Double Bass Ameka pickups

[james condino]

Here is another option that does not get much attention around here, an Ameka pickup, made in France. They are a bridge wing mount. I've had a few pass through the shop. What's it sound like? Honestly...similar to all of the rest: like me playing an old amplified bass. Lots of folks seem convinced that it is some special sauce mojo unicorns and fairy dust that will make your playing instantly sound like Ray Brown, so here is one more to add to the obsession.

 

[SAlcott]

For me (for 50+years beginning with Polytone/B15) once I plug in, it's not an acoustic bass any more, and I treat it as a different instrument to be dealt with on its own terms. With my acoustic bass, I strive for a clear tone that projects, like the acoustic sound but coming from the amp. My trusty Merchant Vertical Bass is made to be amplified, but I treat it the same way. I've learned that different pickups actually feel different (BP-100 and Barcus Berry both felt brittle) to play, and that's probably 60% of the game for me. If I mute the amp and the feel of right hand on the string stays pretty much the same, I'm good to go.

 

[dylanjohnson]

For me (for 50+years beginning with Polytone/B15) once I plug in, it's not an acoustic bass any more, and I treat it as a different instrument to be dealt with on its own terms. With my acoustic bass, I strive for a clear tone that projects, like the acoustic sound but coming from the amp. My trusty Merchant Vertical Bass is made to be amplified, but I treat it the same way. I've learned that different pickups actually feel different (BP-100 and Barcus Berry both felt brittle) to play, and that's probably 60% of the game for me. If I mute the amp and the feel of right hand on the string stays pretty much the same, I'm good to go.

This is spot on. Red Mitchell spoke of amplifying an upright as akin to amplifying an archtop. That made me think more about the concept of amplification on it's own terms. The feel of the pickup is a very important concept as well.

 

[LaFaro01]

Here is another option that does not get much attention around here, an Ameka pickup, made in France. They are a bridge wing mount. I've had a few pass through the shop. What's it sound like? Honestly...similar to all of the rest: like me playing an old amplified bass. Lots of folks seem convinced that it is some special sauce mojo unicorns and fairy dust that will make your playing instantly sound like Ray Brown, so here is one more to add to the obsession.

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It's all about psychoacoustics...