B-Band AST/2150

Submitted at: 13:58, 2/1/2002

Product Info

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: US $95
Purchased from: FQMS/Kentucky

Instrument

Model of guitar or bass: Lakewood M1
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Baggs RT Plus
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: Equal parts restlessness and actual dissatisfaction

Sound

Perceived output level: moderate
Tone: very clean/authentic with a slight edge to the attack
Sonic evaluation: I've run it through a Trace TA100R and via direct box and Baggs PADI into a mid-powered PA (concert level for a 1200 person auditorium). In all cases I've been very pleased. As mentioned above, the AST adds a slight edge to the attack. The only other departure from absolute transparency is a slightly light-weight midrange. Having said that, the attack itself is rather pleasing and, I think, a great compromise between the cutting power of a Fishman (it's only truly positive attribute, IMO) and the transparent response we're all ostensibly seeking. It's a positive element in the pragmatic sense of the thing. I wouldn't mind a bit more girth to the sound, but they're revising the pickup for a March update, and the beta testing seems to indicate they've addressed this quite well. The installation itself requires a bit of patience, but is absolutely straightforward. Had some initial boominess and feedback, but these were anticipated in the manual and the fixes worked perfectly. No complaints.

The preamp itself employs B Band's usual and excellent modular design. I have a single AST element running into the 2150. It can take a second element, if desired, and an internal microphone.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Hard to imagine a situation where the AST wouldn't be an excellent choice

Overall Rating

Comments: I feel the AST is, hands down, the best pickup available in the $100 range. If I needed to replace it for whatever reason, it would receive strong consideration, if not an immediate decision. There are a number of excellent systems available, and the experimentation is sometimes its own reward. I've also heard very positive reports on the pickups from K&K Sound and will be installing one shortly in a friend's Taylor K10.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 8

Submitted by: Michael Schultz <hooloovoo25@hotmail.com>