Double Bass Are Barbera pickups still available for upright bass?

[William Plaxton]

Does anybody know if Barbera Transducer Systems - Contact Us are still in business? I've been trying to contact them to either repair the Barbera pickup i've used with my upright bass - or to purchase a new one. In meantime I've tried a Realist Lifeline at recent gigs (with Acoustic Image Coda amp), but the amplified sound is not nearly as good what I was getting with the Barbera

 

[Francois Blais]

Did you try a phone call?

 

[Earl]

Rich Barbera comes to my Sunday brunch gig sometime so next time I will ask him, although I am pretty sure he still sells them.

 

[Ric Vice]

Based on all the TB members that had issues with their Barbera Systems Pickup and the advancement in other piezo pickups, I have to wonder why anyone would be interested in using one.
When they were first introduced, I sent away for their Demo Recording ( a thin plastic record) IMHO it didn't sound as good as the Underwood that I was using at the time. When you add
the hassle of having a wedge glued into the front of your bridge to install the transducer elements and it's potential for being damaged of completely failing, it wouldn't be something I'd
even consider using. Just my take of course, but advancements in piezo technology i.e. the Yamahiko, Ehrlund EAP, Realist Life Line etc. and the new microphones i.e. the DPA, Nadine, Remic
and Xlson, I see no good reason to revisit a technology that's time has come and gone. Once again, just my take.

 

[William Plaxton]

Thanks everyone... will appreciate if Earl can confirm if Rich Barbera is still in business, & if so I hope he replies to my recent inquiries. Apart from Email, I also left phone message for Barbera Transducer Systems (at 718.816.3025) but haven't rec'd any replies. The Barbera pickup sounded great and seemed quite reliable until someone tripped over my bass (which was lying on its side at the time) - just as we were about to start a gig - and knocked the bridge off... that's another story. As mentioned i recently tried out the REalist Life Line at a gig, and didn't find it anywhere close to the sound/tone I was getting from the Barbera. Thinking of checking out an Underwood which seems to have good reviews in this forum, but would rather hear that Barbera is still in business & can help me out.

 

[dperrott]

Depending on whats wrong with it, you might be able to get it repaired. It may be loose wire and need soldered.

 

[Francois Blais]

A Wilson pickup is another alternative.

 

[Earl]

Thanks everyone... will appreciate if Earl can confirm if Rich Barbera is still in business, & if so I hope he replies to my recent inquiries. Apart from Email, I also left phone message for Barbera Transducer Systems (at 718.816.3025) but haven't rec'd any replies. The Barbera pickup sounded great and seemed quite reliable until someone tripped over my bass (which was lying on its side at the time) - just as we were about to start a gig - and knocked the bridge off... that's another story. As mentioned i recently tried out the REalist Life Line at a gig, and didn't find it anywhere close to the sound/tone I was getting from the Barbera. Thinking of checking out an Underwood which seems to have good reviews in this forum, but would rather hear that Barbera is still in business & can help me out.

I don't see him often so it may be a while. He can be slow with replies so leave a few more messages. As Ric said you may want to try newer pickups. You may like the Yamahiko. Contrabass | Product | YAMAHIKO 山彦