• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Pick up options.

J

James Gibson

Mar 3, 2007
266
4
Brooklyn, NY
www.myspace.com
#1
Hello everyone,

I'm looking to start experimenting with some different pick up options. I'm working with slightly less than a student's budget, so if I can borrow some knowledge from you guys it would be much appreciated.

Currently, I have the Shadow Nanoflex (like a Realist, except under both bridge feet, with a battery-powered preamp w/Volume and Tone knobs) as well as a K&K Bass Max on my instrument. I'd been favoring the Nanoflex for a while, until recently. I compared it to my professor's, and it seems mine is putting out substantially less volume. As of late I've been using the Bass Max.

I've tried the Revolution Solo on my bass, and found it to produce an extremely nasal sound. I know of the Realist (does anyone have any experience with the wooden model?), Underwood, and Full Circle. I don't think I'm ready to spend the money on a clip mic.

So my question: <EDIT: Which pickup would you advise?> [DEL]What pickups are favorable?[/DEL] Maybe something I've not heard of yet?

Additional information which may help: If I'm playing amplified, it's almost entirely pizz, though I'm moving toward working more arco playing into my solo language. I've been playing EP Weichs, but I recently replaced them with my old Spiro Mittels.

Any input is appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
 
#2
The Full Circle is the best sounding pickup I have used to date(and I have owned most of them out there). The Realist is a close second. Depends on the sound you are trying to achieve. I just find the Full Circle to be very clear and even sounding. It has good output as well.
 
#3
I'm going to be honest with you. It totally depends on your bass and you just have to try different pickups until you find one you like and then you mess with amplification and strings until everything sounds as close as you can get to your ideal sound. There really isn't any shortcut. ANYTHING anybody says on here is just what worked on their bass, with their strings, their amp and their fingers.

I have multiple basses. What works on one bass doesn't on the others (and that's with the same player, strings and amp). I'm running a BP-100 on the main bass and it sounds great. I tried a Realist on that bass and it sucked big time. On the back up bass, the BP-100 makes fingernails on a blackboard sound like a symphony it is so bad but the Realist sounds great. I've tried with varying degrees of failure, Schertler Stat and Dyn B, K&K, Bassmax, Shadow, Planet Wing and Underwood. The only one I haven't tried yet although I have one on the shelf is a Full Circle. Lots of people like the Full Circle so it would be a good place to start if you can afford it. You'd probably want to have a luthier install it for you. The Realist is probably the easiest to install and you can easily do it yourself and it also has a lot of fans. The biggest drawback of the Realist is it tends to feedback at a lower volume than most of the others so if you're looking to play at ear bleeding volumes, it probably isn't the pickup for you.

Good luck.

mark
 
#6
calivox said:
I'm going to be honest with you. It totally depends on your bass and you just have to try different pickups until you find one you like and then you mess with amplification and strings until everything sounds as close as you can get to your ideal sound. There really isn't any shortcut. ANYTHING anybody says on here is just what worked on their bass, with their strings, their amp and their fingers.

I have multiple basses. What works on one bass doesn't on the others (and that's with the same player, strings and amp). I'm running a BP-100 on the main bass and it sounds great. I tried a Realist on that bass and it sucked big time. On the back up bass, the BP-100 makes fingernails on a blackboard sound like a symphony it is so bad but the Realist sounds great. I've tried with varying degrees of failure, Schertler Stat and Dyn B, K&K, Bassmax, Shadow, Planet Wing and Underwood. The only one I haven't tried yet although I have one on the shelf is a Full Circle. Lots of people like the Full Circle so it would be a good place to start if you can afford it. You'd probably want to have a luthier install it for you. The Realist is probably the easiest to install and you can easily do it yourself and it also has a lot of fans. The biggest drawback of the Realist is it tends to feedback at a lower volume than most of the others so if you're looking to play at ear bleeding volumes, it probably isn't the pickup for you.

Good luck.

mark
Click to expand...

I appreciate it. I expected that would be the case, with basses differing so much. I figured it was worth a shot asking though. The information regarding your various basses preferring different pickups is especially helpful though.


steve_n_his_urb said:
It may be worth checking the bridge is sitting nicely on your shadow pickup before you blow money on something else. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I definitely plan to do that. I really like the sound I get from the Shadow. The problem is, I recently bought a new head that has the tonal possibilities and wattage to last me for quite a while as I see what kind of work I can find in music. I hate having to over compensate on the gain and volume knobs for that pickup's output shortcomings. The closest qualified luthier is about 4 hours away, so it all depends on when I can make the trip and not miss too much school/gigs. There's a shop in town that could probably just take a look at the bridge's contact with the top, but I wouldn't feel good about having them do any work on my instrument.

Thanks for the answers. If anyone else has any opinions, I'd appreciate it.
 
#7
I wouldn't hesitate to suggest you try an Underwood, especially as you're on a budget. Try it with both elements and with one element (best results probably on E string side). You might get better results running it into a preamp, too. Your Shadow pre might work fine with it. Underwood's are easy on and off, so maybe you can try a fellow bass player's before you buy.

I used one professionally for over 20 years and it served me very well.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back