Trying out pickups.....

[alhbass]

I've recently started on the upright bass, and have my first couple if gigs coming up, one of which is outdoors. Having just paid out for the instrument I don't have much (any really!) cash left over for a pickup, but am clearly going to need one.

I've been advised that with a cheap instrument like mine, I might get lucky and find a cheap pup does the job ok, but there are several to choose from....

So, firstly, suggestions/recommendations please...?

And secondly - bit cheeky perhaps - but would any generous-hearted bc'er in the York area be willing to lend me a pickup to try? I've heard it can be pretty much a gamble as to whether any particular type/make happens to sound good with any particular instrument, so it would be really great to try one/some if poss...

Thanks in anticipation for your advice anyway.

[TPJ]

pm'd

[bassmayhem]

I quote myself from another thread:
"[i]I got a cheap but very good plywood doghouse I bought to start playing rockabilly on. It has Innovation Silver Slaps (they cost more than I paid for the bass) and my old Realist Copperhead. I plug it into my Fishman Platinum Pro Eq, and it makes wonder![/i]"
A cheap bass CAN sound good, but if you stack "cheap stuff" you might end up sounding cheap, and then it won't be fun to play. My expensive bass sounded like sh*t with the Realist, so I get another pup for that one. The Realist is easy to use; if you have adjustable bridge there is also the Realist LifeLine...

[ikay]

I got a K&K BassMax for my cheap old plywood DB. Reasonably priced, easy to fit and does the job - [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/kk_bass_max.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/kk_bass_max.htm[/url]

[Blartfactor10]

A guy I know in Gateshed makes these pickups, they sound as good as a KnK, but for about the third of the price. I have one on one of my uprights but you will need a pre amp. (A Boss Graphic EQ would do the trick)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/J-tone-Big-double-Bass-Pick-up-/201498506263?hash=item2eea3f3417:m:mMv8R28HOczqgXmXPBsADZw

[Beer of the Bass]

[quote name='Blartfactor10' timestamp='1462613657' post='3044339']
A guy I know in Gateshed makes these pickups, they sound as good as a KnK, but for about the third of the price. I have one on one of my uprights but you will need a pre amp. (A Boss Graphic EQ would do the trick)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/J-tone-Big-double-Bass-Pick-up-/201498506263?hash=item2eea3f3417:m:mMv8R28HOczqgXmXPBsADZw
[/quote]

I also have one of these, and like it better than the Revoolution Solo 2 I had. I think the jack mount that comes with it is a bit ugly, but otherwise it's a good option.

[SubsonicSimpleton]

+1 for the J-tone - I can't offer any comparative experience with other pickups, but I've been getting very good results with mine. Had to spend a little time getting the fit in the bridge right for optimum sound, and it sounds very natural by piezo standards, to my ears.

[Marty Forrer]

The Zac Victor pickup from Duece Bass Co is a fraction of the price of a BassMax, and is a better pickup in every way. No preamp needed.

[Owen]

Do not underestimate the importance of a preamp. Piezos NEED to see specific things further down the signal path otherwise they sound ike crud. As I have learnt. The hard way. On gigs

[TPJ]

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1462956435' post='3047169']
Do not underestimate the importance of a preamp. Piezos NEED to see specific things further down the signal path otherwise they sound ike crud. As I have learnt. The hard way. On gigs
[/quote]

This ^^

Even a tuner pedal will help with a piezo, anything with around 1M ohm input or more.

[iiipopes]

I use a Fishman Full Circle with my plywood bass for jazz/dance band gigs, and it is well received. Please PM me for further discussion.

[alhbass]

Thanks for all your replies. I've recently tried "The Band", and am going to go with that (as and when I can afford one). Not a cheap option, but it sounded brilliant.

Cheers all.