Double Bass Anyone else still use an Underwood? And like it?

[Uncletoad]

One element makes a huge difference. Sounds clear and fat that way. Not much different sounding than a bass max really. Bass Max getting a slight nod as one doesn't have to concern themselves with dangling piezos.

 

[greitzer]

Try using the Fishman eq directly into the effects return on
the GK, and using the Fishman as the only preamp. The
master volume on the GK is still the master volume.

I do run it that way, as long as it's a low-volume gig. Going into the effects return costs you some volume, but it is a nicer sound.

 

[Damon Rondeau]

I just got back off a little cafe gig with the jazz quartet. Tried the one-element move on each side. What a rockin' great difference it makes going with the treble side element only!

I loooove TalkBass!

 

[Lia_G]

Glad you guys are likin' the one-element Underwood!!! I know I do ...

Cheers,
Liam

 

[Sergio Barrozo]

I use underwood for more than 15 years. For some time i was using the elements in the position (sides) shown in the manual and it was difficult to get a good sound. When i inverted its position (i.e. i have put the treble element in the bass side and vice versa) the sound becames much better.

 

[fretlessman71]

Got an underwood for my Selmer ply student bass - run it through a Fishman pre and have had good luck with it. Questions, though:

Does it matter which way you run the pickup? Is one element designed for bass and one for treble?

Do you find that there's a volume drop when you use just one element?

There's nothing to adjust on my pickups at all - it's a totally closed system. Could there really be a phase issue? Wouldn't they design this from the get-go to not have problems of that nature? Or am I thinking of a totally different pickup than you are? (Mine is two brass flags, connected by George L's wire, and each one fits in the wings on either side of the bridge. We even took off the female end and added a George L's male connector to run straight into my preamp!)

I'm playing almost exclusively pizz and running to the board straight from my Fishman pre if that helps. Thanks folks!

 

[Roger Mouton]

OK guys - I got the following from Don Underwood:

"Thanks for your inquiry Roger.

The suggested setup has the mid cable transducer on the G side of the bridge. The end transducer then goes on the E side.

The reason for this is to orient the transducer cases so that the internal damping pad is on the wing side of the case. If you install the pickup the other way, so that the output jack is connected to the E side, the transducer cases are turned over, so that the damping pad is on the leg side of the case.
The purpose of the damping pad is to reduce finger noise so the pickup may sound a little "tackier" this way.

It makes no difference which way the jack is installed on the tail piece except that the label on the jack is more visible.
Thanks for sticking with your Underwood!

Best regards,
Don Underwood

 

[carved czech]

Try using the Fishman eq directly into the effects return on
the GK, and using the Fishman as the only preamp. The
master volume on the GK is still the master volume.

+1
old Fishman B100 Preamp (model Acoustic Bass), set volume on max,bass and treble flat.
Very simple control my sound!!!
I am using both elements of the pickup. //Of course, the bass itself makes the sound. My former bass was not so good sounding with Underwood as the new one...//
I went through Bassmax (boomy),Fishman B100 (scratchy),Revolution Solo (low output). Always return back to Underwood and have no problem.