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Double Bass Really simple pickup question

S

Smallmouth Bass

Sep 1, 2009
8
0
#1
If I were to fit a pickup, for the sake of argument a K&K Bass Max, to my DB would I need a pre-amp to run it through my 500w Hartke LH500 head/Yamaha BBT410S 4x10 cab? I don't know much about outputs, etc but I gather DB pickups deliver a massive output compared to electric bass pickups, and I don't want to kill my amp OR buy a pre-amp if I don't need to (money is currently a far bigger factor than tone..!).

Thanks for any advice!
 
#2
Don't know where you got the massive output idea. Someone may have specific info regarding your amp and piezo pickups ( has to do with impedance matching), but I would just try a double bass pickup into it and find out if you like the sound. You won't do any damage. If the sound is thin, bright with little low end, then you need a preamp.
 
#3
Thanks for the reply. I'm really pretty dumb about amplification (hence having a rig with as few dials and knobs as possible!), so I've probably just gotten confused in the various threads I've read on the subject. I'll have a look at impedance and see if that throws up any concerns...cheers
 
#5
Hmm...looking at the spec it appears my amp's impedance is 100k ohms, so looks like the answer is I probably do need a pre-amp to get a decent sound.

Looks like I'll just bite the bullet and go for the K&K set-up including the pre-amp. Shame all gear costs twice as much in the UK as the US...gotta love import taxes and VAT!
 

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