An Ehrlund blog, sort of

[drurb]

As for isolating the cable, I posted pictures and detailed descriptions right in this thread. I even specified the model of the Switchcraft jack I used. No need to use hanging support wires at all assuming you shorten the cable, which I recommend very highly. I'd link right to my posts, but I'm tapping this out on my phone.

As for the battery, I just put in a new one after a couple of months and used the old one as the battery backup in an alarm clock. I swapped it right before a major gig. I considered it to be cheap insurance. Nice to hear that they can go six to nine months under heavy use. When the battery voltage falls substantially, what typically happens in such devices is that overall output level drops along with the peak input voltage that can be handled. That eventually results in clipping.

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by drurb

As for isolating the cable, I posted pictures and detailed descriptions right in this thread. I even specified the model of the Switchcraft jack I used. No need to use hanging support wires at all assuming you shorten the cable, which I recommend very highly.

I didn't want to shorten the cable because it looks quite delicate and my soldering iron looks Victorian. I didn't want to end up with an unreliable connection.

[Vunz]

Many thanks to ric, drurb, et al for answering my question. I guess I will order the Ehrlund and see whether it can replace my DPA 4099b. I love this mic, and I used to be a huge advocate for using a mic only during gigs, but lately I've been running into situations (loud gigs, terrible acoustics) in which the mic is a less than ideal solution... It was not that I could not hear myself properly, but that my fellow musicians started complaining. Hopefully the Ehrlund can retain the basic mic-like features that I love without the drawbacks!

Cheers,
Vincent

[drurb]

Originally Posted by kevteop

I didn't want to shorten the cable because it looks quite delicate and my soldering iron looks Victorian. I didn't want to end up with an unreliable connection.

Understood. As I also posted, it requires somewhat refined soldering skills.

[engedi1]

Originally Posted by drurb

Understood. As I also posted, it requires somewhat refined soldering skills.

In my case I have NO soldering skills, and have decided to not shorten the cable. Less than ideal perhaps, but I simply roll the cable up into a tight coil with just enough protruding so that it has a fairly tight fit to the preamp, which I mount in my bow quiver. This has worked for over 6 months, and before that, I didn't even roll it up. but put the preamp on my music stand. As long as you have a sufficient angle where the cable doesn't touch the top (at all) it will be fine. I also don't like to mount things on my tailpiece, so I opted out of that. My solution is not the prettiest, but it is low tech, and cost me zero extra in money or time and I recommend it to the technologically clueless out there like myself.

[Vunz]

Well, I took the plunge and ordered an Ehrlund pickup + preamp from Jonas, who will shorten the cable and outfit it with a Neutrik female 1/4" connector and a Lando clamp to attach the connector to the tailpiece of my bass. To be honest, I am a bit scared... I have played with a mic only for so long, and was disapointed by so many pickups (including the Schertler dyn). Yet, the soundclips posted in this, and the other mega-, thread, did sound very promising and convinced me to try the pickup myself. Let's see if it will be able to convert a stubborn mic only guy such as myself!

Cheers,
Vincent

[Badong]

Originally Posted by Vunz

Let's see if it will be able to convert a stubborn mic only guy such as myself!

Cheers,
Vincent

Try to avoid unrealistic expectations. The Ehrlund is great but a mic is the ideal tone when you can avoid feedback and funky rooms. The EAP is a compromise between a mic and a piezo and therefore not perfect but a very convincing imitation. I like mine so much I'm buying a whole new amp/cab setup to compliment it.

Hope this helps you avoid a major disappointment and enjoy getting to know the EAP. Also, be patient with placement and EQ as there is a significant learning curve.

[Ric Vice]

Originally Posted by Vunz

Well, I took the plunge and ordered an Ehrlund pickup + preamp from Jonas, who will shorten the cable and outfit it with a Neutrik female 1/4" connector and a Lando clamp to attach the connector to the tailpiece of my bass. To be honest, I am a bit scared... I have played with a mic only for so long, and was disapointed by so many pickups (including the Schertler dyn). Yet, the soundclips posted in this, and the other mega-, thread, did sound very promising and convinced me to try the pickup myself. Let's see if it will be able to convert a stubborn mic only guy such as myself!

Cheers,
Vincent

Vincent,
Well, from my perspective, when I first heard the clip that Goran Ehrlund had on his site, I couldn't see what the fuss was about. Then I tried one out and it was a real eye opener, on my bass. I had been experimenting with the DPA 4099B, and a Realist. Once I had the Ehrlund installedm and played a few gigs, I removed the Realist, and stowed the DPA 4099 unless it's a concert where I need to go FOH, and frankly even then it's just more convenient to just DI the signal from my amp. May it work as well for you as it does for me.

