Category Archives: Gear Guide

Planet Pickups

Planet Plug
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

This new double bass pickups are developed by a Danish bassplayer and engineer. The piezo element is embedded in a maple wood plug. For installation, a hole must be drilled into the bassbar-side bridge leg.

Planet Wing
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

Custom designed piezo elements, embedded in copper plated fiberglass. Mounted into bridge wing slot.

www.planet-pickups.com

Pick up the World

Type: piezo (PVDF-film)
Mode: active
Preamp: optional; several models available

The company Pick-up-the-World uses a paper thin film material for their pickup elements. They offer different sizes for nearly all kinds of stringed instruments. A specially sized element mounts under the bass bridge foot and rides up the inside face of the bass leg. The preamps offered by PUTW have a volume control and are very small and lightwight. They can be attached to the tailpiece.

www.pick-uptheworld.com

Pan Electric

PE-2B
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: incl.

Similar to the classic Underwood. The piezo elements are covered with leather.

PE-3B, PE-4A
Type: condenser microphone
Mode: aktive
Preamp: incl., dual channel available

It is a simple microphone attached to the surface of the belly and matches with the same maker’s piezo-PU. Both signals can be mixed in the preamp.

www.pan-electric.com

Musik Lab

String Amp
Type: electrodynamic
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.

Calibrated permanent magnets are attached under the fingerboard, and the strings are connected to a preamp (attached under the tailpiece). By the movement of the strings (they have to be conductive, but not magnetic itself) in the magnetic field, there is a electrical signal generated, which is amplified by the integrated preamp.

www.StringAmp.dk

Kurmann Soundpost

Soundpost
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: aktiv
Preamp: incl.

The pickup element is attached to the sound-post, that is to inside the body. To suppress interfering frequencies, the soundpost is wrapped with wool completely. For the connection to the amp, a small jack is drilled into the lower block. Endorsed by Ron Carter.
The double bass model is no longer available, only violin model is still in production.

www.soundpost.ch

K+K

Bass Max
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional; several preamps (single/dual channel) available
A piezo-“sandwich”, consisting of two piezo elements in one housing, is stuck under one of the wings of the bridge.

Double Big Twin
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional; several preamps (single/dual channel) available
The four 3/4″ diameter piezo elements are attached to the bridge, one element underneath each string, with double sided adhesive tape.

Golden Bullet URB
Type: condenser microphone
Mode: active
Preamp: mandatory, dual channel
The Golden Trinity Microphone is mounted on the bridge using adhesive 3M Dual Lock and positioned using its built-in six-inch goosneck. With a K+K Dual Channel Preamp, you can use it along with your piezo pickup.

Bass Master Combo Pro
combination of Bass Max/Double Big Twin/Dual-Channel Preamp

Bass Master RB for Rockabilly Bass
system specifically for slap bass players, combination of Bass Max/Special Fingerboard Pickup/Dual-Channel Preamp

Golden Trinity (Bass Mic and Pickup combination)
combination of the Golden Bullet URB and Dual Channel Preamp with piezo pickup

www.kksound.com