I have a gig coming up that requires a little amplification on my good bass, and it sent me on a bit of a treasure hunt. I had been using a Upton Revolution Solo pickup for years, but after taking it off my bass, I simply cannot find it.
That pickup had a lot going for it — you could leave it mounted without any noticeable effect on tone — but it always required removing a string to install it, which was just enough of an inconvenience that I kept it off the bass most of the time.
So with this upcoming gig on the horizon, I went looking for a new solution. I ended up on a search and took a chance on a pickup that runs about $100. I just put it on today, and I have to say, I’m genuinely impressed with what I’m hearing right out of the gate!
I was impressed by this pickup, and it requires no adjustments to your current instrument, including the removal of a string!
What I Like About It
The big selling point for me is how it mounts. It attaches down near the tailpiece with a simple thumb screw, so putting it on and taking it off is quick and painless. The piezo transducer then sits right in the bridge foot. If the fit is a little too narrow for your bridge — which it was for mine — they include small wooden wedges to snug it up. Two wedges did the trick on my bass, and if I ever need more, a quick trip to the hardware store will do it.
How It Sounds
I ran it through my Fender Rumble 40, a small amp well-suited for the kinds of gigs where I need a little extra volume. With the master at about a third of the way up and everything else pretty much straight — no extra gain — the sound is remarkably good. No preamp, no fuss.
Over the years, I’ve used a number of solutions: a Fishman that clamped onto the bridge, a David Gage Realist, a Fishman Full Circle, various condenser microphones, and others. I’ve reviewed several of them here on the channel.
This $100 pickup holds its own against all of them, at least in situations where I need quick, reliable amplified sound with minimal setup.
Easy Removal
When I’m done with a gig, I can pop this off my bass, toss it into a small bag, and have it ready for the next one. That kind of portability and simplicity is exactly what I was after. I’ll keep dialing things in and make sure there’s no cord rattle at volume, but my first impressions are very positive.
If you’re looking for an affordable, easy-to-mount pickup for your upright bass, the KNB DB-1 double bass pick up is worth a look!
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