Double Bass Cable connector clamp for double bass?

[mrbaloo]

Hi

I have recently finished my own double bass piezo pickup. This has been a long dream for me to create a DB-pickup from scratch. Just buying the piezo-elements and solder it together. Then I have also created my own piezo buffer "pedal" to sit in between the DB and the amp. Everything works out very well.

Then the last issue to resolve was to "invent" something that could hold the cable connector. At first I just used a cable tie, but it was not very fancy.

So I created a 3d-printed cable connector holder to clamp it on the strings in between the string holder and the bridge. The bracket is created especially for the Neutrik NJ3FC6-BAG which diameter is 19 mm. You may also notice that I have added some EPDM foam rubber in the clamping area. I would say that the function of this design was very good.

Since then I have also noticed that there are several other pickups and acoustic microphone systems that already have cable connector brackets, eg.:

The DPA 4099B

K&K Bass Max

H-Clamp Light Upright Bass and Cello Microphone Mounts

Bass-On-Stage (Link Removed) - The Swedish Invention!!!

The DPA and K&K have their own systems to clamp the cable connector to your bass. But if you are using H-clamp or Bass-On-Stage you could have the XLR-cable connected to FOH or any amp directly. But wouldn't it be nice to have a short microphone cable from the acoustic microphone to a special bracket on your bass and then let the sound engineer just plug your bass in to the FOH system?

Do you think there is any interest in developing my bracket to fit any cable connector (tele or XLR)? In that case I have some ideas for the development. But in that case I must know if anyone would like to add something like my cable clamp to their bass before I go further with development and manufacturing.

/mrbaloo

 

[Francois Blais]

Personally, it seems somewhat massive to me.
I'd think that the lightest and less obstrusive possible would be my first requirements.
But good luck in the venture!

 

[Maple]

I agree - lighter would seem better. Also, the locking jack looks worrisome.
I would rather the cord get pulled out in the event of some accident than have it yank the strings hard.

Best of luck! I've done similar experiments in the past and some have been reasonably successful

 

[mrbaloo]

Yes, I agree that it seems a bit solid and heavy. But mounted to the bass it is surprisingly small and anonymous. Id I decide to develop the mount, I will design the bracket for "any" cable monted connector.

I didn't find any other quality tele jack except för the Neutrik with locking mechanism. Do you have other brands in mind? But right now I'm really happy with the Neutrik. And it have almost the same dimensions than every other XLR-connectors.

Maybe there are not so big interest in a solution like this after all. So a 3d-printed manufacturing may be a good approach if someone would like a bracket, i.e. single unit batch manufacturing.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Yours is built like a tank, too much mass. I would prefer the solution by Jonas Lohse which is extremely light.
If you want to keep yours for yourself, mount it as close as possible to the tailpiece to give the underlengths room to vibrate.

 

[robobass]

Since it's plastic, it probably isn't as heavy as it looks. Still, I would work on the design to remove material where it isn't needed. Add a bit more radius to the edges, use black flat-head screws... Since you're printing it it would pay to spend more time on the 3D model

 

[mrbaloo]

Yes, the design is not very overworked. But since the infill is 20-30 % the clamp is very light.

Invalid Link Removed
The Switchcraft B3MH panel connector may fit to a bracket solition like the K&K Bass Max. I think that is the most easy way to adapt a bracket for a XLR connector.

When I was shopping for a cable mounted tele jack I didn't think of the switchcraft guitar jacks that sits inside the guitar body. I think that K&K uses some kind of that model. But i'm very happy with my Neutrik connector.

 

[robobass]

Fix the link!!!

Does that connector have the same diameter as a Neutrix XLR housing? That would be advantageous. Otherwise, just add some curves. You have to accommodate people's gut visual reactions, whether they are rational or not.

 

[mrbaloo]

Fix the link!!!

Does that connector have the same diameter as a Neutrix XLR housing? That would be advantageous. Otherwise, just add some curves. You have to accommodate people's gut visual reactions, whether they are rational or not.

The link is fixed.

 

[Francois Blais]

The Neutrik connector you've chosen is very bulky.
I have one here.
I'm not sure that a locking type is a good idea as well.
If something wrong happens, cable being pulled inadvertently, I'd rather seen the cable disconnected then going away with my tailpiece, bridge collapsing, etc...

 

[robobass]

I'm inclined to agree. The most traditional 1/4" mono female jack seems like the best option. Safer, and less bulk.

 

[All Three]

For mounting a jack like that, I recommend Roger Davis's jack mounts. Easy install, and the most secure mount. It's better than any other mounting system that has come with my fischman, or gage pickups. You can even plug in the cable one handed. Message Roger Davis on Talkbass.

 

[mrbaloo]

Ok, I understand the great use of the Roger David's clamp. This is also very similar to the Lando pickup clamp

This is the clamp with the Neutrik connector that I'm using.

This is a great clamp. I will make my own clamp based on this design.

Thank you for letting me know about this type of clamp model.

 

[mrbaloo]

I now have been inspired to work on a design for standard XLR (or 1/4") plugs for chassis mounting. This time the mount is clamped without any tools directly on the strings behind the bridge.

I will try to get the clamp 3d printed so I can test it. It might be somewhat narrow for the strings to fit between the connector and the clamp. I know that the Neutrik CAD geometry is oversized to represent the mounting hole dimensions. So i measured a connector I had at home.

 

[mrbaloo]

The prototype can be seen above!

 

[DoubleMIDI]

The prototype can be seen above!

You can cut off the corners to free the underlengths a bit. Otherwise it looks nice.

 

[mrbaloo]

Made an other prototype, now with tele plug.

I also made my own versions of the Lando Clamp, for both switchcraft tele output jack and neutrik tele jack / XLR jacks.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

You might hide the jack/plug of the Lando-style clamp better if you mount it on the downside of the tailpiece.

 

[Roger Davis]

I have made a few small improvements to my clip. First, it is now all black and secondly I have put an outrigger so that a clip-on mic can be fitted. These iffy photos might help to illustrate.

On the photo of the two clips, the upper image is of a 'normal' chrome jack, including a Full Circle shown here. The lower is for the slightly larger diameter Gage sockets.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Actually an interesting idea to use the tailpiece as an acoustic shield against spill and feedback for a mic. Whether you think you get the optimum sound with a mic placed that low is another question.