Ric

[Vunz]

Thanks, Ric! And Badong: I fully understand that this pickup won't be the answer to life, the universe and everything, so I will set my expectations accordingly. Thanks for the warning, though!

Cheers,
Vincent

[al808]

Originally Posted by Vunz

Thanks, Ric! And Badong: I fully understand that this pickup won't be the answer to life, the universe and everything, so I will set my expectations accordingly.

Maybe, but it IS the holy grail of upright amplfication..

[tito mangialajo]

Originally Posted by Badong

Try to avoid unrealistic expectations. The Ehrlund is great but a mic is the ideal tone when you can avoid feedback and funky rooms. The EAP is a compromise between the pickup and the piezo and therefore not perfect but a very convincing imitation. I like mine so much I'm buying a whole new amp/cab setup to compliment it.

Hope this helps you avoid a major disappointment and enjoy getting to know the EAP. Also, be patient with placement and EQ as there is a significant learning curve.

Just curious: what kind of amp/cab setup do you think is a better choice? what do you want to buy now? and what amp do you have until now?

[Badong]

Originally Posted by tito mangialajo

Just curious: what kind of amp/cab setup do you think is a better choice? what do you want to buy now? and what amp do you have until now?

I'm currently running a Markbass LMK II in into a GK Neo210. It actually did a pretty decent job with the Realist but I cannot get it dialed in on the Ehrlund.

I just bought an EA iAmp Pro from the classifieds here and will be looking at either a fEarless F115 or one of the new Big E cabs. I need something to use with a big band. I still use my MB150S for quieter gigs. One of my favorite pianist in the area couldn't quit raving about it on the last gig.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Badong

Try to avoid unrealistic expectations. The Ehrlund is great but a mic is the ideal tone when you can avoid feedback and funky rooms. The EAP is a compromise between the pickup and the piezo and therefore not perfect but a very convincing imitation. I like mine so much I'm buying a whole new amp/cab setup to compliment it.

Hope this helps you avoid a major disappointment and enjoy getting to know the EAP. Also, be patient with placement and EQ as there is a significant learning curve.

A compromise between pickup and piezo? Do you mean a functional combination of the characteristics of a mic and a piezo pickup? Now, that I would understand.

Indeed, a mic is the gold standard in terms of reproducing the sound of the DB. No question. In the studio, I didn't run my Ehrlund into the mix. In most gigging situations, however, I don't think a mic is the most desirable device. Yes, in those limited circumstances in which feedback can be avoided, a mic is, hands down, the best. If one has a regular gig or gigs that fit the criteria, I'd go with a mic. That doesn't apply to me, given the different groups with and venues in which I play.

I didn't find there to be a substantial learning curve at all with the Ehrlund. I spent a total of a few hours over two or three days methodically testing various placements. That was, essentially it. Tone-shaping will always be necessary, given room/cabinet characteristics and interactions. The same would be true for a mic. The truth is that I have to fiddle with tone-shaping to a lesser degree with the Ehrlund than I did with other pickups. I believe this is because of the superior reproduction of the temporal attack/decay profile that the Ehrlund affords (see comments earlier in this thread). This results in less tweaking in difficult situations in order to be heard.

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

Vincent,
Well, from my perspective, when I first heard the clip that Goran Ehrlund had on his site, I couldn't see what the fuss was about. Then I tried one out and it was a real eye opener, on my bass. I had been experimenting with the DPA 4099B, and a Realist. Once I had the Ehrlund installedm and played a few gigs, I removed the Realist, and stowed the DPA 4099 unless it's a concert where I need to go FOH, and frankly even then it's just more convenient to just DI the signal from my amp. May it work as well for you as it does for me.

Ric

+1! In fact, if you look back at my early comments, I was singularly unimpressed with those clips and still am! I blame the clips and not the device. The more recent comparison clips that have been posted are far more revealing. My reaction to the Ehrlund was and is, "Where have you been all my life?!" I still haven't found a situation in which I've been disappointed with it. It is superior to every other pickup system I've used.

[al808]

Originally Posted by drurb

"Where have you been all my lif I still haven't found a situation in which I've been disappointed with it. It is superior to every other pickup system I've used.

