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[Tracy Stewart]

I am looking for advice on the best mic to use for a stand up bass in a bluegrass band.  I have looked at the re-20 and the sm-7b but i am open for suggestions. This will be in a live environment outdoors. Thanks!

[Earl F Young]

sm57
  Either stand mounted -or towel*wrapped (58 if windy.)
 

I am looking for advice on the best mic to use for a stand up bass in a bluegrass band.  I have looked at the re-20 and the sm-7b but i am open for suggestions. This will be in a live environment outdoors. Thanks!

[Ron Bolte]

This...
http://www.dpamicrophones.com/microphones/dvote/4099b-instrument-microphone-for-bass

A bit pricey, but lots of GBF and great isolation.
I like that the player can't turn away from it or kick it over accidentally too.

The 4099 is great for a lot of instrument situations, you can buy lots of different mounts for it once you own it.

[Tim McCulloch]

I suggest a search of the forums using google and its site filter:

bluesgrass bass site:forums.prosoundweb.com

[Jay Barracato]

You may want to check with the bassist as to their preference as I can't think of anyone among the big boys ( girls) who are mic ing the bass in a live setting.

As a provider, if the band has not brought something specific to use they will either get a 58 in a piece of foam or an at pro35 clip on from me. If it is a band I work with a lot then a bridge mounted ev nd468 but that is not something to be tackled pre show.

But honestly there are a raft of bridge mounted pickups that sound as good as any mic.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Weogo Reed]

Hi Folks,

Has anybody here worked with this mic? :
 http://www.eartrumpetlabs.com/products/microphones/nadine
Am curious how well it works with monitors.

The Heil large diaphragm mics can work well on Bass.

I've also used an omni Bartlett Bass mic, mounted just inside an F-hole.

Thanks and good health,  Weogo

[Mal Brown]

If it were my bass, it would be a David Gage Realist...  not a mic.  Mic's are a pita on a bass.  It confines the player to a very small location movement wise.  At least for live work.  Studio, Ok mic away with a very Gucci mic...

[Chris Grimshaw]

A technique I spotted in the studio world, but works okay live if you've got some EQ available:

Get a '57 (or whatever instrument mic you like), put it back in the pouch (still cabled), zip it up and wedge it under the tailpiece of the bass, where the strings attach.
While mics generally aren't designed to be contact pickups, this has worked quite well for me in situations where a stand-mounted mic simply isn't applicable.
The sound is a little bottom-heavy, with plenty of the thump-thump from the plucking fingers coming through. Easy enough to attenuate that, but most bass players like it.

Chris

[Gary Greyhosky]

Just did a large bluegrass festival this past weekend. One bassist requested a 57 wrapped in foam under the bridge, the rest all had pickups mounted. When I'm providing, I use either DPA4099 with bass mount, a Heil PR 40 or a K&K pickup (which installs quickly). Have had good results with all three.

[David Simpson]

Hi Folks,

Has anybody here worked with this mic? :
 http://www.eartrumpetlabs.com/products/microphones/nadine
Am curious how well it works with monitors.

The Heil large diaphragm mics can work well on Bass.

I've also used an omni Bartlett Bass mic, mounted just inside an F-hole.

Thanks and good health,  Weogo

I have had an Ear Trumpet Nadine for 6 months now. I have used it several times on bluegrass and jazz. Nothing but compliments from musicians about it. Easy to use and sounds great.

[Jeffrey Knorr - JRKLabs.com]

I am looking for advice on the best mic to use for a stand up bass in a bluegrass band.  I have looked at the re-20 and the sm-7b but i am open for suggestions. This will be in a live environment outdoors. Thanks!

My votes are an ATM-350 clipped onto the bridge or an ATM-450/Audix SCX1 with a clamp placing the mic near the f-hole of the bass. 

I believe this is the clamp that we use, https://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1673-H_CLAMP_LIGHT_UPRIGHT_BASS_AND_CELLO_MICROPHONE_MOUNTS.html

A 57 or 58 in the tail piece works too but I like having extra low end extension that they don't usually provide. 

Jeff

[Keith Billik]

I am looking for advice on the best mic to use for a stand up bass in a bluegrass band.  I have looked at the re-20 and the sm-7b but i am open for suggestions. This will be in a live environment outdoors. Thanks!

As suggested above, mics on a stand are more problems than they're worth in live settings.

In addition to the Sm57/58 techniques, I've had luck using a side-address mic such as an e609, in combination with a pickup. Better rejection of stage noise, and I can use the pickup for bottom end, while getting a bit of the "growl" from the 609. I have also used an ATM350 on its own (no pickup blended) and had really good results.

[Tim Rose]

Im an upright player.  The sound starts at the source and there more bad sounding basses out there than good for sure.....mic on a stick is pita..  pickups sound bad (piezos)....  you guys wont believe it but I have been using this for years and been happy...  wedge it inside the f-hole with a piece of foam... steel string-gut string - arco - pizz - slap - all work great. 

[Stu McDoniel]

I have seen quite a few guys fold a towel in half and place a 57 on the end and roll the towel
up into a cylinder shape with the ends open and stuff it under the bridge/strings and call it a day.

Seems to work well.

[Doug Fowler]

I have seen quite a few guys fold a towel in half and place a 57 on the end and roll the towel
up into a cylinder shape with the ends open and stuff it under the bridge/strings and call it a day.

Seems to work well.

Wrapped 57 in the tailpiece has been a go-to for many years.  I have done it myself many times.   I think I used foam the last time I did this.

[Keith Broughton]

This...
http://www.dpamicrophones.com/microphones/dvote/4099b-instrument-microphone-for-bass

A bit pricey, but lots of GBF and great isolation.
I like that the player can't turn away from it or kick it over accidentally too.

The 4099 is great for a lot of instrument situations, you can buy lots of different mounts for it once you own it.

Expensive...yes! ...but you will not regret it.
these mics sound spectacular, do not confine the player to a location and pack up easily for travel.

[Gary Fitzpatrick]

Another vote for the DPA 4099 here...love it on any instrument really. Band I work with the bass has a pickup and he uses a 4099 as well. Pickup for the wedges and 4099 for FOH


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[g'bye, Dick Rees]

Wrapped 57 in the tailpiece has been a go-to for many years.  I have done it myself many times.   I think I used foam the last time I did this.

Yup.  My kit has a terrycloth covered foam block from a mic box, an SM-58 and a Velcro D-strap to cinch the mic firmly under the tailpiece.  Used it myself for years.

[Scott Helmke]

Several years ago I did an experiment with an upright bass (I'm a pretty OK player myself) and some different mics.  The best approach by far was a mic pointing up across the body, rather than at the body. Even in a wedge that worked reasonably well.  The worst possible method is a cardioid mic pointed into one of the f-holes.

So more support for the 57-in-the-tailpiece method, though with more discerning clients I'll use a pencil condenser on a small stand.  Still pointed up and across the body, though.

[ProSoundWeb Community]