String Charger attacment issues

Lowend65 · #1 11-12-2006, 10:31 AM

I have been using a Stringcharger for many years now, but latley I have had a problem with the velcro used to stick it to the underside of the fretboard coming loose and fall off while playing.
I don't intend to ever remove the pickup so I am tempted to have a luither permenitly attach it to the neck (frets, glue)

Anyone have a reccomendation of how to do this? I have already tried replacing the velcro with more heavy duty stuff and its not working

larry · #2 11-12-2006, 11:05 AM

I had the same issue when I used the String Charger. I used black gaffing tape on the underside of the fingerboard to help the velcro.

Now I use a different pickup.

BassGreaser · #3 11-12-2006, 07:32 PM

how do you guys like the tone of your String Chargers? I got one but haven't really played a gig with it yet.

larry · #4 11-12-2006, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassGreaser

how do you guys like the tone of your String Chargers? I got one but haven't really played a gig with it yet.

Great for loud gigs, but the tone is more like a fretless electric than a DB. I personally would not use one for Jazz, but I would use one in other situations (pop, rock, etc.).

Lowend65 · #5 11-12-2006, 11:42 PM

I have been through several different upright pickups (Fishman, Underwood, and a couple other piezo setups). The String Charger has been the most dependable and least feedback prone of anything I've seen. With their add-on piezo setup the tone is quite good for everything but arco style.
Signal is a little weak, but a SansAmp pre-amp more than takes care of that.
Only system that I have seen that I liked better was the Barbera setup but it is much more expensive.

Kevinlee · #6 11-12-2006, 11:44 PM

I had a string charger a few years ago and here's what I did to secure it. I glued a flat piece of 1/8 plywood to the back of the fingerboard with two bolts coming out of it. Then I drilled two holes in the string charger mount that lined up with the bolts and would use wing nuts to fasten it on. This way it was easy to remove. The guy I sold it to just drilled through his fingerboard and bolted it on that way. You could also probably appoxy it to the back of the board and you could still pry it off if you wanted I imagine.

As far as tone I agree that it sounds like a giant fretless bass guitar on it's own. If you blend it with a piezo pickup it's less bass guitar like. And it does work for those super loud gigs but not really my idea of a good upright sound.

I now have a Biesele that I rarely use. It mounts more securely and I like the sound slightly better I think....But I still feel like I'm playing a giant bass guitar when I use it. So it sit's on a shelf most of the time. I don't know why I ever bother with these mag pu's. Although I have been told it sounds great by soundmen and guitar players when I've used it....but what do they know.

Kevinlee