Double Bass Pickup position and quality of bass?

[Oscar South]

My bass isn't the best quality, its decent (for a laminate) but not perfect, I need to amplify it and I'm either going to buy a K&K Bass Max or Double Big Twin. I read the descriptions on the K&K site about each, will the Double Big Twin bring out more of the 'actual' basses sound, whereas would the Bass Max sound a little more 'generic' but capture less of the cheapness of this bass? I have a preamp to use already.

Thanks.

 

[Bob Branstetter]

A rule of thumb is that a pickup element that is close to the string will bring out more of the string sound and one that is closer to the body will bring out more of the wood sound. However, pickups that are closer to the body may be more prone to feedback at higher volume levels than those that are close to the strings. The trick is to find one that sounds best at your normal playing volume. Some of us here have been trying different pickups for decades and are still looking for the right one.

 

[Oscar South]

So if I put the Double Big Twin on then it should get more of the sound of the decent set of strings and less of the plywood body? Only one way to find out I guess, thats the cheaper one of the two anyway .

 

[bolo]

I've used both. I preferred the sound of the Bass Max over the DBT. I lean toward an "old school" tone with lots of body and wood and thump. The Bass Max had plenty of string and boing in it for my tastes. But the DBT was too bright and zingy and did not have much depth or body to it.

The DBT did sound better however with the original bridge on my bass than it did after I had a new bridge installed about 6 years ago. Go figure. All this is of course just my opinion and my tastes though, so YMMV.

Ultimately though what Bob B. said is right on. With amplified DB and pickups (and strings), the best advice is you just have to try 'em and sort through them yourself with your bass, your ears, and your tastes.

So if I put the Double Big Twin on then it should get more of the sound of the decent set of strings and less of the plywood body? Only one way to find out I guess, thats the cheaper one of the two anyway .

Moving from the practical to the philosophical -

I don't think you should think of the sound of your bass and your strings separately. It's all one thing. Make the bass and strings together sound as good as you can unamped, then move on to the pickup thing.

 

[seamonkey]

One thing you can try as an experiment.
Pick up a piezo pickup (It's the same element used in many bass pickups):
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...gger?sku=444659&src=3WFRWXX&CAWELAID=26032245

And epoxy glue it to a neodymium magnet:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32065&cat=1,42363,42348&ap=1

Glue on a piece of mouse pad to this, to prevent scratching, and provide some non-slip surface.

Then use another magnet to stick it around various places on your bass. The magnets are strong enough to hold through the bridge or on body, with the magnet inside. A wire coat hanger can position the inside the body magnet where you want it.

I find that on the body next to the bass bridge gets a real woody sound off my cheap plywood bass.

Wedging the same pickup in the bass wing, (without the magnet) gives a deep loud bass sound.