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Double Bass What pickup do the TB DB guys prefer?

Which pickup do you use/would recommend to others first?

  • Total voters
    257
  • Poll closed .
#43
I should add that I bought the Realist before I had my Calin Wultur bass and when I first put it on the Kay it sounded horrible, uncontrolled feedback and weirdness...I don't know what I did wrong, but I think it's worth mentioning for those who experience real problems with it. The second time was at least a year later and was a charm...

Jflo'
 
#44
I have been updating my gig rig lately and just added the Full Circle PU. I previously used the K&K Bass Max on my Englehardt EG-9 and was not entirely happy. The K&K unit didn't seem to have the finger noise and crisp sounds that I was looking for. Sounded too much like a P-Bass if I wasn't watching it closely.

The FC unit was mounted with the threads facing "up" due to the way they were installed by Jerry Fretwell when I bought it. I've read in other threads that more treble and mids are possible with the thread facing down, however, I'm very pleased with the sound and really appreciate the wood tones I'm getting. The PU signal is running direct to a GK MB500 and EA Wizzy 10.

Overall, I'm pleased......for now. I'm saving up for my 50th birthday present to myself: La Scala!!!!
 
#46
I've tried all the popular Pups. Second preferred was the full circle but it lacked warmth IMO and the A and E strings had a brittle sound. I've got four basses (yes, I know, but they all get used ) and each one has an Underwood. Plug and play at its most convenient. If I could be arsed I'd get me a powered speaker, stick it on a stand behind me and run a DPA4099 as well but I'm getting on a bit and can't afford a roadie.

Sorry for straying off topic but hope it helps.
 
#47
I agree with others that pickups are very bass specific. I play a big bodied bass with a smooth sound. I used the Realist for a couple years and was never happy with my sound. It was very, very boomy and I could not get much volume before feedback. Like playing a giant feedback sensitive pillow.
I bought a K&K bassmax and the second I put it on the sound nearly doubled in volume and clarity. I think the realist is a fine pickup and on many basses the bassmax would be a little nasal and thin but on mine it sounds great. I also love that it takes 5 seconds to install or remove the pickup. This is a huge plus to me as I do not like cords of any type hanging on my bass for symphony performances.
 
#48
Big B. said:
I agree with others that pickups are very bass specific...
Click to expand...

i agree with that.

i've used two versions of Realist over the last 7 years. starting out, I tried the Bass Max and Double Big Twin. i just got a new La Scala with the Fishman Full Circle and it produces a somewhat brighter, clearer sound than some others.

more recently, i've tried the new Vektor (which is a condenser mic and not a pickup in the piezo sense), and the Ehrlund, a wonderful acoustic sounding thing that no one really knows how to catergorize.

however, my favorite piezo pickup is also the newest one for me: the Bassbalsereit Studio.
 
#49
I guess I missed this one. How many of these we had, DURRL?

Anyway, Underwood because I need the two transducers on the bridge spread on my fiver. And Big B is right on with his statement about PU's being very bass specific, IMO.

EDIT: Looking back on this thread, I also agree with Mark Perna that the PU is very "dependant" of the bass which is pretty much what Big B said and if any y'all said anything similar, I agree with y'all.
I'm just in an agreeable mood today I guess. :help:
 
#52
Well, the pickup I use wasn't listed in the poll. I've had a Barbera for about fifteen years now. Prior to that I tried Fishman, Underwood and Shadow, and the Barbera is streaks ahead. Also, it does not need any sort of preamping, in fact it sounds better without. It records beautifully too.
 
#53
Marty Forrer said:
Well, the pickup I use wasn't listed in the poll. I've had a Barbera for about fifteen years now. Prior to that I tried Fishman, Underwood and Shadow, and the Barbera is streaks ahead. Also, it does not need any sort of preamping, in fact it sounds better without. It records beautifully too.
Click to expand...

Added to the poll. :)
 
#56
I fitted a Barbera back in the mid 90's on my carved bass and love it. It replaced the BP-100. On jobbing gigs it's all I need. In theater pits I also use an AMT 25B. FOH will get both signals independently. Sound guys tell me they use about a 70:30 ratio (mic:p/u). If FOH can only take one signal, I'll give them a blend off a Fishman Blender where I'll run a volume pedal thru the effects loop of the p/u so I can roll off the p/u for arco. It has worked very well for me.

On my plywood bass I have a Wilson, Full Circle and Realist all fitted. I like the blend of the Wilson and Realist (65:35) to simulate the Barbera sound I've been hearing for the last 15 years or so, but I also like the Full Circle by itself. It all depends on the type of gig/show I'm playing.
 
#58
Still loving my DYN-B. Once i found the sweet spot, it sounds great.
I have two basses and also use hired basses when i tour abroad, the DYN-B pops on and off the instruments in 20secs, which makes it seem more cost effective when using it on multiple instruments and can give me a consistant pickup solution.

Does tend to sound really good when blended with a Realist too, gives it a bottom end boost, whilst the DYN-B gives the Realist a bit more character.
 
#59
Retired my Realist recently. Was getting nasty piezo distortion on the E string anytime I pulled it more aggressively than usual.

The Full Circle gives me a little more headroom when volume is needed, although it sounds a little compressed sometimes.

I blend in the DPA 4099 mic with the Headway preamp for a slightly more natural sound (as much as one can get when amplifying an acoustic instrument).

My bass is a 15 year old unknown carved Hungarian acquired at String Emporium several years ago. It's not the most attractive bass, but it sounds and plays a whole lot better than what I started on.

It helps me keep up volume wise with rambunctious drummers and guitar players at school who may not be entirely sensitive at this point to the notion of quiet intensity. Not that I am complaining. I know I have a responsibility to fit in with the group dynamics as well.

Cheers.
 
#60
Lately I use a single 21st century Don Underwood pickup element into an old '80's Demeter tube DI, The DI has something like a **27meg** input impedance. It's a decent sound. The other pre I use is an '80's TC Parametric EQ pedal. It's good too. The pickup is easily removed when I'm not using it.

I'm waiting to see if Richard Barbera comes out with a more affordable and *reliable* PU system. Rumour is that there is a new line of acoustic instrument pickups coming from his company, so we'll just see if a DB model is included.

Otherwise I like to use a mic behind the tailpiece...Beyer M88, Sennheiser 441, or Shure Beta 57 depending on stage volumes and FOH ADD symptoms.;) Again, the mic easily removed when I'm not amplifying the bass.
 

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