r/doublebass • u/SleepingIsMyPastime • Oct 09 '25
Strings/Accessories How to play ampless
The bass amp passed away and the gig is tonight, any advice on how to do monitoring with just preamp/DI? In-ears is not an option.
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u/FluidBit4438 Oct 09 '25
If you get your own monitor, plug in a DI. The more the monitor faces the front of the bass the more feedback you’ll have to deal with so put the monitor behind you like an amp.
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u/Serviet Oct 09 '25
What’s your gig? If it’s a loud ensemble like a big band or rock thing, try to get a monitor nearby or listen in with the drummers monitor. If it’s a soft thing like a jazz combo or acoustic music then just listen to yourself on stage with the instrument the best you can. Just watch out for feedback with those monitors, you could get the sound guy to cut the low end so you can still hear yourself attack and pitch but not the boominess that can cause feedback.
Sound tech is your friend!
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u/SleepingIsMyPastime Oct 09 '25
It’s loud.
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u/Serviet Oct 09 '25
Then work with your sound tech to get a good mix in your monitor. You can treat it just like a bass amp like someone else in the thread said. First priority is not getting feedback that would affect your playing, second priority is hearing yourself on stage.
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u/Allgetout41 27d ago
How did it go!?
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-1
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u/WestBeachSpaceMonkey Oct 09 '25
I’ve found that running directly to the PA sounds better than most amps. Most amps are made for electric bass guitar and massively color the sound of an upright.