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Double Bass K&K Bass Max pickup

E

Ed Harrison

Sep 28, 2003
2
0
51
UK, London.
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#1
Hi everyone

I use 2 Bass Max pickups (one on each wing of my bridge) which run into a K&K Dual Channel preamp and then into a AI Focus and EA Wizzy cab. I've had this set up for many years and I love the sound.

However, on the last couple of gigs I've done (including last night) I've had problems with the amplified sound on the lowest 2 strings. 'Something' has temporarily cut out. The first time this happened was on a latin jazz gig when I probably turned the volume up too high.

When I try to identify the source of the problem at home, it all seems to be fine again.

Does anyone have any ideas, advice or has experienced the same issue? I suspect it's the pickup on the bass wing but I'm not 100% sure

Regards
Ed Harrison
 
#2
The source of the intermittent problem could be anywhere in the chain from the piezo disks on that side through to the corresponding channel in the pre-amp. The most likely cause is an intermittent connection. You mention, though, that you suspect it had some relation to the level you chose. That's not likely but, if that's really the case, then the front end of the pre-amp would be the likely-trouble spot. I suggest that you start by wiggling and stressing all of the connection-points beginning at the "neck" of the pickup through to the input at the pre-amp. You might also try swapping the inputs at the pre-amp and testing whether the problem follows the switch or not. That is, whether the problem switches to the upper pickup or remains with the lower. FWIW, I've found the K&K pre-amps to be quite poorly designed and built.
 
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#3
Since the pickups are identical, you could quickly and easily pop them both out and swap their positions. If the imbalanced volume "moves" to the D and G, you've narrowed down that the problem is in the one particular pickup (or its wiring).

If it stays the same, it could be a preamp problem, or perhaps a bass problem (Check out threads on the Underwood pickup, which on some basses actually sounds better and fuller with one element dangling rather than installed).
 
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