an Eich T-500 + pjb c4 cab or Eich 1x12 cabinet.
Now I am considering buying a second amplifier head. I am wondering what everyone else is using on upright these days. Specialised amp head (Acoustic Image/EA/...) or since I use a Headway pre it is ok to use a generic bass amp head?

When I mean generic I mean Aguilar/Epifani etc (i.e.: high end)

I should mention that I am quite a geek and would like the best possible sound on my acoustic

so....

I would like to not only know what is ok but what is ideal. 🤩

I don`t need so much power but I would like a flexible solution if possible. I guess my cabinets are ok for the task, aren`t they? Or should I go for a combo?

 

[Happy Jack]

There's a long-established saying in English ... form follows function.

 

So, what's the function? What will you use this second amp for, and where?

 

Bedroom practice, studio recordings, pub gigs or football stadiums (yes, I know its stadia but many people don't), whatever your answer it will inform the advice you will receive.

 

 

[funkyjazz]

Ok the long story then:

when I play in gigs I get amp from service and I use in ear monitors so it doesn’t really matter. If I want to take my amp I am covered with my Eich rig for theater, stage if I needed it.

But I took my Marcustico with me only once as generally it is not jazz I play.

Now I am looking at a quality rig for jazz gigs/rehearsals.

volume is not important but quality for the acoustic bass.

My question is:

is going to a dedicated rig (combo or head) for acoustic give me something more than my hi-fi rig?

Consider I am using a preamp (where I shape completely my sound).

I like to shape my sound in the pedalboard for flexibility reasons so I am not forced to take an amp

[JoeEvans]

I recently changed my amp arrangements for double bass, to a Prodipe mic, into an ART Tube pre-amp, then a Turbosound iP300 active PA speaker. No tone shaping at all, and as little as possible in the chain. It's been a revelation - so much closer to the sound I want, compared to my previous set-up of pickup, pedalboard, bass amp.

The Turbosound is 600w but I don't expect to use much of that as any time I need more volume there will be a PA to run a line out into.

[MJJS]

Surprisingly, I found the TC RH series amps produce a very transparent reproduction of my double bass. I use an RH750 into a vanderkley 12” with no issues.

[Beedster]

I’ve seen DB played through SVT and a fridge and still sounding good. Mine sounds bloody nice through both my Mesa rigs as well as through my Musicman Audiophile and EBS 15. 
 

Having said that feel free to buy my EA Doubler and cab in the DB For Sale section, tiny rig that works very well for DB and EB, as I found out following a recent pre-gig DB emergency