Obligatos work well with a transducer?

armybass · #1 02-28-2011, 09:04 PM

I love Obligatos but am curious if there is any reason that they or any other synthetic core string would not work well with a transducer type pickup. I don't know where I heard this but I remember someone saying that because the core was not made of some kind of metal that the output on a transducer pickup would be week. Just curious it there is any validity to that. I had a problem once with Obligatos and a K&K Bass Max not providing me a very strong signal. I always blamed the strings but over time I have started to think that it was probably just a poor fit of the pickup in that particular bridge. Any input appreciated.

**Francois Blais** · #2 03-01-2011, 08:10 AM

If the transducer is magnetic, indeed the tone may be weak.
But with a piezo, there's no problem.

armybass · #3 03-01-2011, 08:25 AM

Thank you for that response. I am not sure but I think the K&K is magnetic. I will check it out. If so there are other strings that I like too. Thank you!

armybass · #4 03-01-2011, 08:27 AM

Oh no, I was wrong it is indeed piezo. I guess it was just a poor fit for the pickup and not the strings.

drurb · #5 03-01-2011, 08:29 AM

The K&K BassMax is a dual piezo pickup. Strange that you had any trouble getting enough output as it's one of the "hottest" piezo PUPs around.

JayB · #6 03-01-2011, 08:53 AM

I've been using the bass max for over a year, and I'd say the most important part of getting a good sound (can't say the b-max ever does "natural") is a proper fit. Experiment with shims (I use cardpaper) to find the sweet spot for your bridge.

armybass · #7 03-01-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

The K&K BassMax is a dual piezo pickup. Strange that you had any trouble getting enough output as it's one of the "hottest" piezo PUPs around.

Wasn't the pickup... I think it was a poor fit in the bridge.

**Francois Blais** · #8 03-01-2011, 05:40 PM

I use sax (or clarinet) reeds for shimming pickups and it works great!

fdeck · #9 03-01-2011, 06:16 PM

I've had good results with Obli's and a transducer. Right now, I'm strung with Obli's on G and D, and Spiro Mitts on A and E.

sixandeightstringer · #10 03-03-2011, 03:14 PM

To clarify, in a simple way - the piezo pickups get their signal from the vibration of the wood that they are in contact with. The material makeup of the strings is irrelevant. If the strings make the wood vibrate, the pickup(s) therefore make signal. The better (and more complete) the contact to the wood, the better the output and sound quality.

Imagine placing a doctor's stethoscope up against the wood of your bridge. Now think of how more solid, flatter contact of the stethoscope will increase the volume and clarity you hear in the earpiece. Now translate and apply the same flatter/solid contact concepts to the installation of the piezo, and you should be golden.

armybass · #11 03-06-2011, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixandeightstringer

To clarify, in a simple way - the piezo pickups get their signal from the vibration of the wood that they are in contact with. The material makeup of the strings is irrelevant. If the strings make the wood vibrate, the pickup(s) therefore make signal. The better (and more complete) the contact to the wood, the better the output and sound quality.

Imagine placing a doctor's stethoscope up against the wood of your bridge. Now think of how more solid, flatter contact of the stethoscope will increase the volume and clarity you hear in the earpiece. Now translate and apply the same flatter/solid contact concepts to the installation of the piezo, and you should be golden.

So clear and concise that I understood. LOL, thanks!

Kaspar Vadsholt · #12 03-14-2011, 04:50 PM

I must say that, while oblis certainly works with a piezo pickup, I wasn't happy with the quality of the amplified tone on MY bass. (7/8 Lang with Full Circle). Same thing goes with Evah Pirazzis. I suspect the synthetic core on these strings is the matter; it simply sounded hollow and without focus, with is a shame, since I liked the acoustic tone of both strings.