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.

www.accusound.com

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)

www.akg-acoustics.com

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.

www.alter-ego.it

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.

www.amplistring.de

see BassBalsereit.

S25B
Type: condenser microphone
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.

The AMT double bass mike clips to the ribs or tailpiece of the instrument. It has a flexible gooseneck that allows easy positioning.

www.appliedmic.com

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)

MerkenMerken

ATM Pro 35X
Type: condenser microphone
Mode: active
Preamp/Phantom Power Supply: opt.

Clip-on microphone with gooseneck.You can use phantom power from the mixing console or the optional power module to run this microphone.

www.audiotechnica.com

Type: condenser microphone
Mode: active
Preamp/Phantom Power Supply: opt.

The ADX20iP has a cardioid polar pattern. Included with the ADX20iP is a gooseneck clip with spring tension for easy mounting to the instrument.

www.audixusa.com

At www.kontrabass-atelier.de, also available with the BassBall. This microphone mount can used instead of a gooseneck: just put it into the bridge arch (between bridge and top). Due to the ball shape, the capsule can point in any angle to the top. The distance from mike to top can also adjusted very easily.

Statement
Type: electret-film
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.

This pickup consists of three transducers of a new develloped elastic electret film. Two transducers mount into the bridge, using non-adhesive cork shims: one on the bass side and the other on the treble side. The third transducer is fitted underneath the bridge on the bass side (using the string pressure on the bridge to hold it in place). The preamp (“Statement Mixer”) has two individual mix controls, to preset two different sounds, and a footswitch to select between these sounds. The system also includes a fixed, sharp-slope, high-pass filter for the elimination of handling noise from the signal. In addition to the usual 9 V battery or regulated 12 V AC/DC adapter, the preamp can also be powered by 48 V phantom power.

D 1
Type: electret-film
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.

This system includes the same transducer type, but a more simple active preamp that is an all-in-one construction with the 1/4″ output jack. This attaches onto the two middle strings between the bridge and tailpiece. The 9-volt battery clip simply attaches to the tailpiece with Velcro. Inside the preamp there is a user mix control to set the balance between the bridge and the body sound.

www.b-band.com

Multi Transducer Bridge
Type: piezoceramic, built in bridge
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

The Barbera Multi-Transducer Bridge features two, dual element piezo transducers for each string. The sensors are mounted within a precision made maple graft, which is integrated into the in the back face of the bridge beneath the strings. The bridges are made custom to match each basses particular setup.

www.barberatransducers.com

Model 3150
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional

A small plastic frame containing the piezo element is fixed reversibly to the bridge (bridge wing) with nylon screws. The preamp is attached to the tailpiece by means of Velcro fastening.

Model 1360B
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional

A piezo-element, mounted into a bridge blank. Available with or without preamp.

www.barcusberry.com

BassBalsereit
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive or active
Preamp: optional

This pickup consists of a conical brass pin which is 4 cm long and as thick as a pencil. This pin is simply put into a conical hole drilled into the top end of the foot of the bridge. If you turn this brass pin in the bridge, you can adapt the sound to your instrument.

Besides the passive version, available for 15 years now, two improved active versions has recently been launched by Michael Schäfer, who took over the manufacturing from Willy Balsereit: the aktiv and the studio model. For these models, a miniature preamp (sized 4 x 6 mm) has been built into the brass cone. Existing older versions can be updated by the manufacturer.
The Bassbalsereit aktiv and studio models work with 7–48 V phantom power. While the aktiv can be used on balanced or unbalanced inputs, a balanced input (e.g. mixing console) is mandatory for the studio model. For the aktiv model, a DI box with phantom power supply is available, so it can easily be used with all kind of bassamps and mixing consoles.

www.bassbalsereit.de, www.ans-pickups.de

available at www.kontrabass-atelier.de

Cb-1
Type: piezo
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

This pickup is made of piezo foil. A small trim poti for tone control is built onto the jack.

http://baumtransducers.blogspot.com

cb4
Type: magnetic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

Two magnetic pickup coils, attachment to the underside of the fingerboard with velcro. Not suitable for bowing.

