Absolutely not, I have a Realist Lifeline that I'm quite fond of, but if you're looking for something decent and inexpensive, then the KNA DB1 is decent and reasonably priced
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Double Bass Pickup for my upright
- Thread starter RDMJ
- Start date
Absolutely not, I have a Realist Lifeline that I'm quite fond of, but if you're looking for something decent and inexpensive, then the KNA DB1 is decent and reasonably priced
I have a DB-1 mounted on my bass ALL THE TIME. I don't always use it (except on my 'second' bass) but it's there as a reliable backup or for blending. I normally use a mic. Either an Xlson or an Ischell (new model).
As a starter pick-up, Vic’s gets my vote. Sounds decent, doesn’t cost much, easy to install/remove. The KNA might be slightly better, but is somewhat more expensive. For an even better sound, Fishman Full Circle but then we’re talking more serious $$.
What you need for your first pickup is a Yamahiko piezo and an Xlson microphone mixed through a Felix Grace preamp because that’s my favorite.
Don’t get an inexpensive wingslot pickup like a K&K Bassmax or something similar (even though it’s a perfectly logical first step and lots and lots of good bassists have sounded just fine using this type of pickup). And if you are foolish enough to get one just freakin’ jam it into the bridge. Don’t waste time getting that perfect snug but not too tight fit (even though any sane person will tell you that’s essential to finding a usable sound). And whatever you do don’t use saxophone reeds as shims to fit it...that’ll make it too easy. And for the love of god don’t file the slot in the bridge so both faces of the pickup sit perfectly flush against the wood (even though that’s critical to getting the best out of this type of pickup). And don’t even consider thinking about asking a luthier to help you install it if you’re not completely confident doing it yourself. You can always talk to her after you break the pickup and ruin your bridge.
Hope I was clear enough.
Don’t get an inexpensive wingslot pickup like a K&K Bassmax or something similar (even though it’s a perfectly logical first step and lots and lots of good bassists have sounded just fine using this type of pickup). And if you are foolish enough to get one just freakin’ jam it into the bridge. Don’t waste time getting that perfect snug but not too tight fit (even though any sane person will tell you that’s essential to finding a usable sound). And whatever you do don’t use saxophone reeds as shims to fit it...that’ll make it too easy. And for the love of god don’t file the slot in the bridge so both faces of the pickup sit perfectly flush against the wood (even though that’s critical to getting the best out of this type of pickup). And don’t even consider thinking about asking a luthier to help you install it if you’re not completely confident doing it yourself. You can always talk to her after you break the pickup and ruin your bridge.
Hope I was clear enough.
The standard you see most often in the original copper Realist. It is fine. Just get one of those and be done with it. What you will find is that a double bass specific amp is more important that which one of the basic pick ups you might use.
I'm not a fan of the position of the copper Realist. I much prefer the Lifeline.
Thank you all for your wise and experienced thoughts on my pick up decision. I have taken it down to two possibilities, David Gage Realist Life Line or the Fishman Full Circle. Both about the same cost and both highly recommended from many of you. Seems pretty much a coin flip but the Life Lines looks easier to install. Any last thoughts toward these two choices?
Thanks again for all your input.
Thanks again for all your input.
I have the Lifeline but wanted to try out the Full Circle. The Full Circle is still sitting here waiting to be installed - two years after I bought it. So, yeah, the Lifeline is less invasive. Wish I could give you some feedback on sonic differences.
When the original Realist I used for ten years died I seriously considered the Full Circle before going with the Life Line. But Fishman dropped the ball using super thin non-replaceable wires coming out of the pickup. Besides that they royally screwed Yamahiko who they “borrowed” the design from.
BTW your amp is a good choice. With a nice preamp in front of it that thing could serve you well for many years.
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Vote for the Full Circle. An excellent value. The installation position -somewhere in the middle of the bridge- is working at its best (not only body sound, not only string sound, but a good mix). I've tried many pickups, this is a keeper for 15 years and with no problems. I'm pairing it with a Headway 2 channel preamp always having good results.
That's just me!
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For what it's worth, I recommend a pickup that works well without a pre-amp. Keep it simple to start.
Ok, final decision (drum roll……why do drummers always get that fun…)
I have ordered the Realist Life Line. It will be a nice compliment to my Traynor SB110 with no preamp.
Thanks again for everybody’s expertise and knowledge.
I have ordered the Realist Life Line. It will be a nice compliment to my Traynor SB110 with no preamp.
Thanks again for everybody’s expertise and knowledge.
It's a good choice. If for some reason you don't like it or outgrow it, you can flip it here or keep it in your bag as a backup, since you could install it during a setbreak, if you had to.
^^^ What Troy said! This is a good, straight ahead setup that should work really well for anyone. You should be able to use this setup for a very long time before you start overthinking it, like most of us do
Agreeing that your best bet is a pickup that doesn’t need a preamp I had a thought. This will no doubt cause obsessive hand wringing from the puritan MBOL quarter but the most simple, foolproof pickup I’ve got is a Krivo magnetic.
Pros
1. No preamp required.
2. Goes much MUCH louder before feeding back.
3. Because of points 1&2 it’s easier to dial in a sound with whatever amp is convenient.
4. Dead simple to install.
5. Not prone to failure or wearing out.
6. Because of all the above becomes a great backup when it’s not your main pickup.
Cons
1. It won’t sound as “natural” as a piezo that works really well on your particular bass.
2. You’ll become the target of the MBOL cops.
Something you’ll hear (very shortly no doubt) is that a magnetic pickup sounds like a “giant P Bass”. This is not true of the Krivo. It is intentionally microphonic and grabs more a airy sound than any magnetic pickup I’ve heard. It might not sound as natural as a great piezo but it still sounds good. And it’s waaaaay better than a crappy sounding piezo.
It’s good to consider all options.
Pros
1. No preamp required.
2. Goes much MUCH louder before feeding back.
3. Because of points 1&2 it’s easier to dial in a sound with whatever amp is convenient.
4. Dead simple to install.
5. Not prone to failure or wearing out.
6. Because of all the above becomes a great backup when it’s not your main pickup.
Cons
1. It won’t sound as “natural” as a piezo that works really well on your particular bass.
2. You’ll become the target of the MBOL cops.
Something you’ll hear (very shortly no doubt) is that a magnetic pickup sounds like a “giant P Bass”. This is not true of the Krivo. It is intentionally microphonic and grabs more a airy sound than any magnetic pickup I’ve heard. It might not sound as natural as a great piezo but it still sounds good. And it’s waaaaay better than a crappy sounding piezo.
It’s good to consider all options.
