K & K Bass Max & Double Big Twin -
review
Reviewed at StringBass.com / July 1999
Pros: Ability to bow for the Bass Max. Both are better
than the Fishman and Underwood in sound and response. Gives good source signal
to work with at the EQ. Good quality construction and design. Minimal alteration
to bridge. Low price.
Con: Still has the piezo tendency to feed back at
very high volumes.
Conclusion: Great pickups at a low price. Great to
expand from.
I like these pickup for their price and sound. These are big improvements over
the long standing Underwood and Fishman.
Those with a tight budget won't be disappointed with the K&K Bass Max or Double
Big Twin alone.
Comparison Both K&K's have several advantages over
the Underwood and Fishman. Responsiveness, sound, accuracy and arco sound of the
K&K are far better. There was a big difference in sound between the two K&K pickups.
We initially tested both with no equalization. The Bass max is more even across
the spectrum and the Double Big Twin is bassier. It is more sensitive in the treble
frequencies, so it picked up left hand finger movement. The Bass max has improved
accuracy and actually sound good. The Bass Max is perceived louder than the Double
Big Twin, thus in the recording, the Big Twin's sound file seems quieter. Our
spectrum analyzer told me a different story. Double big twin was just as loud,
except the middle frequencies were scooped more. We didn't turn up the volume
because this helps assess the volume difference. The advantage of the Double Big
Twin is its ability to balance the strings better with its per string piezo. This,
again, helps balance the string-to-string volume.
Arco, the Double Big Twin couldn't do nearly as well
as the Bass Max. The Double Big Twin is unbowable. If you are going to play with
the bow, go with the Bass Max. The Bass Max can be played arco, without large
conscious effort. The sound of the Bass Max under the bow is by far fuller. Also
with the bass max, the volume difference between arco and pizz are minimal. With
the double big twin, you will have to adjust the volume to compensate for the
difference. The Double Big Twin may be okay for those tunes that have a short
bowed part at the end. In the big band, the players preferred the sound of the
Bass Max. Comments were that it was much improved over the Fishman or Underwood
that I had used for the previous rehearsal. After EQing the Double Big Twin some,
the big band liked the sound almost as much, and I liked being able to fine tune
each string's volume. There were comments that the Double Big Twin looked "serious",
with its setup.