PVC EUB: Pickup Recommendation

Thunderbroom · #1 04-19-2006, 10:32 PM

I'm having a PVC EUB delivered this week:

The guy that built it for me had a problem with the pickup that he handwired (can't get the hum out of it) and is reimbursing me part of the money I owe him as compensation.

I know nothing about EUB's (or DB's for that matter). The price was right, and I think it will be fun to learn a few songs and play this bass on stage with both my rock and country bands.

Here's a few more pictures:

He told me "with this bridge you'll probably want one (pickup) that goes under the feet, as there are no wings or holes on this bridge". I don't know that this means exactly so I am deferring to the experts.

I appreciate any help that you can provide.

bassteban · #2 04-19-2006, 11:24 PM

I'm sorry, I have no info for you; do you have a link to the builder?

Thunderbroom · #3 04-19-2006, 11:35 PM

No link. He's not a pro luthier...just a hobbyist.

He built a prototype for himself and posted about it on another forum. Some of us asked for a sound clip. He provided this one:

Link

I was impressed enough to see if he would build me one. He agreed. I should have it on either Friday or Saturday. I don't think that he plans to build these as a business, but I really don't know.

bassteban · #4 04-19-2006, 11:55 PM

Thank you.

Thunderbroom · #5 04-20-2006, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kcorren

Is the Pickup on their now a Magnetic Pickup?

I don't know as I haven't received it yet but I do think it's a piezo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kcorren

What Kind of Strings are on it now? Metal or Nylon?

Hillbilly Slap Strings/Weedwhackers...IOW Nylon.

He never claimed to be the creator of this type of instrument. He just built one for himself. I like the sound of it (per the clip I posted) and am looking forward to getting it.

I'm just hoping some of you can recommend a decent pickup that will work for this thing as I'm clueless.

bassteban · #6 04-20-2006, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderbroom

(...the clip I posted...)

Did I miss this?

Thunderbroom · #7 04-20-2006, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

Did I miss this?

Yep.

It's in the thread. I'll post it again though:

PVC EUB Soundclip

ToneRanger · #8 04-20-2006, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderbroom

The guy that built it for me had a problem with the pickup that he handwired (can't get the hum out of it)

Piezos need complete shielding to avoid hum - the slightest gap will cause problems.
Try making your own simple pickup with a piezo buzzer from RadioShack, or one of these:
www.fittell.id.au/piezo

MichaelVee · #9 04-20-2006, 07:42 AM

This PVC bass is absolutely cracking me up!

Compared to conventional EUBs, it's sort of the Ashbory!

Ingenious that he used larger diameter PVC for the fingerboard.

I'm also grinning at the "Charlotte Pipe and Foundry" text on the back.. Cosmetics ain't great, but it sure is a fun novelty instrument. One could always paint it periodically.. we all know that regular paint chips off PVC pretty readily. Is there some kind of paint or stain that won't chip off?

The sound on the clip was pretty nice- it's distinctive.

What is the scale length? The PVC Instruments book lists a 'cello bass' as one of the plans available.. is this a 34" scale?

Piezo pickups, properly chosen, placed, and mounted, can provide a good sound out of just about anything that resonates. The EMI Piezo films are perfect to place under bridge feet.

Speaking on the bridge, I can't tell much about it from the pics- is that a carved wood bridge, Thunderbroom?

Thunderbroom · #10 04-20-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelVee

What is the scale length? The PVC Instruments book lists a 'cello bass' as one of the plans available.. is this a 34" scale?

I'm pretty certain that it's 41".

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelVee

Speaking on the bridge, I can't tell much about it from the pics- is that a carved wood bridge, Thunderbroom?

It appears to be from the picture though I haven't received mine. He also did a mod to mine that is not in his original design. He put in a piece of aluminum stock down the tube to reinforce it.

mje · #11 04-20-2006, 09:00 AM

That's both hysterically funny and intriguing at the same time. BTW, anyone thinking of duplicating this should know that sawing PVC pipe lengthwise is a very tricky (and possibly dangerous) operation. It can bind and rotate unless screwed to a wooden form first.

Thunderbroom · #12 04-20-2006, 10:48 AM

I found this website:

The Online Double Bass Guide

The link is to the pickup page. Which of these would be a good fit with this bass. I don't want to spend a fortune but do want good sound.

