Double Bass Pickup sound vs. Bass sound

[aaronl]

I plan to buy my first pickup. I have a Franz Hoffmann bass that has been set up at a string shop. I like the sound of the bass except for the fact that the open D note has a much louder resonance than other notes. I was wondering if a pickup will replicate this aspect of the bass? I was considering the Realist and K&K Bass Max. Anyone have any advice?

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

The most important element in amplified tone is to develop a good acoustic tone first. I would advise you to have your luthier look at your bass to help you with the D string. A minor adjustment may take care of it.
Pickup choice is tough. If you haven't already done so, research pickups here:http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43100
Pickups each have general characteristics that may make one more suitable for your bass and give you the amplified tone you are after.

Although the ideal is to have your bass amplify like 'itself only louder', if most of your playing is through an amp, go for the best amplified tone you can get.
Your acoustic tone must first be good, but through the amp it may be brighter or darker than the bass itself.

 

[JtheJazzMan]

I plan to buy my first pickup. I have a Franz Hoffmann bass that has been set up at a string shop. I like the sound of the bass except for the fact that the open D note has a much louder resonance than other notes. I was wondering if a pickup will replicate this aspect of the bass? I was considering the Realist and K&K Bass Max. Anyone have any advice?

Hard to say definitively, but Id say no, if the pickup is on the bridge, the D string wont be louder through the amp. In my experience anyways.

However, if you are using a microphone, then the D string will be louder and much more prone to feedback