www.ifrance.fr/lecustomshop

MT, DP
Type: magnetic
Mode: passive
Preamp: built-in, dual channel

Two Models available. The DP has the preamp sepparate from the pickup, which can be mounted on the tailpiece of the bass, or sepparate from the instrument. The ‘MT’ is a self-contained unit with both the coil and the preamp attached to the fingerboard. They have adjustments for each string so that one can even the output of the four strings. There is an onboard volume, pan, and tone. The mixer allows one to mix in a piezo transducer, and blend the two sounds.

http://home.istar.ca/%7ejazsamba/pickups.html

Type: magnetic
Mode: active
Preamp: –

A magnetic pickup for double bass, mounted at the end of the fingerboard. The Bryk pickup has a quadrophonic output; the volume of each string can be adjusted individually. Works both pizzicato and arco.

www.bryk.de

CP Professional
Type: contact microphone/PVDF (?)
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.

C-ducer is a capacitive transducer, offered for use with many instruments. Less than 1mm thick, the microphone is flexible, extremely light and will conform to curved surfaces such as a double bass body.
C-ducer contact tape microphones have a very high-impedance output, in order to make them usable a preamp is supplied with each microphone (battery or phantom powered).

Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

A simple piezo disk pickup.

www.cejpek.wz.cz

Ace

Type: piezo
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

Single unit 35mm piezo element, mounts to bridge wing.

Deuce

same as above, but two piezo sensor.

http://www.andyleechengpickups.com

Type: condenser microphone
preamp: –  (phantom power needed)

Developed by Swedish bassist Peter Axelsson, this microphone was designed for the double bass, for use in studio as well as on stage through your regular amplifier.

www.xlsonaudio.com

MerkenMerken

MerkenMerken

Natural Presence Pickup
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

This PU is made of genuine Sitka violin-top spruce in a proprietary laminar structure with a transducer element intimately coupled to the wood.

www.clevinger.com

Twin SoundSpot
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

Double element PU. Similar to Fishman’s BP 100.

Bass SoundSpot
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

Single element PU. Attaches to bridge wing.

(Both d-tar pickups seem to be identical to K+K pickups)

http://www.d-tar.com

4099B

type: condenser microphone, hypercardoid
preamp: –  (phantom power needed)

The dpa 4099 series offers four models, each model specified for different instruments. The 4099B is designed for double bass/cello, and comes with a rubber clip which is mounted to the afterlengths.

VH4000 (microphone holder)

Besides a variety of microphones for many different instruments, dpa offers a microphone holder designed for double bass.

www.dpamicrophones.com

available at www.kontrabass-atelier.de

Ehrlund pickup
Type: contact microphone (?)
Mode: passive
Preamp: opt.

The contact pickup is mounted with an adhesive material (tack-it) to the instrument’s top, preferably near the bridge. The material is applied to the 3 corners with small balls, 3-5 mm.
A high impedance input or preamp is recommended (and available by the manufacturer).
www.ehrlund.se

available at www.kontrabass-atelier.de

QA70R, QF4556A
Type: magnetic
Mode: active or passive
Preamp: –

A magnetic double bass pickup from Slovakia. Available as passive or active model.

www.electrosonic.szm.sk

4SW

Type: magnetic
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.

The 4SW is a magnetic pickup system designed for Electric Upright Bass. The system was initially designed for Ned Steinberger and is still used on the NS Instruments. Included in the system are 4 individual pickups (5 or 6 also available) and preamp for low impedance output. But there isn’t a “standard” mounting setup for the 4SW.

www.emginc.com

LiveBass H-Clamp (microphone holder)With H-clamps, practically any microphone can be mounted on double basses (or cello/guitars/…). Inspired by the design of the clamps used at the luthier’s workshop, they H-clamp is mounted to the ribs. The choice of the edge of the body as the fixing point for the H-clamp is important for several reasons. It is convenient from the perspective of positioning microphones unobtrusively, but more important, the edge is the strongest part of the structure and the point at which clamping has least effect on the resonances of the sound box’s panels. The H-clamp can therefore be tightened very securely and yet have no discernable impact on the sound of the instrument. The H-Clamp’s components are machined from aerospace grade materials by an experienced manufacturer of high performance components for aircraft and aeroengines.www.exploraudio.com, available at www.kontrabass-atelier.de

BP-100
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional; several preamps (single/dual channnel) available

Two piezo plates are stuck to the top side of the bridge by means of two metal pegs. (Alternatively, the piezo elements can be glued on.)
This pickup is offered since 1979, and has been sold over 75,000 times so far, as Larry Fishman states.

