Bought an upright bass, looking for a pickup

[kryszt]

I dont know what im looking for in a pickup, Im a keyboard player but thought I would try something new.

Anyways, wondering if anyone can suggest any good pickups, Ideally for recording, but something for live use would be good as well.

 

I would also appreciate if anyone has any good mic'ing techniques for recording these they would like to share.

Thanks

[Bernie P.]

Check with Bob Gollihur-

http://www.gollihur.com/

I'm sure he can help.

[T. Alan Smith]

No such thing as a pickup for an acoustic instrument that's ideal for recording. Microphones are what's ideal for recording. Pickups are ideal for quick n dirty live work...or if you want that synthetic pickup sound.

[kryszt]

Thanks for the link

 

Kind of figured micing would be best, thats why I also asked for good recording techniques ;-)

[T. Alan Smith]

Miking an instrument is like taking a picture of a subject. In photography, it's all about the direction of the lighting vs. the lens. In recording, it's about the reflections an instrument creates in a space vs. the mic. Have somebody play your bass while listening around the room; move your head in towards the bass and around to find the sweet spot. Simply place the mic there and set gain accordingly.

[D Aussie]

I tend to disagree.

A pickup is an excellent tool to have in your kit for recording.

Ive been playing upright for over 20 years, now, and almost always use a blend of pick up signal and room signal for my bass tone.

The pick up signal provides a degree of 'note' clarity and definition that is not apparent with room/instrument micing alone.

Certainly it does not provide the pure sound of the instrument, but I find it does tend to sit in the mix nicer.

 

Currently Im using a K&K rockabily bassmaster RB plus with preamp.

I have used Shadow, Underwood, Bellcat, Fishman, Barcus Berry in the past.

[PermaNoobie]

 

Currently Im using a K&K rockabily bassmaster RB plus with preamp. I have used Shadow, Underwood, Bellcat, Fishman, Barcus Berry in the past.

 

 

 

I use a K&K Rockabilly throu a rane AP-13 and like it quite a bit. though I don't run that much fingerboard in it

 

I can dig the point about a little extra clarity and attack, nice b/c it can take a little for a note to bloom.

I don't think there is an "ideal" with double bass pretty much at all, it's an instrument of negotiating limits and, in some ways, coping. And I don't mena that as a negative, I mean it's an instrument you have to sort of come to terms with IMO

and that can be a cool experience.

[bassman1956]

I have the Fishman, it's okay I guess. I'd like to try the K&K with the Golden Trinity mic, Double Big Twin piezos, and the preamp.

[AlexMC]

All this talk of upright... how feasible would it be for someone already experienced with electric bass and violin to learn to play it without proper tuition?

[T. Alan Smith]

 

I tend to disagree. A pickup is an excellent tool to have in your kit for recording. Ive been playing upright for over 20 years, now, and almost always use a blend of pick up signal and room signal for my bass tone. The pick up signal provides a degree of 'note' clarity and definition that is not apparent with room/instrument micing alone. Certainly it does not provide the pure sound of the instrument, but I find it does tend to sit in the mix nicer. Currently Im using a K&K rockabily bassmaster RB plus with preamp. I have used Shadow, Underwood, Bellcat, Fishman, Barcus Berry in the past.

 

 

 

You typically record that way?

[jonjohn]

 

I tend to disagree. A pickup is an excellent tool to have in your kit for recording. Ive been playing upright for over 20 years, now, and almost always use a blend of pick up signal and room signal for my bass tone. The pick up signal provides a degree of 'note' clarity and definition that is not apparent with room/instrument micing alone. Certainly it does not provide the pure sound of the instrument, but I find it does tend to sit in the mix nicer.

 

I read somewhere that Ron Carter uses a blend to record too. He gets some pretty nice sounds

[bassman1956]

 

All this talk of upright... how feasible would it be for someone already experienced with electric bass and violin to learn to play it without proper tuition?

 

 

I would recommend a teacher for the first dozen visits or so anyways.

It's a different beast.

[One Bad Monkey]

 

I read somewhere that Ron Carter uses a blend to record too. He gets some pretty nice sounds

 

 

We'll agree to disagree on that one. :poke:

 

As far as recording, I trust the soundguy to know what's best. The last session on upright I did, we used some old microphone right in front of the bridge, ran through a tube pre. Made my Englehardt sound a lot more old and expensive that it really was. Great tone.

 

As for pickups, you can't go wrong with anything from K&K Sound. I've used their Double Big Twin piezos since '96 with no issue, and haven't really ever wanted to get anything else. A pre to compliment the pups, however, may be very nice as well.

[Detox]

http://www.doublebassguide.com/?page_id=11