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Adding pickups to an acoustic bass

#21
Dan_reeves said:
View attachment 4426499 Hi all - I purchased an acoustic bass from Thomann - basically an Ovation copy. I like how it plays and sounds, but obviously is way too quiet acoustically. The piezo pickup and preamp is garbage - I have tried adjusting it in every way I could find online, as well as trying three different undersaddle piezo pieces. Part of the issue is it is really hard to find a whole system that could replace the preamp assembly - it needs to be pretty narrow because the plastic body is narrow.

I am now thinking of routing the top and adding some real magnetic pickups - which I realize will change the instrument quite a bit. Making it more sort of Hofner-esque. Part of the issue I see is grounding. I have thought about wrapping the saddle in copper tape and soldering it to the rest of the pots. Or maybe a metal saddle instead. I guess I am looking for some ideas. Maybe this belongs in electronics, not sure. Thought I’d start here first. Any crazy ideas? Thanks!
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Since you've done some 'work' on it, I guess it's too late to send it back.

Too bad, because this has a Fishman pickup/preamp in it and it looks like it will end up being cheaper after you've put more money into the $135 dollar guitar.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/fender_cb_60sce_a_bass_natural_il.htm
 
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#22
Dan_reeves said:
View attachment 4426499 Hi all - I purchased an acoustic bass from Thomann - basically an Ovation copy. I like how it plays and sounds, but obviously is way too quiet acoustically. The piezo pickup and preamp is garbage - I have tried adjusting it in every way I could find online, as well as trying three different undersaddle piezo pieces. Part of the issue is it is really hard to find a whole system that could replace the preamp assembly - it needs to be pretty narrow because the plastic body is narrow.

I am now thinking of routing the top and adding some real magnetic pickups - which I realize will change the instrument quite a bit. Making it more sort of Hofner-esque. Part of the issue I see is grounding. I have thought about wrapping the saddle in copper tape and soldering it to the rest of the pots. Or maybe a metal saddle instead. I guess I am looking for some ideas. Maybe this belongs in electronics, not sure. Thought I’d start here first. Any crazy ideas? Thanks!
Click to expand...
A Victory Lowrider gold foil pickup will likely fit without any routing and is relatively inexpensive.
 
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#23
Dan_reeves said:
View attachment 4426499 Hi all - I purchased an acoustic bass from Thomann - basically an Ovation copy. I like how it plays and sounds, but obviously is way too quiet acoustically. The piezo pickup and preamp is garbage - I have tried adjusting it in every way I could find online, as well as trying three different undersaddle piezo pieces. Part of the issue is it is really hard to find a whole system that could replace the preamp assembly - it needs to be pretty narrow because the plastic body is narrow.

I am now thinking of routing the top and adding some real magnetic pickups - which I realize will change the instrument quite a bit. Making it more sort of Hofner-esque. Part of the issue I see is grounding. I have thought about wrapping the saddle in copper tape and soldering it to the rest of the pots. Or maybe a metal saddle instead. I guess I am looking for some ideas. Maybe this belongs in electronics, not sure. Thought I’d start here first. Any crazy ideas? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I'd slap two lipsticks in it. Dan electro style. One close to the neck, one about stingray spot.
 
#28
Suggestions to send it back or sell it and buy something else are frankly unhelpful. Not sure where I indicated I didn’t like it? I really like how the bass plays and feels so I am going to do neither of those things. It also, in my opinion, looks really cool…If I can’t fix the amplification issue, I can always relegate it to a practice tool.
 
#30
Jazz Ad said:
If we're talking replacement preamps, Fishman usually have a soft external shell that bends along most profiles. You can use the Présys or Aura of your choice snd easily adapt it to your bass. They come with or without piezo, internal mic or magnetic pickup blend.
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For some reason, and I am sure it is user error, I haven’t stumbled across either of those in stock anywhere. I need be more specific in my search terms, thank you!
 
#31
Ah, on second thought I have seen those. I think I kept scrolling because they have the battery box in the preamp unit, vs near the jack. I may have to rig up some pickguard material to mount the jack to and cover up the hole. Hmmm
 
#33
Andy Marshman said:
I had an AE bass that's output was rather low volume. I connected an Electroharmonix clean boost pedal (~$50 new) and that worked wonders without changing the tone. There's a Spark pedal on the market that would do the same thing.
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I honestly think the issue is the preamp itself. I tried three different undersaddle option. On one I had sound on EAD but very quiet on G. The A string was WAY louder than the others, and would cause a bunch of other issues if I did not mute well. Made a bunch of adjustments to it and same deal. Another piezo gave me no sound at all - that was the copper looking wire type. Adjusted it a bunch as well. No dice. The third was one of the saddle and pickup options that were built into one piece with four separate spots for strings built it. No sound on this one either. So I honestly just want to replace the whole system in some way. Or go 100% acoustic and just use it as a practice tool.
 
#35
Dan_reeves said:
Ah, on second thought I have seen those. I think I kept scrolling because they have the battery box in the preamp unit, vs near the jack. I may have to rig up some pickguard material to mount the jack to and cover up the hole. Hmmm
Click to expand...
Fishman make (or used to make) plates with a DI and dual connectors. Which is something you may or not need or want on your bass.
20211005_163328.jpg
 
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#37
Dan_reeves said:
Also, I do have experience working with piezos and the installation process. I have worked on multiple acoustic guitars - so I don’t think I am doing anything wrong.
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mixed output is an indicator that the transducer is not making sufficient contact with the bridge or it has been damaged. the saddle pocket floor needs to be really flat and the pocket needs to be snug -no air gaps. the saddle ramps need to be providing an appropriate amount of contact for each string as well.
 
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#39
Hello, did you find any solution to your problem? I was also wondering about adding a magnetic pickup to this particular bass, but I don't think it sounds half bad plugged in the way it is. I just always cut the treble and presence to avoid the high frequency string noise. Also, other kind of string rather then bronze roundwounds make the bass sound more bassy without any need to cut to the instrument. But I am really curious what you did with it in the end! :)
 

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