Full Circle Pickup
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional; several models (single/dual channnel) available

Encased inside an aluminium height adjuster wheel of the bridge, which are very easy to install of you already have adjusters with the same thread in your bridge. The sound can be adjusted by turning the wheel some degrees.

Fishman/Crown microphone
Type: condenser microphone
Mode: active
Preamp: mandatory; several preamps (dual channnel) available

Fishman offers a small microphone from Crown as a supplement to or budled with the BP100. It is attached to the bridge and has a short gooseneck. Both signals can be mixed with a Fishman Blender dual channel preamp.

available at www.kontrabass-atelier.de

FWF-MB1

Type: piezo
Mode: passive
preamp: –

double bass passive piezo pickup with low pass filter, passive pickup with a quadruple piezo builded in two single elements, mounts to the bridge wing slots.
It has a tunable low pass filter within the jack plug.

FWF-MB750

Type: piezo + condenser
Mode: active
preamp: incl.

condenser microphone (cardoid pattern) + two piezo sensors, comes with a small preamp with microphone power supply and tone controls (low pass filters)

FWF pickups are entirely hand made in France by engineer Franck Fromy. FWF was founded twenty years ago at Paris. Today Franck Fromy lives and works in central France. No website available.

type: piezoceramic
mode: passive
preamp: –

Piezo embedded in Italian spruce; mounted to the bridge wing.

www.gullanskylab.com

Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: —

Similar to the Underwood, but the piezo elements are embedded in wood.

available at www.gknauer.de

Type: piezoceramic coaxial cable
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.

The Headway piezo-cable Active Bass Pickups fit into a slot routed under the bridge feet, pressured by Maple plugs, and made to measure to touch the instrument top. Send your fitted bridge to Headway, to have this work done by a luthier.

www.headwaymusicaudio.com

Type: piezoceramic coaxial cable
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.

The pickup sensor is embedded in a coaxial cable of 2 mm diameter and 6 cm length. The Highlander pickup was actually developed for acoustic guitars where it is situated inside the guitarbridge. For the use with a double bass, a small groove is routed in the tailpiece side of the bridge, and the PU is pressed in the groove. The preamps is housed in a little bag of black nylon, which mounts to the tailpiece.
This pickup can be found factory installed in the Fichter Electric Upright Basses.

www.highlanderpickups.com

The Ischell AirBag is a condenser contact microphone, and gets mounted to the instrument’s top by means of putty. For the needs of different instruments, it’s available in a variety of models. It comes with a small preamp with three preamp voicings: Flat / 180Hz / 360Hz.

AirBag-C

type: contact microphone
preamp: incl.
frequency response: 40 / 16000Hz
size: 8,5 x 16,7 mm

AirCapt

type: microphone
preamp: incl.
frequency response: 40 / 18000Hz
size: 12,75  x 21 x 12 mm
omnidirectional miniature microphone, to combine with AirBag-C

http://www.ischell.com

Special Offer: if your order a product at ISCHELL, use the voucher code “JONASLOHSE” to get 8% discount!

Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

Similar to the Underwood pickup.

Jitterbug Electronics, 27 Kettenring Place, Eastfield Dale, Cramlington/Northumberland, NE23 9XP, England (GB) (no website)

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

King Doll Head Piezo
Type: piezo
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.
There is a piezo pickup for the wing portion of the bridge and a piezo for the fingerboard to pick up slap. A stereo cable runs from the pickups to the “Doll Head” blender box.

www.kingdoublebass.com

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

Ultra Bass
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: optional

This pickup is glued to the rear side of the bridge. It is built into a small piece of maple (the same wood the bridge is usually made of).

www.lrbaggs.com

Type: ?
Mode: active or passive
Preamp: optional

This pickup is mounted between the belly and the bridge. It’s adjusted by means of a thread.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/lutherie

With this pickup mounting clamp, the pickup’s jack is mounted and detached to the tailpiece in seconds. The clamp is made of black plastic and has virtually no weight. The washers of soft, rubber-like pastic prevent the clamp from buzzing and dampen the transmission of tailpice resonances to the pickup. Suitable for all 1/2″ jacks.

www.kontrabass-atelier.de

DB05

Type: Electret
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.

