I need recommendations on pickups and preamp / EQs for upright bass playing rockabilly. Hit me!
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Double Bass Upright Bass pickups and preamps for Rockabilly
- Thread starter randallmanmusic
- Start date
There is lots out there. Lots and lots.
First, I'd suggest spending some time at Gollihur Music's web presentation for Choosing Pickups for your Double Bass.
Then, I'd suggest taking a serious look at Vic's Pickups. Zac Victors is a RaB player and has designed these pickups from the ground up with RaB in mind, although they do equally well for other genre too.
Personally, I'm using a Vic's Model C (bridge and fingerboard) stereo piezo set, feeding into a K&K Dual Channel Pro ST, where I can EQ and blend the signals from both piezos; I have this setup to output into a mono signal. From there I split the signal so I can support both a personal monitor and FOH, etc. And I use wireless dongles so there are no cables attached to my DB.
For more sensitive volume situations and/or for more tone-critical situations (mostly roots music genre) I have attached a Sennheiser e 604 dynamic mic for a clear, untouched mic feed out to a FOH or to amps. When I want MBOL tone, that's what I use. I also use wireless dongles for this.
First, I'd suggest spending some time at Gollihur Music's web presentation for Choosing Pickups for your Double Bass.
Then, I'd suggest taking a serious look at Vic's Pickups. Zac Victors is a RaB player and has designed these pickups from the ground up with RaB in mind, although they do equally well for other genre too.
Personally, I'm using a Vic's Model C (bridge and fingerboard) stereo piezo set, feeding into a K&K Dual Channel Pro ST, where I can EQ and blend the signals from both piezos; I have this setup to output into a mono signal. From there I split the signal so I can support both a personal monitor and FOH, etc. And I use wireless dongles so there are no cables attached to my DB.
For more sensitive volume situations and/or for more tone-critical situations (mostly roots music genre) I have attached a Sennheiser e 604 dynamic mic for a clear, untouched mic feed out to a FOH or to amps. When I want MBOL tone, that's what I use. I also use wireless dongles for this.
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He uses the Barbera pickup and it’s very finicky. The guy who makes them retired too. They’re embedded in the bridge and are prone to failure. They were revolutionary in the early 2000s — not so much now.
Barbera Pickup
Thanks this was very useful! What wireless set up do you use?
I'm using some of the less expensive Getaria 2.4 tx/rc sets from Amazon, I got two sets expecting to use the 2nd set when the 1st set's batteries became exhausted. But battery life is so good I never have to switch, in typical 3-hour gigs, so I feel free to use both at the same time if desired.
I went with 2.4 for better tx distance and better battery life. I've had no interference issues in the 2 years I've used them.
P.S. Some reliable folks here have experienced on/off switch problems with these units. I haven't experienced this myself, but I believe the reports...
And yes, I do come prepared with cables just in case.
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+1 on @dhergert 's recommendation to hit up Gollihur Music's website. There's a lot of good information there. Also, if it's during business hours, I recommend either giving Mark a call or using the chat function on the Gollihur website. He's always responsive and I've had some longish convos regarding amp/cab choices. I learned a lot.
I recommend seriously considering the Shadow Rockabilly Pro preamp/pickup system. It's a very versatile system. They designed it in collaboration with Rockabilly bassist Didi Beck. If you watch the Art of Slap bass interview with him on YouTube, he talks a little bit about the process. The system definitely has rockabilly slappers in mind. I like mine so much, I bought one for each of my basses.
EQ-wise, I mostly use the built-in EQ knobs on the Shadow preamp. However, I still have a Boss Bass EQ pedal on my rig. That's mostly as a boost. But, given the pickup system is hi-fi, it also picks up finger noise that sometimes bothers me. So that's when I use it to pull back a bit on the high-mids. The Boss Bass EQ pedal is solid but honestly, the Shadow preamp mostly makes it redundant. I have a hard time not having an EQ pedal in the chain though. lol
Also +1 on @dhergert 's mention of wireless. I use a different brand. But a wireless system will definitely free up your ability to perform on the stage.
