Pickup for ABG

[robgo]

I am in the process of buying [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/218741-rare-eko-ba-4n-fretless-acoustic-bass-guitar-plus-eko-one-off-prototype-case/"]this Eko ABG[/url] from a fellow basschatter, and am trying to understand my options re fitting a pickup.

I don't know a huge amount about acoustic pups, being mainly an electric player, but I'm looking for a mellow, natural sound, and I'm not a knob twiddler.

I understand that the floating bridge on this bass will make options complicated as piezo pups amplify the movement of the bridge?

Fishman do a replacement bridge with a piezo in for [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fishman-PRO-ARC-TOP-Archtop-Guitar-Pickup/dp/B0002D06ZE/ref=pd_rhf_sc_p_t_1_DTGW"]archtops[/url]: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fishman-PRO-ARC-TOP-Archtop-Guitar-Pickup/dp/B0002D06ZE/ref=pd_rhf_sc_p_t_1_DTGW"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fishman-PRO-ARC-TOP-Archtop-Guitar-Pickup/dp/B0002D06ZE/ref=pd_rhf_sc_p_t_1_DTGW[/url] (I'm amazed at how diverse Amazon's stock list has become!!) but will this work for a bass?

Headway seem to do some nice stuff specifically for bass, such as this [url="http://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/product/snake-3-ab/"]snake [/url]3AB: [url="http://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/product/snake-3-ab/"]http://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/product/snake-3-ab/[/url] I don't know if this type of thing would work on the Eko though.

Would either of these really need a pre? Could I use a VT bass as the pre? Could I install these myself (I'm pretty handy if it's not too detailed!).

I'm kind of stabbing in the dark on this one, so if anyone can save me a few days of research and point me in the right direction, I'd be very grateful!!

Thanks

Rob

[BassBod]

I'd suggest the K&K Puretone (from memory) Two plates that stick underneath the bridge, inside the body. Comes with an endpin jack socket already connected - fit as passive, then run into a preamp/DI of your choice. Look at Bob Gollihur's site?

[robgo]

Thanks Bod, I'll check it out.

[Clarky]

check out this old thread. I had the same bass and used a K&K floating bridge pickup. Only thing is it was prone to feedback at higher volume. Sounded great at low volume though http://basschat.co.uk/topic/200373-best-pickup-for-acoustic-no-double-bass/page__p__1989351__hl__k__fromsearch__1#entry1989351

[robgo]

Thanks Clarky.

[robgo]

I presume you just shave a bit off the bottom of the bridge to compensate for the additional height.

Did you need a preamp with that?

[Clarky]

[indent=1]You could do that (shave it). I didn't as its very thin and made no appreciable difference to playability. Re: preamp, I'm not sure as at that time I had a piezo-friendly amp (Acoustic Image). I guess a simple tuning pedal in the chain might buffer it if it sounded piezo/nasal through your amp?[/indent]

[robgo]

Thanks Clarky! I've not seen anything better, so I'll give that one a go on your recommendation!!!

Btw, do you reckon my VT Bass would work as a pre - it does everything else!! (makes a great cup of tea!

[Clarky]

re VT Bass, I am not sure although I know some DB'ers use the Sansamp Para Driver so must be a good chance it works

[robgo]

By way of an update and in case anyone else is researching this in the future, I received some very helpful advice from Jon at JP Guitars - see email below. I've gone with Jon's recommendation of the 'pure bass' pup. Excellent customer service from Jon.

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Dear Rob[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Calibri][size=4]
Yes, this would certainly be an option if you want an externally mounted pickup. It has a pretty even response across a wide frequency range. As it is fitted under the feet of the bridge, it is loaded by the string pressure which means that it produces pretty much the maximum gain for a passive system – and it can be driven to relatively high levels before feedback. It’s pretty thin, so doesn’t make much difference to string action.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Calibri][size=4]
If you want a less obtrusive system, though, K&K also have a specialist acoustic bass system, called the Pure Bass:[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Calibri][size=4]
[url="https://email.lincoln.ac.uk/owa/redir.aspx?C=lw__AishHEan5Dlo60DOACZtvdUZn9AIH2QFMtdaMDzaGVQmdaOmN1W7bucrCmZtEsVYRX9B7vU.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.jp-guitars.co.uk%2fsales%2fpickups_and_amplification%2fkandk_bass_pickups.htm%23Pure_Bass_acoustic_4-string_bass_tenor"]http://www.jp-guitars.co.uk/sales/pickups_and_amplification/kandk_bass_pickups.htm#Pure_Bass_acoustic_4-string_bass_tenor[/url][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Calibri][size=4]
This mounts inside the guitar, and uses a Switchcraft strapjack mounted through the endblock. This can be more reliable for gigging than an externally mounted jack socket, and is also more precisely tailored to the demands of a bass (though it is also used on tenor guitars, where it can tame an excessively bright top end).[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Calibri][size=4]
Best wishes[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Calibri][size=4]
Jon[/size][/font][/color]