This pickup has two sensors, each mounted to a bridge wing. For each sensor, a small wooden shelf must be glued onto the bridge. The preamp has a control to blend the two pickup sources, a treble cut filter and a build-in battery check circuit.

Available from Hubert Liegois, maker of the Lieg DBA200 amp

Hubert Liegeois, Tel. ++33 (0)6 19 16 93 40
hubert.liegeois [a t] laposte.net (website currently not available)

Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

Basically the same principle as the Polytone pickup from the 1970ies, but made of wood instead of brass.

www.contrabbassielettricimk.com

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

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

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

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

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

Type: piezo
Mode: active
Preamp: incl.

similar to the Wilson pickup, but mounted to the bridge leg; comes with preamp built into the jack.
The preamp is rechargeable within seconds and doesn’t need a battery permanently.

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

D 5400 LB (live) / D5400 (Studio)

type: condenser microphone
mode: active (balanced)
preamp/phantom power supply: –

The danish Remic D5400 is available into version: live and studio. It’s mounted into a foam block that wedges under the tailpiece. The microphone capsule needs 48V phantom power, and has a frequency response from 6 – 23KHz.

www.remic.dk/product-category/upright-bass/

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/

type: condenser microphone
preamp: incl. phantom power supply

Another new interpretation of the old Ampeg design from the 1940ies. A small microphone is mounted on top of the ULSA tube endpin, so the microphone captures the sound from the inside of the bass. Comes with phantom power supply.
www.liuteriascarlishop.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.

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

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.

www.schertler.com

Microphone manufacturer Schoeps offers two microphone mounts for double bass.
Model VA4 mounts to the ribs, and VA5 mounts to the bridge. Both work with Schopes microphones CCM2 or CCM8 (capsules MK 2 or MK 8)

www.schoeps.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.

www.sdsystems.com

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

www.shadow-electronics.com

available at www.kontrabass-atelier.de

The Original
Designed to fit into the bass’s bridge wing

Double Barrel
Essentially, the Double Barrel is an Original Model with an added half tranducer element.  This gives an emphasis on higher frequencies.

Rockabilly Recoil
Designed for the Rockabilly Player, works without batteries.  This system includes the pickup (bridge transducer element and fingerboard transducer element), and the passive preamp.

www.sixrounds.com 

Type: piezo
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

This pickup gets permanently installed into the bass bar side bridge foot. For installation, the leg gets cut off and the piezo inlayed into the wood – this needs a qualified luthier.
What looks like a preamp on the photo is a small passive (no batteries!) EQ unit that gets mounted to the tailpiece. This tone filter cuts off high frequencies and offers 4 presets (2 switches), suited for arco and pizziciato.

www.contrabassen.nl

String Charger
Type: magnetic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

The String-Charger is attached to the bottom end of the fingerboard underneath the strings. The coil can be bend to match the fingerboard curvature.

www.stringcharger.com

TM Billy Special

Type: piezo
Preamp: optional

A pickup  with two sensors: a bridge wing slot mounted one, and one for the fingerboard (slap). The jack is a stereo jack, so you can use the signal of each sensor individually with an optional two channel preamp.

TM Tone Master, Two Tone

Type: piezo
Preamp: optional

With one (Tone Master) or two (Two Tone) bridge wing slot sensors.

www.superiorbassworks.com

Magnetic

Type: magentic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

XLR outuput (cannon), impedance  600 ohms, humbucker 4 coil (1 coil for string), split – structure of 2 units for easy balancing of the strings, weight 50 g

http://surdopickups.blogspot.de/p/double-bass-pickups.html

BCE – 22

Type: piezo
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

The transducers piezo-elements is embedded in a piece of rubber
and wedged under the bridge wings.
Comes with 1/4 stereo jack, each sensor can be amplified separately.

