Double Bass Pickup for my upright

[Jeff Kissell]

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.

I liked the sound but not the form factor...
Your fear/antagonistic obsession with the MBOL Police is quaint... you will be assimilated.

 

[iAsh]

26096719[/URL], member: 49678"]I liked the sound but not the form factor...

I’ve had that thought too. But as soon as it’s installed and I’m playing it goes away completely.

edit. I just looked at the latest version and Jason has improved it since I got mine a few years ago. It seems more compact and the mounting system is a whole lot better.

Your fear/antagonistic obsession with the MBOL Police is quaint... you will be assimilated.

It’s possible. I’ve been through rehab but it’s still one day at a time. The tinfoil hat helps.

 

[Earl]

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.

I really liked the Krivo when I used all steel strings for a short time. Does not work with gut though.

 

[Sam Reese]

I used my Krivo last night at a gig. I also have a Lifeline installed. My recommendation is to eventually get a preamp (if your amp doesn't have an XLR output) because you might need to plug your Lifeline into a PA someday.

 

[damonsmith]

More than most threads, this one is really full of bad advice. The OP is asking about a basic, first pick up. Not whatever wacky ideas people have arrived at! It is also not, "list your pick up".
Krivos make your bass sound far worse than nice Fender, and are only helpful in the rarest of situations. Full Circles and other invasive pick ups that require a trip the a luthier are also the wrong tools for this job.
We don't have to go so far back but, in the 1990s, a Fishman clip on or an Underwood were the most common and standard. Since the late 1990s it has been the Realist as the standard.
Note that I am not recommending the Soundclip, which I use and like very much - it is far too expensive for an entry level pick up.
The Lifeline will be fine, the basic copper Realist is solid and possibly cheaper.

 

[RDMJ]

I used my Krivo last night at a gig. I also have a Lifeline installed. My recommendation is to eventually get a preamp (if your amp doesn't have an XLR output) because you might need to plug your Lifeline into a PA someday.

I used my Krivo last night at a gig. I also have a Lifeline installed. My recommendation is to eventually get a preamp (if your amp doesn't have an XLR output) because you might need to plug your Lifeline into a PA someday.

The Traynor SB110 does have an XLR output. I made sure of this prior to the purchase.
Thanks.

 

[iAsh]

26098062[/URL], member: 72930"]
Krivos make your bass sound far worse than nice Fender, and are only helpful in the rarest of situation.

You’ve got so much to offer then you go and stink the place out with this ^^^?
I’m not saying using a Krivo you’ll sound like Charlie Haden but man, if this is your idea of worse than a Fender you need to go plug in an actual Fender and refresh your memory.

 

[bassmanbrent]

Full Circles and other invasive pick ups that require a trip the a luthier are also the wrong tools for this job.

If their bass has standard sized bridge adjusters installed, there is no need to see a luthier. It's a pretty simple job.

 

[Sam Reese]

Mostly playing folk/bluegrass and getting into jazz.

The Lifeline will serve you well. Have fun and enjoy. Don't be afraid to use your EQ on your amp.

 

[Earl]

You’ve got so much to offer then you go and stink the place out with this ^^^?
I’m not saying using a Krivo you’ll sound like Charlie Haden but man, if this is your idea of worse than a Fender you need to go plug in an actual Fender and refresh your memory.

Well he WAS introduced on this video as playing 'bass guitar' so maybe Damon is right after all!

 

[iAsh]

Well he WAS introduced on this video as playing 'bass guitar' so maybe Damon is right after all!

Lol the irony didn’t escape me even though it’s completely beside the point. I suspect the guy in the vid was also playing electric bass on the gig.

If Damon doesn’t like the NHOP kinda sound that’s perfectly fine but it’s far from “far worse than a nice Fender”. Laying a vehemently negative personal opinion on the OP as gospel isn’t doing him a service. This is about helping a guy by giving him options and experience based opinions. It’s not about not forcing those opinions down his throat.