• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass a balanced DB pickup?

groooooove

groooooove

Supporting Member
Dec 17, 2008
9,050
6,901
Long Island, NY
#1
i've never seen a double bass pickup that was mounted on both sides of the bridge, nor have i found one that is mounted on one side and picks up all the strings evenly.

i play 90% of my gigs on electric, but lately have had a once a week gig playing double bass in a jazz setting. i'm playing a Shen SB80 from 2006 with a Planet Wing pickup that i got from Kolsteins because i live almost walking distance from there.

does anyone else agree that its almost a basic design flaw- to mount pickups under one side of the bridge, in the wing of one side, ext ext?

i thought it might've been my mind knowing it was on side and thinking the E and A were louder than they are, but to test it i played into an envelope filter. the E and A strings both pop the filter open too much. the D and G no matter how hard i play barely get it to pop.

i'm no acoustic bass pickup connoisseur, nor do i intend to swap pickups unless i get a full-time DB gig, but this has always bugged me. thoughts?
 
#2
groooooove said:
does anyone else agree that its almost a basic design flaw- to mount pickups under one side of the bridge, in the wing of one side, ext ext?
Click to expand...

When I used a single element Barcus-Berry in the old days ('70s) it picked up the strings evenly as far as I remember. My Underwood, which is designed as a two element pu, was even across the strings, and when I started using it with just the E side element, it picked up the strings evenly. My current Schertler Stat B picks up the strings evenly and it is one element. I have added a second Stat to the other side of the bridge, and guess what? It is also even sounding across the 4 strings.

I will say that the single element Realist was a little weak on the E and A.

So, in general, I don't think it is a design flaw. With 2 elements used on either side of the bridge, I've gotten weird phasing and cancellation, which I don't like.
 
#3
If the idea of two elements bug you, why not just try using only one? There are so many variables involved that it's impossible to say.

If you are only playing 10% of your time on amplified acoustic, then you probably have got some more time to put in there before getting your amplified chops together. Playing technique and control is almost 100% of the formula, IMO. The sound you make starts with you, not any different than electric bass in that regard.
 
#4
Have you tried recording the bass with a microphone out front and no amp to see if the acoustic sound is balanced across the strings? Or maybe get someone else to play it while you listen out front. It could be something as simple as a sound post adjustment if the acoustic output is not balanced. Of course as mentioned above technique could also be a factor.
 
#5
groooooove said:
i've never seen a double bass pickup that was mounted on both sides of the bridge, nor have i found one that is mounted on one side and picks up all the strings evenly.


i'm no acoustic bass pickup connoisseur, nor do i intend to swap pickups unless i get a full-time DB gig, but this has always bugged me. thoughts?
Click to expand...

The new Ehrlund Pickup doesn't have any problem getting all strings evenly.

Ric
 
#6
I play an Eminence (slightly acoustic, thin hollowbody) upright, which has a modified Realist that sits underneath the E/A foot of the bridge.

I do have to EQ it to taste; but I can't say that the lower strings drown out the higher strings.

i thought it might've been my mind knowing it was on side and thinking the E and A were louder than they are, but to test it i played into an envelope filter. the E and A strings both pop the filter open too much. the D and G no matter how hard i play barely get it to pop.
Click to expand...

Ah, this could be due to a misunderstanding. If the detection circuit is simply listening for db (energy), well low frequencies inherently have more energy. Same on any electric bass: the lows on the E string put out more sound energy than the G, even if our ears hear them as roughly in balance.

That's why cranking the high EQ never clips an amp, but maxing-out the lows does, easily.
 
#7
MR PC said:
The sound you make starts with you, not any different than electric bass in that regard.
Click to expand...

thats my point. when i play just acoustic, theres no issue. and i did actually try recording it a few days after i got the pickup installed, i used a zoom h4n to record the acoustic sound. it was as even as i thought it was.

i also diddn't consider phase-issues with two differnt components.. thats a good point.

since im playing more and more DB lately, i might look into adding a microphone to help my sound.
 
#8
Try a B-Band D1....the new version apparently is more durable. I have the older version, and it sounds great but has issues with the micro preamps near the sensors. It appears that the new one doesn't have the same design, and if it's more durable and sounds the same then it's got to be one of the best pickups available, especially considering the price.
 
#9
groooooove said:
thats my point. when i play just acoustic, theres no issue. and i did actually try recording it a few days after i got the pickup installed, i used a zoom h4n to record the acoustic sound. it was as even as i thought it was.

i also diddn't consider phase-issues with two differnt components.. thats a good point.

since im playing more and more DB lately, i might look into adding a microphone to help my sound.
Click to expand...

You might consider exploring one of these fdeck preamps:

Invalid Link Removed

I think it would match your Planet Wing very nicely with anything you plug into.

A lot of folks around here swear by them, they are very high quality, and don't cost an arm and a leg either. They work great with electric bass too, and all kinds of other stringed instruments.

On the phase issue with two element pickups, that's tricky business. My experience has been that some basses sound better with one element, some sound best with two. I have four uprights, all of different design/size/shape. I use Underwood pickups (two element design). Two of the basses sound best using both elements, and two of them sound best using only one of the elements. I don't know why.....and it really doesn't matter (to me)!

I hope this helps a little, and have fun!
 
#10
An old home made pup that came on an Engelhardt I once owned. It actually worked pretty darned good.
pup008.jpg
 
#13
pnut166 said:
An old home made pup that came on an Engelhardt I once owned. It actually worked pretty darned good
Click to expand...

Before the Underwood Pickups came along I actually had a Paul Toeninges pickup. It had four individual elements that were attached to the underside of the fingerboard. At the time the only other pickups on the market were the Barcus Berry Bar and The Polytone, so the Toeninges actually sounded a little better. Since the Underwood was developed things have gotten a lot better. The Full Circle, Realist, and now the Ehrlund sound great.

Ric
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back