Barbera transducer with WW amp

Stefan Boeters · #1 11-25-2002, 05:18 PM

Since a couple of weeks I've been trying the combination of a Barbera transducer (integrated in a custom made bridge) and a WW (100 W) amp with my double bass. Given the high quality of both products, I'm somewhat disappointed with the sound results until now.

The WW has to input jacks: one for "hi" and one for "lo" impedance. Normally I would expect a piezo pickup like the Barbera one to work best with the high impedance input (and this is also what Rich Barbera confirms). Actually, when I use the high-input, I get a loud, fat sound. But I'm not quite satisfied with the sound characteristics. To my ears, the sound has far too much mids and is, all in all, too electric-sounding (even after EQ adjustment). Interestingly, when I use the low-input, the sound is a lot more natural, but the signal is significantly weaker, so that I have difficulties to stand up to a drummer with my equipment.

I hope that there might be a way of getting the advantages of the two inputs: the high input level of the "hi" and the good sound of the "lo". I think about using a preamp an then going into the low-input. Has anybody here experienced similar problems with the Barbera transducer? Do you know bassists who use this pickup together with a preamp? Any suggestions what I might try?

Stefan

Sam Sherry · #2 11-25-2002, 05:40 PM

Ah, brother, that's Hi gain and Lo gain. What you're hearing is that the sound tends to "warm up" a bit as you increase the gain.

Try this: Set the master volume to about 1:30, tone controls at 12:00, and channel gain to about 10:00. Plug into "Hi" and gradually increase the channel gain until you're hearing the level of "warmth" you like. Now, fine-adjust with the tone controls, then use the master volume to get as much sound as you need.

Hope this helps.

Marty Forrer · #3 11-26-2002, 01:51 AM

I have a Barbera, and I've tried a couple of preamps, but I find it's better without one. Considering the price of the Barbera, I was a little disappointed too. I was using Spirocore Weich and D'Addario Helicore strings, and always thought it was a little bit too "electric" sounding. However I recently changed to Velvet Garbo strings, and the difference is HUGE. This pickup system really seems to like gut strings. My sound is suddenly very acoustic and open. I really got them for my country/rockabilly gigs, but I did a jazz gig the other night and got told I had the best acoustic bass sound of any bassist they had ever used. Needless to say, I was somewhat pleased!
For what it's worth, on jazz gigs I use a GK MB150E112 amp, and generally run all the EQ knobs at 10 o'clock, in other words, with some cut.

Stefan Boeters · #4 11-26-2002, 06:36 PM

Thanks, Samuel, for your suggestion -- I'll try it as you proposed. However, I'm a little confused about the "hi" and "lo" input:

Quote:

Originally posted by Samuel
Ah, brother, that's Hi gain and Lo gain. What you're hearing is that the sound tends to "warm up" a bit as you increase the gain.

As I understand it, "hi" and "lo" gain would mean that I should get the same sound result whether I use the "hi" input with the gain control turned down or the "lo" input with the gain control turned up. But this is clearly not the case. As I said, the sound quality differs a lot. (And my guess was that this has to do with input impedance matching.) I like the sound I get with the "lo" input a lot more. And this is why I looked for a solution where I can use this input.

Stefan