I've got the bug to make a cigar box bass with Aquila Thundergut strings and looking for inexpensive pickup ideas. Would this rig from CB Gitty handle the low end?
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
This reply was deleted.
I've got the bug to make a cigar box bass with Aquila Thundergut strings and looking for inexpensive pickup ideas. Would this rig from CB Gitty handle the low end?
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
Replies
Yep, figured you were going short scale...UBass style. Chewy n gooey like plate lunch with poi. Skeesix is right, though. With lower tension, the volume will likely benefit from a pre amp.
Just for closure, I did put that CBGitty preamp in the bass build and it sounds pretty good. I get a little bit of excess noise if the volume slider is all the way up, but overall I get a nice mellow tone. I also put a video on my page with a sound sample. Thanks again for all the tips and feedback.
I would think it would work. I've done a U-bass type design with two disc piezos, and using Road Toad Pahoehoe strings. The volume is a little low due to the low string tension and no preamp. But it sounds great - nice and bassy, and fun and easy to play.
The only problem I can see might be string spacing. You might want to buy a piezo made for 6 strings instead of 4 so you can space it out wider.
I'm leaning toward 2 strings (A and D), so I don't think spacing will be an issue. I may just order the preamp and if it doesnt work out I'll use it on a CBG. Will be taking pictures for sure.
Thanks Scott - Feedback greatly appreciated. Those tape wound strings intrigue me, but I should have mentioned I'm shooting for a Kala U-bass feel -- low tension, short scale, "acoustic" sound... but that is a beautiful instrument and your pickup solution has got me thinking.
All best,
Greg
Thanks. Was going for a Kona Bob sorta feel for my Dad. Didnt want to spend $600 on one of his original walking stick basses. This one has two threaded foot post. One for stand up, the other for playing while seated.
Hey Greg,
Cool strings (the Aquila Thunderguts). Haven't used them, but I did use a partial set of Fender Black Tape Wound bass strings on a walking stick bass I made last year. I didn't use a pre-amp like the Gitty one pictured. I made a wooden bridge with an aluminum rod from an old tent stake for the saddle. Embedded in the wood bridge, from the bottom side, I installed a dual-piezo disk pickup and wired directly to the jack. Made for a pure clean sound. Lots of deep thump too. I will note that I used the ADG strings and kept the E string for a later project.