I recommend seriously considering the Shadow Rockabilly Pro preamp/pickup system. It's a very versatile system. They designed it in collaboration with Rockabilly bassist Didi Beck. If you watch the Art of Slap bass interview with him on YouTube, he talks a little bit about the process. The system definitely has rockabilly slappers in mind. I like mine so much, I bought one for each of my basses.
EQ-wise, I mostly use the built-in EQ knobs on the Shadow preamp. However, I still have a Boss Bass EQ pedal on my rig. That's mostly as a boost. But, given the pickup system is hi-fi, it also picks up finger noise that sometimes bothers me. So that's when I use it to pull back a bit on the high-mids. The Boss Bass EQ pedal is solid but honestly, the Shadow preamp mostly makes it redundant. I have a hard time not having an EQ pedal in the chain though. lol
Also +1 on @dhergert 's mention of wireless. I use a different brand. But a wireless system will definitely free up your ability to perform on the stage.
The Krivo pickup will give great volume without feedback.
I tried quite a few different pickups at one time. I eventually settled on the K&K Bass Max fitted into one wing of the bridge. I used an F-deck HPF for a preamp.
For me, battling feedback was a constant issue. The above seemed to give decent sound and minimize feedback.
This was in 2010.
For me, battling feedback was a constant issue. The above seemed to give decent sound and minimize feedback.
This was in 2010.
Buy a Bieselie magnetic along with the 2 channel blender that he sells and add a wing pickup you won't look back guaranteed this setup is much better than the krivo mag pickup expensive and worth it. I use this setup for jazz and no it does not sound like a P bass
For pickups I'd highly recommend the K&K Bassmax. Not the rockabilly plus set up with the transducer under the fingerboard. You don't need all that. Vic's Pickups are just as good too. For preamp I use a Tonebone. Works fantastic and it's what Kevin Smith (High Noon, Willie Nelson) recommended to me years ago. Less is more sometimes. Goodluck!
Right. With the Bassmax the click comes through just fine without the fingerboard transducer.
I run Vic's pickups into a Shadow Rockabilly Pro preamp and it's pretty stellar. The Shadow pickups are ok, but seem to be kinda fragile to me. Vic's sound better, are made by a bassist with a full lifetime warranty, and are way more durable in my experience.
While I don't use one, the Krivo does also get a lot of excellent reviews.
The only problem for me with a Krivo is that I use non-metal low-tension strings for both tone and touch, currently using synthetic strings but may one day use gut.
The Krivo, as with any magnetic pickup, will require ferrous (metal) strings.
The only problem for me with a Krivo is that I use non-metal low-tension strings for both tone and touch, currently using synthetic strings but may one day use gut.
The Krivo, as with any magnetic pickup, will require ferrous (metal) strings.
How are you attaching the e604 microphone? This looks like an affordable route, are there others that I should consider?
The e604 comes with a rubberized plastic clip mount intended for drums or for tuba use, but if you remove that mount you are left with the mic and its integral standard stand mount, and with a very nice metal knurled knob and bolt affair that screws into that mic stand mount. That bolt also happens to fit nicely through a standard tailpiece string hole which allows it to be mounted directly to the tailpiece. On my custom tailpiece there's also a special mounting plate with a hole in it, which is where I attach my e604. I have it pointing at the treble bridge foot where it seems to get a good sound for all the strings. I also have a wind muff on it because I frequently play outside. The e604 mic itself is extremely light (60gm).
DB mounted mics can be prone to feedback, but as I use the e604 primarily in sensitive volume situations, I have never had any feedback problems with it.
There are lots and lots of other DB mounted mic choices. I got my e604 after reading a review about them here in TB/DB (page 10), but other than with stand mics on stands or under the tailpiece, I've not tone-compared the e604 with much -- mainly because I didn't want to invest in a collection of other mounted DB mics that I might or might not use. But, the e604 works well with my amp and with FOH systems, it records well in the studio, it is a dynamic mic that is very easy to use with a variety of equipment, and it has a number of other very nice features.
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