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Double Bass Which is Better?:Mic or Pickup

  • Thread starter Thread starter ncbassplayr
  • Start date Start date
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ncbassplayr

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#1
SO- I just bought my first upright. Its a Shen hybrid with D'Addario Hybrid strings. I'm using a Coda Revelation carbon bow. I've been lookin into getting something to amp it and I'm not sure what to get. Pickups just seem annoying to install, but I've heard they give out a good sound. How do mics compare? and what are the top models? anyone have any advice for a noobie?
 
#2
I suggest a pick-up and a little pre-amp so you can plug it in wherever you go. Pick-ups that fit into the bridge wings are easy to install. (I use folded tinfoil for a spacer). Also easy to remove when you feel like experimenting with mics. And mic placement. And maintaining mic placement....
 
#3
The "newbie links" at the top of this forum are a good place to start... the "top model" mics probably cost more than your bass, but there are many choices in the $100-300 range that will do the job. I have a Shure SM-57 and also a bridge wing pickup as Nagrom recommended. The pickup took a little patience to fit, but I like that it's easy to put on and take off since I mostly play without the amp or with a mic and use the pickup only when those options won't work.

Whether a mic or pickup is the better choice depends a lot on what kind of music you're playing, where you're playing it, and how loud. As volume levels go up it becomes more difficult to use a mic without feedback so for "stupid loud" gigs (ie electric guitars and drums) you'll want a pickup . If I've got to amplify, I like the sound of my bass much better through a mic, but I like the sound I get using a pickup a whole lot better than the sound of feedback.
 
#4
ncbassplayr said:
SO- I just bought my first upright. Its a Shen hybrid with D'Addario Hybrid strings. I'm using a Coda Revelation carbon bow. I've been lookin into getting something to amp it and I'm not sure what to get. Pickups just seem annoying to install, but I've heard they give out a good sound. How do mics compare? and what are the top models? anyone have any advice for a noobie?
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NCbass,
IMHO I'd get a decent pickup first. There are some players using mic's only, but you have to be willing to work with the mic and accept it's limitations in a given room and you will need an amp that has adequate feedback control which can be an expensive proposition. There are several newer pickups like the Fishman Full Circle, Upton Revolution Solo II, or the Realist that sound very good. Mic's can sound wonderful. If you're doing a lot of bowing than I'd consider the Realist.

Ric
 
#5
I have a humble suggestion. Whether you go with a mic or pickup, really work on developing the tone of the bass. Work on your right hand pulling a big consistent tone. Your amplifying choice can come later.
 
#7
Ed Fuqua said:
Sorry, JUMANJI, I think the OP took his marbles and went home....
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Evidently from some interviews with Ray Brown it was revealed that OP's bass was smaller and easier to get around on then Ray's big Italian bass was. What I love though, is to beautiful tone that Ray and Oscar's generation had. There chops were fantastic as well, but the sound coming of of their instruments was breathtaking.

Ric
 

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