Headway Pickup for Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass  |
| What if...
you could install one of the best sounding pickups on the market today in about 30 seconds? and... what if you personally could do this without having to modify your instrument in any way? and when the gig is over... what if you could remove it yourself, store it conveniently in your case and be in the parking lot before the audience hits the exits? well now you can... just wrap the Band pickup around your instrument between the bridge and the tailpiece and then Velcro it to itself. Plug in and you are ready to play. Ian Anderson and the Sturcz Quartet, equipped with the Band! A couple of years ago, back when I was working for Eastman Strings, I got a call from an old friend who used to play bass in the iconic British Rock band Jethro Tull. It turns out that Ian Anderson (Tull's frontman) was looking to buy a mandolin and he asked me to bring a couple to a show here in Washington DC for Ian to try. I arrived during the sound check and watched as the musicians and the sound guys tried desperately to coax enough sound out of the fiddle players instrument so it could be heard without causing all kinds of audio feedback. When I met Ian backstage later on I suggested he give John Littler at Headway Electronics a call and have him send a sample of the new violin pickups for Tull's violinist to try. A couple of weeks later I got a call from Ian to say that this "new Band pickup thingy" was amazing. Apparently he was thinking of ordering enough pickups to electrify an entire string section to be used on a "Pops" tour in Europe where they were to be backed by various high profile orchestras. We heard from Ian again just recently and he sent us a picture of himself and the "Sturcz Quartet" all equipped with "The Band". * Excellent warm tone and strong passive signal * No need for additional pre-amp, EQ box, or special cables or connectors. * Smooth response without excess treble or noise * Good rejection of feedback and bow noise * Easily fitted and transported * No need for additional clamps on jack sockets. * Available in violin, viola and cello versions |