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.

www.sdsystems.com

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.

www.schattendesign.com

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.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/riceaudio/

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.

www.realistacoustic.com

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.

www.polytoneamps.com

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

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

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