Piezo

[NickTann]

Hi,

I have just acquired my first Double Bass. I am playing my first gig with it this Saturday the 30th.

I have not yet had a chance to buy a proper mic unit for it and won't be able to for a while, lack of funds as it needs a bit of work done in it.

I'm playing a small bar accompanying a singer/guitarist. There is a pa.

I have three choices, either I just shove a mic (SM58) in front of it or I do have a[url="http://www.peterman.com.au/music/Acoustic_Guitar_Pickups/single_external_pickup"] piezo pickup[/url] that I use on my Spanish guitar OR I could use both.

Either way I'm not sure where to A) position the mic or whereto stick the piezo (steady!)

Any help would be valued.

I will be looking for a more permanent solution once I get more gigs...


Thanks

Edited July 28, 2011 by NickTann

[bassace]

Interesting. I've never come across that pickup before and as it's specific to a guitar it may not be able to get down to the bass frequencies - or perhaps if you're lucky it may and you'll start a whole new trend. The vid is interesting in pointing up the difference in tone obtained by tightening up the piezo - an object lesson for those who wedge a bass bridge wing slot pickup too tightly. I'd certainly go ahead a give it a go if you already own one. I'd suggest that you blue-tack the pickups to the face of the bridge in various positions until you get a decent sound. As a second chance you could also try fixing the pickups to the front of the bass near the bridge feet.

Or you could use the mic foam-wedged in the tail piece or between the bridge feet.

BTW, if you're interested I have a brand new Bassmax for sale in the DB for sale section. You'll need a 5mm gap in the E string side bridge wing slot. I'll bump it.

[NickTann]

[quote name='bassace' post='1319674' date='Jul 28 2011, 07:47 PM']Interesting. I've never come across that pickup before and as it's specific to a guitar it may not be able to get down to the bass frequencies - or perhaps if you're lucky it may and you'll start a whole new trend. The vid is interesting in pointing up the difference in tone obtained by tightening up the piezo - an object lesson for those who wedge a bass bridge wing slot pickup too tightly. I'd certainly go ahead a give it a go if you already own one. I'd suggest that you blue-tack the pickups to the face of the bridge in various positions until you get a decent sound. As a second chance you could also try fixing the pickups to the front of the bass near the bridge feet.

Or you could use the mic foam-wedged in the tail piece or between the bridge feet.

BTW, if you're interested I have a brand new Bassmax for sale in the DB for sale section. You'll need a 5mm gap in the E string side bridge wing slot. I'll bump it.[/quote]

I can't find that section...

[bassace]

[quote name='NickTann' post='1319911' date='Jul 28 2011, 11:59 PM']I can't find that section...[/quote]


Scroll down to:-

Basschat Market Place
For sale: Double Basses / EUB's & paraphernalia

sorry, can't do links.

[thisnameistaken]

I doubt anyone here has used that pickup on a double bass. Try it in various spots around the bridge and see if any of them work out for you.

I wouldn't rely on a mic solution unless you don't really need much reinforcement. For any kind of proper volume, like keeping up with a drummer or even just a couple of loud guitarists, you will likely need a pickup.

Also make sure you the amp you're using can handle the high-impedance input from a piezo pickup. There are specialist preamps on the market that (amongst other things) will bump down the impedance to a signal suitable for input into a regular bass amp, but many amps themselves can't handle it and you'll get a horrible honky sound out if yours can't.

So lots of experimenting to do before your gig.

Edited July 29, 2011 by thisnameistaken

[NickTann]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='1320502' date='Jul 29 2011, 02:49 PM']I doubt anyone here has used that pickup on a double bass. Try it in various spots around the bridge and see if any of them work out for you.

I wouldn't rely on a mic solution unless you don't really need much reinforcement. For any kind of proper volume, like keeping up with a drummer or even just a couple of loud guitarists, you will likely need a pickup.

Also make sure you the amp you're using can handle the high-impedance input from a piezo pickup. There are specialist preamps on the market that (amongst other things) will bump down the impedance to a signal suitable for input into a regular bass amp, but many amps themselves can't handle it and you'll get a horrible honky sound out if yours can't.

So lots of experimenting to do before your gig. [/quote]


I think as it's a nice cosy bar and I'm playing with an acoustic guitarist, I'll try the SM58 wrapped in foam gently placed under the bridge for the time being.

I have a Trace Elliot rig that I will try and fit in the car as well my 12 string guitar as I'm also performing on my own later on in the evening.....

I haven't been at basschat for a while, I'd forgotten how friendly bass players are....