Hi everyone...I've been really happy with my pickup situation since I got my new bass and the new K&K Trinity mic. I was mixing the mic and the Realist pickup, and getting a great sound. A couple of days ago I noticed a loud buzzing coming from the amp every time I turned the Realist on, and now I can't record with the combination any more because of the noise. I believe it's a ground problem of some sort. Anybody else had a similar problem with this pickup? I love the pickup, but I've only had it a little over a year, and if they don't last any longer than that, this could get expensive!

I'd like to contact David Gage if possible to find out if it could be repaired. Does anybody know how to reach him or his shop by email? Thanks in advance!

Hey Chris, You can Contact Gage via E-mail at this address : davidgage@davidgage.com Check out his website for Phone and Fax info. http://www.davidgage.com/index.htm
And yes, it sounds like either a ground problem or a damaged wire to me (or both). Hope you can work it out.

Chris, I have problems with my Realist, too. It just stopped working one day-no signal, no sound, no warning. I love the sound it did have, and I'll probably go into David's shop and ask if he can do anything about it (replace or repair). When I bought my bass there 7 years ago, he spent the majority of the afternoon helping me choose a bass and then setting it up perfectly. Good to hear the K & K Trinity is happening- I plan on adding one to my Bass Max soon. Hope your problem is resolved. Bassgeek

Bassgeek - the Trinity works well with the Bass Max. When my Realist went out, I had to bust out my soldering iron and remove the Bass Max part from my Bass Master Pro. Although I never cared too much for the sound of it alone, I have to admit that it complements the mic really nicely. Thanks for the positive thoughts. (Hope they don't make Don get all barfy...)

CHEETOcanteatjust35 - thanks for the link! (I just messed with your name to help Don settle his stomach.)

Well, it's been over 2 weeks since I emailed Gage's shop describing my Realist ground problem and asking for advice about whether it could be fixed/where I might send it if it could. Not a single reply. Nada! Since the first one only lasted 14 months and he (they) can't be bothered to even comment about the problem, I'm not real inclined to buy another one with that kind of track record. Does anybody know anything about Gage's reputation for helpfulness/product support?

Don - A student in one of my classes recently bought a Schertler pickup, and he says that it sounds wonderful. I haven't seen it yet, but I hope to get together with him before too long. I remember you saying that you had tried the Schertler in the past before settling on the Barbera (sp?). What was your take on it, other than liking the Barbera better?

There's enough going on at Gage's that he has to have clerical assistance to help his wife, who's on the ball. I'd guess that a clerk screwed up; a clerk took my order for a wheel and sent the wheel with no shaft. Try a follow up e-mail, saying you got no answer to the first.
I don't go there often, but I always see a Realist in for repair. I don't know the percentage.

Schertler was a $1,900 package - pickup, pre-amp, speaker allegedly designed to match. I sent everything back. Nothing lived up to the hype for me. I went to a friendly music store, went through a mixing board, tried everything. A bust. Yet, I know people how say it's the best. Moral: nobody can tell you how it will work on your bass.

Arnold Schnitzer just gave me an Acoustic Image to try on a gig tonight. We did an A-B in his shop and the AI just killed a G-K for tone quality.

The Barbera is remarkably fast. When I play a Realist, I feel like I'm in time-delay. Barbera seems a bit "hot" with the AI. One of these days, I'll be driving down to see Bob Gollihur's stuff.

Thanks for the info. The student who has the Schertler says that it's a wing-mount pickup w/preamp, and came in at about $300. Couldn't be the same thing, could it? Anyway one of the things I liked about the Realist was that it wasn't too "hot" sounding. I'll try another email, and if that gets no response, I'll probably just not use a Realist again. BTW, let me know what you think of Bob's stuff if you go down. Right now, I'm using a "double" Bass Max which Bob kindly talked me through soldering together right after the Realist went out. It's paired with the Trinity mic, and I kinda like it. Funny thing was, I absolutely HATED the bass Max on my old bass, but on the new one it sounds really good.

Your student has the earlier version; different. Michael Moore was using one but couldn't get it repaired when it went bad.
The system I tried was alleged to accurately reproduce the sound of the bass, unlike being processed by a bass amp. Not even close.

Not to stray from the original thread, but I saw an interesting set-up recently at Sweet Basil. Eddie Gomez was using an Acoustic Image amp (the combo) and a pickup that seemed to be built into the bridge adjusters. Have you guys seen/heard of such a pickup? It sounded nice and clear from top to bottom and volume-wise, stood up to Lenny White's powerful playing. It also didn't sound as "Eddie Gomezy" as his recorded sound on some albums.

