Alter Ego Double Bass Pickup
Type: piezoceramic coaxial cable
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.
Developped for use with the Alter Ego Electric Double Bass, this pickup is also available for acoustic double bass. The sensor, a coaxial cable, is embedded into a plywood shim, which is placed between a bridge leg and the belly. Since the plywood shim has a height of ca. 2 mm, the bridge height has to be corrected after installation.
C411
Type: condenser contact microphone
Mode: active
Preamp: mandatory (dual channel available)
Is to be removable sticked either on the surface or the bridge by means of adhesive compound included in the deliverance. By means of an additional preamp/phantom power unit it can also be blended with the micros of the MiniMic series of AKG.
DB1
Type: piezoceramic, built in bridge
Mode: active
Preamp: mandatory (dual channel available)
(no longer available)
MiniMicII
Type: condenser microphone
Mode: active
Preamp: mandatory (dual channel available)
Accusound Pickup
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: active
Preamp: incl., dual channel
The Accusound double bass pickup is made of a plastic strip which is attached to the bottom of the bridge by means of a double adhesive. The preamp is found under the fingerboard where the optional condenser-micro is attached as well.
Accousound condenser microphone
Type: condenser microphone
Mode: active
Preamp: incl., dual channel
The Accusound microphone the is attached at the bottom side of the fingerboard. So is the mixer/preamp. The microphone can be brought into a favourable position by means of a gooseneck about 20 cm long.
Type: electret film
Mode: passive
Preamp: –
This new pickup for double bass comes from Russia, and is placed under the foot of the bridge. No piezo is used, but an new electret film. This film allows a thickness of only 0.5 mm. In addition, the sheet is flexible and totally even, and fits the curvature of top and bridge feet perfectly.
Due to the placement on the bass’ top, the sound of the APT-flex is round and powerful for both pizzicato and arco.
The electret film sensor is shielded with copper foil, and has a rigid cable joint. The jack is attached to the tailpiece by means of a cable fastener or a plastic clip.
(out of production)
The Johann-Matthias-Sperger Gesellschaft (Johann-Matthias-Sperger Society) has launched their new website: www.spergergesellschaft.de.
Besides articles about composer and bassist Johann Matthias Sperger, the website features informations about the Sperger-Wettbewerb (double bass contest). The next Sperger-Wettbewerb will take place from Sept., 29 to Oct., 5. 2008 at Ludwigslust (near Schwerin, North-Eastern Germany)
Bassist Rufus Reid has written an article on “Being a Bassist” for the magazine All About Jazz – New York:
“The bassist of any group or ensemble is the core, the foundation, the ‘rock’, one who stabilizes the unit when it becomes shaky and the individual that everyone depends on dearly ‘to always be there!’ (…) All members in the group desire a positive, confident and consistent posture by the bassist. The desired musician has what everyone wants and needs to make the ensemble the best. Let’s explore the necessary aspects that will make you that desired bassist.”
You can download PDF of the current issue (that also feautures an interview with bassist Larry Ridley) at the magazine’s website for free.
Flea: The most incredible thing about the upright bass—the few times I’ve played one—is the way you can feel the whole thing vibrate when you have it up against your body. It’s like your body is resonating with the instrument. It’s a very fulfilling feeling.
Haden: It is! That’s why I stand so close to the instrument when I play. I put my head next to it. One night in 1959 I was playing at the Five Spot with Ornette, Don Cherry, and Billy Higgins, and I always play with my eyes closed—but I opened my eyes, and there was some guy onstage with his ear next to my ƒ-hole. And I was like, “Who is this guy?” And Ornette was like, “That’s Leonard Bernstein!” And I was like, “Okay . . . .”