Double Bass Decent Upright Bass pickup with onboard volume control

[BobKay]

Regardless of what pickup you decide on, you might consider using an FDeck preamp - it has volume control, phase reverse switch, AND a high pass filter, which many of us find very useful in dealing with some of the issues you will encounter as soon as you try to amplify your DB. It is small and light, and can easily be attached to your bass using Velcro. Or, I think you can use it with a belt clip. Just another thought as you start down the rabbit hole of amplification.

 

[Sam Reese]

In spite of naysayers, in the real world, the Docking Station is transparent and has no ill affect on your signal.

 

[Ric Vice]

Since I’ve had no experience with the Realist Docking Station. I can’t comment on that device. So I’ll leave it to our experts to sort that out.
With my bass and the Ehrlund, Realist, or Planet Wing, a 2 to 5 Megohm impedance sounds ideal, a Grace or Headway preamp provides this.

 

[eh_train]

The Shadow SH-965NFX has an impedance buffer with a volume knob that mounts to the underlengths.

This one could be a neat do-it-all solution. I had one on a bass for a while and never quite got what I wanted from it. But, with the right bass and strings, it could work...

 

[Ed Fuqua]

No upright bass pickup has a volume control on it. They are all intended to be plugged into something else that will have a volume control / eq / etc.

Having said that, you should check this out, it can be used with any pickup.
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The realist Lifeline and Copperhead are easy to install, as is the Fishman BP100. I personally use a Fishman Full Circle, which requires professional installation.

Check this site for more info and options - Pickups and Microphones - Page 1 - Gollihur Music

That’s not accurate, the Realist Soundclip has a volume control.

 

[notabene]

The Erlund pickup uses a preamp, which has a volime control, which lives on the tailpiece. I sometimes use it with the full circle. Works well.

 

[damonsmith]

That’s not accurate, the Realist Soundclip has a volume control.

I am really happy with mine. I caved in to pressure to use it in a recording session and was pleasantly surprised by the results.
The retail price is too high for how it performs, but if you can find a used one, it is a great pick up. I've never owned a preamp. I do use double bass specific amps, which have the right impedance for piezo pick ups.
If you are doubling or using backline a preamp is an important tool to have.

 

[Jefenator]

I've found a good active buffer/hpf is very, very beneficial. That fDeck unit fits the bill. The cheapest model doesn't have a volume control - I was happy after I upgraded to the next model up. For a while I used foam and velcro to mount it to my tailpiece. That was handy, except when it came time to do battery changes. Now I just leave it on the floor or up on the amp. Not as handy as having it onboard, but good enough for my needs. A minor level tweak here & there and I am usually good to go; YMMV.

 

[Seth Shonefeld]

"Your Mileage May Vary" is what came up on a web search. "Your move My Victory"? :j I give in. What's YMMV?

 

[Sam Reese]

Your Mileage May Vary

 

[Leo Smith]

That’s not accurate, the Realist Soundclip has a volume control.

“The (David Gage) SoundClip sports features that are not found on any other pickup. The on-board volume knob gives the player full control to adjust output on the spot. The innovative variable weight system helps to contour tone, and it's fully adaptable to all playing situations.” So you can revise that first sentence.

Never heard of this pickup, so I stand corrected.

 

[Earl]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] plus a pickup. I plug my Krivo in, but could also plug my Realist Lifeline in.

I wonder what the input impedance is on the Docking Station?

 

[damonsmith]

Never heard of this pickup, so I stand corrected.

It is a VERY handy feature. I use it a lot more than I thought I would.

 

[robert_stuart]

I'd like a volume pot on the instrument that's post-compression. I don't know any way to get that.

 

[Sam Reese]

I wonder what the input impedance is on the Docking Station?

If anyone can tell me how to measure it, I'll measure it!
EDIT: I guess I need an impedance tester. I'm not going to build one. Anybody know if it's available for purchase anywhere?

 

[Matthijs]

Another vote for the Shadow Nh 965nfx it has a volume control and a ime pretty useless tonecontrol. It also elliminates the need for a high impedance bass amp, as the buffering pre amp is integrated.
It suits my bass and my playing, but as with all DB pickups, it needs to fit your bass. And wether or not it does can not be predicted by someone elses experiences.
I can say I have to play my bass in a pretty loud dance hall/big band. The Shadow does that pretty good.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Another vote for the Shadow Nh 965nfx it has a volume control and a ime pretty useless tonecontrol. It also elliminates the need for a high impedance bass amp, as the buffering pre amp is integrated.
It suits my bass and my playing, but as with all DB pickups, it needs to fit your bass. And wether or not it does can not be predicted by someone elses experiences.
I can say I have to play my bass in a pretty loud dance hall/big band. The Shadow does that pretty good.

I had one about fifteen years ago which failed but the dealer replaced it because apparently, the film elements were redesigned. Have to deal with battery replacement? It sounded good though.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Yes, the tone control for the Shadow NFX is useless. I always leave it at the brightest setting.

I’m rather sure that the Gage Docking only has a switch and a pot inside.
The switch to remove the pot from the signal path if switched off making a direct 1:1 connection.
I would measure the resistance from hot to shield on the input side, so connect two cables (other end not connected) on both sides of the docking station and use a MegOhms setting on your multimeter to measure from hot to shield. The pot can be set anywhere, but not in the pass-through position.

Kerp in mind that the docking station pot resistance and the amp input impedance are connected in parallel, so the resulting impedance is lower than the lower one of both. Worst case is both are the same, then the result is half the impedance of one of them.

 

[Matthijs]

I had one about fifteen years ago which failed but the dealer replaced it because apparently, the film elements were redesigned. Have to deal with battery replacement? It sounded good though.

Mine is working fine for about five years now. The battery lasts a pretty long time. I play amplified about once or twice a week and the battery lasts me about year.

i did wreck the control unit though when I changed the battery in a rush. That was totally user error though. I made a new control/battery box without controls, but with a low battery led.

It would be a great idea if the tone control on the original box was replaced with a separate volume or blend for the treble side pickup.

 

[jj.833]

I have had a good experience with Realist copperhead and lifeline. None with sound clip. Recently I bought Ehrlund EAP, which sounds much more realistic than Copperhead or lifeline. It's more expensive, but not so much. If you have a nice sounding bass, I would definitely consider it.