Double Bass K&K Bass Max and Playing Loud

[Stewie]

One thing I added to the Krivo is the Realist Docking Station.

I added a 500K pot and it sucked a lot of the treble out of the signal when I turned it down. I added a treble bleed ( cap and resistor) to help, but it was so bad that I took it off and went back to using the amps knobs.
Does the Realist docking station affect the tone enough to notice? Thanks

 

[Sam Reese]

I added a 500K pot and it sucked a lot of the treble out of the signal when I turned it down. I added a treble bleed ( cap and resistor) to help, but it was so bad that I took it off and went back to using the amps knobs.
Does the Realist docking station affect the tone enough to notice? Thanks

I don't think so because I keep telling myself "the Spiros sound like Spiros" through the Krivo.

 

[Stewie]

I don't think so because I keep telling myself "the Spiros sound like Spiros" through the Krivo.

Was considering one, was $75, now $90, I’ll keep turning the knobs on my amp and stop looking at stuff. The rising prices are just depressing

 

[Ric Vice]

I don't think so because I keep telling myself "the Spiros sound like Spiros" through the Krivo.

Spiro’s sound like Spiro’s through any pickup I’ve ever used which includes the Underwood, Realist (Copper Foil), Upton Revolution Solo,’ KNA-DB1, Planet Wing, and Ehrlund EAP. Just my take.

 

[Ric Vice]

Another factor with the Krivo is that it doesn’t really work for arco. I can’t get an even string to string balance in the lower strings, no matter what set I’ve used (I’ve tried waaaaay to many) and the tone is very low output and nasal, compared to the thick pizz sound. If you go this route, I would keep a piezo on the bass and go for a two channel preamp you can switch over for arco passages. .

Before there were any decent piezo pickups, I had a four adjustable element Paul Tonnenges Magnetic pickup. So you could aim each magnet’s pole piece
at the center of each string and change the distance between each magnet and it’s corresponding string. That balanced the volume level between all four strings.
One the best magnetic pickups for DB, IME was designed by Bartolini for the my Clevenger Keyhole EUB. It had two elements like a Fender precision one for the G and D with another for the A and E. The pickup was specifically designed to track the excursion of the strings, so when you plucked the string the pickup never lost volume. Someone should look into what those guys were doing.

If you look at the bass on the right you’ll see a pair of pickups directly below the fingerboard. Those were designed and manufactured by Bartolini.

 

[sargebaker]

Another factor with the Krivo is that it doesn’t really work for arco. I can’t get an even string to string balance in the lower strings, no matter what set I’ve used (I’ve tried waaaaay to many) and the tone is very low output and nasal, compared to the thick pizz sound. If you go this route, I would keep a piezo on the bass and go for a two channel preamp you can switch over for arco passages. I did this with a Radial Bassbone OB and was very satisfied with the results.

Circling back to running a blend of both pickup: would the Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre be a good solution? There's one available locally at a great price and according to their website it sounds like it should do the job but it looks like there's a single EQ for both channels? Maybe I'm missing something

 

[Wasnex]

Circling back to running a blend of both pickup: would the Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre be a good solution? There's one available locally at a great price and according to their website it sounds like it should do the job but it looks like there's a single EQ for both channels? Maybe I'm missing something

The PZ-Pro has discrete EQ on each channel. PZ-Pro - Radial Engineering

Other two channel options with discrete EQ include the Grace Felix 2 (expensive) FELiX2 Acoustic Instrument and Mic Preamp - Grace Design and the Headway EDB-2 H.E. EDB 2 H.E. – Headway Music Audio

I have no experience with any of these, so this is just a suggestion to do some research.

 

[Ric Vice]

Circling back to running a blend of both pickup: would the Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre be a good solution? There's one available locally at a great price and according to their website it sounds like it should do the job but it looks like there's a single EQ for both channels? Maybe I'm missing something

That's the issue with many of the Radial PZ DI boxes, they do make two with dual channels the Radial Pro PZ DI and the Radial OD DI They are more expensive because they have the extra channel strip.

The Headway EDB 2 (especially used) is a less expensive option. Just my take.

 

[Wasnex]

That's the issue with many of the Radial PZ DI boxes, they do make two with dual channels the Radial Pro PZ DI and the Radial OD DI They are more expensive because they have the extra channel strip. View attachment 4647837 View attachment 4647838 The Headway EDB 2 (especially used) is a less expensive option. Just my take.

