Building a Rig

Beginner Bass · #1 07-01-2010, 02:28 PM

My BG teacher put in a reccomendation for a local big band for me to be the bassist. I do DB and BG, but don't have much for my DB, and I need an amplification setup. My plan was to build a passive piezo pickup, and work from there. So I have a handful of questions.

I have an amp for my BG (See profie for info). WillI be able touse that for my DB?
If I'm building a piezo pickup, what do I need besides the transducer? Do I need to make a preamp for it? If so, does anybody have plans for an affordable preamp?
Is there anything I'm missing?

As you can probably tell, I'm new to this, so please bear with me.

AMJBASS · #2 07-01-2010, 06:16 PM

I actually like the sound of a Hartke Kickback(12) quite a bit for Double Bass. Its clear and has a nice sounding preamp, especially with the semi parametric midrange. Regarding the pickup, I don't have much to offer as I haven't built one....

Beginner Bass · #3 07-01-2010, 06:40 PM

Thanks Adrian. I'm really trying to minimize the ammount of new gear I need to buy. But for those who have, what should I look for in a piezo element? Where should I look?

powerbass · #4 07-01-2010, 08:03 PM

You might try
http://www.tclutherie.hypermart.net/tcl/page6.html
http://windworld.com/products-page/electronic-hardware/
http://www.liutaiomottola.com/electronics.htm
http://music-electronics-forum.com/f11/
http://pickupedia.info/Main_Page

Beginner Bass · #5 07-02-2010, 06:17 AM

Would a dismantled buzzer work? My worry is just that it won't transmit at such low frequencies.

kmanley_29649 · #6 07-02-2010, 06:44 AM

The buzzer would work. I've made a couple from those. However, I'd get the one from the windworld. I used that one before I got a "proper" pickup, and it is pretty good.

Beginner Bass · #7 07-02-2010, 12:36 PM

How did you mount it? Under the bridge feet, or on the bridge itself? Sorry, I'm revising a plan for an acoustic guitar pickup for bass.

kmanley_29649 · #8 07-02-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beginner Bass

How did you mount it? Under the bridge feet, or on the bridge itself? Sorry, I'm revising a plan for an acoustic guitar pickup for bass.

The buzzer ones I mounted in the bridge wing. The film one I mounted under the bridge foot.

Beginner Bass · #9 07-02-2010, 07:08 PM

Do you have any pictures?

kmanley_29649 · #10 07-02-2010, 07:27 PM

Sorry, no.