>One of these days, I'll be driving down to see Bob Gollihur's stuff.

You're always welcome, Don.

Okay...Five weeks and two very friendly emails inquiring about the possibility of repairing my pickup have passed, and not a single peep from Gage or anyone in his shop. Looks like I won't be ordering anything else made by him if that's the kind of support I can expect...:rolleyes:

Unfortunately Gage does not reply.
I have sent them 3 emails and have waited
several months......nothing.

A rather strange behavoir as today the world of bassist are communicating global and within seconds !

Very sad...need I say not recommended ?

Kind regards,
Christian V

I use a realist on each of my two basses. About three years ago one of them failed. I mailed it to David Gage and asked if it could be fixed. He replied that it looks like it's been abused
and he mailed me a brand new one with his compilents. Can't ask for anything better than that. No problems since.

I use a realist on each of my two basses. About three years ago one of them failed. I mailed it to David gage asking if it could be fixed. He replied that "it looks as if it's been abused, here is a new one with my compliments." Can't ask for better service.

The only problem with the realist pickup is that it sucks....


Hope that helps.

I use a realist on each of my two basses. About three years ago one of them failed. I mailed it to David gage asking if it could be fixed. He replied that "it looks as if it's been abused, here is a new one with my compliments." Can't ask for better service.

Well, do you think you abused it?

I think if there is a flaw in one of the production runs of The Realist, that is a term (abused) he could use safely, without being dishonest.

Curious about the customer service at Gage's enterprise, since I have been considering an instrument purchase from him, and I live thousands of miles from his shop.

Although I chose not to have my Realist serviced, they responded quickly and courteously when I inquired about refurbishment.

The only problem with the realist pickup is that it sucks....
Hope that helps.

I wouldn't say that. It depends on the bass.

It's the best piezo pu for arco out there.
Piz is great too on my Prescott. Best pu for that bass that I've tried.
On my German I don't like it alone. I need to blend it w/ a Bass Max or old Fishman clip on. I've never had any failure problems w/ either one. One bought in '99, the other in '03.

I think you'd get much better cust. service calling the shop. David himself is a very nice guy and Mike W. and Sprocket are the main repair guys there and know their stuff.

BG

The only problem with the realist pickup is that it sucks....


Hope that helps.

I couldn't disagree with you more.

BTW Your profile says you still use one.

- Steve

Although I chose not to have my Realist serviced, they responded quickly and courteously when I inquired about refurbishment.

That's what I wanted to hear. I did speak with a guy who had purchased an old German from Gage through the net. and he seemed pleased with the experience. Nice sounding bass too.

I couldn't disagree with you more.

BTW Your profile says you still use one.

- Steve



I don't use it anymore. I prefer my new Underwood. Which I got by default from Gage's when they broke my old one.
Let me rephrase my comment:
On my bass, I think the Realist sucks and I prefer my Underwood.
Also, In My Opinion, those "name" guys who use one, their sound has suffered as a result.

Gages is in NYC and is busy as hell, always. I was there recently to rent a Czek bass for a week stint and although I hadn't been in there in a few years, they all said hello and called me by name (and I'm nobody) and were wonderful. David set up the bass for me despite the fact that anyone could have done it. He asked me what I thought of the Realist (which he had replaced for me twice over the years) and which I am not into any longer, replaced by the much better Full Circle.
BTW, David's series of workshops is one of the very best things anyone has done for bassists. When I lived there I went to all of em, (I like to hear everybody's take on their approach) He had Dave Holland for 2 workshops and it was the best $40 I ever spent. I still pore over the mini disc I made. (David told me that this spring thee will be a video of Dave giving a workshop at NYU available like the Eddie Gomez DVD)
Those guys are busy, and you might have to call back to get some attention, and its more of a working shop then an internet retailer, but they are nice cats, and they have worked on Everyones basses, so if you want to know what cats are playing (strings set ups pups, amps, etc.) they have the answers.

Those guys are busy, and you might have to call back to get some attention, and its more of a working shop then an internet retailer, but they are nice cats, and they have worked on Everyones basses, so if you want to know what cats are playing (strings set ups pups, amps, etc.) they have the answers.

A while back we had a pretty long thread about Realist Falure on Talkbass. I tried searching for it but was unsuccessful. The jist of it was that "some realists" on basses with high bridge angles die after about 4 years. One of the tech's at David Gage confirmed this. That's my guess why they are only offering a year warranty now.

