Double Bass What about K&K?

[davidf]

What about the K&K pickups that Bob Golihur sells?
I am not seeing much written about regarding their performance and sound. Are they a good choice??

 

[robgrow]

I've tried the K&K Bass Max as well as several other pickups (Realist, Underwood, etc.) and ended up with a Fishman Full Circle, which is also sold by Bob Gollihur of course. Although the Bass Max is OK, I just happen to like the Full Circle better.

 

[SteveC]

I think the K&K Bass Max is a good, simple pickup. I used one with a Fishman Platinum Pro Bass EQ/DI and it sounded pretty good.

 

[kwd]

I used a Realist for years and eventually ditched it in favor of the BassMax. I think I got a woodier sound with the Realist but it was unpredictable in louder volume situations.

The BassMax seems kind of polarized. It sounds different if you flip it around. I put a dollop of glue on one side so I know which side should face up. The Realist does a little better on arco but I get a good arco sound from the BassMax by rolling off the gain on my preamp-DI.

I had read that the key to getting a good sound out of the BassMax was getting a snug -but not too tight- fit in the bridge wing. I spent a lot of time with a file getting that just right. I think it was time well spent. In this area the Rev Solo pickup wins in that it doesn't require you to file your bridge -you file the enclosing wood on the pickup instead.

The BassMax can sound kind of saturated an overdriven on the lower strings, but I find that I can adjust my playing to compensate for that.

 

[boylebass]

+1 on SteveC & kwd's comments. They're both spot-on. I used the same rig (hybrid>bassmax>proplatinum) as Steve for a few years with great success.

Fit is very important but also very easy. Furthermore, if you find that you want a slightly different response, just slide it in or out of the wing a little and you'll get tighter or looser sound. I found this helpful when I was in a feedbacky room- jam it in as tight as it will go and your fb will be greatly reduced.

Best of all, IIRC it's about $100 cheaper than a realist. (Full disclosure- I use a realist currently and I like it better) If you're just starting out and need something, Bob will have one in your hand in a day or 2, along w/ a very cool sticker.