Double Bass Going No-Pickup

[Povl Carstensen]

For what it is worth, here is my "no-pickup" set up:
A Countryman Isomax hyper cardoid mic with 2 x 2 felt washers:

On the bass:


The "side address" design of the Countryman lends it self very well to this kind of application. I realize the small condenser mic can not sound like a large diaphragm etc. But this set up is extremely light and unintrusive. I like that it does not meddle with the afterlengths etc. I take it of for transport and no mike gigs.

 

[Ric Vice]

This is a great mount. One of the last things some designers think of, is how the microphone will mount on the bass. The exceptions being DPA, Remic, Nadine, and AMT. It’s one thing to come up with a great mic, it’s guite another to design an entire system. The H-Clamp or Gollihur onstage doesn’t work on my Mirecourt. Just my take of course.

 

[james condino]

Much to my surprise, Ed actually posted a photo using an amp on Facebook today!!!

 

[Ric Vice]

Much to my surprise, Ed actually posted a photo using an amp on Facebook today!!!

A rare sighting indeed. I have it on good authority he owns a Walter Woods amp

 

[damonsmith]

I just did a gig with tenor, vibraphone, two basses and 'cello. The 'cellist used an amp, basses didn't. It was a bit heavier playing than I expected, an amp would have made things easier on me, but, the basses had a big part in keeping the dynamic and orchestration under control.
I find it a bit harder to form a relationship with other string players if everyone has amps. It seems to affect the natural blend.
there wasn't a leader as such, but, a great tenor player in NY, Ras Moshe, the group was around him. He asked for an uptempo 4/4. I can do a nice "Dave Holland in the '70s" uptempo free walk, it is with a light touch. I just did that and didn't push the volume. I can do with a stronger sound for far less time.

I tend to play "listening rooms" and no amp can really go over well. In more workman like settings, like even the Moroccan Cafe I play in Providence, an amp can just make more sense. It may not be a good idea to push it in certain contexts.

 

[BobbyT]

a sincere question for people who play no amp regularly. I have a plywood, I don't legitimately play classical but I work constantly on Simandl and I only have the one bass, so I like hybrid type strings. My bass is not very bright sounding, but the sound is has is really nice and I love it. I don't want to change basses, and I don't play for a living so I don't have any real pressure to do anything.

Because the bass is pretty quiet, when I play with no amp, I have to play pretty hard to be able to hear myself. The method studies have been a huge boon because I don't freak out if I can't hear myself; my hands kinda know where to go. But that combination of some uncertainty and having to play hard is stressful.

If you're playing no amp, and you feel like you're struggling, are you cool with asking the ensemble to turn down? If my bass is below average in volume, am I maybe screwing up the feel for the ensemble if I'm having to ask them to meet me where I can hear myself?

It's been a while since I tried pizz. focused strings, maybe I'm overestimating how hard it would me for me to bow them? Also I know I've been getting kinda soft backing off the bridge adjusters to get an easier action, maybe I should think about easing myself up a few turns and trying to find a way to make volume with the right hand that doesn't tire me out?

Thanks in advance for any advice; this is something I've been thinking about a lot. I know there's no single right answer but I love the anecdotes people usually have about this kind of stuff.

I have a plywood as well with no immediate plans to upgrade, and I play sans amp when it makes sense to do so. I try not to be fanatical about it, knowing that my bass doesn’t move a ton of air no matter how hard I hit it. Sometimes I need the amp and sometimes I don’t. It’s a judgment call.

In any case, I’m not comfortable asking others to turn down or play softer unless I know them really well and have a good working relationship.

Someone earlier pointed out if a player is physically struggling to achieve the volume needed then there’s a risk of adding tension—which ultimately makes the situation worse. I don’t love using the pickup but it’s a reality we have to live with so I do what I can to make the best of it: use a good preamp, don’t overdo it, etc.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

For what it is worth, here is my "no-pickup" set up:
A Countryman Isomax hyper cardoid mic with 2 x 2 felt washers:
View attachment 3431565
On the bass:
View attachment 3431566
View attachment 3431567
The "side address" design of the Countryman lends it self very well to this kind of application. I realize the small condenser mic can not sound like a large diaphragm etc. But this set up is extremely light and unintrusive. I like that it does not meddle with the afterlengths etc. I take it of for transport and no mike gigs.

My ambition is to be able to amplify without a pickup, when needed. This is my best effort so far. In a small room/standing up against a reflecting wall/corner, I can do without amplification, or at least turn the bass eq down.

 

[james condino]

Some of you are very lucky: "small, quiet listening room"- not a part of the local culture here.....loud, rowdy, and difficult to hear yourself is the dominant theme. Ampless, I may be able to overplay and carry the rhythm section mediocre, but it is impossible to take a solo or hear myself without an amp.