Double Bass Instrument cable plug in near the pin --- how to do this?

[robert_stuart]

So Eastman has a cello model they call Electro Acoustic. This is what I've dreamed of: instead of my Full Circle, which I've tripped over and ripped out of the strings multiple times:

Has anyone seen a Bass pickup or wiring strategy that could get close to this? I.e., taking the stress of the cable connection off of the strings, and down by the pin?

Upton Bass's Revolution Solo is designed to be much more visually harmonious than the Full Circle, but I'm not sure if it relieves stress off the bridge and tailpiece: The jack does point straight down, though, so that's a little better than the FC's pointing straight out.

 

[Francois Blais]

The Underwood's jack is perpendicular to the tailpiece, pointing sideways.
The Ehrlund typically plugs in its preamp which can be mounted on the tailpiece.
I understand both of these are using the tailpiece though, but probably not much prown to accidental unplugging.

 

[Steven Ayres]

That's kind of a retro idea. The original Ampeg system was built into the body, and you had a special cable that screwed onto the side of the (hollow) endpin to get signal out. It's a real PIA if you want to make a change.

I have to wonder whether you're overthinking the 'stress on the strings' idea. Each string is already pulling at nearly 100 pounds, a couple more ounces isn't gonna make an appreciable difference.

 

[fdeck]

My general purpose jack mounting scheme might be profitably used here. I've done this with the jacks from a variety of pickup brands, including the Full Circle, from which I removed the little mounting plate. Wrap the jack in one or two layers of bicycle innertube rubber. Further attach to the tailpiece with a zip tie or one of those velcro cable wraps.

The jack could also be attached with zip ties across the tailgut at the bottom of the bass, but relatively few pickups have long enough wires. I've done the bottom mounting in this way on my cello, when my son was using it for an amplified thing of some sort.

 

[Ric Vice]

View attachment 3663054

Has anyone seen a Bass pickup or wiring strategy that could get close to this? I.e., taking the stress of the cable connection off of the strings, and down by the pin?

Frankly, the simplest way to mount a 1/4" jack, is a plastic pipe clamp strung through ball end at the bottom of the G string inside the tailpiece. Then push the 1/4" jack through the pipe clamp and tightened the string.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I actually like the FC mounting jack facing out, as it has always helped my cable clear the front of the body of the bass. Whenever I have a lower mount, I have to take care that the cable doesn't sag in on its way to the floor to touch the top, which creates a distracting vibration while playing.

Technically, though, it should not be too difficult to fashion an extension cable from most standard pickup wires to a lower point on the bass. I like @fdeck 's idea of mounting the "new" jack across the tailgate wires.

 

[robert_stuart]

Sounds like I might need to just practice not tripping over my own wire.

 

[robert_stuart]

Or... attach one of these to the bass and use the second endpin hole for a jack.



UPGRADE: Upton Bass Endpin Angle Block

I may hack my cheap bass like that...

 

[Don Kasper]

A 90degree plug will help keep your cable well within your personal footprint on stage.
I keep a heavy shoelace tied on the endpin socket to tie and hold the cable as a strain relief, and keep it from wandering.
See below.
I know...I know....TMI.

 

[robert_stuart]

I keep a heavy shoelace tied on the endpin socket...

That's actually the easiest way to accomplish this without modifying the bass. Thanks!

 

[Roger Davis]

This is my go-to solution for all my pickups, in this case a full circle. The fixing is sufficiently firm to allow one handed jack connection and keeps the wires out of harm's way. Pic is upside down.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

@Don Kasper what is happening in that first picture? It looks like the bottom half of the barrel plug turns from silver to black and goes all the way down to the top. Then there appears to be a flat black wire leading to the black part, and a silk wrapped curly wire that looks like a string end going through the top of the bass at that spot.

 

[james condino]

 

[Roger Davis]

I see what you did there. Very tidy!

 

[sean_on_bass]

I generally wrap the 1/4" cable around the tail piece a few times before plugging into the pickup jack. Sort of the equivalent of an electric bassist running a cable through the shoulder strap/pin touch point. If someone were to trip on the cable it would tug at the tail piece rather than the pickup jack.

 

[Ric Vice]

I purchased a couple of these from Jonas Lohse, they work very well. Provided, they fit the string cutout in your tailpiece.

 

[Don Kasper]

@Don Kasper what is happening in that first picture? It looks like the bottom half of the barrel plug turns from silver to black and goes all the way down to the top. Then there appears to be a flat black wire leading to the black part, and a silk wrapped curly wire that looks like a string end going through the top of the bass at that spot.

View attachment 3663369

Really, Chris. Such language. Think of the children...
The Barrel has the B-Band logo - that is the color change. There is adequate clearance between the Barrel and the Top.(Optical Confusion!)
The flat black "wire" is actually a flat film, made of the electret material that ends in the bridge wing.
The "curly wire" is a twisted pair that leads to a 9v. battery & holder velcro-ed to the back of the tailpiece.
Any Questions?

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Really, Chris. Such language. Think of the children...
The Barrel has the B-Band logo - that is the color change. There is adequate clearance between the Barrel and the Top.(Optical Confusion!)
The flat black "wire" is actually a flat film, made of the electret material that ends in the bridge wing.
The "curly wire" is a twisted pair that leads to a 9v. battery & holder velcro-ed to the back of the tailpiece.
Any Questions?

TLDR translation: your bass matches your music room. Got it.

 

[Don Hergert]

Sounds like I might need to just practice not tripping over my own wire.

Ummm, if you're worried about tripping over the cable on the floor, why not just go Wireless? (NFI)