Which pickups for an acoustic Eko '77 fretless?

[brambass]

Hi there Talkbass,

Just registered to your great forum. What a treasure trove of material!

I've got a question for you: I've got an Eko '77 fretless acoustic bass, that has an awesome sound. With low tension flatwound strings it comes close to a double bass sound. Very woody, nice and round with lots of low. Unfortunately, all I have to amplify it with is a Shadow pickup, which is great for studio gigs but on stage it gives so much feedback I can't turn the volume above normal speaking level..

So what I'm looking for is a good pickup! I know just about nothing about electronics, I've always been more into playing than gear. What are your suggestions to put in my Eko? I'm willing to pay up to 150-200 dollars for a good pickup, but I've no idea whatsoever if that is a realistic price range.

Please help me out
Thank you

[Stealth]

A photo of the bass would be very helpful, as Ekos seem to vary wildly.

[phmike]

If you like the sound of the pickup other than the feedback try an L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic D.I. It's magic with acoustic guitars and piezo pickups. New cost is roughly $150 and find'm on Craig's List for $70-90.
Plugging the sound hole and positioning yourself differently in relation to the speakers on stage can also help.

[brambass]

Originally Posted by Stealth

A photo of the bass would be very helpful, as Ekos seem to vary wildly.

here you are

[brambass]

Originally Posted by phmike

If you like the sound of the pickup other than the feedback try an L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic D.I. It's magic with acoustic guitars and piezo pickups. New cost is roughly $150 and find'm on Craig's List for $70-90.
Plugging the sound hole and positioning yourself differently in relation to the speakers on stage can also help.

Thank you for the answer, but I see I haven't been giving you all the data. My amp is an Ampeg fliptop B15S. The problem is, that if I plug my Eko in the fliptop, I can't turn up the volume because of the feedback. If I put in a soundhole pickup the problem should be gone, but I don't know which pickup preserves this sound best. That's what I'm looking for. So if you have any ideas on that maybe?

[phmike]

The Baggs unit is a great feedback killer that will work with your current pickup. But, it seems you are looking for a magnetic type pickup for your sound hole to replace your piezo pickup and I have no experience there.

[brambass]

Originally Posted by phmike

The Baggs unit is a great feedback killer that will work with your current pickup. But, it seems you are looking for a magnetic type pickup for your sound hole to replace your piezo pickup and I have no experience there.

Thank you for the tip! I will certainly try the DI if I can't find a soundhole pickup.


Do you know how the feedback killing works with the Baggs unit? EQ'ing the frequency that feeds back?

[brambass]

Right. I've ordered it, specs looking promising. No soundhole pickup for bass to be found. I'll combine it with a plugged soundhole, fingers crossed..

[BeowulfKingsley]

You might try Doug's Plugs for that soundhole. I've had good luck with them in the f-holes of my Jazz guitar, and they look nice and neat too...most people don't even know they're there. He does custom jobs so he should be able to fit your bass...I'm gonna have him make some for my upright as well. Plus they're easy to remove if you want to record in the studio with a mic!

http://www.dougsplugs.com/

[brambass]

That's a good idea too, Doug's Plugs. I don't live in the states though, and mr Dough likes to have the bass itself to make a snug fit (understandably). So I've asked a friend of mine who is a wizard with guitars, basses, and basically anything he gets his hands on .

www.customguitar.nl

(for you dutchies)