Pickup and Preamp for ABG

Searcy · #1 09-27-2006, 07:51 AM

I have been helping a friend develop an Acoustic Bass Guitar based on Selmer Gypsy guitar construction style. The fretless prototype sounds amazing with a huge loud tone that is close to an upright when played with flat wounds. Now the time has come to start looking at pickups. I’m thinking that maybe a Fishman B II Acoustic Bass Preamp or a Firshman Pro-EQ Platinum Bass might do the trick. I like the idea of the preamp being out board so there’s not a lot of junk on the bass. It also makes it easier to try out other preamps in the future. But some folks like the preamp to be mounted on the bass. I guess it’s a bit more portable and faster to adjust that way. What do you think?

luknfur · #2 09-27-2006, 05:28 PM

FWIW:

the outboard thing primarily depends on whether you need onboard controls for your playing situation. I don't so plug/unplug and play to me beats tearing into a bass every time.

There has been very little ABG pup discussion in this forum. Some crossover from URB players but that's the place to go probably. They're more ABG Arco ariented since the pups/pre's used are frequently the same as URB. I drop in down there periodically just to see what's up and there have been lots of post of pickups and various trials in and with different gear. A search will probably get you the info you need.

Luthiers forum would be next.

Searcy · #3 09-29-2006, 06:43 AM

Good thinking Luknfur. I think I'll run this by the URB guys and see what they think. Thanks for the pointer!

Philbiker · #4 09-29-2006, 06:56 AM

Two Letters: K & K. I love their guitar pickup in my Seagull so much I'm planning on replacing the Fishman piezo in my Tacoma Thunderchief some time in the future. Their pickups are without peer.

You'll need to design a feedback buster plug for the sound hole though.

J.Wolf · #5 09-29-2006, 06:56 AM

I'd look into a K&K system. The pure floating bridge pickup with a pure XLR preamp is really nice.

I'd be wary of any ABG specific pickup, since they are almost always designed for typical flat top bridges (pin bridges). They are either designed to mount to the underside of the top, or the underside of the bridge plate, neither of which your bass has I would think. Or they are designed to go under the bone/plastic bridge saddle, which I don't think your bass has either.

Anatomically, the closest thing to your bass is macaferri guitar, which that pure pickup is designed for (different freq. range, but it sounds like those systems aren't freq. specific, they just amplify whats there)

I have a similar ABG, and after doing some research and talking with K&K, that system seemed the most appropriate to me.

good luck, let us know how it goes.

jady · #6 09-29-2006, 07:02 AM

The fishman system in my Ibanez AEK10 sounds great. It has a clear punch and wooly sound. Try a few ABG's and if you find one you like, try to find the pickup/pre for that ABG. IMHO having a pre onboard is much more convenient, plug in and play, eq's right there and a volume control.

J.Wolf · #7 09-29-2006, 07:16 AM

My theory about ABG's and acoustics in general, is that the less crap you can have in or on the body, the better it'll sound. Sometimes I cringe at really nicely built instruments with the big holes cut in the side for a chunk of metal and plastic, and a bunch of wires floating around inside.

Thats why I like outboard preamps, it keeps it cleaner in the instrument, and gives you more flexibility if you want to change the pre down the road.

You could install a system like that without having to drill holes anywhere. Mount the pickup under the bridge, and secure a barrel jack to the tailpiece with cable ties.

Rvl · #8 09-29-2006, 06:50 PM

Dtar Timberline made by Duncan are what I use

The piezo includes the preamp
Their new LocknLoad looks like it might be perfect for your friend

Thanks

Robert VanLane

Searcy · #9 09-30-2006, 06:52 AM

Thanks for all the help folks. After looking things over I think the K&K system is going to be the one for us. This bass does indeed have a Macaferriure style bridge so the “under the saddle” units wont work on it. I like that floating bridge pickup from K&K a lot. I think we’ll start with that. I have a Sans Amp DI that it sounds good through.

As I mentioned before these two are prototypes. They were made with junk wood that was sitting around the shop. The new ones are going to have slotted head stocks and much better woods and finishes. Maybe I’ll post a picture when there done.

J.Wolf · #10 09-30-2006, 08:52 AM

so did you put the K&K on and test it out. I haven't had a chance to hear it yet, I'm curious how it would sound. Its been reccomended to me by several people, like Dieter of K&K and a excellent reapir guy here. Let me know how it works out.

Searcy · #11 09-30-2006, 12:15 PM

No I haven't ordered it yet. I have a Realist pickup just sitting around so I used that to try it through the Sans Amp It's sounded OK but not great. I think the K&K would be better suited for this bridge. I'll let you know what it sounds like when I get it.

Philbiker · #12 09-30-2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfbass1025

My theory about ABG's and acoustics in general, is that the less crap you can have in or on the body, the better it'll sound. Sometimes I cringe at really nicely built instruments with the big holes cut in the side for a chunk of metal and plastic, and a bunch of wires floating around inside.

Thats why I like outboard preamps, it keeps it cleaner in the instrument, and gives you more flexibility if you want to change the pre down the road.

You could install a system like that without having to drill holes anywhere. Mount the pickup under the bridge, and secure a barrel jack to the tailpiece with cable ties.

I agree, despite the fact that I love my Tacoma with all that stuff in it. That's another reason to recommend a K&K system.