Double Bass Headway Band: Quiet?

[devnulljp]

I just got a used Headway Band pickup and tried it tonight at practice for the first time.
Sounded nice, but very very low output.
I still have the David Gage Lifeline on the bass, and compared o it the band is super quiet. I had to crank the amp (Acoustic Image Coda) just hear it.

Over the years I've tried all sorts of pickups on this bass -- K&K BassMax, Gage Realist, Lifeline, Revolution Solo, etc. -- and this one if by far the quietest.

Is this normal or is it a dud? Does it really *need* some kind of a preamp to get the best out of it?

 

[s van order]

I just got a used Headway Band pickup and tried it tonight at practice for the first time.
Sounded nice, but very very low output.
I still have the David Gage Lifeline on the bass, and compared o it the band is super quiet. I had to crank the amp (Acoustic Image Coda) just hear it.

Over the years I've tried all sorts of pickups on this bass -- K&K BassMax, Gage Realist, Lifeline, Revolution Solo, etc. -- and this one if by far the quietest.

Is this normal or is it a dud? Does it really *need* some kind of a preamp to get the best out of it?

I used a Headway Band successfully for cello before switching to a Realist copperhead. Amps used included Ashdown or Markbass combos, so they had plenty of power. But the Band definitely required preamping to get an input signal sufficient for efficient amp volume and fat tone. I have found no matter the manufacturer claim that preamping is needed for best results. Best of luck.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

The issue I had with the band when I tried one on my bass for a hot minute is that the volume from the piezo element is pressure dependent; this means that it only sounds as good as the fit of the band itself. When playing it, I could make it a lot louder by reaching over with my left hand and pressing it while playing open strings, but as soon as I stopped pressing the volume went way down. Obviously, this is a problem if the band doesn't fit your bass perfectly.

 

[s van order]

The issue I had with the band when I tried one on my bass for a hot minute is that the volume from the piezo element is pressure dependent; this means that it only sounds as good as the fit of the band itself. When playing it, I could make it a lot louder by reaching over with my left hand and pressing it while playing open strings, but as soon as I stopped pressing the volume went way down. Obviously, this is a problem if the band doesn't fit your bass perfectly.

Agreed on the pressure. Once I found a method to make sure it was nice and snug the sound was better. I did not leave it on full,time though as I wondered about the tightness impacting the cello seams.