Ric

Mine failed due to abuse. There was tension on the wire going into the foil, because the wire was too short to reach the point where it mounts with any slack. A longer wire would have helped, and there was no way I could mount it without the tension, so I just had to leave it on as is. However, while I had it, it was a great pickup. I never got to try it with my EA amp, which is kind of a bummer.

Man, what is it with you cats? Breaking Animas and Realists like there ain't no tomorrow.

I've had a Realist on my bass for I dunno, ten or twelve years now? I can't even remember, I had an Underwood on the last boat gig I did, that was 94. I think I got the Realist when I got back form that, at the same time I bought a bow from Gage. I can try to dig up the receipt, if you need me to.

But no problems whatsoever.

Man, what is it with you cats? Breaking Animas and Realists like there ain't no tomorrow.

I've had a Realist on my bass for I dunno, ten or twelve years now? I can't even remember, I had an Underwood on the last boat gig I did, that was 94. I think I got the Realist when I got back form that, at the same time I bought a bow from Gage. I can try to dig up the receipt, if you need me to.

But no problems whatsoever.

Ed you have all the luck.
I remember talking to David after my first Realist failure (1st gen Realist with the button) and he said he was trying to keep the cost down because all piezos have a fixed life, before they start to degrade...especially under a ton of string pressure. After that, I broke a realist at the point where the cord comes out. (Abuse) and again at the same place for the same reason. I dont use it now cause I like the sound of the FC a lot better.
as for Anima's...lets not go there...

The jist of it was that "some realists" on basses with high bridge angles die after about 4 years. One of the tech's at David Gage confirmed this. That's my guess why they are only offering a year warranty now.

Ric

Well, that sure explains what happened to mine. The bass I had it on for five years had a horrendous bridge angle (and a very tall bridge). I was lost for awhile after it went (Underwood, Upton Revolution), but the Full Circle has stopped me from thinking about pickups any further.

Ed you have all the luck.

If I'm so smart, why ain't I rich?

As far as breakage, I've had one on my ply bass for 8 or 9 years with no problems.

As far as sound...
As has been said MANY times, the Realist sounds better at lower volumes. It also tends to work better on basses with more resonant tops. As I said in the 'Purpose of the Amp' thread, (in a perfect world) amplification is meant to support your acoustic sound IMO. I use a Realist and a mic on my (carved) bass and I've had many compliments on my sound. I have tried a bunch of different pickup combinations and the Reaslist is the only pickup I've tried that adds size to my sound with sounding like a pickup. The mic adds air.

If volume is what you need the Realist is not the pickup for you.

...... I have tried a bunch of different pickup combinations and the Reaslist is the only pickup I've tried that adds size to my sound with sounding like a pickup.....

So then....you're saying size DOES matter?!

:ninja:


Well, the Realist is cheaper than a 4x4 truck or sports car.

Also, In My Opinion, those "name" guys who use one, their sound has suffered as a result.[/QUOTE]

The best amplified bass sound I ever heard through PA was straight line from Darek Oles and Scott Coley Realists - no mixing with mic, just the pickup and the result was phenomenal in both cases. This would be impossible with any other pickup, in my opinion.

you should call them up, i bought one and it was broken out of the package and they promptly replaced it.

Anybody notice that the complaints in this thread are six years old!? It seems quite possible that a lot has changed in the way Gage's shop responds (and the Realist itself) in that time and the first complaints, though accurate at the time, just aren't relevant anymore.

I don't use it anymore. I prefer my new Underwood. Which I got by default from Gage's when they broke my old one.
Let me rephrase my comment:
On my bass, I think the Realist sucks and I prefer my Underwood.
Also, In My Opinion, those "name" guys who use one, their sound has suffered as a result.


This complaint is from 10:18am today.

Man, what is it with you cats? Breaking Animas and Realists like there ain't no tomorrow.



Well, maybe it's because most of us don't have tiny, delicate hands like some..... oh....um....

The best amplified bass sound I ever heard through PA was straight line from Darek Oles and Scott Coley Realists - no mixing with mic, just the pickup and the result was phenomenal in both cases. This would be impossible with any other pickup, in my opinion.

I saw Scott Colley about 3 months ago with just the realist into his WW head and a swr 2x10 cab. Sound was bad. And I love Scott's playing, but his sound wasn't happening at all imo.

Anybody notice that the complaints in this thread are six years old!? It seems quite possible that a lot has changed in the way Gage's shop responds (and the Realist itself) in that time and the first complaints, though accurate at the time, just aren't relevant anymore.

