PICKUP HELP FOR THE IGNORANT PLEASE!

Check out the Links at the top of the pickup forum. There is a wealth of information there. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive pickup that sounds good, check out the Bass Max that Bob Gollihur sells.

 

Balaclava,
It's a little difficult to assist you without more information. Since there is no way to tell what pickup you are considering, without seeing a picture, which may be difficult for you, or giving us a website for the pickup where we could look at it, but if it's a small local company they probably don't have one.

Generally, most piezo pickups like the one you're describing have to
fit snugly in the wing slots of the bridge to work properly. If they are mounted incorrectly they can't reproduce the sound of the bass. They like a
tight fit. Adrian's suggestion is a good one, since From you post I would gather that you don't live in the U.S.


Ric

 

Balaclava,
That's the funniest web page that I've seen in quite some time. I loved that pictures of all the local groups that gave their testimonials for " BigWood" pickups. This is definitely a small cottage business that's located in Wales. I do remember that Michael Moore had a pickup built in Wales that he was touting at one time, before the Realist was on the market.
I'd use the try before you buy plan if you can afford it. There aren't' any North American pickup designers that will let you do that! It Would have saved most of us over here a lot of expense. It's also reasonably priced from what I can gather.
One of our group did post how to build you're own pickup if you or a friend has some elementary skills in electronics. Here's the link to the post.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=212443

or you can click on the link titled "How to Build A Pickup" under Amps & Pickups.


Let us know how this turns out for you.

Ric

 

I've been using the K&K Bassmax for a couple of years now. I've used it on two different basses, plywood and carved, and it's a fantastic pick-up for the price. I've been able to use it without a pre-amp and run a pretty flat EQ on my small Fender amp. It wedges in the bass side bridge wing and doesn't require much custom fitting, and very unobtrusive.

I've ordered CD's from the UK with no duties I don't think. They were pricey, but I figured that was just the exchange rate. Maybe UK import from USA is different. Gollihur would probably ship anywhere.

On the other hand, the endorsements of the Big Wood are compelling and it mounts in the same location. Endorsements would read similarly for a Bassmax. If the Big Wood is similar and you can try it risking postage, that's not too bad. If you don't like it you can always order a Bassmax later. I don't know what the exchange rate is now, but the Bassmax is usually about U$D 90 sold here.

In the USA, there are three (my favorites) popular lower priced bass transducers, the K&K Bassmax is the best and lowest priced, IMO. The Underwood and the Realist are the other two and they have a good sound also, but cost a little more. The K&K is the easiest to mount. When you aren't electric it comes off, no hassle.

If you try the Big Wood let us know how it works.

 

Have you tried Thomann in Germany? They carry the K&K. No duties inside the EU.

http://www.thomann.de/

 

The Upton Revolution SOLO probably deserves a mention here too I reckon. I have used the SOLO and the K&K Bass Max, and I would recommend either one.

+1.

 

In my experience, the K&K BassMax pales in comparison to the Revolution Solo. The BassMax, for me, was a "hot" pickup with an exagerated lower mid-range that made all three basses on which I had it sound like overgrown BGs. The RS, on the other hand, ends up sounding like a DB.

 

One of the most detailed endorsements of the the Big Wood pick-up talked about moving it around to find what I call the "sweet spot". I had to experiment a little like that with the Bassmax on both of the basses I use it on.

As was mentioned on another thread, even if it is the best pick-up, it won't sound any better than the bass does. I was really surprised how much better my same-old pick-up sounded when I got a better bass with a better set up.

Your first impressions sound encouraging, persevere.