Double Bass Arco volume VS pizz volume

[SWoods]

I recently pled for a production of Brigadoon using a String charger mag pickup and a line 6 10" cube.
The pizz level was fine, bot the arco level was below what I needed in the Pit. many cues had me switching rapidly from one to the other, so there was no time to adjust the amp.
Any suggestions on a pickup that might have a more even response for both.
Thanks
Stu Woods

 

[jtlownds]

Mag pickups don't work well with arco. The volume drops off when playing arco. I'm not 100% sure why this is, but I suspect that the bow dampens the string vibrations in the area of the pickup. Most piezo pickups react just the opposite, with the arco response being louder. In my experience, the best pickup for combo pizz and arco is the Fishman Full Circle.

 

[JtheJazzMan]

Has to do with the axis of vibration when it comes to bowing vs pizz?

Bowing is focused on one axis which isnt ideal for mag pickups

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Has to do with the axis of vibration when it comes to bowing vs pizz?

Bowing is focused on one axis which isnt ideal for mag pickups

Exactly!

 

[seamonkey]

I would recommend maybe adjusting for your best arco sound then adjusting your plucking.
Or add a little preampe booster you can switch with your foot when you switch techniques
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[PaperbackRyder]

Setting up for the arco and adjusting fingers for pizz makes sense, but I have the opposite, (& what was mentioned earlier)....
The arco is MUCH louder than the pizz sound.
If this is a "normal" challenge, how do you guys handle it?
=JR=

 

[hensonbass]

A two channel preamp w/ footswitch works for me. I use a Radial PZ-Pre DI. I also split my signal before the preamp because I use an eq pedal to accentuate the pizz sounds, whereas the arco sounds are set at a flat eq setting for a very natural sound.

I know that's kind of complicated. If it is just a volume issue you could use a simple boost pedal to increase which ever tone is lacking the needed punch.

 

[hensonbass]

This pedal by Carl Martin will take care of business. I love mine.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Carl-Martin-3Band-Parametric-EQPreamp?sku=183011

 

[robobass]

I never leave the house without a volume pedal if I plan to use both bow and amp.

 

[bassist14]

Any suggestions on a pickup that might have a more even response for both.

for me the only pickup that does this is the dyn b.
(i say this after using realist, revsolo, underwood-types, wilson, full-circle)

 

[Bob Gollihur]

You will find threads on this in the past.

Over the years I've used
-volume pedal
-7 band bass eq pedal (preset change to volume and EQ)
-Radial Bassbone
-K&K Bass Master Pro with two channel preamp clipped to a music stand

It's not an uncommon experience.

 

[kurt]

I use an EQ pedal. I set the amp for pizz then adjust the level for arco with the EQ pedal. I usually roll off some high mids for arco too. I just got the vektor adjustable pickup and it seems very even between the two. It is also the best arco sound i've heard out of an amp. I have only tried it on a couple gigs with no PA but I'm hoping I can ditch the EQ pedal altogether!

 

[tornadobass]

I just ordered the Boss Bass EQ pedal for this purpose. It uses FET switching, which doesn't click like the metal "true bypass) pedal buttons. It'll most be used with my BugBass EUB with BassMax that produces quite different levels between arco and pizz.

OTOH, my American Standard with RSII pickup manages levels pretty evenly on its own and probably won't need the EQ pedal.

 

[Dave Whitla]

OTOH, my American Standard with RSII pickup manages leves pretty evenly on its own and probably won't need the EQ pedal.

RS II on my Upton Professor is quite balanced between arco and pizz levels.