I liked my realist seven years ago; I don't like the one I got a year ago.
Not only that , but to be honest, I was always a Gage supporter, even when stories of less than great service began to circulate. The last time I was there, they had my bass for over a month and I dropped close to $3000 on repairs and updating; there are several things that they did sloppily...I could start a whole thread about it, but I know that's not the topic here.
Next time I need work I will try Arnold Schnitzer.

Well since we're getting all serious about this, I'll add my .02. I purchased my Strunal 7 years ago and had a new Realist installed on it. Never a problem. As has been said before, it works best at lower volumes. About 2 years ago I bought my Chrissy and had the Realist switched over to it. Again, in these past two years I've had no problems whatsoever. I can't speak to the problems people are having with David Gage service, etc., but their pickups have been pretty good to me. I'm thinking of getting a NS Cleveland hybrid and am wondering if switching again might be tempting fate.

Well, maybe it's because most of us don't have tiny, delicate hands like some..... oh....um....

Nah, Ed's just lucky in these matters. He doesn't even have fingernails on the ends of his fingers...I think they got pushed out when the hooves grew in.

The way the Realist is constructed, I'm surprised there aren't more failures. The one I saw the guts of (it was dead and had been disassembled by a lutheir) had a couple of brittle piezo elements sandwiched between brass shims without much of any compliant material to protect them. You get good coupling that way, but the elemenst are indeed vulnerable to the stress. There's some material around the elemenst which does take some load. I think the way to make them last is not to fiddle around one your Realist is in place.

Man, what is it with you cats? Breaking Animas and Realists like there ain't no tomorrow.

I've had a Realist on my bass for I dunno, ten or twelve years now? I can't even remember, I had an Underwood on the last boat gig I did, that was 94. I think I got the Realist when I got back form that, at the same time I bought a bow from Gage. I can try to dig up the receipt, if you need me to.

But no problems whatsoever.


You BASTARDS! If you hadn't been talking about alla this Realist failure, my pick up wouldn't be broken!

Last night had a gig that I brought an amp to, plugged in started dialing in a sound and -fzzzt - no sound. Oh well after 10 years I would say I got my money's worth....

You BASTARDS! If you hadn't been talking about alla this Realist failure, my pick up wouldn't be broken!

Last night had a gig that I brought an amp to, plugged in started dialing in a sound and -fzzzt - no sound. Oh well after 10 years I would say I got my money's worth....

ahahah, mine died last week after 5 years of service. its not really dead, but the output is like 10% of what it was before. whats next Ed? the Animas?:hiding:


Nuno

Shut yo mouth!

Shut yo mouth!

Dont worry Ed, if it'll happen, i'll substitute the broken strings for you:D


Nuno

I'm not worried about the Realist or the Animas, but if Ed ever misses a snappy comeback, that's it.... I'm out.

You BASTARDS! If you hadn't been talking about alla this Realist failure, my pick up wouldn't be broken!

Ed has taken "sympathy pain" to another realm.

The Eddie Gomez pickup is a Yamahiko. You can see it on the video he made at the David Gage shop or you can look at the Yamahiko website:

http://www.yamahiko.info/e/index.html

Ed has taken "sympathy pain" to another realm.

No kidding. You obviously weren't around to see what he went through when Mike Childree broke the neck of his New Standard Cleveland bass a few years ago. Ed is a true friend.

Hi everyone...I've been really happy with my pickup situation since I got my new bass and the new K&K Trinity mic. I was mixing the mic and the Realist pickup, and getting a great sound. A couple of days ago I noticed a loud buzzing coming from the amp every time I turned the Realist on, and now I can't record with the combination any more because of the noise. I believe it's a ground problem of some sort. Anybody else had a similar problem with this pickup? I love the pickup, but I've only had it a little over a year, and if they don't last any longer than that, this could get expensive!

I'd like to contact David Gage if possible to find out if it could be repaired. Does anybody know how to reach him or his shop by email? Thanks in advance!

I too have a realist pickup and I have also experienced the mentioned buzzing problem. I solved it by putting a ground lift on my amp. Now my only problem is that I´m completely reliant on the clubs and venues having real grounded electricity! ...which they fortunately generally have here in Copenhagen. :)

As of yesterday, I am now using the Fishman Full Circle.

As of yesterday, I am now using the Fishman Full Circle.

..we expect a full report....as only you can give.

Actually, I'm interested in hearing what you have to say. You don't use your pickup that often, right?

