Best Pickup for Acoustic (no Double)-Bass?

[krysh]

hi gang,
I recently was able to score a '82 EKO B.A/4 fretless acoustic that sounds really nice and is a joy to play. unfortunately it doesn't have a pickup.
Does somebody know a good pickup system for an acoustic Bass?
Since I already own some preamps - also a L.R. Baggs Para DI, I was thinking that maybe the K&K pure bass might be a good choice?

thanks for any suggestions!

Edited February 21, 2013 by krysh

[krysh]

nobody?

[paul_5]

Dunno. Mine came with a piezo unit under the bridge. It sounds ok but nothing more. I've been experimenting with different piezos and contact mics in various places but nothing I'd recommend yet.

Edited February 22, 2013 by paul_5

[BigRedX]

If it sounds good acoustically, then a nice microphone will do far more for it than any pickup system.

[krysh]

thanks so far.
if microphone, then which one? I'd like to have a little mobility, too, so a solution with a clip or some adhesives (I've seen something like this on some nylon guitars) would be good?

[krysh]

any more thoughts?

[Clarky]

I had the exact same Eko bass and used this pickup, the K&K pure floating bridge which slots neatly under the bridge. http://www.jp-guitars.co.uk/sales/pickups_and_amplification/kandk_acoustic_guitar_pickups_archtop.htm

As a word of warning, I found feedback to be an issue at higher volumes. This can be dealt with by getting a cover made for the sound hole or by putting something inside the body that stops the top resonating so much (eg, a blow up beach ball, that's not a joke by the way). Feedback won't be an issue at low volumes, it all depends what you intend to use the bass for. Check out this old thread http://basschat.co.uk/topic/146036-are-acoustic-basses-especially-feedback-prone/page__p__1306035__hl__eko__fromsearch__1#entry1306035

Edited February 24, 2013 by Clarky

[Dom in Dorset]

I have an acoustic with a broken pickup, I think that if I was ever required to play it live and plugged in I would just mount a precision pickup in the sound hole. Not a true acoustic sound but I don't think that anyone would notice.

[krysh]

problem solved:


a guitarplaying friend of mine is building piezos for doublebass, and made me this system for some small money. I use it with a L.R. Baggs Para DI and it sounds HUGE and sounds very close to a double Bass with the labella nylons. I'm more than happy with it.

[BassBod]

That should do it. The preamp is is very important to get the fullest sound - the Baggs should do the job well..

Enjoy!

[krysh]

[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1392024557' post='2363596']
That should do it. The preamp is is very important to get the fullest sound - the Baggs should do the job well..

Enjoy!
[/quote]
thank you, I do!