Headway The Band2 Double Bass Pickup

The Headway Band provides a simple and clean way to pick up the sound from my bass when it needs a small boost. It's so unobtrusive that I leave it in place most of the time.

It probably isn't as susceptible to feedback as mic-based systems but the double bass body is a natural sound amplifier. As volume levels push up, it is a good idea not to stand too close to any speakers (including those from other musicians) and to put something in the f holes to take the edge off feedback propagation. Even something as inelegant as a pair of old socks allows significantly more volume.

While you can run straight to an amp, I find that I get a better tone running through a preamp, where I can emphasise lower frequences and reduce the higher ones.

Overall, I don't think it quite lives up to the promises of the advertising blurb but it has still been an excellent solution for situations where I need to plug in.