Hi there. entriely new to the world of double bass (but a long-standing electric and acoustic bass player). Having just acquired an instrument I’m about to take to my luthier for new strings and set up etc. It probably makes sense to put a pick up in now as my plan will be to use this for small gigs in future (once I learn to play it that is!). Don’t want to speak a fortune but looking for recommendations please. Many thanks in anticipation
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Double Bass Recommendations for a budget pickup
- Thread starter GaryMcF
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- budget pickup
It's been said. But you might want that link for <Vic's Pickups>.
Oh, and don't be put off by the rockabilly influence if that isn't your preferred genre, or by the extremely affordable prices; Zac "Vic" Victor's pickups are respectable for just about any piezo pickup application.
Oh, and don't be put off by the rockabilly influence if that isn't your preferred genre, or by the extremely affordable prices; Zac "Vic" Victor's pickups are respectable for just about any piezo pickup application.
thanks everyone for those really helpful suggestions. Very much appreciated
It's been said. But you might want that link for <Vic's Pickups>.
Oh, and don't be put off by the rockabilly influence if that isn't your preferred genre, or by the extremely affordable prices; Zac "Vic" Victor's pickups are respectable for just about any piezo pickup application.[/QUOTE]
It's been said. But you might want that link for <Vic's Pickups>.
Oh, and don't be put off by the rockabilly influence if that isn't your preferred genre, or by the extremely affordable prices; Zac "Vic" Victor's pickups are respectable for just about any piezo pickup application.[/QUOTE]
I have always liked the Shadow SH 951 on my plywood Shen. Got it for $85 direct from the company.
After trying most options out there (some of them quite expensive) I came to the conclusion that Zak Vic's pickups were as good as any thing out there and better than many.
I've had such good luck with the KNA-DB1 that I stopped looking. It's easy to mount, has a great sound with either the bow or pizz and costs $99.00 new.
I think their is a price point that anything below will get you diminishing returns. Just my take though.
I think their is a price point that anything below will get you diminishing returns. Just my take though.
Personally I think the pickup is not a good place to save money. The further upstream the signal chain you go, the better the equipment needs to be. For a long time I gigged using a $4000 bass, $1000 bow, $250 pickup, $100 preamp, and $200 amp. I have since upgraded the amp and no longer need the pre-amp, but that rig worked really well for me for a long time. I think if I had gone with a $800 bass, $50 pickup, and $1500 amp, the results wouldn't have been nearly as good.
Thanks Turf3. Completely understand that point (its the same principle as hi fi - spend money on the source first! I suppose it ultimately depends on the type of gig as well (because I resume you could always use a high end condenser as well as the pick up as long as overall volume levels permitted. Again - thanks everyone for the thoughts.
I had a good experience with the Vic's pickup, but ultimately my Realist copper sounded better when i did a side by side. The Vic's is dependent on a solid install, which i found a little difficult compared to just putting the Realist under my bridge. But the value is hard to beat.
thanks Seanto - will certainly bear that in mind if Any issues with Vic’s. Coincidentally arrived yesterday so once I get the bass back (with luthier for set up) I’ll follow the install instructions carefully. The “fit” of the transducers seems to be critical - not too tight (or lack of bass) and not too loose. Some careful filing required I suspect. Th als again all.
My issue with the “rubber wedge” style pickups is the sound. They have that upper midrange emphasis, that I’ve been trying to get rid of since the first Underwood
pickups became available. The timbre of those piezo’s, have a nasal quality, that is really unpleasant to my ears onstage and gets worse as Bass response drops off, out
in the house Unfortunately, the more you turn the volume up with the K&K Bassmax, the worse it gets. My preference within the group of bridge piezo’s, would be the
ones embedded in a wood casing, because they sound warmer to me. The one exception might be the Planet Wing. Just my take. I guess it depends on your ears, the
style of music you’re playing, and the volume levels you have to play at. I went with the Ehrlund EAP years ago it’s a piezo that sounds like a mic on my
bass. It didn’t used to be so expensive.
pickups became available. The timbre of those piezo’s, have a nasal quality, that is really unpleasant to my ears onstage and gets worse as Bass response drops off, out
in the house Unfortunately, the more you turn the volume up with the K&K Bassmax, the worse it gets. My preference within the group of bridge piezo’s, would be the
ones embedded in a wood casing, because they sound warmer to me. The one exception might be the Planet Wing. Just my take. I guess it depends on your ears, the
style of music you’re playing, and the volume levels you have to play at. I went with the Ehrlund EAP years ago it’s a piezo that sounds like a mic on my
bass. It didn’t used to be so expensive.
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I use a 'high-end condenser mic' myself (The Xlson Chuck Israels mic), but it Is entirely possible to get a very good mic sound without spending more than most piezos cost. Here is a link which includes a video comparing two mics, one 'high-end' and one $130.
Bottom line for me, there are several very useable mics in the $100-200 range that sound WAY better than any piezo (if you are playing in an environment where you can use a mic).
Completely agree—even the old 57 under the bridge sounds better than a lot of pickups in my experience!