Thunderbroom · #13 04-20-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kcorren

The secret to good sound is to find the best spot on the instrument. I would also suggest using an EQ
or Preamp to shape the sound accordingly.

Thanks for the tip!

Since I'll be running it through my GenzBenz GBE-600, I shouldn't need something separate, right?

Thunderbroom · #14 04-22-2006, 08:50 AM

I got it last night.

The pickup, as is, is useless.

It hums loudly and the bass is barely audible through my 425w GenzBenz. I was told this in advance, so I really can't be mad about it. I'm thinking that a piezo may not be the say to go unless the commericial ones are infinitely better than this handmade one.

Will a place like Guitar Center stock a pickup for this thing?

ToneRanger · #15 04-22-2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderbroom

The pickup, as is, is useless.

It hums loudly and the bass is barely audible through my 425w GenzBenz.

Is the pickup shielded? If not, try completely wrapping it in alfoil (make sure the alfoil is connected to earth).
Check also that the pickup lead is quality shielded cable and the jack is fully shielded as well.
Piezos don't generate hum - they just collect it if they're not fully shielded.
Sounds like you may need some sort of preamp as well. Start by trying any sort of effects pedal as an impedance butter. Use the shortest possible lead from pickup to preamp/buffer.

Thunderbroom · #16 04-22-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToneRanger

Is the pickup shielded? If not, try completely wrapping it in alfoil (make sure the alfoil is connected to earth).
Check also that the pickup lead is quality shielded cable and the jack is fully shielded as well.
Piezos don't generate hum - they just collect it if they're not fully shielded.
Sounds like you may need some sort of preamp as well. Start by trying any sort of effects pedal as an impedance butter. Use the shortest possible lead from pickup to preamp/buffer.

It appears that the pickup is wrapped in black electrical tape. I don't know if it's shielded underneath.

How would I go about making sure that the aluminum foil is connected to earth?

I used my Korg Pandora PX4B inbetween the pickup and my amp last night. While it boosted the signal, it seems to boost the noise as well.

Thunderbroom · #17 04-22-2006, 02:59 PM

I just took pictures of my bass:

mrpc · #18 04-22-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderbroom

I'm having a PVC EUB delivered this week:

The guy that built it for me had a problem with the pickup that he handwired (can't get the hum out of it) and is reimbursing me part of the money I owe him as compensation.

I know nothing about EUB's (or DB's for that matter). The price was right, and I think it will be fun to learn a few songs and play this bass on stage with both my rock and country bands.

Here's a few more pictures:

He told me "with this bridge you'll probably want one (pickup) that goes under the feet, as there are no wings or holes on this bridge". I don't know that this means exactly so I am deferring to the experts.

I appreciate any help that you can provide.

That's a tried and true Underwood Pickup in the original photos....... I'd send the bass back and ask the builder to install the Underwood. Make a new bridge if necessary, shouldn't be a big operation in any case.
Might cost some more $, (retail about $150) but worthwhile if you need something DEPENDABLE. This is asssuming you like the instrument and are serious about using it in public. Interesting bass, BTW!

ToneRanger · #19 04-22-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderbroom

It appears that the pickup is wrapped in black electrical tape. I don't know if it's shielded underneath.

How would I go about making sure that the aluminum foil is connected to earth?(

I'd suggest you carefully unwrap the pickup and see what's in there. If there's no shielding over the pickup & wiring, that's your problem. Also open that plastic jack socket and make all the wiring is shielded by metal.

I've grounded alfoil shielding this way:
- attach a thin bare wire to the negative/earth lead
- insulate the positive lead (or whole pickup) with tape
- wrap the pickup in foil, making sure the drain wire contacts the foil. I suspect you'll need to do something similar at the jack end.

If all that fails, PM me and I'll happily send you one of my msi piezo film pickups (they cost me about $4 to make so we can work out a sensible deal).

Thunderbroom · #20 05-12-2006, 06:51 PM

Update

I just got a pickup from the fellow that sold me the bass. He made a new piezo pickup with two piezos (one for each side of the bridge). It's shielded really well and sounds pretty good!