alhbass Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 I've recently started on the upright bass, and have my first couple if gigs coming up, one of which is outdoors. Having just paid out for the instrument I don't have much (any really!) cash left over for a pickup, but am clearly going to need one. I've been advised that with a cheap instrument like mine, I might get lucky and find a cheap pup does the job ok, but there are several to choose from.... So, firstly, suggestions/recommendations please...? And secondly - bit cheeky perhaps - but would any generous-hearted bc'er in the York area be willing to lend me a pickup to try? I've heard it can be pretty much a gamble as to whether any particular type/make happens to sound good with any particular instrument, so it would be really great to try one/some if poss... Thanks in anticipation for your advice anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 pm'd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmayhem Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 I quote myself from another thread: "[i]I got a cheap but very good plywood doghouse I bought to start playing rockabilly on. It has Innovation Silver Slaps (they cost more than I paid for the bass) and my old Realist Copperhead. I plug it into my Fishman Platinum Pro Eq, and it makes wonder![/i]" A cheap bass CAN sound good, but if you stack "cheap stuff" you might end up sounding cheap, and then it won't be fun to play. My expensive bass sounded like sh*t with the Realist, so I get another pup for that one. The Realist is easy to use; if you have adjustable bridge there is also the Realist LifeLine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 I got a K&K BassMax for my cheap old plywood DB. Reasonably priced, easy to fit and does the job - [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/kk_bass_max.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/kk_bass_max.htm[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blartfactor10 Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 A guy I know in Gateshed makes these pickups, they sound as good as a KnK, but for about the third of the price. I have one on one of my uprights but you will need a pre amp. (A Boss Graphic EQ would do the trick) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/J-tone-Big-double-Bass-Pick-up-/201498506263?hash=item2eea3f3417:m:mMv8R28HOczqgXmXPBsADZw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 [quote name='Blartfactor10' timestamp='1462613657' post='3044339'] A guy I know in Gateshed makes these pickups, they sound as good as a KnK, but for about the third of the price. I have one on one of my uprights but you will need a pre amp. (A Boss Graphic EQ would do the trick) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/J-tone-Big-double-Bass-Pick-up-/201498506263?hash=item2eea3f3417:m:mMv8R28HOczqgXmXPBsADZw [/quote] I also have one of these, and like it better than the Revoolution Solo 2 I had. I think the jack mount that comes with it is a bit ugly, but otherwise it's a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 +1 for the J-tone - I can't offer any comparative experience with other pickups, but I've been getting very good results with mine. Had to spend a little time getting the fit in the bridge right for optimum sound, and it sounds very natural by piezo standards, to my ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Forrer Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 The Zac Victor pickup from Duece Bass Co is a fraction of the price of a BassMax, and is a better pickup in every way. No preamp needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 Do not underestimate the importance of a preamp. Piezos NEED to see specific things further down the signal path otherwise they sound ike crud. As I have learnt. The hard way. On gigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 [quote name='owen' timestamp='1462956435' post='3047169'] Do not underestimate the importance of a preamp. Piezos NEED to see specific things further down the signal path otherwise they sound ike crud. As I have learnt. The hard way. On gigs [/quote] This ^^ Even a tuner pedal will help with a piezo, anything with around 1M ohm input or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 I use a Fishman Full Circle with my plywood bass for jazz/dance band gigs, and it is well received. Please PM me for further discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alhbass Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 Thanks for all your replies. I've recently tried "The Band", and am going to go with that (as and when I can afford one). Not a cheap option, but it sounded brilliant. Cheers all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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