kedo

Although I have spent my life playing bass guitar, I was trained on the double bass and now that I am a bit older, have acquired a Stentor Elysia with a double Shadow pick up, and am working with a trio playing mainly jazz. My amplification is the Markbass CMD 121p (Little Mark II combo) with the 121 New York extension. I have never played an amplified double bass until recently and have been plagued by feedback. On sunday, the gig was ruined for me as I had to keep of the top string as It occurs entirely between the open G up to about D where the notes boom and oscillate. I have tried dialling out the offending frequency on the Markbass, and the only way I can control it is to lower the volume or completely cut low bass and curtail the mid. The resulting sound is rather thin and toppy. I have experimented with a bass graphic equaliser, but still can't solve the problem. Maybe the problem is that I am expecting the thing to behave like a bass guitar. Can any of you experienced guys offer any help, otherwise I may have to resort to a solid DB. Thanks

That's something to work on. Thanks a lot for that advice.

That's good advice. Thanks. I remember the technique, but it's the 'feel' that will have to be re-discovererd I think. Does the flat of the hair have to be completely in contact with the strings or can you use the edges of the hair?

Thanks guys. I have contacted then and they recommend the Switchcraft.

I played DB in the Edinburgh and Scottish Schools Orchestra in my youth but have played bass guitar ever since until acquiring a Stentor 'Elysia' double bass about 8 years ago. I had this properly set up and am getting back into the way of playing it. I also had the bass restrung with D'Addario 'Helicore' Hybrid Arco/pizzicato steel core strings. The problem is that I would like to use the bow more often, but can't seem to get to grips with it. I must have been able to do it at one time, and wonder if it is the quality of they bow itself. I don't seem to feel the bow grip the string however much rosin I apply. I don't feel the resistance against the strings. It slides, and I get occasional harmonics however hard I try. Is it possible that the bow is strung with synthetic material and if so would it be worth having it restrung with hair? The bow came with the bass and in all respects looks well made with good materials. The hair looks very smooth though. As I am not a lifelong double bass player, I am not in touch with finer points of double bass as I am with the bass guitar. I have had a lot of useful advice through the Forum. Can anybody out there advise?

I'm sure that the gaffa tape works well, but I have contacted Kontrabas company to see if I can acquire one of these clamps. Thanks guys.

I have a shadow pickup on my DB which I am happy with except for the rather crude arrangement on the jack point which consists of a female socket attached to the back of the tailpiece with velcro. This is very loose and on a couple of occasions I have damaged the pickup by walking off stage without disconnecting the jack. I now tie the lead to the tailpiece but this as loo seams a bit 'Heath Robinson' and wonder if there is a better way. I noticed that Fishman have a jack which attaches to the strings behind the bridge. This seems better but I can't source a socket like this. Does anyone have any ideas that might help?

Yes. I saw Danny Thompson play with one that looked a lot like that recently.

Thanks everybody for your help. Food for thought, Maybe I should hire a roady.

Yes that my worry. I already have a nice fretless bass guitar. DB has that 'woody thump' and short sustain.

If you are prepared to drive with the scroll of the bass between the front seats (I don't even know if that is legal) then in my experience, any hatchback with folding down rear seats will accommodate a bass. My friend can get hers in a Mini Traveller. Try it before you buy the car

I presently play a Stentor Elysia 3/4 bass through a Markbass 2 x 12 and get a fantastic sound from my Shadow SH950 pickup, playing mostly jazz. However, I am getting on a bit, and am beginning to find the transportation of the bass a bit of a problem, especially for practices and rehearsals where sound is less important. I have therefore been considering an EDB for these occasions and wondered if anyone with experience of both types of instruments could comment on whether or not the sound from an EDB is close to a traditional bass, as I may even consider using it as may main instrument if I could achieve that special double bass sound with it. Do they just sound like big bass guitars?

Onsong looks like the answer. Can you input the lyrics and chords directly and can you import from the laptop list? Thanks.

Thanks guys. Thats really useful.

Not sure which into which section I should post this question, but I have been trying for some time to find an app which can accommodate simple charts with words and chords for display on my iPad during performances. I have tried the excellent 'iReal Pro' but it is a bit too complex for my needs and the not so good 'iChordChart', but still haven't found a satisfactory way of doing this. Can anyone advise on this. Is it a matter of editing the song on the laptop and transferring to the iPad, or is there an app out there which will help with this? Thanks

Just bought the GK MB150E from Gear4Music. That right at the top of my budget. I have removed the Boss equaliser from Ebay but would still welcome any advice on settings (equaliser v amp tone controls).

Thanks for that. I've just found a GK on Gear4Music but it's £774. Was £640 until recently. Maybe I shouldn't rush into disposing of the pedal. The other benefit of the GK, is that the extension speaker is only about £270 whilst the Markbass equivalent is nearly £500.

I am a seasoned DB player but only recently got into amplification. I am looking for a small light amp for modest venues, and intended to take advice previously given to me by Basschat members, and buy a GK MB150E. Unfortunately, there isn't one to be had anywhere in the UK, and I understand that when they are available again, they will be much more expensive. It looks like GK distributers get very small amounts of stock in Europe. I am therefore looking at a Markbass CMD 121P with a 12" speaker but more power than the GK. There is always the Markbass CMD JB "Players School" combo with a 15" speaker but less power. I am a bit suspicious of this unit as it looks a little like "baby's first amp". I'm sure it's good really, but why is it £300 less than the 121P? Am I on the right track? Also, I have a Boss GE-7 equaliser and am confused as it seems that I can get just as good a sound without it. The gain from my Shadow pick up seems to be adequate on its own. I'm confused between the equaliser on the pedal and the parametrics on the amp. Do I really need it, or can it go on Ebay? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks. Kedo

I'm hearing great things about the [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Gallien Krueger MB150E / MB150S for DB. Can't see to [/font][/color][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828]for out the difference between the'E' and 'S' suffix.[/color][/font]

I recently sold my heavy Ashdown bass amp and am looking at either the Genz Benz CTR 500-115 at about £490 or the Gallien and Krueger MB210-II at £470. The GB is a bit heavier. Any advice on these combos or others in the same price range. I mainly play double bass, but will probably do the odd gig with my Precision. Any expert experience would be welcome.

I have sold my Ashdown and am looking at either the Genz Benz CTR 500-115 at about £490 or the Gallien and Krueger MB210-II at £470. The GB is a bit heavier. Any advice on these combos or others in the same price range. I will probably do the odd gig with my Precision. Thank you all for your expert advice. I will add a similar post to the amps section.

Thanks for all your help. My gig last night went well and I benefited from all your advice. Artisan's advice about the 120 slider worked well, and getting a bit further away from the amp was good too. I'm about to try my stuff on ebay with a view to looking around at some more portable amps, and your suggestions will be invaluable. If it doesn't sell on ebay I'll try it on Basschat's marketplace where it could be sold separately. By the way, returning to the Double Bass after a lifetime playing bass guitar is amazing. My grounding with the DB was classical and I hadn't played one for years and certainly never amplified. I can see myself selling my bass guitars! What a sound! I have many more questions you can help me with. Thanks again.

Great advice from everyone. Thanks. I'm taking it all in slowly. I'm doing a gig on Friday so I'll put all the advice into practice.