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Double Bass Pickup/Preamp combinations you've owned
- Thread starter Limezone
- Start date
Another Biesle user here.For a magnetic pickup it sounds gorgeous at mid volumes .Should play an electric when things get louder.
K7K trinity mic paired with either Bass Max Pro or Big Double Twin, thru Raven Labs blender to AI.
this works just great
finally, I have stopped searching for "the sound" in amplification equipment
this works just great
finally, I have stopped searching for "the sound" in amplification equipment
Funny seeing this thread come back again after 6 months. I've found a nice combination recently for my American Standard upright.
Underwood ---> Fishman ProEQ ---> SWR WM12
For the low volume acoustic blues gigs, it's nicely focused without feedback in the room where I've found nothing to work well. Perhaps a little bright on the G string (Obligatos), but that can be dealt with on the ProEQ. I've kept that preamp in mind over the years from Brian Rost's comments about it.
Previous rigs used the Fishman Model B preamp, the Baggs GigPro preamp...didn't like either of these as well as the ProEQ.
I've also used a BassMax for awhile, but too much fundamental with this bass...a homemade stick-on piezo from a RA buzzer...and originally...the old Polytone brass thingy that went between the bridge feet.
Tornadobass
Underwood ---> Fishman ProEQ ---> SWR WM12
For the low volume acoustic blues gigs, it's nicely focused without feedback in the room where I've found nothing to work well. Perhaps a little bright on the G string (Obligatos), but that can be dealt with on the ProEQ. I've kept that preamp in mind over the years from Brian Rost's comments about it.
Previous rigs used the Fishman Model B preamp, the Baggs GigPro preamp...didn't like either of these as well as the ProEQ.
I've also used a BassMax for awhile, but too much fundamental with this bass...a homemade stick-on piezo from a RA buzzer...and originally...the old Polytone brass thingy that went between the bridge feet.
Tornadobass
Tornadobass, I have a simialr setup.
Underwood - Fishman Model G-SWR WM 10
And my bass is a '52 Kay MB-1
Underwood - Fishman Model G-SWR WM 10
And my bass is a '52 Kay MB-1
K & K Bass Max and Golden Trinity going to a Raven-Labs PMB-1 (great box, BTW), which goes to either a GK-MB-150E, or an AI Contra depending on how I feel. I also have an EA CXL-112 driven by an AI Clarus (I wait with bated breath for a call from WW...). Anecdote: The first time I saw John Repucci play, I took a sly look at how he'd set up his GK-150, and saw that everything was vertical, ie. no cut or boost anywhere, which just goes to prove that JR's fabulous sound is in his fingers... (either that, or he'd carefully fixed his settings, and re-attached the knobs so that they were all at 12 o'clock, just to fool idiots such as me... 
)
- Wil
)- Wil
JeffreyG,
The setup I described is the best I've found yet (at moderate cost) for small gigs. Going to Obligato strings was a nice touch to the sound, too.
Tornadobass
The setup I described is the best I've found yet (at moderate cost) for small gigs. Going to Obligato strings was a nice touch to the sound, too.
Tornadobass
I agree re. Obligatos - I love the sound I get with them, they're good for arco, and even in this hot weather, they stay in tune like you wouldn't believe!
After many years of trying different pups and amps, I've arrived at a Barbera bridge, an SWR 4x8 cabinet, and Trace Elliot 12band head.
Previous crap includes; SWR WM12, GK MB150s, Fishman BP100 with Blender and Crown mic, Shadow, Underwood, Trace 100-15, AER bass cube, Roland bass cube.
My current setup is way better than any of the previous stuff. I use no eq, other than pulling down the bass frequencies about 3db. I have the horn in the cab switched off. This rig sounds real good in an intimate setting, and has the grunt for a rockabilly or country gig. The only downside is it's a little bulky for an intimate retaurant gig.
Previous crap includes; SWR WM12, GK MB150s, Fishman BP100 with Blender and Crown mic, Shadow, Underwood, Trace 100-15, AER bass cube, Roland bass cube.
My current setup is way better than any of the previous stuff. I use no eq, other than pulling down the bass frequencies about 3db. I have the horn in the cab switched off. This rig sounds real good in an intimate setting, and has the grunt for a rockabilly or country gig. The only downside is it's a little bulky for an intimate retaurant gig.
I once used a DiMarzio contact pickup for a hastily arranged recording session. An engineer pressed on the pickup with his finger while I played to get a stronger signal. A mike could not be used because I was in the same room as the drums!
My bass teacher plays for a local band (Lamont Cranston) and plays out of a Walter Woods amp... He lost his paper work, and I was wondering if anyone here could give me the man's number/some way of contacting him... I want an amp from him, but can't get a hold of him... a lot of you speak of walter woods, so I s'pose you may know
Cheers,
Evan
Cheers,
Evan
Realist/Golden Trinity mic into K&K preamp to either Clarus head or Walter Woods into Acme B1 or Raezer's Edge 8T. I try to have as much Trinity mic sound as possible in the mix.
Marcus Johnson said:
Marcus
What do you think the chances are of me reproducing this miracle with a Realist, Bass Max and Radio Shack Y-cord?
