stingrayPete1977 Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 OK as I have fitted one of these £35 eBay pickups I thought it might be worth me doing a little post for anyone interested as I bet there will be a few noob DB players like me that just want a bit of volume more than a killer tone to start with? As a quick bodge the other night when it arrived (very quick delivery) I cut the wing slots out by about an extra 3mm with a hacksaw which left them oversize by a mm or so, I wrapped the pads in foam packing to wedge them in and tightened the strings, it worked but was very low output and the bass side was very weak. [IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130316_084313_zpsa4ceedc2.jpg[/IMG] This morning I removed the pads and filed the slots neater with a small flat file as I had sharp areas poking out before. [IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130316_084233_zps2de4a9bf.jpg[/IMG] Next I made some concetina strips of card from a cereal packet (Aldi frosted flakes if it matters?), I managed to get three pieces worth of card in between the pad and the wing (Im not sure if putting the pad against the wing or the bridge would be best?). [IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130316_084639_zps4ad8481c.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130316_084302_zps01ecb408.jpg[/IMG] Plugged it in and now its much better, louder, even and quite a nice natural tone which I presume would work well with a preamp of some sort if you want to shape the tone, I will get a preamp just for a bit more output really as its still a bit weak, I think I will get a better sound if I can keep my amp controls lower and less gain probably equals less feedback! I have tucked the cables up neat and tied a black twisty thing through the string holes, looks tidy IMO [IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130316_092408_zps9d320578.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 I have the single piezo version of this, £25 off the bay, and it was a bit too thick to fit all he way in to the wing at first, but I wedged it in and tried it. Result, a weak output and not too inspiring, but after filing the bridge for a few minutes and getting the unit to slide fully between the wing and the bridge it was a lot better. I used it on the bass side. It was a good tight fit and no shims were needed. I bought an ART tube preamp last week and although I don't have a bass to use it with (after the little accident) the ART sounds really good with my acoustic guitar (piezo, no onboard preamp) So when I pick up my new bass tomorrow it will hopefully add the magic required. The new bass already has a pickup fitted, but I'm not sure what it is. I'm looking forward to using it at rehearsal tomorrow night, new band, new bass..... Talk about in at the deep end! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 (edited) As above I have the single version of this fitted on both my basses, I simply filed down the bridge and it slotted in nice and tight. I have a cheap Rocktek 7 band graphic and it goes through a Markbass Mini. I always get a good rich sound and very few feedback problems. These are great pickups for the money, I tried Fishman and Shadow but found these the best for live rock n roll use. If you take your time fitting it as you have done the results are amazing for the price. Edited March 16, 2013 by ash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassInMyFace Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 i have the rockabilly version. has a clicky that sticks to back of fingerboard and a single piezo unit for the bridge. sounds great, volume is high and nice natural tone. i dont really play much rockabilly so was probably the wrong choice but the clicky seems to work great when i do. you can experiment with placing it closer to the edge of the board for more response. i have mine quite high up so response is very subtle. rumour has it the "reds" model is the best all rounder. i know a few people who use them and the j-tone guy confirmed as much when i emailed him thru ebay. am considering the switch just to compare. cant go wrong for 30 squid!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 Looks like I did OK then I will look into the Rocktek preamp too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1363433956' post='2012632'] I have the single piezo version of this, £25 off the bay, and it was a bit too thick to fit all he way in to the wing at first, but I wedged it in and tried it. Result, a weak output and not too inspiring, but after filing the bridge for a few minutes and getting the unit to slide fully between the wing and the bridge it was a lot better. I used it on the bass side. It was a good tight fit and no shims were needed. I bought an ART tube preamp last week and although I don't have a bass to use it with (after the little accident) the ART sounds really good with my acoustic guitar (piezo, no onboard preamp) So when I pick up my new bass tomorrow it will hopefully add the magic required. The new bass already has a pickup fitted, but I'm not sure what it is. I'm looking forward to using it at rehearsal tomorrow night, new band, new bass..... Talk about in at the deep end! [/quote] Good luck with [b][i]all[/i][/b] of that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 Just purchased this, I made an offer of £26 which made it £29.99 inc the postage, handy to have another tuner to save me using my gig one in the practice room. I thought Artec were a fancy one and have seen a few folk have them, hopefully got a decent little budget setup now [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330795367099?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330795367099?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeponehandloose Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 try the bass side paddle only, let the other dangle, quite a few Underwood users do this, there can be phasing issues between the two pickups wjich may thin the sound out, not a sure fire sound improvement , but may help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 Well its quite well stuck in there now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1363439268' post='2012704'] Good luck with [b][i]all[/i][/b] of that [/quote] Cheers, I'll let you know how it goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citymariner Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Thanks for this review. Just order the 'red' version. Just out of curiosity, do you have a'thickness' dimension for the pickup that slides between the wing and bridge. I have a set of callipers at home so it would be interesting to see what the fit will be like on mine. KR, CM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted April 20, 2013 Author Share Posted April 20, 2013 Hi sorry missed this, my tabs are about 4.5mm thick, I have cut the wing slots out to about 6mm and added three folds of cereal box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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