View attachment 4647845

Only one channel of EQ on the EDB2.

For separate EQ on each channel you need the newer H.E. version.

 

[sargebaker]

So one of the uses for the Bassbone PZ-Pre on the radial website is switching between upright and electric - but you're really running the same EQ on each channel? Again, I'm a total noob with this stuff, but that doesn't make a ton of sense to me. I can't imagine wanting my upright and my BG EQd exactly the same?

I guess I'll hold out for the pro or the OD (though the overdrive section doesn't seem like it would be super useful)

 

[HateyMcAmp]

Circling back to running a blend of both pickup: would the Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre be a good solution? There's one available locally at a great price and according to their website it sounds like it should do the job but it looks like there's a single EQ for both channels? Maybe I'm missing something

I think it would work, but I prefer the Tonebone OD for two reasons.

1- I like having two easily accessible eq/HPF settings/ gain control for each channel. It makes it much easier to find a good, balanced sound on each channel. I like to scoop the mids a bit for the Krivo in certain rooms but would not enjoy that with the piezo.

2- The Bassbone OD has different inputs on each channel. Channel A has the “PZ-boost” which is high input impedance, which gets along really well with all the piezo I’ve plugged into it (Bassmax, copper realist, full circle.) Channel B has a lower input impedance that is optimized for magnetic pickups. It also had a “drag” feature to really dial in the perfect load for the specific pickup you are using, which IMO is very useful for the Krivo. Basically it allows you to get the ideal input impedance for two very different types of pickups and get them both dialed in the most ideal way.

 

[Wasnex]

So one of the uses for the Bassbone PZ-Pre on the radial website is switching between upright and electric - but you're really running the same EQ on each channel? Again, I'm a total noob with this stuff, but that doesn't make a ton of sense to me. I can't imagine wanting my upright and my BG EQd exactly the same?

I guess I'll hold out for the pro or the OD (though the overdrive section doesn't seem like it would be super useful)

Your instincts are picking up on the important point. Ideally you want separate EQ and gain settings for Upright VS Electric.

If you use two pickups on the upright, you will also want separate EQ and gain for each. A possible exception would be if the pickups include a preamp with gain and tone controls.

 

[Marty Forrer]

I run a Krivo and a Zac Victor piezo. I don't mix them, I have two outputs. One is just a spare. The Krivo sounds better to my ears, and I can crank my 600 watt rig as much as I like. No foam, no towels, no f - hole covers, just volume. I use Eurosonics because I like the gut-like tone, and they work with a magnetic pickup. Mostly I'm playing blues, americana and swamp rock, but even for my occasional jazz gigs I prefer the Krivo.

 

[Ric Vice]

Just to let you know, there are several Headway EDB-2’s for sale in the TB classifieds, even though they have single channel EQ sections,
there’s a channel assign switch for the EQ, each channel has it’s own gain control, and I never found it to be as much of an issue to only have
a single EQ section, granted the new EDB-2 H.E. with dual EQ’s is a nice feature. Just my take,

 

[Stewie]

I always thought it would be cool to have something like an Ampeg 3Pro with a switchable EQ including a volume slider. Switch from doghouse to slab with the push of a button.
I have the screw on my P basses volume knob in such a position that I can set it to equal the volume of my upright by sight. The P bass sounds good enough with the same EQ as the real bass.

 

[sargebaker]

The Krivo showed up today! I got it installed and already I'm able to get way louder through the amp than ever before. I'll be bringing it to the jam tonight but I'm pretty hopeful!

I am a bit disappointed by the finish of the pickup though. It's uhm, rough.

 

[Ric Vice]

We’ll, regardless of it’s cosmetic appearance, at least you can install it without drilling holes into the underside of the fingerboard and mounting it with screws.
Using Velcro is a far less invasive way to install a pickup.

 

[Sam Reese]

Your Krivo looks a bit rougher than mine, but if it sounds good and it's sturdy- cosmetics will be the least of your concerns! Congrats!

 

[Fretless55]

Sold as new, I’d be disappointed with the finish as well!

Hope it fits your (most important) sound needs otherwise.

 

[sargebaker]

Sold as new, I’d be disappointed with the finish as well!

Hope it fits your (most important) sound needs otherwise.

Bought brand new from a retailer. It doesn't really "matter" but...