Double Bass B-Band D-1 Frankenpickup?

[Don Kasper]

I've been using the B-Band D-1 pickup in an unconventional way. It has 2 separate elements/channels - 2 bridge/wing slots and 1 for under the foot of the bridge. From my past experience with the Realist and the previous B-Band Statement, the "foot" pickup/channel never added anything useful on my bass- ( very muddy, no definition).
With the D-1, I've simply connected BOTH of the 2 bridge elements to the E string side and panned the onboard preamp to activate only those elements. ( I did not even connect the foot element). On my bass, a Juzek carved, even the Underwood sounded better with only the E side element used.
I'm sending the signal to the Fdeck HPF-Pre, Walter Woods Electracoustic, and finally thru an Eminence 12'' (my design) cabinet.
I'm rolling off some of the Bass and Treble (and Mids) at the WW preamp.
This pickup sounds very good - very "warm", very "even"... I wonder why they're not more popular?

http://www.b-band.com/index.php?page=double-bass-pickup-systems

Thanks for your time and interest.

 

[Ric Vice]

I've been using the B-Band D-1 pickup in an unconventional way. It has 2 separate elements/channels - 2 bridge/wing slots and 1 for under the foot of the bridge. From my past experience with the Realist and the previous B-Band Statement, the "foot" pickup/channel never added anything useful on my bass- ( very muddy, no definition).

Based on my experience with the Realist, Copper Foil Version, I'd say that there is a definitely darker sound when you sense the instrument right under the E foot.

With the D-1, I've simply connected BOTH of the 2 bridge elements to the E string side and panned the onboard preamp to activate only those elements. ( I did not even connect the foot element).

Connecting the foot element "might" give you a better sound, but ultimately it's putting a metal shim in between the E Foot of the bridge and the top.

On my bass, a Juzek carved, even the Underwood sounded better with only the E side element used. I'm sending the signal to the Fdeck HPF-Pre, Walter Woods Electracoustic, and finally thru an Eminence 12'' (my design) cabinet.
I'm rolling off some of the Bass and Treble (and Mids) at the WW preamp.

You certainly have a high end setup. I also own a Walter Woods Electroacoustic and found that the HPF/Buffer Pre Amp doesn't work well with Walter's amps. IMHO. That's just my experience though. It makes the tone quality to bright, especially the more you roll out the low end.

This pickup sounds very good - very "warm", very "even"... I wonder why they're not more popular?

When it was introduced into the market the original
B-Band Statement was @$599.00. The D-1 is much more reasonable, at that time that was very expensive for a Double Bass Pickup. The D-1 is much more reasonable at 239.00 Since the B-Band uses elastic electret film as opposed to piezo film, it sounds warmer.


Ric

 

[Don Kasper]

You certainly have a high end setup. I also own a Walter Woods Electroacoustic and found that the HPF/Buffer Pre Amp doesn't work well with Walter's amps. IMHO. That's just my experience though. It makes the tone quality to bright, especially the more you roll out the low end.

Ric Vice,

Re: the above - I haven't found this to be true, IMHO, although the HPF is a recent addition, replacing a Fishman Pro EQ. I wonder if Dr. Deck can shed some light on this, as my technical understanding is LIMITED! (caps mine...).
Thanks for your time and interest.

 

[The Spanier]

I have one of these (recently replaced by a Full Circle….) and i´ll tell you why they are not more popular…

I agree the B-Band sounds ok (and much better than any others like The Realist or BP-100 which are widely popular) but IMHO it lacks of two things:

- A poor construction. The transducer under the E-foot of the bridge fixes on a cheap plastic surface that makes the bridge slip on you bass top easily. Although they announce that a thin wood veneer is included, it is not.
- A poor customer service. No one answers when you try to contact them (in my case, to complain about the previous point…).

Ciao!

 

[The Spanier]

Anyway, the way you connect the B-Band makes me curious…

Do you connect both wings elements just to the “E” wing??? And… How?? What do you feel it adds to your sound???

Thanks!

 

[Don Kasper]

I have one of these (recently replaced by a Full Circle….) and i´ll tell you why they are not more popular…

I agree the B-Band sounds ok (and much better than any others like The Realist or BP-100 which are widely popular) but IMHO it lacks of two things:

- A poor construction. The transducer under the E-foot of the bridge fixes on a cheap plastic surface that makes the bridge slip on you bass top easily. Although they announce that a thin wood veneer is included, it is not.
- A poor customer service. No one answers when you try to contact them (in my case, to complain about the previous point&#8230.

Ciao!

Anyway, the way you connect the B-Band makes me curious…

Do you connect both wings elements just to the “E” wing??? And… How?? What do you feel it adds to your sound???

Thanks!

The Spanier,

Regarding construction - as I noted earlier, I don't install the "E" foot transducer. I believe I did receive the necessary wood veneer stock with the D-1.
Regarding Customer Service - I received great CS from the US Rep "Pekka Rintala". He actually sold me an early prototype of the D-1 , to replace my B-Band Statement, which had failed.
I'm not sure if Mr. Rintala is still with the company, but he was very accessible and responsive via email.

Finally,
I simply stack both elements, using cork and veneer layers to separate them and secure them into the wing slot.
On my bass, most pickups, ( Schertler Stat B, Underwood, especially), sound better on the E side ONLY.
I've found the B-Band D-1 to be warm, even, balanced - no "hot" or "dead" notes, good front-end thump, and sustain.

Good Luck and Good Transducing!
Thanks.