Double Bass K&K Double Big Twin Pickup Trouble

[Ampig]

Just had some work done on my bass at a shop about 70 miles from where I live. The bridge was removed and reinstalled in the process. Everything seemed fine when I played it acoustically, but when I got to the gig Saturday night and plugged in to my rig, the "A" string was distorting, especially in first position. Using the preamp blend control, I was able to swap over to the K&K Bass Max wing transducer and there was no distortion. I assume that something happened to the "A" string transducer during the repair. Anybody else have this experience? I'm hoping it's something simple.

 

[froghat]

Anybody else on this? I had some work done on my bass and the K&K Rockabilly pickups (fingerboard and wing) were removed and replaced. A month or so later, the fingerboard started crackling and now the wing is distorting. K&K says they must have been cracked by the repair guy. How fragile are these things anyway? I don't feel overly inclined to by another set if they are that easy to damage.

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Just had some work done on my bass at a shop about 70 miles from where I live. The bridge was removed and reinstalled in the process. Everything seemed fine when I played it acoustically, but when I got to the gig Saturday night and plugged in to my rig, the "A" string was distorting, especially in first position. Using the preamp blend control, I was able to swap over to the K&K Bass Max wing transducer and there was no distortion. I assume that something happened to the "A" string transducer during the repair. Anybody else have this experience? I'm hoping it's something simple.

Check for a loose transducer, or more likely, a buzz or vibration associated with the A string. If only that string 'distorts' it is unlikely to be the transducer next to that string. All four transducers are all picking up every string.

While you or someone else plucks the string use a hand to dampen specific items until you identify what action stops the sound. You may also be able to hear it with the amp off.

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Anybody else on this? I had some work done on my bass and the K&K Rockabilly pickups (fingerboard and wing) were removed and replaced. A month or so later, the fingerboard started crackling and now the wing is distorting. K&K says they must have been cracked by the repair guy. How fragile are these things anyway? I don't feel overly inclined to by another set if they are that easy to damage.

They are not that delicate, but can be damaged if one is not careful when installing or removing them. Most fingerboard transducer noise is caused by a loose installation. It has to be securely flat against the board, and if it is loose and vibrating against the board it will let you know. Press on it, soloing that channel, while playing a note to see if it goes away.

Wing transducer damage seems to come when somebody tries to press it into a too narrow opening in the bridge, or bends the cable where it meets the circular transducer sandwich. The most frequent issue with distortion from a Bass Max is when the preamp and/or amp input is set too high, overloading the amp and causing overdriven distortion. It's a hot pickup and the WWHHHHOOOMPH hit of a string generates a mighty rush of a signal. Hope this helps.