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Double Bass Underwood Pickup Club

#81
Hey all, Melissa Underwood checking in. Nice to see the conversation still flowing about our family business! It's been 40 years and me and Belinda have been running and making the pickups just like dad for several years now. I've read some old threads about using one element and why there isn't a pickup with one piezo and I just wanted to say that there is a need for both to create a closed circuit on the pickup itself. But, no problem having one placed in the wing slot, the other loose side (end case) can be fixed somehow with Velcro or tape to the tail piece. Many of our customers fit it this way. To answer about our guarantee, yes we will always have your back and if there is any issue or question, no worries, just get a hold of us through the website. And a new item coming soon! Stay tuned...
Don (dad) is still around and thankfully helping with any concerns and advice. (Called quality control). We are very excited to be of service and continually providing a sound that so many have loved for years.
 
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#82
M Underwood said:
using one element and why there isn't a pickup with one piezo and I just wanted to say that there is a need for both to create a closed circuit on the pickup itself. But, no problem having one placed in the wing slot, the other loose side (end case) can be fixed somehow with Velcro or tape to the tail piece. Many of our customers fit it this way.
Click to expand...
Nope. Some customers do this...
This is my favorite Underwood pickup configuration. Works better than "fine". (1 element on the E wing only.)
Thanks.
IMG_2781.JPG
 
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#84
M Underwood said:
Interesting combination, Don. What's the jack from? How did you put it together and what's the end sound result?
Click to expand...

The jack is from Larry Fishman's BP-100 (YUCK!), but I like this method of attaching your fine pickup. I just chopped off the G element and soldered (the center) to the tip and (shielding) to the sleeve. (If I remember correctly.)
This was recorded with this pickup on the E wing only:
 
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#85
Hello everyone.
FYI, I've been using the Underwood PU for over 30 years, and have one on all three of my UBs-Both wings.
Got to know how to set the amplifiers with & without a preamp.
Have used it without a preamp, with different preamps, combined with a microphone, live, in clubs, theaters, studios, in outdoor venues, etc.
Still a great PU!
Very clear and cuts through no matter which strings or UB, or amp.
Granted, better sound quality with a preamp, and have tried several preamps over the years with varied success.
Nice to read that others are using, as I seem to be one of the only bassists around still using one.
 
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#86
A lot of stuff has come and gone and my go-to is a Lifeline. But I remember thirty years ago when I resumed my relationship with the double bass. In the shop I heard a guy asking for an Underwood so I thought I'd better have one of those. And it served me well for over two decades. Only last Saturday I played my ply bass outside at the Chipping Norton Lido evening swim, fitted with an Underwood and going straight into a Tecamp Puma and Barefaced 12", no preamp. It sounded great. And I still keep an Underwood spare in the wire bag whatever bass I use.

So best wishes to Don, Melissa and Belinda from the UK.
 
#87
M Underwood said:
Hey all, Melissa Underwood checking in. Nice to see the conversation still flowing about our family business! It's been 40 years and me and Belinda have been running and making the pickups just like dad for several years now. I've read some old threads about using one element and why there isn't a pickup with one piezo and I just wanted to say that there is a need for both to create a closed circuit on the pickup itself. But, no problem having one placed in the wing slot, the other loose side (end case) can be fixed somehow with Velcro or tape to the tail piece. Many of our customers fit it this way. To answer about our guarantee, yes we will always have your back and if there is any issue or question, no worries, just get a hold of us through the website. And a new item coming soon! Stay tuned...
Don (dad) is still around and thankfully helping with any concerns and advice. (Called quality control). We are very excited to be of service and continually providing a sound that so many have loved for years.
Click to expand...

WELCOME to TB!

Props to you, your sis and your pops.



DB pickups are hard to come by in Hongkers here, so while visiting the folks in Canada I searched for anything on my Shortlist and the first (only) pup I found was an Underwood (on my shortlist). Later I came across another pickup system and purchased it, but I've yet to fit it to a bass, haven't needed to — I just switch out the Underwood, it's graced all three of my basses at one time or another. It's been played by some fairly famous players in HK that I've loaned/rented my bass out to. I've recorded with it, mixed it with a mic, straight into an amp, tried a variety of preamps, and even straight into a board once ... rock solid throughout and nary a problem and no complaints received from renters (about the pickup, my bass' setup on the other hand ...)

I only use the E side, but haven't had the gumption to cut it up to make a "second", at least not yet. The G-side is just tucked into a bit of foam suspended in the bridge which keeps it and the cable from rattling around.

Very glad to have come across the Underwood first in my search.
 
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#89
M Underwood said:
And a new item coming soon! Stay tuned...
.
Click to expand...

Great news!

I like using one Underwood element (bass side of bridge), occasionally I'll use both elements depending on the sound situation. The second element, I thread through a small piece of foam stuffed in the treble side of the bridge with a slot for the wire, ala the Full Circle scenario. It's easy to keep the pu wire out of harm's way using that method.
 
#90
I often use the Underwood with the E side wedged in perfectly (just the right amount of pressure...you can tellit is good when it is neither too live with finger noise or too distant) and the G side barely wedged in the wing. THis way it has a place for the other element but does not add too much G side to the sound.
 
#94
Reviving this thread to see how many folks in 2018 are still using the underwood. I have been listening to samples and am loving the sound. Currently play the realist and could always use more definition. Especially in big band, but even played a trio gig last night and thought it was muddy the entire time. Thank you for any input :)
 
#97
I just played my first gig with a newly aquired underwood. Best amplified sound I think ive ever had! Played two sets with both elements and then decided to try just the E side, even better! Until it fell out:) (added weight of the hanging element) going to secure it for the next gig. I know I sound like (and am like) every New(Bass,Amp,Pickup,Pedal)Day thread; but man! It sounded so good
 
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#98
Fat bob said:
I just played my first gig with a newly aquired underwood. Best amplified sound I think ive ever had! Played two sets with both elements and then decided to try just the E side, even better! Until it fell out:) (added weight of the hanging element) going to secure it for the next gig. I know I sound like (and am like) every New(Bass,Amp,Pickup,Pedal)Day thread; but man! It sounded so good
Click to expand...
The number of anecdotal testimonies for the use of only 1 Underwood Pickup element (on the E side wing of the bridge) sounding BETTER than both elements being used is astounding. (I hope the good people at Underwood Pickups are listening!)
Welcome to the club, Fat bob! (Hey - that is YOUR UserName!!!)
Thanks.
 
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#99
Thanks Don! do you think it matters which element in the E side? Using the furthest one (normally they G) would be easiest - could the then secure the one closest to the input to the tailpiece- but wanted to see if they would sound any different; or what's is most commonly done for single element users?
 
#100
Fat bob said:
Thanks Don! do you think it matters which element in the E side? Using the furthest one (normally they G) would be easiest - could the then secure the one closest to the input to the tailpiece- but wanted to see if they would sound any different; or what's is most commonly done for single element users?
Click to expand...
I don't believe there is any difference (sonically/electronically) between the 2 Elements. Maybe some of the Electronic Whiz Kidz around here will confirm or clarify?
I'm not sure how users choose which side to use - I cut off and adapted only the G Element and made a "One-derwood Pickup" soon after I tried using 1 element on the E side only. (I didn't want any chance of the unused Element inadvertently introducing any "noise" from vibration or contact with any part of the bass.)
I have the (original) E side element set up as a backup/replacement unit. (There is a Thread in this Forum showing that unit and how I adapted it to a Single Element pickup.)
TMI/FYI?
Thanks.
 

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