No, not that much. I mean when I got home I plugged in and played - arco sounds good and pizz sounds good but I'm standing in my living room, right?
I've got some gigs in April down in Georgia and I don't know what the venue is like so I'm taking the amp. I'll be working with a local group (all of whom I've played with before) and I'll probably use my mic for the concert and the amp for the club gigs. That'll be pretty "real world".

I'll keep you apprised....

but their pickups have been pretty good to me. I'm thinking of getting a NS Cleveland hybrid and am wondering if switching again might be tempting fate.

I've got a Realist on my NS Cleveland ply [ply top & back, carved sides] and i love it.

Chris
I can guarantee you That if you give Dave a call He'll make it up to you
I've met him before and there's no nicer person than him
Try that
He's very very busy sometimes

Reguards
Carlos g

I think you are going to end up really liking the Full Circle. Its a really good amplified, or acoustic support pickup . I had the Gage pickup on all my basses, but have been gradually replacing them with the Full Circle, as the Realist just dies eventually. The Full Circle weakpoint is the quality of the lead , which on some pickups occasionally breaks( I had one of mine fixed easily enough, whereas I never managed to get a realist fixed).

I`m on my second realist-the first lasted about 3 years and when it crapped out i sent it to Gage`s and he sent me a new one. I hope that works again since the second one just quit too, after about 5 years use.

And I`ve had a set of Animas on for 14 months and counting, and I think they sound better now than ever.

Yes, I also have failure... Lasted a little over a year. I had the jack changed to a nice switchcraft jack thinking it was a connection issue... but it seems like the peizo... have to save some dough to get something nice... schertler?

Yes, I also have failure... Lasted a little over a year. I had the jack changed to a nice switchcraft jack thinking it was a connection issue... but it seems like the peizo... have to save some dough to get something nice... schertler?
i heard theres some electronics (eq?) in the original jack.
Has anybody information about this?

***? My realist started working again! But I think I will save up a little and get the schertler stat-b, or if I hit the lottery, dyn-b!
az

Not to stray from the original thread, but I saw an interesting set-up recently at Sweet Basil. Eddie Gomez was using an Acoustic Image amp (the combo) and a pickup that seemed to be built into the bridge adjusters. Have you guys seen/heard of such a pickup? It sounded nice and clear from top to bottom and volume-wise, stood up to Lenny White's powerful playing. It also didn't sound as "Eddie Gomezy" as his recorded sound on some albums.

The pick-up Eddie uses is called Yamaya. Here's the URL to their WEB Site:

http://www.yamahiko.info/e/index.html

i heard theres some electronics (eq?) in the original jack.
Has anybody information about this?

Not anymore, not for at least a couple years now. I was just a single component that was determined to be unnecessary.

Not anymore, not for at least a couple years now. I was just a single component that was determined to be unnecessary.
thank you bob!
do you know what exactly that was?

I don't remember specifically, I think it may have been a resistor but cannot remember for certain.

I don't remember specifically, I think it may have been a resistor but cannot remember for certain.
thanks!

Has anyone got any opinions or heard good or bad comments about the Yamahiko pickup ... Eddie Gomez has enjoyed this pickup for several years. I guess the expensive price has prevented players from doing a road test? Any thoughts?

Hi everyone...I've been really happy with my pickup situation since I got my new bass and the new K&K Trinity mic. I was mixing the mic and the Realist pickup, and getting a great sound. A couple of days ago I noticed a loud buzzing coming from the amp every time I turned the Realist on, and now I can't record with the combination any more because of the noise. I believe it's a ground problem of some sort. Anybody else had a similar problem with this pickup? I love the pickup, but I've only had it a little over a year, and if they don't last any longer than that, this could get expensive!

I'd like to contact David Gage if possible to find out if it could be repaired. Does anybody know how to reach him or his shop by email? Thanks in advance!
I had/have a simlilar problem.
Same set-up: g/bullet+realist +K&K preamp = buzz from realist only. I was using BobG's stereo cable but when I switched to some other make the buzz went away completely. There's nothing wrong with Bob's cable when used in conjunction with a different set -up. Odd but solved problem.
Good luck

I had/have a simlilar problem.
Same set-up: g/bullet+realist +K&K preamp = buzz from realist only. I was using BobG's stereo cable but when I switched to some other make the buzz went away completely. There's nothing wrong with Bob's cable when used in conjunction with a different set -up. Odd but solved problem.
Good luck

Hi,

I also had a similar problem with my Realist (electric buzzing and rattling). It appeared that in my case it was invisibly moving/vibrating under the bridge foot. I re-set the bridge (no visible difference) and everything sounded great as before.