Double Bass Old Barcus Berry pickup/piezo

[joost herweijer]

Below photo is a (what I was told) Barcus Berry pickup which I bought in the early 1980s from a double bass shop in Amsterdam.

Would anyone know what type its and have some specs? Also, if anyone uses the same pickup could you share some tips how to get the best sound out of it?

Thanks, Joost

 

[SAlcott]

Looks like an Underwood to me. If both elements still work, you should be able to get a decent sound using it. There are probably a lot of posts about proper installation on TB.

 

[lurk]

Below photo is a (what I was told) Barcus Berry pickup which I bought in the early 1980s from a double bass shop in Amsterdam.

Would anyone know what type its and have some specs? Also, if anyone uses the same pickup could you share some tips how to get the best sound out of it?
That's an Underwood. Fits in the bridge slots, which may need some gentle sanding to open them up or shims if they're too big. Some folks like the sound with just one element. If this is the case for you, you can clip the other off. I got a better sound with both elements and a preamp. For me, my bass, etc etc, it's a little nasal and honky. Strong point was the way it handled loud situations.
Thanks, Joost


View attachment 3064430

 

[Ric Vice]

Below photo is a (what I was told) Barcus Berry pickup which I bought in the early 1980s from a double bass shop in Amsterdam.

Would anyone know what type its and have some specs? Also, if anyone uses the same pickup could you share some tips how to get the best sound out of it?

Thanks, Joost


View attachment 3064430

Agreed, it's not a Barcus Berry, it's definitely an Underwood. You'll need to fit it snugly into the Wing Slots of your bridge. If it's to tight, the slots need to be widened a bit. If it's to loose you'll have to use narrow wooden shims

to get it to stay in place. It needs a buffer/preamp with to get the best sound out of it. Underwood Pickups. Take a look at the video in FAQ's as a rough guide, but I'd cut some little wooden shims based on the thickness of the cards. Although the business card will work in a pinch, it's going to be really ugly looking, if you don't trim them smaller and the surface of the cards is to slick IMHO. Here's the Underwood installation guide.

 

[B String]

Hey... Just for info. If the pickup is that old it might have a serial number on one of the elements. Is there a number on it? Also, you're probably going to need a buffer preamp of some sort to get the best sound out of it. You don't have to spend much but for most guys its pretty important to use one for optimum sound.