Without joking, for you guys who have got the Ehrlund and are happy with it , it is truly a revolutionary take on amplifying an up right.
Here is what I posted on his Facebook page
Hi Göran, I just wanted to say again how much I appreciate the EAP, just about every day, when I gig. It's truly the holy grail of upright bass amplification, it's simply a life changing experience to able to enjoy one's instrument in such a natural way, I never thought it would be possible to amplify an upright without a massive compromise, and then you came along! It's good to see it much discussed at talk bass as the world is slowly getting in on this little secret. I just bought a second one for back up and to lend to friends and also use on my nylon guitar. Also I've been moving it around my bass and am amazed at how many different sounds it can muster, I have it positioned now where I don't need any EQ, how good can things get?
So yeah, you can call this a little fan mail, I confess I think of you regularly as I never cease to marvel at the enjoyment I get when playing gigs, now that that little triangle thingy is stuck on my bass. Cheers, Al.

It is really strange to hear oneself with such a nice sound, I've had an underwood, a realist, a full circle, a solo and a vector and DPA, this thing, the EPA, sounds like a mic, I use now a powered speaker with a full and flat response no bass amp for me thanks, on a speaker pole.
Really get a trial one and see what you think, this is truly a game changer.

[VegasGutPlucker]

+1 on the learning curve for the EAP.
I thought I found the sweet spot, within a cm around a variation in the wood grain near the E side F hole. or so I thought.
On a whim I did some more experimentation and found gorgeousity in tone superior just off the E bridge foot, just off the bass bar, a little this way, a little that. Not as much boom in the low notes as I was getting but FAR better definition across all strings and up top which more than makes up for it. As drurb likes to mention, this pickup excels at attack!
As far as recording: I have a session in about 10 days with an engineer that I know always takes the D.I. off the bass pickup, a technique I know has its justifications but I despise. It'll be nice to walk in without the EAP, my bass 'nude' so to speak, and force him to pull out one of the Neumans or Coles ribbons. Sorry dude, no pickup on this bass. Take that Mr Mix Man!
The power of this pickup isn't how well it works recording straight to tape, mics are much better for that. It's about how this device works with an amp, in a room, with a band. Best thing I've ever found for those delicately amped low volume gigs but can also handle the loudest gigs I've done yet.
Anyone's welcome to send me a DPA to try out but until then, I'm well contented.

[al808]

Originally Posted by VegasGutPlucker

The power of this pickup isn't how well it works recording straight to tape, mics are much better for that. It's about how this device works with an amp, in a room, with a band. Best thing I've ever found for those delicately amped low volume gigs but can also handle the loudest gigs I've done yet.
Anyone's welcome to send me a DPA to try out but until then, I'm well contented.

I think there is actually a number of live classic jazz recordings that would have benefited big time with an EPA on the bass, let's say Bill Evans last recordings at the village for example.But hey, my opinion ,...

[Badong]

Now I'm curious. Those of you that have had great success with the EAP, what amplification setup are you using including the venue, and genre of music . . .

[al808]

Originally Posted by Badong

Now I'm curious. Those of you that have had great success with the EAP, what amplification setup are you using including the venue, and genre of music . . .

Normal jazz here, a straight flat frequency powered speaker is my weapon of choice, on a pole.

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by Badong

Now I'm curious. Those of you that have had great success with the EAP, what amplification setup are you using including the venue, and genre of music . . .

To be honest I'm still using my Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 and a Schroeder 1212L cab. But this is the first time that the dominant characteristics of the Schroeder have ever bothered me - they suit bass guitar and it doesn't really matter with a DB and a piezo, but with the Ehrlund you notice how unnatural it is.

Could definitely use a better cab now. Sadly I have a massive tax bill that I can't afford at the end of January. :/

[VegasGutPlucker]

Originally Posted by al808

I think there is actually a number of live classic jazz recordings that would have benefited big time with an EPA on the bass, let's say Bill Evans last recordings at the village for example.But hey, my opinion ,...

or the Carnegie Hall recordings

I play a variety of bars and restaurants, coffee shops and casino convention rooms, casino malls, usually straight ahead jazz, modern jazz, trad jazz, groove improv, pop songs with jazz tendencies, folk music from some corners of the globe, all with as much honesty I can muster. Arco, rarely. But when I do it's glorious.
I use an Acoustic Image 1 series 3 into a crazy 8, crazy 88, or both. I'm saving up for a Big E to trade out the 88, if it passes the audition. I send a DI out for the larger convention rooms. Transparency is the most often remark from those sound guys.