Type: condenser microphone
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.
A contemporary version of the principle introduced by the Ampeg bass pickup in the 1940ies. The micro is led to the inside of the body by a special endpin. The preamp has a notch filter to eliminate unwanted frequencies.
A rubber clamp for mounting the microphone outside of the instrument’s body is also available.
QA70R, QF4556A
Type: magnetic
Mode: active or passive
Preamp: –
A magnetic double bass pickup from Slovakia. Available as passive or active model.
SH950, SH951
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional
Similar the the Underwood pickup. Available with just one element (Sh951) and two elements (SH950).
SH714
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional
Similar to the Fishman pickup.The four piezo discs are attached to the bridge, one element underneath each string, with double sided adhesive tape.
SH SB1, SH SB2
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional
Basic single- or twin-disc transducer.
SH 965 NFX-B
Type: piezofilm
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.
The newest model from Shadow. The piezofilm elements mount under the bridge feet. The preamp is attached to the strings between bridge and tailpiece, and runs with a small 3V cell battery.
RB-Pro (Rockabilly Preamp + pickups)
Type: piezo
Mode: passive, incl. preamp
Features: includes bridge pickup (SH951) and fingerboard pickup (SH2500);
preamp runs on 9V battery or wall adaptor; built-in tuner; phase;
bridge channel: EQ (Bass, Mid, Treble), Subsonic, fingerboard channel: Low cut, Treble control
available at www.kontrabass-atelier.de
LCM-100
Type: condenser microphone
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.; dual channel available
The microphone is attached at the bridge from the bottom side with a peg. The Preamp delivered with the microphone allows to go directly into a bass amp. With an additional available blender the microphone signal can be mixed with the signal of the SD piezo pickup.
Pickup
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passiv
Preamp: optional; dual channel available
Similar to the Fishman BP100 pickup.The four piezo elements are attached to the bridge, one element underneath each string, with double sided adhesive tape.
A Dyn Set
Type: contact microphone
Mode: passive/active
Preamp: opt.
The A-DYN is the newest pickup of Schertler. It is a low impedance transducer suitable for all instruments, and can be connected to any mixing board in a microphone input. But the use of the A-PRE preamplifier (sold seperately or as a set) is recommended. The A-PR offer a roll-off filter, a 3-step gain, and phase reverse.
DynB
Type: electrodynamic contact microphone
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional, dual channel available
The contact microphone is about the size of a coinand installs to the top with adhesive compound. The position above the sound-post is recommended.
DynB-P48
Type: electrodynamic contact microphone
Mode: active (balanced)
Preamp: mandatory
The DYN-B-P48 is a fully balanced, active, dynamic contact microphone with Class A electronics. This microphone is offered for different instruments, each model features specifically designed active filtering technology.
StatB
Type: electrostatic
Mode: aktive
Preamp: mandatory; dual channel available
Schertler’s first double bass pickup existed of two capsules out of wood and cork. This sealed sound chambers are constructed around a miniature eletrostatic microphone, and were stuck into the two holes of the bridge. The succeeding model follows the same principle, but it consists of only one capsule. To attach the capsules, small wood wedges have to be glued to the bridge and the cork sides of the capsules have to be adapted to the curve of the two bridge holes.
UB-03
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –
The UB-03 has the size of a coin and is attached to the bridge with double sided adhesive tape.
Bass-10
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive or active
Preamp: (incl.)
The construction of this new model from Schatten is similar to the old Polytone: the piezo is wedged between the bridge legs by means of a thread. A second sensor is attached to the bridge with double-sided adhesive tape. Schatten offers a passive and an active version (with battery powered preamp) of this pickup system.
Type: magnetic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –
This pickup is sold since the 1950ies. It is attached to the end of the fingerboard with some screws, and has a built-in volume control.
Type: piezo (PVDF-film)
Mode: active
Preamp: built-in (needs phantom power)
Two paper thin piezo- (PVDF-)film sensors are attached to the bridge (or belly) with double sided adhesive tape. The sensors are connected to a small and lightwight preamp, which is attached to the strings below the bridge. The preamp doesn’t work with batteries, but needs phantom power. Comes with 15′ cable.
The Realist (Copperhead)
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –
The Realist acoustic transducer was designed by Ned Steinberger in collaboration with double bass luthier David Gage, and has quickly become very popular.
Ned Steinberger on the development of The Realist: “(…) The first is finding the right structure within and around the piezo crystal to respond optimally to the acoustic resonance of the instrument itself. (…) Second, placing the transducer under the foot of the bridge puts it exactly were the sound is transferred from the strings to the sound board. This is definitely where the action is, and the rich, powerful response, both pizzicato and bowed, testifies to this simple fact. (…) The copper foil sandwich construction is the third key element in the system. It provides total shielding to eliminate hum from light fixtures and other electrical or radio interference. It is flexible enough to conform to the curve of the top of the instrument, so that the full pressure of the bridge is concentrated evenly onto the piezo surface (…)”
The Realist is endorsed by Christian McBride, George Mraz and Michael Moore.
This pickup can be found factory installed in the Eminence portable upright basses.
The Realist “Wood”
Because it is made of wood, the element will not have any chance of marking the top of the instrument on to which it is installed. Less darker sound than the original Realist, although texture is very slightly compressed.
The Realist LifeLine
Introduced in 2013, this is the latest pickup design of David Gage. A thin U-shaped housing slides between the bridge and adjuster screw.
Bass Resonator
Type: piezoceramic + condenser microphone
Mode: active
Preamp: –
The Polytone system utilizes a piezo bridge transducer in combination with a condenser microphone. The bridge transducer mounts in the treble wing of the bridge under the ‘G’ string, much like the ‘Underwood’. It is a square-shaped piece of wood with the piezo inside. The mike is mounted in the center of the treble-side ƒ-hole, and is a square-shaped wooden unit with a red-button attached, called the “feedback eliminator”. It disconnects the mike from the sound to reduce the feedback. The unit does not have panning capabilities, so there is no control over the mix of mike and transducer.