What is the "Underwood trick"?

[hublocker]

I understand it is taking one of the piezo pickups out of the bridge.

Is it the treble or bass side?

Do you just let the other one hang lose?

[MR PC]

I prefer the bass side, you can bundle the loose wire and 2nd pu element in a velcro strip.

[Francois Blais]

Just try each of them and let your ear decide what's best.
On some basses it may be different than others.

[Jake deVilliers]

Guys usually take out the far one and let it dangle between the bridge feet. That way it kills any phase-effect you might be having and leaves you with the transducer in the leg that's moving the most, giving you the best signal.

[superman]

I have found useing the treble side works best,,but ever bass is different,,so the side i dont use just let it rest through the hole where the wing is,, you can take a small piece of foam rubber to let it rest in keep it from vibrating

[KStewart]

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

Just try each of them and let your ear decide what's best.
On some basses it may be different than others.

+1

I have 3 basses with underwoods, and it's been different on all 3. I have decided that 2 of them sounded best with the pick up in the treble side of the bridge (D/G string side). On my Jupiter bass, it sounds best on the bass side (E/A string side). Go figure.

Take the time to try both. You may find that neither sounds better to you and your bass sounds better with both elements in. Good luck!

Also, there are guys who cut the loose end off after deciding where it will stay on the bridge. Then you can seal off the cut end and re-wire the loose end into another underwood back-up pick up!

[MR PC]

Originally Posted by KStewart

+1
Also, there are guys who cut the loose end off after deciding where it will stay on the bridge. Then you can seal off the cut end and re-wire the loose end into another underwood back-up pick up!

Bad idea if you think you'd like to put it back together in the future and have it work properly. Think twice, cut once!

This thread inspired me to experiment with the different element placement. On last nights gig I brought my old Kay which I've using both elements for a long time. It's set up so the elements are easy to remove , so I swapped placements on the fly. It's a trad jazz new orleans RnB dance unit with a small drum kit, sax trombone, archtop guitar. All three options sound distinctively different, and all good in their own way. And (to my surprise) the treble side alone sounded best.