Pickups & Mics for Upright Bass:  Pickups

Bass Master Pro Upright Bass Pickup System

Manufactured by: K&K Sound

The Bass Master Pro Combo combines the K&K Bass Max and Double Big Twin pickups, allowing you to mix them using a tiny two-channel preamplifier.

You can draw a comparison to a two pickup electric bass' neck and bridge pickups -- the complementary blend of the two units is very nice, and easy to quickly balance the volumes to achieve a different sound character depending on the type of music or selection. The placement and different characters of each pickup system provide a wider sound palette from which to choose. As a result, if you require a range different tonal flavors during a performance for pizz or arco, or want different voices for different gigs, the Bass Master Pro should be your choice.

The photo shows the two pickup components of the system mounted on my Juzek bass. A group of four transducers (the same as are used by the Double Big Twin) are placed beneath the four strings of the bass, and a Bass Max is inserted into the E or G side wing of your bridge. It terminates to a stereo (3 conductor) jack; a high quality stereo cable is included, to plug into the companion, dual channel preamplifier.

I should also note, that in my case, I mounted the bridge string transducers on the bottom of my bridge; K&K's original images show it on the top, but my Juzek's adjustable bridge is too curved to accommodate them. The Juzek's prior guest, the Double Big Twin, was also mounted on the bottom. I think it is less obtrusive and noticeable that way, too, but shouldn't matter one way or the other to the ultimate sound.

The preamp that comes with the system has a belt clip, for easy availability and balancing on the job, and measures a mere 3.5 x 2.9 x 1.3 inches. The two volume controls are at the top. Individual treble, bass, and master volume controls are inside the unit, which is powered by a 9 volt battery. A tiny screwdriver is attached by velcro on the inside, for adjustments to the internal controls.

As you can see, while the close-up above looks a little cluttered, it's quite unobtrusive when seen in perspective. This is the same installation on my Juzek 3/4 size bass.

K&K Sound Pickup/Preamp Packages

Combine the Pure Preamp from K&K with either the Bass Max or Double Big Twin URB pickup - and get a free preamp tailpiece mounting kit and cable!

Bass Max Upright Bass Pickup (transducer)

The Bass Max is a compact, dual-transducer pickup unit designed to be wedged into the wing in the side of your bridge. Big sound, small price!

Double Big Twin Upright Bass Pickup

The Double Big Twin was my first K&K "love," and its very string-oriented sound can be just the ticket for modern jazz play where you want to favor fingerboard and string sounds...

Bass Master Rockabilly PLUS Upright Bass Pickup System

This dual-pickup system gets "the sound" for Rockabilly! With two dedicated pickups - one for the bass tone and one for the "slap" - and a two-channel blending preamp/EQ, you can custom-tailor your sound.

Double Bass Max - special order

This system is similar to the Bass Master Pro, but a second out-of-phase Bass Max replaces the Double Big Twin transducer...

Two Channel Pickup and Mic Sets (w/o Preamp)

These are the pickups and mics normally sold with the Bass Master Pro, Bass Master Rockabilly, and Golden Trinity setups. If you already have one of the preamps from one of these systems, you can purchase the transducer/mic sets separately...

Power Supply: K&K Sound adaptor for small preamps

This power supply is specially designed to be used with the 9v-powered preamps from K&K Sound, like the Pure Preamp, Dual Channel preamps, etc.