BAE S4

Type: piezo
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

A copy of the Wilson K4 design, but made with wooden sensor housings.

www.tap.com.gr

Type: microphone (ribbon)
Mode: active (needs phantom power)
preamp: –

The Troll microphone was designed for use with double bass. It’s hand assembled by double bassist Brandon Essex.
It gets mounted to the bridge by means of rubber bands.

www.trollmicrophone.com

Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

This piezo pickup is made by Rocco Phipps and was designed to be placed under the bridge foot (E-string side).

www.andelgroup.com/Tru-Tone

UB-1
Type: piezoceramic, built in bridge
Mode: active
Preamp: mandatory

The american guitarmaker Rick Turner (co-founder of guitar manufacturer Alembic) installs his PU in your existent bridge, one sensor for each string. The sound can be optimized by sliding the elements in the slots.
He also offers to copy your bridge from a drawing. The Preamp is not included, but necessary.

www.renaissenceguitars.com

Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

The classic version, available since the early 1970ies! Simple handling; the two piezo elements are simply stuck in the slots under the wings of the bridge (as far as the Model of the bridge allows this). A Cello version is also available. This principle found a lot of imitators.

www.underwoodpickups.com

Revolution Solo
Type: piezo
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

“The Revolution Solo” transducer piezo element is embedded in a piece of spruce, and wedged under the bridge wing. Different sounds can be achieved by mounting the sensor with either one or the other side facing upwards.

The Source

Type: piezo
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

“The Source” pickup is based on the Revolution Solo pickup, but built into the bridge’s leg permanentely.

www.uptonbass.com

Type: contact microphone
Mode: active
Preamp: optional (phantom power needed)

The Vektor pickup was developped by German luthiers Tobias Pöhling and Sven Gawron. The first version of this contact microphone got permantly installed into to bridge foot. The new improved version of the Vektor pickup gets easily installed (and removed) by means of a screw, which holds the pickup between bridge and top. It picks up the sound directly from the top, and not from the bridge.

The Vektor pickup needs 9V phantom power (max.) which can either be supplied by a suitable amplifier or a pre-amp with a phantom power function.

www.vektor-bass.de

available at www.kontrabass-atelier.de

K4
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

The strings are picked up by small cylinder shaped piezo elements with the size of 5 x 15 mm installed directly underneath the strings in holes drilled into the bridge. The volume and sound of each string can be regulated individually by turning the elements.

K1
The Wilson PU is also available as single element PU, which can be installed into the bridge’s leg. Depending on its position, the element capture more of the strings’ or the body’s vibrations.

available at www.kontrabass-atelier.de

www.wilson-pickups.com

Growling Tiger
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

Similar to the classic Underwood PU. The Growlin’ Tiger is handmade by the double bass maker and restorer Heiner Windelband (Bramsche, Germany).

www.suennenblink.de

CPS-DB
Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: —

This PU uses a piezo sensor housed in the wheel of a bridge height adjuster. Because the cable(s) can be removed, it is possible to rotate the adjuster easily. It’s offered a single (one wheel) or double (two wheels) sensor model.

This japanese PU has been offered since 1987, but is almost unknown outside Japan. Eddie Gomez is an endorser, and has provided a soundclip playing the CPS-DB for Yamahiko’s website.

www.yamahiko.info

Type: magnetic
Mode: passive
Preamp: dual channel, incl.

Like other magnetic pickups, this one attaches at the end of the fingerboard. With the preamp (passive; no batteries required), you can blend in the sound of an already existant piezo pickup. For bowing, the magnetic pickup can be muted by a switch.
Michael Zadow offers his pickups custom-made for your individual bass’ measurements for the same price.

Unlike other magnetic pickups (like Fender Precision-bass-pickups or Schaller), this pickup sounds more acoustically. For Rockabilly/Bluegrass slap-bass-players, the second channel is very useful to add a fingerboard piezo-pickup.

Also available for 5-string basses and cello.

Michael Zadow also manufactures the ze200 double bass combo amp.

www.zadow-electronics.de/musik.htm

Type: piezoceramic
Mode: passive
Preamp: –

Similar to the classic Underwood. The piezos are embedded in a bronze case covered with plastic. There are two sizes available: 5 mm and 8 mm. For precise fitting to the bridge slots, the height of the sensors can be modified to 3.3 mm and 5.3 mm by removing some material from the plastic cap.

Igor Zubkov, Kase 55, 12012, Tallinn, Estonia Tel./Fax (372) 6 48 01 94