I've poured over the threads looking for solutions to the common Realist complaint of muddy sound. Your post seems to be the closest thing to an unqualified, relatively inexpensive solution.
kwd said:
Holy ancient history, Batman! The Realist has disintegrated, I gave the Underwood away, even the bass has been sold. But I guess it's worth a try. Part of the reason it worked for me might be that I was running through my Contra (also up for replacement), which is pretty forgiving when it comes to accepting pickups with no preamp.
progressive order:
underwood through the fishman pre (bad)
underwood + audio technica mic through fishman blender (tolerable)
then the realist hit, so i just used that for a while, sans preamp (better)
now i've got realist, k&k bullet mic through k&k trinity preamp (tried the K&K bass max, didn't dig it), (best yet)
just ordered the pick-up-the-world, will let you know what i think- maybe it's the next big thing!
amp wise, i use a glockenklang (sounds like walter woods only you don't have to wait a year to get one) through a bergantino 2x10, in the market for a better small cab for quiet gigs.
underwood through the fishman pre (bad)
underwood + audio technica mic through fishman blender (tolerable)
then the realist hit, so i just used that for a while, sans preamp (better)
now i've got realist, k&k bullet mic through k&k trinity preamp (tried the K&K bass max, didn't dig it), (best yet)
just ordered the pick-up-the-world, will let you know what i think- maybe it's the next big thing!
amp wise, i use a glockenklang (sounds like walter woods only you don't have to wait a year to get one) through a bergantino 2x10, in the market for a better small cab for quiet gigs.
Seeing as how Robin threw his setup on here, I figured I'd tack mine on to seeing as how I've finally got it dialed in.
I fortunately bought a Realist as my first pickup and ran it through a SWR WM-12. That was a good setup and did me right for about three years.
Then I bought a Clarus, which never seemed to work as well with the Realist not much clarity...but I hung with that for a while.
Recently I got an Underwood, which I liked better than the Realist but still wasn't enthralled with the sound.
Last week I got a Bergantino 1x12 and started running both pickups (Underwood and Realist) into the Clarus. This is really a wonderful setup. I think the pickups compliment each other really well, but of course the Clarus won't mix them. I just got a Raven Labs PMB-II, which should be the final piece in the puzzle for me. I've got by far the best pitch clarity I've ever had -- at last I've got electric bass pitch clarity and acoustic bass sound.
Will
I fortunately bought a Realist as my first pickup and ran it through a SWR WM-12. That was a good setup and did me right for about three years.
Then I bought a Clarus, which never seemed to work as well with the Realist not much clarity...but I hung with that for a while.
Recently I got an Underwood, which I liked better than the Realist but still wasn't enthralled with the sound.
Last week I got a Bergantino 1x12 and started running both pickups (Underwood and Realist) into the Clarus. This is really a wonderful setup. I think the pickups compliment each other really well, but of course the Clarus won't mix them. I just got a Raven Labs PMB-II, which should be the final piece in the puzzle for me. I've got by far the best pitch clarity I've ever had -- at last I've got electric bass pitch clarity and acoustic bass sound.
Will
Hey Robin, please report as soon as you have the pick-up-the-world, im in the market for a new pick up and im really interested in reviews of that one.
thanks in advance
NUNO
thanks in advance
NUNO
I own a Engelhardt Swingmaster, I'm lucky one of my best friends In Atlanta is also the premier luthier. And of course, Peter set it up for me. Thru on a Barcus Berry transducer, one sitting around his shop (maybe the Outsider), I forgot to ask him. just something to get me by. Really not necessary at this time. Anyway, I just plug it in to tune and experiment. Sounds pretty bad. One of Bob Gollihur's tips is use a stomp box thats all you have for a preamp(good idea). I tried this DigiTech ph50 modeler. I can get it a little louder without all the high end.
Used a Electro Voice PL20, it sounds great (just don't bump the stand or you'll have the mark on the bass). Then I tried this Realistic/Crown plate mic I have. Put it under the tailpiace over some padding. I was quite pleased. Very natural sound. Looks ugly on the bass though.
Being a drummer one day when I learn to play this bass I get a real pickup/preamp setup. At this time after reading the forum and reaserching I'd go with the Bass Max and Preamp.
I see used Fishman's, Realists, etc. everywhere. I wonder why I not seeing any K&K's. Is everybody keeping them?
Anyway, I appreciate all the input from everybody. Thank you kindly, David
Used a Electro Voice PL20, it sounds great (just don't bump the stand or you'll have the mark on the bass). Then I tried this Realistic/Crown plate mic I have. Put it under the tailpiace over some padding. I was quite pleased. Very natural sound. Looks ugly on the bass though.
Being a drummer one day when I learn to play this bass I get a real pickup/preamp setup. At this time after reading the forum and reaserching I'd go with the Bass Max and Preamp.
I see used Fishman's, Realists, etc. everywhere. I wonder why I not seeing any K&K's. Is everybody keeping them?
Anyway, I appreciate all the input from everybody. Thank you kindly, David
Well I don't have a lot of history but I'll chime in as well.
Started with a K&K BassMax on my Crapona rental bass into my SWR LA15 that I had been using for slab on Jazz. Then I got my Shen SB-90. Recently upgraded the amp to an AI Clarus and paired it with a Schroeder Mini 12+. Next I've got a Rev Solo on the way. I'm trying to avoid the pre-amp business as I'm kind of a KISS kind of guy when it comes to stage set up. I do like a little compression so sometimes I'll get out an old stompbox I have. I'm considering a Fishman platinum if I do go with a pre as it has compression and rather sophisticated controls.
Started with a K&K BassMax on my Crapona rental bass into my SWR LA15 that I had been using for slab on Jazz. Then I got my Shen SB-90. Recently upgraded the amp to an AI Clarus and paired it with a Schroeder Mini 12+. Next I've got a Rev Solo on the way. I'm trying to avoid the pre-amp business as I'm kind of a KISS kind of guy when it comes to stage set up. I do like a little compression so sometimes I'll get out an old stompbox I have. I'm considering a Fishman platinum if I do go with a pre as it has compression and rather sophisticated controls.
K&K BassMax to a Schatten Black Box(Onboard Volume control), to a Fishman Platinum Pro Bass, to the P.A. or an old 12 watt Fender MusicMaster Bass amp.
