Right, this page is strictly for anoraks, fellow double bass players and people with too much time on their hands. Please don't think that I lie awake at night fretting about which pick-up/amp/DI box to use - 'cos I don't. Also, please don't think I'm an expert on this subject - 'cos I'm not. Anyway, this is the gear I use at the moment:

Strings
D'Addario Helicore - Hybrid Series. They seem to do the job. I make mine last 1-2 years. ( They cost about £130 a set! ) Sometimes I buy them second hand off a jazz player who changes his 3 or 4 times a year!

Pick-up
Shadow SH 950. This slots into both wings of the bridge, providing a good
signal.

D.I. Box
Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver. Featuring Tube Amplifier Emulation! This can
be used as a pre-amp or a stomp box but I use it as a DI box for recording and occasionally live work.

Amplifier
Gallien-Krueger MBS. I use this 'little' 150 Watt amp on a stand to keep it away from the body of the bass, ( cutting down on the chance of feedback ) taking an XLR from it straight to the mixing desk for live work and occasionally recording.

And that's it. If that was too much detail - my apologies, if not enough, then please Get A Life! or get in touch via 'Contact'.

Best Wishes,

Norton.