Mic and/or pickup to get P-Bass acoustic signal

tonebrulee · #1 05-22-2008, 07:46 AM

I have been experimenting with how to pickup and amplify the acoustic sound from a standard Fender Precision bass. So far, I have tried a couple of dynamic mics (Shure SM58, Audio Technica ATM29HE) and a condenser vocal mic (MXL 992) and run them into an inexpensive tube mic pre-amp ($30 ART Tube) before hitting an amp or mixer. The sound coming through is very encouraging - warm and surprisingly acoustic-sounding. The problem is that this setup requires a mic stand, careful placement of the mic relative to the bass, and has very limited low bass response. Ideally, I would like to find either a clamp-on instrument mic (e.g. kick drum mic) or a piezo or transducer pickup that would allow me to pickup the full spectrum acoustic signal, unfettered by mic placement.

Thoughts?

tonebrulee · #2 05-23-2008, 05:46 AM

bump

Nobody has any ideas about this? I really love the sound of my bass unamplified, but can really only hear it that way late at night when the world is dead quiet.

EBodious · #3 05-23-2008, 09:35 AM

i am not super knowledgeable about recording, but i would think that a mic won't pick up the low end freq of a heavy gauge string vibrating in the air. the solid body of the p-bass isn't really a sounding board like a hollow body gtr.

by transducer do you mean one of those stick-on kinds (they come with a small piece of putty and literally stick to the surface of the instrument)? i used one of those on an acoustic gtr fairly successfully. where you stick it will have a big effect on the sound you get. and i bet there are some nice ones out there if you have the cash.

when it comes to recording i think getting creative and unconventional is great. explore the possibilities!

btw, you may get better response in the recording gear forum? more know-how than i can offer!

EBodious · #4 05-23-2008, 09:40 AM

oh, and here is something to check out:

http://www.music123.com/Dragonfly-St...72163.Music123

if you can get the sound into a recording device, that is....

scottbass · #5 05-23-2008, 09:49 AM

Not that I have any experience micing a solid-body instrument, but I would suggest a piezo of some kind. The "normal" sound isn't primarily generated by the vibration of air or wood, but by the metal string vibrating in - and disrupting - the magnetic field of the pickup. Hence the bass itself doesn't do much acoustic amplification. Plus whatever wood vibration you get will be damped by whatever is touching the bass - your right leg, your right forearm, your belly, even your left hand on the neck. A piezo or some other ultra-sensitive contact mic seems to be your best bet, IMO.

bassksun · #6 05-23-2008, 09:51 AM

You could go a couple of ways. You could get a transducer pup like those used on uprights or you can go to the Bay and get a piezo bridge. You'll need a buffer preamp in either case.

tonebrulee · #7 05-23-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBodious

oh, and here is something to check out:

http://www.music123.com/Dragonfly-St...72163.Music123

if you can get the sound into a recording device, that is....

Oh man, great suggestion! I read about this device a while back, but forgot about it. In fact, the sound I particularly like is with my ear against the body, and that is precisely what this type of "pickup" amplifies. Thanks much.