Villex/Sound Composites Fanned Axis Magnetic Upright Bass Pickup

[baturyn30]

I've been searching for an affordable magnetic pickup for my upright and came across the Villex/Sound Composites Fanned Axis Magnetic Upright Bass Pickup.. anyone have any experience with one of these?

[baturyn30]

Upon further internet searching, I'm fairly certain that this pickup is a newer Moses/Lace pickup.. anyone try one of these?

[engedi1]

very intriguing. Please post a review if you ever try this. Villex does make good products, I have used his pickups before on electric basses.

[baturyn30]

here's the link to their website.. Villex/SC Upright Bass Pickups

and here's a video of Rob Kohler playing with one on his bass.. Rob Kohler plays "Blues in the Closet" - YouTube

[baturyn30]

got word that they are still in production and a couple of months away...

[engedi1]

Originally Posted by baturyn30

here's the link to their website.. Villex/SC Upright Bass Pickups

and here's a video of Rob Kohler playing with one on his bass.. Rob Kohler plays "Blues in the Closet" - YouTube

Thanks for posting this. I can't say that I love the soloed tone of this pickup. Like all magnetic pickups on an upright it gives a very non-upright like tone, which I guess is to be expected. I have heard from other Tb'ers that they have had good results combining magnetic pickups with mics to add punch and focus to the microphones airy tone. I would like to experiment with that combination someday...

[Whisper]

It would be interesting to see how this compares to the Biesele pickup. While the tone of the Biesele (or any magnetic pickup) is not the most natural sound, I have found it to be very useful on high-volume gigs.

[DaveAceofBass]

This thing has to be completely bad-ass! This would be a great addition to my electric upright or any upright. Villex makes KILLER pickups. I have his pickups in my Linc Luthier, as well as a PRTB in my Kinal. I'm tempted to sell my spare upright pickup to grab one of these!

[DaveAceofBass]

Has there been any updates on this?

[AMJBASS]

Have any of you guys heard anything about these yet? I am interested in buying one for some higher volume situations I am going to be in, but I can't seem to get in contact with Sound Composites. I have sent them a few emails...

[DaveAceofBass]

They are the same as Moses graphite. Last I heard there were some changes being made and it wasn't ready yet. I may try contacting Villex directly. Let you know what he says.

[engedi1]

I have bought Villex pickups before (not these) and he always wrote me back personally. He is a very nice guy (although his English is not the best, or wasn't 7 years ago!)

[AMJBASS]

I couldn't get a hold of them at all. So, I bought a Krivo from Gollihur. I really liked the design of the Villex, but I am hoping that the Krivo will give me what I am looking for in terms of volume and tone.

[DaveAceofBass]

I wrote to both Villex and Moses Graphite/Sound Composites. I didn't hear back from Villex, but here's what I heard from Moses:

Thank you for your interest in magnetic upright bass pickups. We at
MosesCarbon Graphite USA have, for some time, been working with Jeff
Lace of Lace Sensor to refine previous efforts at producing a modern
embodiment that will service the varied needs of acoustic bass
players.

When available to players, the Lace/Moses TrueBalance pickups will
allow each musician to easily adjust their TrueBalance to satisfy each
instruments individual string spacing and fingerboard arc
requirements. These quiet, lightweight, high output passive pickups
will have both volume control and an output jack within their carbon
fiber shells. The result will be a self-contained pickup system that
for the first time truly accommodates the demands of
professional-oriented musicians.

We will alert you at the time that they are introduced.

Thank you for your patience, and for choosing Moses Carbon Graphite USA.

Sincerely,
Steve at Moses CG

[AMJBASS]

I just received that exact same email. So I guess we'll see in time! At any rate I'll be interested to see how this Krivo works out...